What are your best ways to use left-over turkey?

United States
October 6, 2011 12:27am CST
OK, all, Thanksgiving is just about 45 days away and many of us will be fixing the traditional turkey dinner! Often there is plenty of turkey meat left over - unless we are so gracious to send it home with our family and guests. In any regard, what do you do with the left-over turkey after the big day of Thanksgiving? I'm sure that there are many more ideas than simply making turkey sandwiches.
3 people like this
9 responses
@TrvlArrngr (4045)
• United States
6 Oct 11
I am not very creative so I will be looking for ideas from your post! We make turkey sandwiches - a lot! lol
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Oct 11
There's nothing wrong with turkey sandwiches! They are must on my list as well!
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
6 Oct 11
LOL when I read your title my first thought was TURKEY SANDWICHES!!! because I love them and look forward to them with the left over turkey, I also use leftovers cut up in cream of Mushroom soup and serve it over rice..that's pretty good too.
• United States
6 Oct 11
YIPPEE! Stary1, you are a person after my own preferences! Yes, I love turkey sandwiches - the TEST. Then the leftovers in a cream of Mushroom soup is great, but I go a few steps beyond, I not only use cream of mushroom soup, but also the turkey gravy and canned turkey gravy if I don't have enough. One also must add peas, pimento and worchestershire sauce and garlic salt. Oh My Goodness, YUM! Over your rice would be awesome, but also if necessary, use biscuits or just plain old coast. AWESOME!
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
6 Oct 11
stowyk Especially with wheat or rye bread ..yum I'm getting hungry...
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
6 Oct 11
KizzyCatfish I will have to try the turkey gravy. Are you mxing that with the mushroom soup?? I don't know about the peaslol but I could do the pimento, garlic, worchestershire sauce
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
6 Oct 11
Actually, I remove most of the turkey from the bones and use it in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken. There are a lot more recipes that call for cooked chiken than there are recipes that call for cooked turkey; so, I have a lot of ways to use it. I take the carcass and cook it in my largest slow cooker with plenty of water. I then remove the bones; add seasonings, vegies, and either noodles or rice to make a giant pot of turkey soup.
• United States
6 Oct 11
All of that sounds like great stuff! You know, it's really pretty obvious that one could search for cooked chicken recipes when using turkey, but "duh" I never thought of it! Thanks for the idea!
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
6 Oct 11
I like turkey better in a recipe than by itself. I find some of the meat too strong. I love pies, and this one works real well with turkey: Ingredients 1 recipe pastry for a (10 inch) double crust pie 4 tablespoons butter 1 small onion, minced 2 stalks celery, chopped 2 carrots, diced 3 tablespoons dried parsley 1 teaspoon dried oregano salt and pepper to taste 2 cubes chicken bouillon 2 cups water 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 1/2 cups cooked turkey, cubed 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/2 cup milk Directions Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Roll out bottom pie crust and place in the 10 inch pie pan and set aside. Place 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet. Add the onion, celery, carrots, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until the vegetables are soft. Stir in the bouillon and water. Bring mixture to a boil. Stir in the potatoes, and cook until tender but still firm. In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in the turkey and flour. Add the milk, and heat through. Stir the turkey mixture into the vegetable mixture, and cook until thickened. Pour mixture into the unbaked pie shell. Roll out the top crust, and place on top of filling. Flute edges, and make 4 slits in the top crust to let out steam. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue baking for 20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.
• United States
6 Oct 11
That sounds fantastic! And just in time for the birth of my brand new grandson who is to arrive on November 30! It will be just the thing to help my daughter get back on her feet!
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
7 Oct 11
Whenever I have left over turkey I make turkey sandwiches or turkey soup. You could also cube up the meat and freeze it for later use in soups, etc. Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
• United States
7 Oct 11
We all keep talking about good stuff with turkey, I may just have to practice on one a month early this year!
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
6 Oct 11
My favorite thing to do with the turkey leftovers that is once everyone has had their fill of turkey sandwiches is making turkey hash. It is the best and everyone can't wait for that day. In fact on Thanksgiving someone will definitely mention about when will we have the turkey hash. This is the recipe and its quite easy. I take off all the turkey from the bone then cut and dice Any left over roast potatoes I dice if none I peel and dice potatoes Leftover stuffing if you wish can be added too. Then cut up one onion and one green pepper. (depending on how much turkey you have leftover) Alot use one onion and green pepper if not half of each. Salt and Pepper Heat up a frying pan with a olive oil or vetegable oil Throw all of the ingredients into the pan add salt and pepper to your taste and let it cook till hot. If you used fresh potatoes cook them first till tendor then add all other ingredients. As a side dish I usually will add yams or cranberry sauce. It is to die for and I can't wait to make it again this year.
• United States
6 Oct 11
Sure sounds pretty good and pretty easy! I'll definitely try it this year. With all these good ideas coming in, I might have to cook two turkeys!
1 person likes this
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
6 Oct 11
Let me know how you like it if and when you make it! Have a great day!
• United States
6 Oct 11
Thanks so much for taking the time to share. I hope that others that see this will also get to enjoy.
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
11 Oct 11
We stock up on turkey and eat it year around. I like turkey sandwiches, I like turkey ground up with other things to make a "salad". I make soups. I will take turkey and dressing and mix them together, and serve with gravy or a cream soup over it. Lots of casseroles. Most chicken casseroles make up good with turkey as well.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
8 Oct 11
I always saved mine and shredded it up. We made turkey sandwiches with our some other people make casseroles.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
25 Nov 11
I didn't see this message until today--the day after Thanksgiving. I did make a turkey yesterday and didn't eat much of it. My brother came over last night and brought his two cats. They ate some of the meat and I know that I will be eating on it for a while. I will probably cut the meat off the bones over the next couple of days and then make a soup with what is left. There will probably be lots of turkey sandwiches as well. I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving!!!