After your Thanksgiving feast, save the turkey carcass and leftovers to create a variety of satisfying meals. From nourishing broths to hearty casseroles and bright salads, leftover turkey can be transformed into dishes that stretch your holiday flavors throughout the season.
Instant Pot Turkey Stock
Making turkey stock in an Instant Pot is one of the best ways to get the most from a leftover carcass. Combine bones, aromatics like onions, carrots and celery, and a few herbs, then pressure-cook for concentrated, gelatin-rich broth. This homemade stock is versatile—use it as a base for soups, stews, risottos or to add depth to sauces. It freezes well and will become a winter staple in your kitchen.
Recipe: Instant Pot Turkey Stock
Curried Leftover Turkey Salad
If you enjoy creamy chicken salad, try a curried version with chopped leftover turkey. Mix turkey with mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, curry powder, diced apple or grapes for sweetness, celery for crunch, and a sprinkle of toasted nuts if desired. Serve it on bread or wraps, spoon it over mixed greens, or offer it alongside crackers for an easy lunch or light dinner that highlights the savory notes of Thanksgiving meat.
Recipe: Curried Leftover Turkey Salad
Turkey Orzo Soup
Turkey orzo soup is a comforting, quick option that turns leftover turkey and stock into a filling weeknight meal. Tender orzo cooks quickly and absorbs the rich flavors of turkey broth. Add carrots, celery and leafy greens for color and nutrition. In about 30 minutes you can have a bowl of warm, soothing soup perfect for chilly evenings.
Recipe: Turkey Orzo Soup
Turkey and Broccoli Noodle Casserole
This creamy casserole adapts classic chicken-and-broccoli recipes to use turkey, cooked noodles, broccoli florets and a creamy sauce enriched with turkey stock. Topped with crispy fried onions or breadcrumbs for texture, it’s a crowd-pleasing, make-ahead dish that reheats beautifully for lunches or dinners during the busy holiday week.
Recipe: Turkey and Broccoli Noodle Casserole
Leftover Turkey Tortilla Soup
Tortilla soup made with turkey is bright, flavorful and naturally gluten-free when you use corn tortillas. Simmer turkey with tomatoes, chiles, onions and spices, then top each bowl with crispy tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro and a squeeze of lime. This soup is fast, full of texture, and a great way to transform simple pantry items and turkey into something lively and satisfying.
Recipe: Leftover Turkey Tortilla Soup
Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
A turkey pot pie topped with buttery puff pastry is classic comfort food. Combine shredded turkey with a creamy vegetable filling—peas, carrots and potatoes work well—then top with a flaky sheet of pastry and bake until golden. Pot pies are ideal for using cooked turkey and produce a cozy, single-dish meal that appeals to all ages.
Recipe: Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
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