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  2. 11 Leftover Turkey Recipes That Are Better Than Sandwiches

11 Leftover Turkey Recipes That Are Better Than Sandwiches

By Cooking Light Team November 22, 2021
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Credit: Cooking Light
We love a good leftover sandwich, but with just a little more effort, you can pull together an amazing Thanksgiving turkey redux—from Instant Pot turkey and dumplings to an incredible turkey tetrazzini. Ready to be inspired? 
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Turkey, Broccoli, and Phyllo Pie

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Lindsey Lower
View Recipe: Turkey, Broccoli, and Phyllo Pie

Skip the potpie and try a casserole for your turkey leftovers. We ditch the pastry dough for a flaky, golden phyllo crust. Don’t fret about getting the phyllo topper to fit snugly in the baking dish; any overhang will become delightfully crisp in the oven.  

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Thanksgiving Leftovers Salad

Credit: Cooking Light
View Recipe: Thanksgiving Leftovers Salad

Shredded turkey, toasted stuffing croutons, and a tangy-sweet cranberry dressing come together in this light and delicious spinach salad. You can even use up some of those leftover green beans, too. 

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Thai Coconut Curry Noodle Soup

Credit: Kelsey Hansen
View Recipe: Thai Coconut Curry Noodle Soup

This satisfyingly steamy, spicy soup is perfect for cold weather. Jalapeño, fresh ginger, and Thai curry paste pack potent pungency that completely revamp turkey. 

 

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20-Minute Enchiladas

Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: 20-Minute Enchiladas

Just substitute the rotisserie chicken for leftover turkey and you've got tasty enchiladas faster than takeout. One richly spiced sauce doubles as the filling and the topper to save time. And since every element is already cooked, the dish needs just three minutes under the broiler to melt the cheese.

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Instant Pot Turkey and Sage Dumpling Soup

Credit: Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Instant Pot Turkey and Sage Dumpling Soup

Substitute your leftover Thanksgiving turkey for turkey cutlets in this comforting soup recipe. Serve with a crunchy salad and citrus vinaigrette.

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BBQ Black Bean Tacos

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: BBQ Black Bean Tacos

Swap the rotisserie chicken for leftover turkey in this healthy taco recipe. A probiotic-rich stand-in for sour cream, yogurt offers creaminess and helps bind the toppings. Look for BBQ sauce varieties with less than 250mg sodium and 5g sugar. We like Annie's Original BBQ Sauce.

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Mexican-Style Honeydew Salad With Turkey or Chicken

Credit: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Mexican-Style Honeydew Salad With Turkey or Chicken

You can throw leftover turkey, rotisserie chicken, or even pork in this easy salad that uses pre-diced honeydew to get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes. Pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds) and tortilla strips deliver a satisfying double-crunch factor.

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Mini Potpies

Credit: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Mini Potpies

Filled with tender sweet potato, meaty mushrooms, and shredded turkey or chicken, these personal potpies are a one-dish meal your family will love. Let the puff pastry thaw in the fridge for about 45 minutes before using.

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Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

The original recipe uses shredded chicken, but you can sub that with leftover turkey. For convenience, we call for precooked wild rice; if you can't find it, you can substitute 2 cups of your own cooked wild rice or a package of precooked brown rice.

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Turkey Pot Stickers

Credit: Kelsey Hansen
View Recipe: Turkey Pot Stickers

Don't skip out on making the accompanying dipping sauce—spicy sambal oelek, sweet plum sauce, nutty sesame oil, and the savory umami of soy sauce meld perfectly to tie together the East Asian-inspired flavors of the pot stickers. 

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Turkey Tetrazzini

Credit: Cooking Light
View Recipe: Turkey Tetrazzini

Thanksgiving turkey gets a cheesy, creamy makeover in this 30-minute baked pasta classic. Bonus: You can freeze the unbaked casserole up to three months.  

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    1 of 11 Turkey, Broccoli, and Phyllo Pie
    2 of 11 Thanksgiving Leftovers Salad
    3 of 11 Thai Coconut Curry Noodle Soup
    4 of 11 20-Minute Enchiladas
    5 of 11 Instant Pot Turkey and Sage Dumpling Soup
    6 of 11 BBQ Black Bean Tacos
    7 of 11 Mexican-Style Honeydew Salad With Turkey or Chicken
    8 of 11 Mini Potpies
    9 of 11 Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
    10 of 11 Turkey Pot Stickers
    11 of 11 Turkey Tetrazzini

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