What to Do with Leftover Smoked Turkey: 19 Delicious Recipes

How do you like to cook turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner? Do you prefer a traditional turkey baked in the oven? Or are you a fan of fried turkey in peanut oil? How about smoked?

Many of us end up with lots of leftover turkey meat after our Thanksgiving holiday dinner. In fact, eating leftovers is one of the best parts of the holiday! But after one or two times of eating turkey leftovers, you may be looking for something else to do with that leftover meat.

Looking to breathe new life into your leftover smoked turkey? Try the following leftover smoked turkey recipes and youll discover a whole new recipe idea for your next meal.

(Many of these recipes specify smoked turkey, but when they dont, rest assured that they work just as well with smoked turkey as with baked turkey!)

Smoked turkey is a delicious centerpiece for holiday meals and family gatherings. But once the event is over, you’re often left with lots of tasty leftover turkey. Instead of letting it go to waste, get creative with these 19 mouthwatering recipes to transform those leftovers into easy family meals.

Make Savory Sandwiches

Sandwiches are one of the easiest ways to use up leftover smoked turkey. Try it on classics like clubs paninis and subs, or get creative with unique flavor combinations.

Smoked Turkey Club Sandwich

A tried-and-true classic. Layer smoked turkey with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on toasted bread. Adding avocado or cheese takes this sandwich to the next level.

Smoked Turkey and Brie Sandwich with Apple

For a gourmet sandwich, pair smoked turkey with tart green apple slices, creamy brie, and crisp bacon on a baguette. The sweet and savory flavors complement each other perfectly.

Cuban Smoked Turkey Sandwich

Spice up your leftover turkey in a Cuban-style sandwich with Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and ham on crusty Cuban bread. Grilling the sandwich gives it delicious flavor.

Whip Up Hearty Soups

Soup is a wonderful way to use every last bit of your leftover smoked turkey. Try adding it to chowders, chilis, and comforting one-pot soups.

Creamy Smoked Turkey and Potato Chowder

Simmer smoked turkey in a creamy, cheesy base with potatoes, carrots, celery, and corn. Garnish with bacon for a savory, satisfying soup.

Smoked Turkey Chili

Boost up your regular chili by swapping ground beef for chopped or shredded smoked turkey. Black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, jalapeños, and spices create a flavorful chili.

Smoked Turkey Noodle Soup

Shredded smoked turkey turns classic chicken noodle soup into a hardy, comforting meal. Use egg noodles or pasta and load it up with veggies.

Bake Flavorful Casseroles

Leftover smoked turkey is ideal for easy one-dish casseroles. Toss it in pasta bakes, stuffed shells, or cheesy mixes and bake until hot and bubbly.

Smoked Turkey Enchilada Casserole

Layer corn tortillas, enchilada sauce, smoked turkey, black beans, and cheese for a Mexican-inspired casserole. Top with avocado and cilantro.

Cheesy Smoked Turkey and Rice Casserole

Combine smoked turkey, rice, cheese sauce, peas, and carrots and bake until the sauce is bubbling. Instant comfort food the whole family will love.

Smoked Turkey Tetrazzini

A classic way to use up turkey, this baked pasta dish combines smoked turkey, mushrooms, Parmesan, sherry, and herb breadcrumbs.

Craft Satisfying Salads

Salads are a light and fresh way to enjoy your leftover smoked turkey. Toss it in pasta salads, vibrant grain bowls, and salad mixes for healthy lunches.

Smoked Turkey Cobb Salad

Turn a Cobb salad into a hearty meal by using smoked turkey. Top mixed greens with turkey, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, avocado, tomato, and blue cheese.

Smoked Turkey and Quinoa Salad

Nutritious and satisfying, this salad pairs smoked turkey with quinoa, feta, cranberries, spinach, and a lemon vinaigrette.

Smoked Turkey Chef Salad

Load up a chef salad with generous amounts of smoked turkey, ham, Swiss and cheddar cheeses, hard-boiled egg, and fresh vegetables over mixed greens.

Transform into Tacos

Tacos are a fun way to reinvent your leftover turkey. Load it into soft tortillas or crunchy taco shells for an easy, crowd-pleasing family meal.

Smoked Turkey Tacos with Avocado Salsa

Shredded smoked turkey makes incredibly flavorful tacos. Top with fresh pico de gallo, avocado salsa, lettuce, cheese, and lime crema.

Smoked Turkey Taco Salad

Build a taco salad by topping shredded romaine with smoked turkey, black beans, corn, tortilla strips, avocado, and Mexican-style dressing.

Smoked Turkey Breakfast Tacos

Wake up to a delicious breakfast by stuffing warm tortillas with scrambled eggs, shredded smoked turkey, cheese, and salsa.

So instead of trashing your leftover holiday smoked turkey, try one of these 19 delicious recipes to transform it into easy, crave-worthy family meals. From sandwiches to stews, casseroles to salads, you’ll find endless ways to enjoy every last bit of your smoked turkey.

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

Smoked Turkey Sandwich Recipes

Soups and sandwiches are the two most common lunch items, so it makes sense for lots of people to make sandwiches from leftover turkey. But dont settle for turkey and cheese on white bread! Elevate your turkey sandwiches with these recipes.

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

Smoked Turkey Soup Recipes

Soup is one of the most popular and versatile way of using up leftover turkey. From dumplings and noodles, to hearty bowls of chili, there are tons of leftover soup recipes to choose from.

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

what to do with leftover smoked turkey

Juicy Traeger Smoked Turkey + CREATIVE WAYS TO USE LEFTOVER TURKEY

FAQ

How long is leftover smoked turkey good for?

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.

What to do with an already smoked turkey breast?

Place foil-wrapped turkey breast in shallow roasting pan. Heat at 350° F for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Remove pan from oven and carefully remove foil. Place turkey breast back in pan and return to oven and cook for an additional 20 minutes.

How do you reheat a smoked turkey without drying it out?

Our advice is to set the oven to 325°F. This temperature is high enough to heat the turkey thoroughly without drying out the meat.

Can you freeze a precooked smoked turkey?

You can easily freeze smoked turkey. Please follow the rules to ensure the taste of your dish. Thoroughly wrap and label it before putting it in the fridge for short-term storage or the freezer for long-term storage. Before freezing keep your turkey slices on a sheet of tin foil, no more than 2-3 slices per wrap.

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