Picture this: the excitement of a holiday feast has passed, and now your fridge is packed with leftover turkey, looking a little less glamorous than it did on the dining table. But don’t let it go to waste! Leftover turkey is a culinary goldmine, just waiting to be transformed into mouthwatering dishes that rival the original meal. In this blog, we’ll share ten inspired recipes that turn leftover turkey into gourmet delights you’ll absolutely love.
Beyond the Basics: The Art of Reinventing Leftovers
Leftovers don’t have to be boring. Reimagining them into new dishes reduces food waste and saves you time and money. With a little creativity, your turkey can take on bold new flavours and textures, ensuring every bite feels fresh and exciting. Plus, transforming leftovers is an opportunity to experiment and elevate your cooking skills—why settle for the ordinary when you can create something extraordinary?
Caprese Turkey Burgers
Imagine this in a nice white bun with some crinkle cut chips nestled on the side of it. Now that is what I can a drool-worthy thought!
Turkey Croquettes
Perfect when used as a side for some other meal these simple to make croquettes sound as tasty as they look!
Turkey Lettuce Wrap Tacos
Made with chiles, cumin, cilantro, lime and tomato avocado salsa, this sounds perfect for any time of year, not just the gap between Christmas and New Year.
Chinese Congee
A congee is basically rice porridge or jook as some people will know it. This very healthy meal is perfect for those cold winter evenings and a fantastic alternative use for all that extra turkey.
Creamy Mexican Turkey Soup
This soup is best described as ‘Mexican-style,’ inspired by the flavours of Mexico. It features chiles, chilli powder, cumin, and fresh cilantro, creating a lightly spiced and aromatic dish. While it’s not inherently spicy, you can adjust the heat level depending on the type of chiles you choose to use. It’s a comforting and versatile soup that captures the essence of Mexican flavours without overwhelming the palate.
Cold Turkey Sandwich
There are not many of us that have not done this with all that leftover turkey. Best made with cold turkey meat it is open to interpretation of whoever makes it. I like mine with brown bread, thick butter, turkey and a splash of ketchup!
Roast Turkey and Black Bean Quesadillas
I have never heard of a “Quesadilla” before but now I would love to try one! From what I can see it is some sort of baked tortilla sandwich! Who cares what it is, it looks very tasty indeed!
Turkey Enchiladas
Create your own chile sauce and enhance its flavour with a touch of cinnamon, cloves, and cumin for a richer, more complex taste than traditional enchilada sauces. For the filling, use generous amounts of leftover turkey combined with sautéed onions, jalapeños, garlic, black beans, cheese, a squeeze of lime juice, and a handful of fresh cilantro
Cheesy turkey mushroom bake
There is nothing better on a cold winter night than a nice sticky bake meal, and that is exactly what this is. Made with cheese and bacon it will fill even the biggest of belly’s and keep you warm for days to come.
Christmas turkey curry
This is what most of us will be making with all that leftover turkey meat. With everyone seemingly having their own family recipe the method, each will differ from person to person.
Leftover turkey doesn’t have to mean boring sandwiches for days. With these ten recipes, you can create dishes that are as exciting as the holiday feast itself. From hearty comfort food to globally inspired dishes, there’s something here for everyone.
What’s your favourite way to reinvent turkey leftovers? Share your creations in the comments below and let’s keep the inspiration going. And don’t forget to bookmark this guide for the next time your fridge is full of festive leftovers!