If your Thanksgiving feast involves a big turkey, you’ll likely spend the next few days figuring out what to do with the leftover meat. Instead of recreating the full holiday plate, you can turn what’s left into meals that fit everyday cooking. With the turkey already roasted and ready, dinner moves faster and feels different from the celebration itself.
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To make the most of your leftover turkey, try dishes suited for slower dinners or quick lunches. With a few simple ideas, you can keep meals enjoyable throughout the week without spending extra hours in the kitchen.
Repurpose leftover turkey
Using your turkey after the holiday helps you cut down on waste and make the most of a dish that took time and effort to prepare. Since the meat is already cooked, you can bring meals together quickly and with less stress. It also helps you save on groceries by covering the main protein for several days.
Turkey fits easily into new flavors, so your meals never have to feel repetitive. You can turn it into a creamy casserole, a hearty turkey noodle soup or even a spiced dish without losing its tender texture. This flexibility keeps cooking simple, lightens your workload and makes post-holiday meals feel just as rewarding as the feast itself.
Make rich homemade turkey broth
A turkey carcass gives you a reliable foundation for a flavorful broth. Once you’ve removed the meat, place the bones and any remaining skin or trimmings in a pot to build a rich base. Add onion, celery, carrot, peppercorns, bay leaves and parsley stems to deepen the flavor without much work. Let the pot simmer covered for one to two hours or longer so the ingredients have time to release their aroma.
When you’re done, strain and cool the broth to use as a versatile base for soups, gravies, rice dishes or risotto. Store it in small containers or ice cube trays so it’s ready whenever you need it. It’s a simple way to turn scraps into something useful and full of flavor.
Create comfort casseroles or pot pies
Leftover turkey from the Thanksgiving feast works well in baked dishes with a creamy base and tender vegetables. You can dice or shred the meat and mix it with everyday pantry staples for a warm, filling meal. Turkey tetrazzini pairs the meat with pasta, mushrooms and a cream sauce topped with cheese, while a turkey-and-broccoli bake combines broccoli florets, cheddar and turkey in a casserole that sets nicely in the oven.
If you prefer a more classic option, try a turkey pot pie with mixed vegetables and a thick gravy, topped with a pie crust or puff pastry top. These dishes feed several people and are easy to prepare ahead of busy weeknights.
Turn turkey into soup
The broth you make from the bones gives you a rich base for soups, and the shredded meat blends easily into many different styles. Turkey noodle soup brings the same comfort as chicken noodle, but with a deeper, more savory taste. Turkey and wild rice soup feels earthy and hearty, and you can keep it creamy or clear depending on what you prefer.
For something with a kick, try turkey tortilla soup made with broth seasoned with warm spices and topped with crispy tortilla strips. You can also swap turkey for ground meat in a tomato-based chili for a filling one-pot meal. These soups work well in larger batches, so you can freeze some for later or portion out meals for the week.
Fast wraps and salads
Replacing deli meat with turkey is one of the easiest ways to get a meal on the table. You can shred or slice leftover breast meat for salads with greens, roasted vegetables, nuts and a simple vinaigrette. Or chop some tender dark meat and add it to a tasty veggie-packed salad.
Turkey also works well in wraps and sandwiches, where a little leftover cranberry sauce or gravy adds flavor and moisture without extra effort. A turkey-cranberry wrap brings the meat and greens together in a soft tortilla, while a turkey Caesar salad mixes romaine, parmesan and croutons for something fresh and filling.
If you want something warm, turn your leftover turkey into a quick skillet meal. Layer slices on sourdough with cheese and a bit of Challenge Butter for crisp, golden edges. It’s a comforting choice that doesn’t require reheating sides or preparing anything complicated, and you can easily change it up with whatever vegetables or spreads you already have in the fridge.
Fresh meals after Thanksgiving
Making the most of your Thanksgiving turkey is a reminder that good food never needs to go to waste. When you find new ways to use what you already have, you save effort while keeping the spirit of the holiday alive. Each meal becomes a small reward for the time you’ve already spent in the kitchen, turning leftovers into something worth looking forward to.
Jennifer Allen is a retired professional chef and long-time writer. Her work appears in dozens of publications, including MSN, Yahoo, The Washington Post and The Seattle Times. These days, she’s busy in the kitchen developing recipes and traveling the world, and you can find all her best creations at Cook What You Love.
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