Leftover Smoked Turkey Recipes (20+ Great Ideas) (2024)

Recipes

These delicious leftover smoked turkey recipes are a great way to continue the smoky flavor that you enjoyed at Thanksgiving dinner. Some may say that Thanksgiving leftovers are actually better than the holiday dinner itself. Once you see all of these creative ways to use up the leftover meat I’m sure you will agree.

Leftover Smoked Turkey Recipes (20+ Great Ideas) (1)

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Delicious Leftover Turkey Recipes

You have to admit that leftovers are the best parts of the holiday, at least when it comes to the food part. These leftover recipes are all delicious ways to capture the amazing flavor of your smoked turkey and repeat it in leftover meals. Whether you are looking for a big meal like a casserole or a small dish like a sandwich, you are in the right place. What is the best leftover turkey recipe in your home?

Click here to Learn How to Smoke a Turkey

Make sure to check out our step by step process for How to Smoke a Turkey. Most of these recipes can be made with smoked turkey, regular turkey, and often even rotisserie chicken. So mix things up and enjoy.

Leftover Smoked Turkey Recipes

Enjoy your turkey leftovers the next day with our favorite leftover turkey recipes.

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TURKEY CRANBERRY SLIDERS

Photo Credit:blackberrybabe.com

Use your Thanksgiving leftovers for these Turkey Cranberry Sliders! These Hawaiian roll turkey sandwiches are made with turkey, cranberry sauce, and Swiss cheese and baked to perfection with a butter drizzle.

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15-Bean Soup Recipe

Photo Credit:nourishandnestle.com

When you make a big turkey dinner and have leftover turkey thighs this 15 Bean Soup Recipe is a great way to use up that leftover turkey leg meat. This amazing soup recipe with black beans includes instructions for making this soup in the slow cooker, on the stovetop, or in the oven.

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Paleo Turkey Chowder

Photo Credit:www.theroastedroot.net

This creamy dairy-free paleo turkey chowder made with leftover Thanksgiving turkey, and creamy broth is a delicious recipe that you will want to eat all year round.

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Brie Grilled Cheese with Turkey (great for leftover turkey!)

Photo Credit:dizzybusyandhungry.com

Brie Grilled Cheese and Turkey is a unique sandwich with creamy brie, tender turkey breast, and cranberry spread, stuffed between two pieces of sourdough bread and grilled until crispy.

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Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry Crust

Photo Credit:www.chelseadishes.com

Give your leftover turkey a makeover with this wholesome and savory turkey pot pie with puff pastry. This recipe is essentially a leftover turkey casserole, as it’s baked in a baking dish, making it fuss-free and great for feeding a crowd. This is very similar to a turkey shepherd's pie.

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Smoked Turkey Chili Recipe

Photo Credit:cookeatgo.com

This Smoked Turkey Chili Recipe is the perfect way to use any leftover turkey from holiday dinners.

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How to Make the Best Turkey Bone Broth in the Ninja Foodi

Photo Credit:www.justthewoods.com

Turkey bone broth is so easy to make in the Ninja Foodi. You can make this turkey stock with your turkey carcass, and fresh vegetables.

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Leftover Turkey Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

Photo Credit:grilling24x7.com

Looking for leftover turkey sliders on Hawaiian Rolls that are packed with flavor then you’ve got to try these turkey and brie sliders with green apple.

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Green Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey Wings

Photo Credit:www.garlicandzest.com

This easy, flavorful green pea soup is made with whole green peas and a smoked turkey wing to season the broth. Because this rich, creamy potage uses dried peas, you’ll need to soak them overnight before making the soup.

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Easy Leftover Turkey Soup with Egg Noodles and Vegetables

Photo Credit:thegiftedgabber.com

This leftover turkey soup with noodles is the perfect recipe for leftover turkey. Make the Amish egg noodles and leftover turkey meat soup with veggies or without.

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Savory Baked Turkey Crepes

Photo Credit:sustainmycookinghabit.com

These savory baked turkey crepes are both hearty and make for a delicious meal option for the whole family. This easy recipe will become a new family favorite in your house too.

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Turkey Cranberry Crostini - Great Use of Turkey Leftovers

Photo Credit:www.biscuitsandburlap.com

Turkey Cranberry Crostini is a creative and elegant way to make good use of those Thanksgiving turkey leftovers.

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Easy Leftover Turkey Tacos Recipe

Photo Credit:www.thefreshcooky.com

Transform leftover Thanksgiving turkey into these flavor-packed and juicy Leftover Turkey Tacos with flour tortillas! These leftover turkey carnitas are perfectly seasoned with a balance of smoky, sweet, citrusy, and savory ingredients. It’s the perfect way to enjoy leftover turkey! A little fresh cilantro and hot sauce is the best way to enjoy turkey tacos.

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{Leftover Turkey} Pesto Sliders

Photo Credit:thepeasantsdaughter.net

Use your leftover turkey meat to create these moist and tasty cheesy pesto sliders the next day. The pesto keeps the turkey from drying out making it the perfect solution for breast meat.

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Ultimate Leftover Turkey Breakfast Sandwich

Photo Credit:projectmealplan.com

I can’t imagine a better way to use up leftover Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey than the Ultimate Leftover Turkey Breakfast Sandwich. Holiday turkey layered over a patty of mashed potatoes and stuffing melted provolone, and topped with a fried egg. This recipe idea simply can't be beat.

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Smoked Turkey Quesadilla

Photo Credit:cookwhatyoulove.com

This real Texas-style Smoked Turkey Quesadilla is meaty, cheesy, and oh-so-good! Grab some salsa and sour cream, and a quick and tasty meal is just minutes away! These turkey quesadillas make for an easy lunch when you are short on time. Use flour or corn tortillas.

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Smoked Turkey and Dumplings

Photo Credit:www.missinthekitchen.com

Smoked Turkey and Dumplings is the perfect comfort food recipe. Made with delicious smoked turkey, a creamy sauce vegetable soup base, and easy homemade dumplings.

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Smoked Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash

Photo Credit:www.chilipeppermadness.com

Smoked Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash is a simple, flavor-packed meal that's loaded with protein and nutrients! Turkey (leftovers work very well) is cooked in just one skillet with sweet potatoes, Cajun seasoning, chili peppers, and more.

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Leftover Smoked Turkey Salad

Photo Credit:www.smartypantskitchen.com

There's nothing better than leftover smoked turkey to make a delicious leftover turkey salad.

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Creamy Smoked Turkey and Wild Rice Soup.

Photo Credit:www.thatsusanwilliams.com

Wondering what to do with leftover turkey? Creamy Smoked Turkey and Wild Rice Soup is just the ticket. It will help you make good DELICIOUS use of that leftover turkey carcass.

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Turkey Enchilada Casserole

Photo Credit:www.thismamacooks.com

Make this leftover turkey enchilada casserole when you have leftover turkey after Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

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Leftover Turkey Risotto

Photo Credit:www.kitchensanctuary.com

This leftover turkey and mushroom risotto is rich, creamy, and comforting, and a great way to use up those leftovers from a holiday meal.

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Tetrazzini Casserole With Leftover Turkey Or Chicken

Photo Credit:dancingthroughtherain.com

This Tetrazzini Casserole is a delicious way to use up leftover turkey or chicken.

Leftover Smoked Turkey Recipes (20+ Great Ideas) (2024)

FAQs

How long can you keep a smoked turkey in the refrigerator? ›

Refrigerate meat and poultry within 2 hours of removing it from a smoker. Cut the meat or poultry into smaller portions or slices, place it in shallow containers, cover, and refrigerate. Use it within 4 days or freeze for later use.

Read On ›
How do you cook a turkey that is already smoked? ›

Place your smoked turkey on the broiler try rack and tent securely with tin foil. Place the trayed smoked turkey in the middle of a 350° F oven and cook for about 1.5 – 2 hours (or until a meat thermometer reaches about 140° F in the center of the breast). Remove the turkey and carve for serving.

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Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

Frozen Turkey

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

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Is smoked turkey considered fully cooked? ›

Butterball Smoked Whole Turkeys are fully cooked and ready to eat. They can be used in recipes calling for cooked turkey without prior heating. The pink color of the meat comes from smoking and curing and is not a sign of undercooked meat.

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What to do with an already smoked turkey breast? ›

Remove turkey breast from packaging and rewrap in aluminum foil (to prevent sticking, first spray aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray). Place foil-wrapped turkey breast in shallow roasting pan. Heat at 350° F for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Remove pan from oven and carefully remove foil.

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What is smoked turkey good for? ›

There's very little fat (just 1 gram in total), 2 grams of carbs and an impressive 10 grams of protein. Eating smoked turkey can help you meet your daily goals for protein, which your body requires for muscle development, hormone production and energy, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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How do you reheat a whole smoked turkey without drying it out? ›

Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

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Can you fry an already smoked turkey? ›

Drop the "smoked" turkey into the 350 degree oil. Fry until you reach 160 in the deepest part of the breast. The fry will take approximately 1 - 1/2 mins per lb at 350. This part of the cook will take approximately 20 minutes on a 15 lb turkey.

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Is smoked turkey healthy? ›

Though smoked chicken and turkey can still create HCAs and PAHs, they are, overall, heathier choices than red meat. Go lean. Next in line after poultry are lean cuts of pork (like pork loin, tenderloin and center cut chops).

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Why does turkey turn pink when smoked? ›

Scientists have found that pinkness occurs when gases in the atmosphere of a heated gas or electric oven react chemically with hemoglobin in the meat tissues to give poultry a pink tinge. They are the same substances that give red color to smoked hams and other cured meats.

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Can you make gravy from a smoked turkey? ›

Here's how to make homemade turkey stock for your turkey gravy: Put the legs (or the neck and tails) on the smoker for an hour. Transfer them to a crock pot with 8 cups water, 1 cup celery, 1 cup carrots, 1 medium yellow onion, and 2 Tablespoons of salt. Cook it on low for 6-8 hours.

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Can smoked turkey be eaten cold? ›

Defrost your turkey in the refrigerator. For every four pounds of turkey, it takes approximately 24 hours to defrost in the refrigerator. If you want to eat your smoked turkey cold, you can eat it as soon as it is defrosted (it's fully cooked!)

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What is the best flavor to smoke a turkey? ›

Hickory is a classic hard wood choice for smoking turkey for several reasons. It has a distinct flavor that is robust and very forward and is familiar to those who enjoy smoky flavors. Maple wood gives off a sweeter smoke and can add a lovely golden hue to anything you smoke with it.

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How long can Butterball smoked turkey stay in fridge? ›

The pink color of the meat comes from smoking and curing and is not a sign of undercooked meat. Leftovers: Carve leftover turkey into pieces before refrigerating to speed cooling. Refrigerate carved leftovers within 2 hours of eating. Use leftover turkey within 3 days.

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How long can you keep a Greenberg turkey in the refrigerator? ›

Here are a few additional Greenberg Turkey tips: Turkey may be held in the refrigerator six to eight days. Serve chilled or at room temperature. If heating the turkey, place in an oven bag.

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How long can I keep smoked meat in the fridge? ›

Then wrap your smoked cooked meat tightly in either plastic wrap or foil. Then place your packages inside the refrigerator. Your meat will last for about 4 days before going bad. If you really want to extend the shelf lives of your smoked meats, use a vacuum sealer to remove excess air.

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Can I keep a fresh turkey in the fridge for 6 days? ›

If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

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