Leftovers are inevitable after a big Thanksgiving feast. However, it’s hard to eat leftover turkey over and over again in it’s plain state. Instead of boring turkey sandwiches or slices on a plate, try these best leftover turkey recipes to turn your leftover turkey into a meal!
Leftover Turkey Bacon-Avocado Grilled Cheese
Upgrade your turkey-sandwich game with this yummy combination!
- Cook bacon over medium-high heat until crisp, usually 6 minutes.
- Drain excess grease on paper towel, then wipe pan and reduce to medium heat.
- Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread.
- On the non-buttered side of one slice, place 2 slices of turkey, 3 bacon strips, 1/2 an avocado, and 2 slices of cheddar cheese, then close sandwich.
- Place sandwich in pan and cover and cook until golden brown, in 3-4 minutes.
- Then flip and cook the other side until cheese is melted and bread is golden brown, usually just 2 minutes more.
- Finally slice in half and serve!
Leftover Turkey Cheese Dip
Add turkey with our two other loves: bread and cheese! Perfect recipe for beginners since it's so simple to make.
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a large mixing bowl, mix 2 1/2 cups of shredded Colby-Jack cheese, 2 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan, 1/2 diced onion, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 cup of mayonnaise, and 1 cup of diced turkey until just combined.
- Set aside the bowl and carve the top of a sourdough bread load off using a knife, being careful not to cut through to the bottom of the loaf.
- Pull off the piece of bread, creating a “lid” to the dip, and use your hands to tear out the inside of the bread, forming a bowl.
- Pour the cheese dip into the bread bowl and top with additional Colby-Jack cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the top cheese has melted and turned a golden brown.
- Chop the bread bowl “lid” and pieces you tore out of the bowl into bite-sized bits.
- Finally, serve alongside the dip!
Leftover Turkey with Baked Pasta
If you’re pasta-lovers like us, then this one is a no-brainer.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat.
- Add 1 pound of plum tomatoes, 1 large onion, and 2 cloves of garlic. Cook 5 minutes, until tomatoes soften. Then stir in 4 cups of marinara sauce and red pepper flakes.
- Continue to simmer for 5 minutes, then remove sauce from heat. Stir in 3 cups of shredded turkey, and add 1 pound of pasta to the boiling water until it is cooked.
- Drain the pasta, transfer to a large bowl, and toss with 2 cups of the sauce.
- Grease a baking dish with extra-virgin olive oil. Layer the pasta in dish, with the remaining sauce, 3/4 cup of Parmigiano-Reggiano, and 1 pound of fresh mozzarella. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with mozzarella on top.
- Bake 25 minutes, until top is golden and pasta is crisp on edges. Then serve!
Leftover Turkey and Green Apple Salad
This quick and easy salad is the ultimate healthy holiday food recipe.
- First, make a mint dressing. In a food processor, pulse together 1/4 cup of mint, 1 small shallot, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of gin, and 1 tablespoon of honey until shallot is minced.
- With the food processor still running, slowly drizzle in 3/4 cup of canola oil.
- Now in a medium bowl, toss in 1 pound of turkey, 2 sliced apples, 2 green onions, 4 tablespoons of pistachios, and 1/2 cup dressing to combine.
- Then, divide a bag of mixed salad greens evenly among plates. Drizzle with remaining dressing and top each salad with about 1 cup of the turkey-apple mixture.
- Garnish with remaining pistachios, and its ready to be eaten!
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-Gina
