7 Leftover Turkey Recipes to Be Thankful For
After last night’s festive Thanksgiving meal, you now have a ton of leftover turkey sitting in the fridge. What to do with it all? Don’t you worry: We have you covered with seven delicious ways to use up all that bird. From turkey pumpkin soup to turkey curry, there’s a recipe for every turkey lover in your family.
Overview
After last night's festive Thanksgiving meal, you now have a ton of leftover turkey sitting in the fridge. What to do with it all? Don't you worry: We have you covered with seven delicious ways to use up all that bird. From turkey pumpkin soup to turkey curry, there's a recipe for every turkey lover in your family. And an added bonus? Each of these recipes takes less than 20 minutes to put together.
1. Gluten-Free Turkey Roll-Ups
This gluten-free wrap is perfect to pack for lunch. It features romaine leaves stuffed with bell pepper strips, asparagus spears, brown rice and sliced turkey. Don't have cooked rice on hand? Feel free to make it from scratch, but be sure to add extra water. Stickier rice binds together and is less likely to spill out of the wraps.
Related: Gluten-Free Turkey Roll-Ups Recipe
2. Turkey and Green Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
This savory sandwich is anything but basic. It features apple slices, cheese, turkey and fresh thyme tucked into grilled tortillas. Not a big tortilla fan? Use your bread of choice instead. Green apples burst with immunity-boosting polyphenols and fiber, which can aid with digestion. This sandwich makes the perfect post-Thanksgiving brunch item.
Related: Turkey and Green Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Recipe
3. Turkey Pumpkin Soup
This hearty soup is so festive it'll keep the holiday mood going strong. You'll use aromatic coriander and spicy ginger along with sweet pumpkin, carrots and onion. Top it with nutmeg for a hint of nutty flavor. And to make it a complete meal, serve it with your favorite bread. This soup takes just 15 minutes to cook, and it freezes well too.
Related: Turkey Pumpkin Soup Recipe
4. Turkey Fried Rice
You can make this easy and fast-cooking dish for lunch or dinner. Allow the carrots and onions to soften and mix in the rice and seasonings. Then stir in the turkey, peas and egg. This keeps the turkey and egg from drying out and prevents the peas from getting mushy.
Related: Turkey Fried Rice Recipe
5. Turkey Delish
This delectable dish features gravy-covered turkey served over water-fried kale. It's hearty and light at the same time. Mushrooms are a terrific addition for winter meals because they provide vitamin D and can strengthen your immunity. Many grocery stores offer a wide selection of fresh mushrooms to choose from, so feel free to deviate from the standard button mushroom. Any mushroom works well in this recipe.
Related: Turkey Delish Recipe
6. Turkey Red Curry
For a savory, hearty meal that's perfect for winter, whip up some red curry. Red curry paste can be found in most grocery stores. It features immunity boosters, including cayenne, that'll help fight off colds. Be sure to toss in your leftover turkey toward the end of the cooking process; this will ensure that the meat doesn't become tough. Enjoy the curry alongside bread or over rice or noodles.
Related: Turkey Red Curry Recipe
7. Turkey Tacos
These flavorful turkey tacos feature a surprising ingredient: yogurt, a lower-fat alternative to sour cream. Simply mix cumin, shredded carrots and chopped cilantro with sliced leftover turkey meat. Add this mixture to corn tortillas, and top it off with some shredded cabbage, avocado slices, salsa and a dollop of yogurt.
Related: Turkey Tacos Recipe
What Do YOU Think?
What are some of your favorite ways to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey? Would you try any of the recipes listed here? Share with us in the comments section below!
Related: 7 Meatless Entrees That Will Make You Forget About the Turkey