Amazing Leftover Turkey Recipes - Nicky's Kitchen Sanctuary

Unlock the full potential of your leftover turkey with one (or more) of these amazing leftover roast turkey recipes that will transform your post-holiday meals into super tasty dinners. We’ve handpicked a selection of diverse and delicious ways to reinvent that leftover turkey. Say goodbye to boring Christmas or thanksgiving leftovers!

A collage of pictures showing four different recipes to use leftover turkey

Nicky’s Notes

I could probably eat a hundred leftover turkey sandwiches in a row before I get bored.

Ideally with lashings of salted butter, a pinch of salt, leftover stuffing, cranberry sauce, and maybe a roast potato or 2, all dipped in some warmed-up leftover gravy.

Christmas day evenings wouldn’t be the same without one of those butties. Even if I’m still full from dinner, I can always find a bit of room!!

However, I know Chris and the kids probably wouldn’t be happy with sandwiches for dinner every evening until January, so here is a collection of recipes for using up that leftover Turkey, OR recipes that use leftover chicken – which of course can easily be swapped out for Turkey.

The Leftover Turkey Recipes

Baked rigatoni pasta with melted cheese, tomato sauce, turkey and ham in a black dish, topped with parsley. Gold forks and fresh thyme nearby.

Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake with Ham and Cheese

Use up those Christmas leftovers with this fantastic Turkey Pasta Bake with Ham and Cheese from your party cheese board!

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Overhead photo of leftover turkey risotto on a white plate, dressed with a sprig of thyme and with a gold fork.

Leftover Turkey Risotto Recipe

This rich and creamy leftover turkey risotto with mushrooms and Pancetta is a great way to use up that mountain of leftover Turkey from Christmas or thanks giving! It’s also gluten free!

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Crispy Turkey Nachos

What should you do with all that leftover turkey….Make these Crispy Turkey Nachos!! Crispy fajita-spiced turkey, beans, and a ton of melted cheese!!!

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**Use leftover cooked turkey instead of chicken for this delicious treat!**

Chicken, bacon, spinach and creamy mushrooms on a brioche bun on a piece of parchment

Roast Chicken & Creamy Garlic Mushroom Burger

This Roast Chicken & Creamy Garlic Mushroom Burger has Roast Chicken on Homemade brioche with creamy garlic mushroom sauce, crispy bacon and spinach. The best sandwich. Ever.

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**One of our go-to dinners using up some of that shredded turkey is to make this delicious turkey curry.**

Use up that leftover turkey with this spicy-as-you-like Turkey Tikka Masala! Cream and delicious, it's on the kids and adults will enjoy. Gluten free too!

Leftover Turkey Tikka Masala

Use up that leftover turkey with this spicy-as-you-like Turkey Tikka Masala! Cream and delicious, it’s one the kids and adults will enjoy. Gluten free too!

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**For a creamy turkey pot pie soup simply make the stock without the chicken and add the cooked turkey once the creamy soup is ready.**

A white bowl filled with creamy chicken pot pie soup containing pieces of chicken, carrots, celery and potatoes, topped with fresh thyme.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup Recipe

This creamy chicken pot pie soup is deliciously simple comfort food. Easily made gluten free too!

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A square, overhead shot of leftover turkey curry in a black skillet. The curry is topped with chopped coriander and red onion, and there is a silver spoon sticking out of the left side of the dish. On the left side of the image, you can see a dark grey napkin tucked beside the pan. In the bottom right corner of the image, you can see some small popadoms scattered around, and in the top right of the image, you can slightly see the handle of a silver fork resting on the surface. This is all set on a black surface.

Leftover Turkey Curry Recipe

A rich and lightly spiced creamy curry with no ‘bits’. This easy curry has flavours similar to butter chicken. A great way to use up those shreds of leftover turkey. Ready in 30 minutes!

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**Use turkey instead of chicken for a delicious white chilli turkey dish!**

white chilli chicken con carne in a white bowl topped with lime wedges, avocado chunks and red onion. Tortilla crisps next to the bowl.

White Chilli Chicken Recipe

This white chilli chicken recipe is creamy, gently spiced and ready in under 45 mins. Perfect for busy weeknights and for when you want a change from regular chilli con carne.

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**This is one of the classics, so for the turkey version of this one, simply make the stock without the chicken/turkey and add the cooked turkey once the creamy sauce is ready**

A dish of creamy chicken pie with puff pastry sat on a blue and white striped cloth.

Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Creamy Chicken Pie topped with puff pastry. This is pure comfort food bliss!

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**Use turkey bones (carcass) instead for fantastic homemade stock/turkey broth**

Chicken stock being poured into a glass jar

Chicken Stock Recipe

How to make rich chicken stock with just 5 minutes of upfront work followed by hands-off simmering. A kitchen staple for the best sauces.

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Three Bone Soup With Veggies and Beans

This Three Bone Soup With Veggies and Beans is a great way to make the most of your leftovers! Filling, tasty and easily made gluten free too!

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leftover turkey bolognese on a white plate with spaghetti

Leftover Turkey Bolognese Recipe

Use up that leftover turkey with this turkey bolognese! Shredded turkey in a lovely rich ragu. Ready in 30 minutes!

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**Use turkey instead of chicken for a tasty turkey fried rice**

Chicken Fried Rice on a white plate topped with spring onions

Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

A quick recipe for takeaway-style chicken fried rice with loads of flavour! Great for using up leftover cooked chicken!

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Hope you enjoy!

Let me know if you have a fantastic turkey-leftovers recipe – I’d love to hear!

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