Leftover Smoked Turkey Recipes: A Treasure Trove of Culinary Delights

What is your favorite method of cooking turkey for Thanksgiving dinner? Is it traditional to bake it in the oven? Do you like fried turkey with peanut oil? What about smoked turkey?

Many of us end up with lots of leftover turkey meat after our Thanksgiving holiday dinner. One of the best things about the holiday is, in fact, eating leftovers! However, after you’ve had leftover turkey for a meal or two, you might be looking for something else to do with that leftover meat.

Want to give your leftover smoked turkey some new life? Check out these recipes, and you’ll find a whole new way to prepare your next meal.

(Although many of these recipes call for smoked turkey, you can be sure that baked turkey or smoked turkey will still work just as well!)

Ah, the aftermath of Thanksgiving: a fridge overflowing with succulent smoked turkey, beckoning you to transform those remnants into culinary masterpieces. Fear not, fellow foodie, for this guide unveils a treasure trove of recipes that will elevate your leftover turkey game to epic proportions.

A Feast for the Senses: Soups, Sandwiches, and Salads

Smoked Turkey Soups:

Dutch Oven Smoked Turkey Stew: This Dutch oven masterpiece transforms your leftover turkey into a hearty stew, bursting with savory flavors and aromatic vegetables.
Smoked Turkey Dumpling Soup: A comforting classic, this soup features tender turkey, fluffy dumplings, and a medley of colorful vegetables.
Smoked Turkey Chili: A spicy and satisfying chili, perfect for chilly days, combining succulent turkey with a medley of beans, tomatoes, and aromatic spices.
Smoked Turkey Soup: A versatile and flavorful soup, featuring tender turkey, wholesome vegetables, and a rich, smoky broth.

Smoked Turkey Sandwiches:

Smoked Turkey Sliders: These sliders are a delightful appetizer or party snack, featuring Cajun smoked turkey breast, zesty red onions, and pepper jack cheese.
Leftover Turkey Pesto Sliders: These sliders elevate your leftover turkey with a burst of pesto, creating a moist and flavorful treat.
Turkey Cranberry Sandwich: A classic Thanksgiving combination, featuring tender turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, and melted cheddar cheese.
Roasted Turkey Avocado BLT: This BLT takes a gourmet twist, featuring roasted turkey, creamy avocado, and a zesty Sriracha aioli.

Smoked Turkey Salads:

Pea Salad with Smoked Turkey: A refreshing and flavorful salad, featuring smoked turkey, sweet peas, crispy bacon, and a creamy dressing.
Smoked Turkey Salad: A classic and satisfying salad, featuring tender turkey, crisp vegetables, and a tangy dressing.
Turkey Salad: This salad is a delightful mix of turkey, fresh vegetables, cranberries, and toasted pecans, tossed in a creamy dressing.

Pasta Perfection: A Symphony of Flavors

Cajun Smoked Turkey Pasta with Kale & Andouille Sausage: This pasta dish is a symphony of flavors, featuring Cajun smoked turkey, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and a rich, creamy sauce.
Best Ever Leftover Turkey Cannelloni: This recipe transforms your leftover turkey into a mouthwatering cannelloni dish, filled with a delectable ricotta and spinach filling.
No-Boil Pasta Bake with Turkey: This convenient bake features succulent turkey, pasta, spinach, and a creamy cheese sauce, all baked to perfection.

Casseroles and Pies: Comfort Food Extravaganza

Hot Brown Casserole: A Louisville classic this casserole features tender turkey, savory bread stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes and a delectable Mornay sauce.Friendsgiving Casserole: This casserole is the epitome of comfort food, featuring turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole, all in one dish.

Leftover Turkey Pot Pie: This pot pie is a Thanksgiving classic, featuring tender turkey, a homemade sauce, and a flaky, golden crust.
Leftover Turkey Puff Pastry Pie: This pie is a delightful twist on the classic, featuring turkey, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and a luscious cheese sauce, all wrapped in a flaky puff pastry crust.
Leftover Turkey Empanadas: These hand pies are a convenient and flavorful snack, featuring a filling of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and cheese, all wrapped in a golden pastry crust.

Beyond the Ordinary: A World of Culinary Exploration

Leftover Smoked Turkey Fried Rice: This recipe is a creative and delicious way to use up leftover turkey featuring a medley of vegetables and a flavorful sauce.Savory Baked Turkey Crepes: These crepes are a delightful breakfast or brunch option, featuring tender turkey creamy goat cheese, and a medley of vegetables.Leftover Turkey Frittata: This frittata is a quick and easy breakfast or brunch option, featuring eggs, turkey, and a variety of vegetables.Thanksgiving Leftovers Pizza: This pizza is a fun and creative way to use up leftover turkey, featuring a cranberry sauce base, turkey, stuffing, and gooey cheese.Turkey Patties: These patties are a quick and easy way to use up leftover turkey, featuring ground turkey, breadcrumbs, and seasonings.

So, there you have it, a treasure trove of recipes to transform your leftover smoked turkey into culinary masterpieces. From hearty soups to delectable sandwiches, from comforting casseroles to innovative dishes, the possibilities are endless. So, unleash your creativity, experiment with flavors, and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds singing with delight.

Smoked Turkey Sandwich Recipes

Since sandwiches and soups are the two most popular lunch foods, it makes sense that many people use their leftover turkey to make sandwiches. But dont settle for turkey and cheese on white bread! Elevate your turkey sandwiches with these recipes.

recipes for leftover smoked turkey legs

Smoked Turkey Soup Recipes

Soup is one of the most popular and versatile way of using up leftover turkey. There are many different leftover soup recipes available, ranging from hearty bowls of chili to dumplings and noodles.

recipes for leftover smoked turkey legs

TURKEY LEFTOVERS

FAQ

How long does smoked turkey leg last in fridge?

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.

Are smoked turkey drumsticks already cooked?

The turkey legs are already safe to eat as they are pre cooked but taking them to 165°F ensures they are cooked through and hot. To keep the turkey leg moist, place a foil pan underneath with some chicken broth. As the chicken broth warms and starts to create steam, it will help the turkey from drying out.

How do you reheat smoked turkey drumsticks?

Reheating – To reheat, place in a baking dish and cover with a loosely fitted piece of foil. Place in a 350°F oven and warm for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until heated through. Turkey legs are cooked when an instant read thermometer registers to 165°F.

Can smoked turkey legs be frozen?

Putting Turkey in the Freezer Cut large pieces of smoked turkey into smaller portions or slice the meat. Then, place the portions on plastic wrap and seal them closed. Get the turkey ready to freeze within 2 hours of smoking it so harmful bacteria doesn’t grow.