10 Clever Ways to Use Up Your Leftover Turkey

They’re perfect for snacking, dipping, and sharing. Turkey nuggets combine the joy of fast food with the comforting taste of Thanksgiving dinner. You can make them in two different styles: whole pieces or quick fast-food versions. If you have a large amount of turkey leftover, try making whole pieces. Simply slice the turkey into bite-sized chunks (about one or two inches), dip them in an egg wash, then coat in flour or breadcrumbs. For smaller, shredded leftovers, consider a recipe like this one, where the turkey is finely chopped with onions in a food processor. Bind with mayo, egg, and cheese to form small turkey patties. Coat these as you would the whole pieces, then bake, pan-fry, air fry, or deep fry until golden and crispy.

For a fun family activity, turn dinner into an assembly-line project by making turkey-stuffed rice balls, or arancini. These delicious balls often conceal gooey cheese inside, but they can also be filled with turkey. Start by cooking and slightly cooling sticky short-grain rice, like arborio. Mix in cheese and an egg yolk, and let the rice cool completely. While this happens, prepare your turkey filling: chop the leftover turkey and mix it with whatever you like—cheese, spices, or even a little tomato sauce with herbs. Once the rice has cooled, flatten it into a disc in your hand, add a spoonful of turkey filling, and wrap the rice around it. Roll each ball in beaten egg whites, coat with breadcrumbs, and fry quickly in hot oil.

Omelets are a versatile dish, easily enjoyed with just a pinch of salt or loaded with flavors like crab meat. While turkey may not replace crab, it’s an excellent omelet addition. Prepare your omelet as usual and load it with as much shredded turkey as desired. Add cheese, cooked vegetables, and even a bit of leftover stuffing from the fridge to make it even heartier.

Few things compare to the comfort of pasta wrapped around a tasty filling. This recipe is adaptable—you can use as much or as little turkey as you have and adjust the stuffing to suit your taste. Start by spreading a generous layer of marinara sauce in a casserole dish. In a bowl, chop or shred your leftover turkey, then combine it with ricotta cheese, parmesan, and spinach to fill a dish full of large pasta shells. Add an egg yolk to help bind everything together. Spoon the turkey mixture into each shell and arrange them neatly in the dish. Bake until hot and bubbly.

With the help of the ultimate “elegant made easy” helper, boxed puff pastry, you can transform leftover turkey into a delightful pastry. Prepare a filling with leftover turkey, cheese, or some cooked vegetables. Thaw a roll of puff pastry and lay out six to eight scoops of turkey filling, leaving about an inch of space between them. Lightly brush egg wash around the edges of each mound of filling. Place the second sheet of pastry on top and gently press it down over the filling to seal the edges where the egg wash is. Cut the pastry into rectangles, separating each turkey pocket. Use a fork to crimp the edges and ensure a good seal. Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet according to the package instructions.

Buffalo chicken pizza lovers, this one's for you! Transform your leftover turkey into a perfect bar-food pizza with a hit of buffalo sauce. Cube or shred your leftover turkey (I prefer shredding, by the way). Toss it in a bowl with homemade buffalo sauce or your favorite bottled variety. Shake off any extra sauce and top a fresh or frozen pizza with the buffalo-coated turkey. Add extra toppings like crumbled blue cheese, sliced red onions, extra shredded mozzarella, and drizzle the remaining buffalo sauce over everything. For frozen pizza, bake as per the package instructions. For a fresh one, heat it in a 400°F oven for 7-10 minutes until the sauce settles. Finish by scattering some chopped scallions and enjoy your buffalo turkey pizza.

Quiche is an ideal way to clear out your fridge. It's the perfect bite for any time of day, and if you happen to have leftover pie shells hiding in the freezer, you're already halfway there. Fill an unbaked pie shell with leftover veggies, chopped turkey, shredded cheese—throw in some mashed potatoes too if you like! Scramble eight to ten eggs and pour them over the filling. Bake the quiche at 325°F for about 25-30 minutes, or until the center is just set.

Who says tacos are just for Tuesday? Leftover turkey tacos are a delicious option any day of the week and come together in a flash, since the turkey is already cooked. To elevate the flavor, give the shredded turkey a quick sauté in a pan with oil and your favorite seasonings. Fill hard or soft taco shells with this tasty turkey mixture, a tangy pickled cabbage slaw, Oaxaca cheese, and all your preferred toppings.

Shredded turkey is an excellent addition to stir fry, as its texture allows it to soak up all the savory goodness of the sauce. Start by cooking your vegetables and aromatics over high heat for a brief moment, then add your sauces. You can use fish sauce, oyster sauce, soy sauce, or even a pre-made sauce blend if you have it handy. Toss in the shredded turkey and stir it quickly. Add noodles and mix until everything is well combined, or serve it over a bed of rice.

Chili is not only a dish that delivers comfort with its warmth and spices, but it also fills your home with an irresistible aroma. Use both light and dark turkey meat to craft a hearty slow cooker chili. Shred or chop the meat and toss it into the slow cooker along with onions, peppers, crushed tomatoes, and your preferred spices, plus beans if desired. Pour in some broth and set the cooker to high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. The slow cooking process allows the turkey to break down, making it tender while soaking up all the flavorful sauce.