Leftover Christmas turkey recipes (2024)

Showing items 1 to 24 of 51

  • A star rating of 5 out of 5.2 ratings

    Make the most of Christmas turkey leftovers in this comforting pie, using ready-rolled pastry if you prefer. Serve with cranberry sauce, gravy and stuffing

  • Turkey cobb salad

    A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings

    Enjoy this turkey cobb salad as a healthy party platter to use up Christmas leftovers. It's full of vibrant flavours like pancetta, avocado, eggs, chicory and tomatoes

  • Leftover turkey wraps with cranberry sauce

    A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings

    Make this quick lunch using all the flavours of Christmas, including surplus cranberry sauce, red cabbage and turkey. It's ideal for Boxing Day

  • Best ever Christmas leftovers sandwich

    A star rating of 5 out of 5.1 rating

    Make the most of Christmas Day leftovers in this celebratory sandwich with pickled cabbage to cut through the richness. It's the ideal lunch for Boxing Day

  • Turkey larb bowls

    A star rating of 5 out of 5.2 ratings

    Use up leftover Christmas turkey in this dish. After all the feasting, something crunchy and fresh with a little heat is just the ticket for Boxing Day

  • Leftover turkey curry

    A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.62 ratings

    Crave spice after the traditional Christmas lunch? Want to turn your leftover turkey into a whole new dish? This tasty turkey tikka masala is for you

  • Leftover turkey fricassee

    A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.26 ratings

    Make the most of leftover roast turkey with this creamy fricassee. It's delicious served with potatoes or pasta, and ideal for using up turkey from Christmas dinner

  • Ultimate turkey sandwich

    A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings

    Try our version of a classic turkey club sandwich on Boxing Day. It’s a great way to use up any leftover pigs in blankets, stuffing and red cabbage

  • Leftover turkey loaded nachos

    A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.2 ratings

    Serve these leftover turkey nachos with jalapeños, salsa and soured cream for a relaxed dinner between Christmas and the new year, or a festive movie night

  • Turkey ramen

    A star rating of 5 out of 5.16 ratings

    A different way to use leftover turkey. Add leftover gravy too to add extra rich, meaty flavour to this warming broth with noodles, dried shiitake and eggs

  • App onlyLeftover turkey korma. This is a premium piece of content available to registered users.

    A star rating of 5 out of 5.5 ratings

    Make this turkey curry from your Christmas leftovers. Kids and adults will love this mildly spiced dish served with rice or naan and mango chutney

  • A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.53 ratings

    Use up the Christmas leftovers to make this hearty, deep-filled turkey and ham pie. You could use shop-bought pastry but nothing beats homemade

  • Turkey minestrone

    A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.5 ratings

    A warm and comforting turkey soup recipe to put your Christmas leftovers to good use. Easy to prepare and low fat, this soup is a perfect post-Christmas pick me up

  • Slow cooker turkey curry

    A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.5 ratings

    Use up leftover Christmas turkey and make this slow cooker turkey curry. It uses up any roasted veg you may have leftover too – ideal for avoiding food waste

  • A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.7 ratings

    Nuts, pulses and lean meat make this a protein-rich lunch that's perfect to promote recovery after exercise. It's also packed with vitamin C and folate

  • A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.3 ratings

    Make this showstopping pie with bacon, sausages, stuffing, turkey and chicken wrapped in puff pastry – perfect when you have leftovers and need to feed a crowd

  • App onlyJewelled pistachio slaw. This is a premium piece of content available to registered users.

    A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.4 ratings

    Transform slaw into a special side with pistachios, sprouts, pomegranate seeds and mint. Great for Christmas, serve with gammon or leftover turkey

  • Cajun turkey salad with guacamole

    A star rating of 4 out of 5.3 ratings

    This turkey salad is quick and healthy, taking only 30 minutes to prepare!

  • Leftover Christmas lunch patties with gochujang mayo

    A star rating of 5 out of 5.2 ratings

    Eliminate Christmas food waste with these easy patties. Filled with leftover roasties, veg, stuffing and meats, they make a great brunch on Boxing Day

  • A star rating of 5 out of 5.3 ratings

    Make the most of your turkey leftovers at Christmas and make these grain bowls with rainbow slaw and a tahini dressing. They're easy and full of flavour

  • Leftover turkey casserole

    A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.32 ratings

    This one pot stew uses up all your roast dinner leftovers in one go and has a great honey mustard tang

  • Spicy turkey noodles

    A star rating of 4 out of 5.4 ratings

    Use up your turkey leftovers at Christmas to whip up our spicy turkey stir-fry. Or you could swap meat for brussels sprouts to make a veggie alternative

  • Slow cooker turkey pho

    A star rating of 4 out of 5.2 ratings

    Reduce food waste by using your leftover Christmas turkey to make stock – it’s great in our Asian-inspired pho noodle soup, full of fresh flavours

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Leftover Christmas turkey recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long is leftover turkey good for in the refrigerator? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

What to do with dry leftover turkey? ›

Finally, if you've made a large turkey and have a lot left over, use it in recipes such as Turkey Pot Pie or a soup such as Turkey Wild Rice. Anything with broth or gravy in it will rehydrate the dry turkey pieces.

Can I freeze cooked turkey after 3 days? ›

If you are planning to freeze it, it's best to freeze it within one day of cooking for optimal texture and taste. However, leftover turkey can be frozen after three days and it will be fine.

How long can you eat Christmas turkey leftovers? ›

Use clean dishes and utensils to prevent cross-contamination. Leftovers stored in the fridge should be eaten within three days. When freezing Christmas meats or stuffing, wrap them in heavy freezer wrap and put them in a container suitable for your freezer.

Can I eat leftover turkey after 7 days? ›

How long do the turkey and trimmings stay safe in the refrigerator or freezer? The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later.

What if my turkey has been in the fridge for 3 days? ›

Use refrigerated turkey and stuffing within 3 to 4 days. Use gravy within 1 to 2 days. If freezing, use leftovers within 2 to 6 months for best quality.

Why does leftover turkey taste different? ›

Though it's especially obvious in leftover fish and poultry, discerning connoisseurs can pick out the WOF bouquet in most reheated meats. These flavors are the result of a series of chemical reactions that begins with the deterioration of specific kinds of fats known as polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs.

How do you keep leftover turkey moist? ›

Do your best to keep the pieces similar in size for even reheating. Add some stock and butter: Add two secret ingredients for reheating leftovers — moisture and fat — to any leftovers when reheating. For turkey, stock and butter are ideal, but use what you've got!

Can I leave a frozen turkey in the fridge for 5 days? ›

Refrigerator Thawing (Recommended)

If your turkey weighs 16 pounds, it will take about four days to thaw. Once thawed, the turkey is safe for another two days, so you can start thawing it six days before thanksgiving (the Friday before Thanksgiving).

What to do if my turkey is still frozen after 5 days? ›

If your turkey is still frozen solid:

Try a safe quick-thawing method. Cold water: Keep the bird in its airtight packaging or a leak-proof bag, submerge it in cold water, and change the water every 30 minutes. Microwave: Use your manufacturer guidelines to thaw for about 6 minutes per pound.

Is a frozen turkey good after 3 years? ›

Turkey can be safely stored in the freezer indefinitely, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Can I eat a 5 day old cooked turkey? ›

Snyder points to the USDA FoodKeeper app for best guidance: The tool notes that refrigerated, cooked turkey should be eaten within 4 days. Eat frozen turkey leftovers within 6 months for premier quality.

When should you throw out Christmas leftovers? ›

Food experts said that leftovers should only last three to four days, but when in doubt, you should throw them out.

Can I freeze Christmas turkey? ›

You can freeze cooked turkey, other cooked meat and meals made from previously cooked and frozen meat. It will be safe to eat for a long time, but you may see a deterioration in quality after 3-6 months.

Can you eat leftover turkey on the 5th day? ›

According to foodsafety.gov, a website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the following foods are safe in the fridge: Turkey: 3-4 days. Eat turkey within three to four days of cooking. If you use the turkey in a new dish like a soup or casserole, only consume within those initial four days.

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

Buy a fresh turkey one to two days before the day you plan to cook. If there is a 'best-by' or 'use by' date on the manufacturer's label, then you can keep fresh poultry, unopened, in the refrigerator until that date.

How long can a butterball turkey stay in the refrigerator? ›

If you are not confident about the temperature of your refrigerator, cook or freeze the turkey within 4 days of purchase. Storage of Leftovers: Carve leftover turkey into slices before refrigerating to speed cooling. Refrigerate carved leftovers within 2 hours of eating. Use leftover turkey within 3 days.

Can cooked turkey be frozen and reheated? ›

Turkey: YES

Roasted turkey freezes very well, but you should remove the meat from the bones first and freeze each separately. Turkey can be frozen for up to three months.

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