Top 5 Leftover Turkey Recipes

I don’t know about you, but every year I always have a ton of turkey leftover from Thanksgiving!  While I don’t mind having some left overs the next day, I get tired of eating the same thing. 

Here are my top 5 recipes to make use of what’s left of your bird after your holiday feast.  These are super easy to make and full of healthy, wholesome goodness! 

 

Whenever possible use organic ingredients.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

5. Turkey, Cranberry Club Sandwich

 

Ingredients:

2 slices of gluten-free bread (I like Abigail’s, which is made in Weare, NH)

Cranberry sauce

Stuffing

Sliced turkey

Romaine lettuce

2 pieces of bacon

 

Directions:

1. Spread cranberry sauce on each piece of bread (toast if you prefer.)
2. Then add lettuce, turkey, bacon and stuffing on top of one slice.
3. Top your post-Thanksgiving mound with your other slice of bread.

 

 

4. Turkey and Sweet Potato Hummus Sandwich

I stumbled upon this yummy recipe while reading a “health” magazine, but I changed some of the ingredients to healthier options.

 

Sandwich Ingredients:

2 slices of gluten-free bread

Sweet potato hummus (see recipe below)

Sliced turkey

Sprouts

Spinach leaves

 

Hummus Ingredients:

1 cup leftover mashed potatoes

1 cup chickpeas, cooked

¼ cup tahini

1-2 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, diced

1 tbsp raw honey

1 tbsp sage

½ tsp paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Directions:

1. Add all hummus ingredients to a food processor and blend until creamy.
2. Spread each piece of bread with hummus (toast bread if preferred.)
3. Top one piece of bread with turkey slices, then add the spinach leaves and sprouts.
4. Use any left over hummus for veggie dip.

 

 

3. Curry Turkey Salad

(Serves 2)

 

Ingredients:

2 cups turkey, chopped

1 green apple, cored and sliced (I leave the skin on)

1 tsp lemon juice

¼ dried cranberries

2 tbsp onion

2 tbsp parsley

1 celery stalk, chopped

½ tsp curry powder

½ cup plain yogurt

1 tbsp raw honey

¼ tsp ground ginger

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl combine the curry powder, yogurt, honey, ground ginger, salt and pepper.
2. Fold in turkey, apple slices, cranberries, onions, celery and parsley.
3. Serve over mixed greens (I like baby spinach and romaine lettuce.)

 

 

2. Turkey Rice Soup

(Serves 6)

 

Ingredients:

2 quarts turkey stock

1 cup brown rice, preferably soaked for 6 hours

2 cups turkey, diced

2 cups vegetables, diced (i.e. carrots, celery, onions)

Sea salt and pepper to taste

 

Directions:

1. Bring stock and rice to a boil, skim off any excess foam, and reduce heat and cook covered for about an hour or until rice is tender (follow instructions on rice package.)
2. Add vegetables and cook until tender.
3. Add turkey and season to taste.

 

*To make your own stock, clean all the meat off your turkey and take all remaining bones, ligaments and skin and place them in a pot, filling it with water about two inches above.  Bring to a boil, then simmer for 6-12 hours.

 

1. Turkey Chili

(Serves 8)

 

Ingredients:

1 ½ cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil

1 pound chopped turkey

1 yellow onion, chopped

2 cups water

28 oz. strained tomatoes

½ cup kidney beans, cooked

½ cup black beans, cooked

½ cup aduki beans, cooked

2 cloves fresh garlic, minced

2 tbsp chili powder

½ tsp paprika

½ tsp oregano

½ tsp cayenne powder

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Directions:

1. Place oil in a cold pot, and slowly heat up over medium heat.  Add onions and garlic and cook until soft.
2. Pour water in pot.  Add tomatoes, beans, and spices.
3. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to low.  Cover and let stew for 30 minutes.

 

Click the "like" button to share these leftover turkey recipes with your friends and family.

 

Happy Thanksgiving,

Melissa Koerner