This easy Smoked Turkey Chowder is a delicious way to use up Thanksgiving leftover turkey. Made in a single pot, it’s lightly creamy with a warm, smoky flavor, and loaded with tender sweet potatoes!
With the holidays coming up many of us will be lucky enough to have a smoked turkey on our dinner table. Smoked turkey is incredibly flavorful and delicious when served fresh. However the challenge comes when you’re staring down a picked over turkey carcass and mountains of leftover meat. If you’re wondering what to make with a smoked turkey, you’re not alone.
Leftover smoked turkey can seem limiting, but there are so many creative ways to transform those leftovers into entirely new dishes. In this article, we’ll explore 12 mouthwatering recipes to breathe new life into your leftover smoked turkey.
Sandwiches
Sandwiches are a go-to way to use up leftover turkey There are endless possibilities when it comes to smoked turkey sandwiches Here are some creative options
Pulled Barbecue Turkey Sandwiches
If you have extra pulled or shredded turkey, mix it with your favorite barbecue sauce and pile it high on a potato bun or kaiser roll. Top with coleslaw and pickles for a tangy, satisfying sandwich. The acidity from the slaw cuts through the richness of the turkey beautifully.
Smoked Turkey and Cranberry Croissant
For a thanksgiving-inspired sandwich, layer sliced smoked turkey, fig spread, and cranberry sauce on a lightly toasted croissant. The combination of fruit, nuts, and turkey is totally craveable.
Turkey, Smoked Gouda and Raspberry Chipotle Jam
This unique sandwich combines sweet jam, spicy chipotle, melty gouda cheese, and sliced turkey. Spread the kicked-up jam on bread and top with smoked gouda, turkey, tomato, and arugula for a delicious lunch.
Casseroles
Casseroles are a convenient way to tackle lots of leftovers in one hearty, comforting dish. Try these smoked turkey casseroles:
Turkey Tetrazzini
This classic casserole is made by tossing cooked turkey and spaghetti with a creamy mushroom sauce, then baking until bubbly and golden on top. Crunchy breadcrumbs or fried onions make a nice topping.
Turkey and Stuffing Casserole
Combine sliced turkey, stuffing cubes, and veggies like carrots and celery in a creamy sauce. Top with more stuffing and cheese before baking. It’s like a whole thanksgiving meal in one dish!
French Onion Turkey Casserole
Mix together cooked turkey, french onion soup, bread cubes, and cheese, then bake until hot and crispy on top. The sweet, aromatic flavor of french onion soup pairs perfectly with smoked turkey.
Soups
Warm up with a comforting turkey soup! Here are some ideas:
Turkey Tortilla Soup
Shredded turkey, corn, beans, sautéed peppers and onions, and tortilla strips simmer in a flavorful, spicy broth. Top with avocado, cheese, and cilantro.
Turkey Chili
Ground or chopped turkey adds meaty flavor and texture to a pot of hearty turkey chili made with beans, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices. Top with cheese, sour cream, or jalapeños.
Turkey Lentil Soup
Earthy lentils, carrots, onions, and herbs create a healthy base for turkey soup. Use leftover turkey parts like wings, thighs, or drumsticks for maximum flavor. A parmesan rind adds richness.
Pasta Dishes
Toss those turkey leftovers with pasta for a fast, filling meal. Try these recipes:
Turkey Tetrazzini
This classic is made by tossing spaghetti with turkey, mushrooms, and a creamy parmesan sauce. Top with breadcrumbs or parmesan and bake until bubbling.
Fettuccine with Turkey
Sauté mushrooms and garlic, then add milk, stock, parsley, lemon, and parmesan to make a luscious creamy sauce for fettuccine. Toss with turkey and parsley for an easy, elegant pasta.
Turkey Macaroni Salad
Elbow macaroni, smoked turkey, celery, red onion, and sweet red grapes tossed in a creamy dressing makes for a perfect picnic pasta salad. Toasted almonds add crunch.
Pot Pies
Pot pies are the ultimate comfort food for chilly weather. They’re also a great way to use every last bit of your holiday turkey.
Classic Turkey Pot Pie
Make a sauce from the turkey drippings, stock, milk, and flour. Add carrots, peas, celery, and turkey. Top with pie dough and bake for a quintessential pot pie.
Turkey and Vegetable Pot Pie
Sauté onions, carrots, mushrooms and turkey. Make a velvety sauce, then fill ramekins and top with puff pastry. Bake until the pastry is golden brown.
Cajun Turkey Pot Pie
Sauté Trinity, jalapeño, and spices. Add stock, tomatoes, turkey, and top with pie dough. The Cajun flair gives classic pot pie a kick.
Salads
Salads provide a lighter way to enjoy those turkey leftovers. Here are refreshing ideas:
Turkey Apple Pasta Salad
Toasted almonds, sweet red grapes, crunchy apples, celery, and turkey tossed with pasta makes a delicious salad. The contrast of flavors and textures is amazing.
Smoked Turkey and Berry Salad
Make a bed of mixed greens and top with smoked turkey, fresh berries, feta cheese, and candied pecans. Drizzle with a tangy vinaigrette.
Southwestern Turkey Salad
Romaine, turkey, black beans, corn, bell pepper, avocado, cilantro, and tortilla strips tossed in a lime vinaigrette for a flavorsome salad.
As you can see, smoked turkey leftovers can be transformed into an array of mouthwatering dishes. With a little creativity, you can continue enjoying the flavors of your holiday bird for days to come. What will you make with your leftover smoked turkey?
Easy Turkey Chowder Recipe
Whenever our family spends Thanksgiving at our own home, you can bet that we’re enjoying a smoked turkey. Blake gets up before the sun to prepare the smoker for another delicious bird to grace our table. And the big bonus? It makes for especially awesome turkey leftover recipes!
This easy Smoked Turkey Chowder is packed with flavor, an irresistible bowl that features leftover turkey. It’s perfectly lightly creamy, loaded with tender sweet potatoes, and has just a touch of chipotle heat. It’s warm comfort through and through!
We first enjoyed a smoked turkey many years ago, when extended family joined us at our house for Thanksgiving dinner. It was our first time hosting the big meal, and in the middle of piecing together a menu, picking up bottles of wine, and strategizing the seating in our very small dining room, I decided that there was no way I’d be adding a baked turkey to my to-do list!
Smoked turkey it was! And Blake was more than happy to take it on. He definitely enjoys Thanksgiving day, watching football and tending to a turkey on our Big Green Egg!
Ohhhhhh, what a little smoke can do to that poultry!
Everyone loved it, and the next day I made this smoked turkey chowder. It was another holiday weekend hit!
I’m a super fan of leftover turkey. Here are a few more of my favorite leftover turkey recipes: Swap out chicken for turkey in my (almost famous!) Chicken Wild Rice Soup. Add it to Turkey Pot Pie Soup. Or a childhood favorite of mine, Leftover Turkey Casserole!
This easy leftover turkey chowder comes together with a handful of kitchen staples, a bunch of fresh veggies, and BACON!
- Unsalted butter
- Bacon – Because bacon makes everything better!
- Vegetables – I used celery, yellow onion, red bell pepper, carrots, and canned corn.
- Mushrooms – Use fresh, not canned, for the best flavor and texture.
- Garlic
- Chipotle powder – For a warm, smoky flavor. Add as little or as much as you like!
- All-purpose flour
- Chicken broth – I always use reduced-sodium.
- Sweet potato – Peeled and cut into cubes.
- Half and half – Lends a creaminess to the chowder.
- Soy sauce – This may seem like a random ingredient but I love to add it to many of my soups. It adds a salty flavor with more depth.
- Fresh parsley & thyme – Fresh herbs make this soup extra wonderful.
- Smoked turkey – Leftover Thanksgiving turkey works perfectly for this! If you don’t have smoked turkey, substitute regular turkey – the soup will still be great!
- Salt & pepper
How to Make Smoked Turkey Chowder with Sweet Potatoes
Since we’re using leftover turkey, this chowder recipe is especially easy to make. It’s just a matter of cooking a few slices of bacon, adding some vegetables, and then simmering until everything is tender!
- Cook the bacon and vegetables. Melt the butter in a heavy pot and cook the bacon until it begins to brown. Add the celery, onion, red pepper, mushrooms, carrots, and garlic. Cook until the onion is completely softened. Sprinkle in the chipotle powder, then the flour. Stir until it starts to bubble.
- Add the broth. Stirring constantly, turn up the heat to bring it to a low boil for a minute. Then reduce heat and add the remaining ingredients, except for the turkey.
- Add the turkey. After the sweet potato is tender, add the turkey and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Serve. Add salt and pepper as needed. Serve with crackers or warm, crusty bread.
It’s hard to go wrong with this recipe because it’s so versatile. Switch things up if you like!
- Can I make this with regular turkey? While I’m partial to the smoked turkey flavor, you can absolutely make this with an oven-baked turkey. You won’t get that smoky flavor, of course, and may want to increase the other seasonings for flavor – but the rest of the recipe will still work!
- Swap the turkey for chicken or ham. You can easily adapt this recipe if you have leftover ham or chicken as well. Just swap the turkey for ham (smoked ham would be amazing here) or chicken (including rotisserie chicken)!
- Use the seasonings and vegetables you have on hand. Get creative with your seasonings or simply add the vegetables you have on hand, like regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes. Cumin and green chili are great ways to add flavor as well. I often add extra ground chipotle or stir in some hot sauce when I’m craving heat.
I like to serve a bowl of steaming smoked turkey chowder with some crackers or crusty bread. The crusty bread is my favorite because it helps you soak up every warm, smoky bite of the chowder.
When I’m craving more flavor, I like to add a little more chipotle powder or stir in some hot sauce.
I’ve found this soup requires no other sides but if you want a lighter meal, you can easily do a soup and salad combo with a fresh green side salad!
AWESOME Smoked Turkey Recipe For Beginners!
FAQ
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