Ten Tips For Leftover Turkey

About author / Christine Gable

Culinary enthusiast; kids cuisine and slow cooking; magazine recipe developer; professional writer. Her simple recipes are great for family dinners.

It’s the perennial post-Thanksgiving dinner issue: what to do with all that leftover turkey?  Love it or hate it?  Ever think about getting your kids in on the act?

It was just last year, when the big turkey dinner was done and the dishes were cleaned up, that my daughter asked to help her dad in an intriguing endeavor: picking the meat from the carcass.

To see them bent over together, giggling and joking while discovering and salvaging each little piece of meat was one of those serendipitous moments oft overlooked.  Yet it was that which she recalled weeks ago as her favorite part of Thanksgiving when she heard us discussing this year’s holiday agenda—all from one job that many adults probably detest!

And don’t forget: all that leftover turkey is some lean, mean protein that can help you and your kids stay fit and healthy.  Turkey touts fewer calories and less fat and sodium per serving than beef, veal, pork or lamb.  Only 4-ounces will provide 65 percent of your daily protein needs—without the saturated fat.

Now that Black Friday and the accompanying holiday hulaboo have arrived, why not get the kids helping in the kitchen even more?

Post this handy list by the refrigerator this week and give your kids the choice to make dinner—or lunch—several times this week.  And think of it as another way to keep the thankful spirit around even longer.

1.  Hot Turkey with Gravy over Toast
Toast bread until golden. Top with hot gravy simmered with chunks of dark or light meat.  

2.  Turkey Salad Sandwich
Cut dark and/or light turkey into chunks and mix with several tablespoons of mayo. Add diced celery, scallion and salt and pepper. Or check this CDKitchen reader recipe: After Thanksgiving Salad

3.  Classic Cold Turkey Sandwich
On your favorite bread, lightly toasted: layer turkey, lettuce and mayo, sprinkle generously with salt.

4.  Baked Turkey Croquettes
Definitely better than those prepared ones in the frozen department:
Baked Turkey Croquettes

5.  Turkey Loaf
Just like they make here in Lancaster County:
Amish Turkey Loaf

6.  Turkey & Pasta Bake Casserole
Thanks to CDKitchen contributor Amber-Nichole for this all-in-one meal idea: After Thanksgiving Turkey And Pasta Bake

7.  Turkey Tetrazzini
Another delicious way to use turkey—by combining it with onions, garlic, noodles and peas—in a creamy broth: Turkey Tetrazzini

8.  Turkey Vegetable Soup
A great way to make use of that turkey carcass—use any variation of vegetables your family prefers:
Day After Thanksgiving Turkey Soup

9.  Turkey-Swiss Melt
Start with a lightly toasted piece of bread—those leftover rolls cut-in-half work great too. Top it with some turkey chunks and a slice of Swiss cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and golden. Great with soup or cranberry on the side.

10.  Fried Rice with Turkey
Here’s a great way to use up some of your side dishes and make a new and different meal at the same time: all you need is 2-3 cups cooked rice and you’re ready to get started. In a large skillet, heat 2 T. oil and briefly sauté your choice of veggies (onion, broccoli, corn, peas all work great), add 1-2 cups turkey chunks, top with the rice and sprinkle 2 T. soy sauce on top of everything. Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes until everything is hot and steamy. Stir and serve.