After cooking a holiday meal, the last thing I want to do is spend a lot of time preparing dinner the next day. Inevitably, each year, I open the fridge and stare at the turkey wondering what can I make that’s easy. This year I’m planning ahead and saving recipes to my Recipe Box. If you want to prep too, take a look at these Blue Ribbon turkey leftover recipes.
A quick, easy and delicious turkey pot pie recipe is the perfect day after Thanksgiving dinner. This year, try Sherry Monfils (Worcester, MA) Simple Turkey Pot Pie.
“When you don’t have the time or inclination to make a big turkey pie, this is the ultimate easy pie to make,” shares Sherry. This is simple to prepare and is comfort food to the max. It’s full of flavor from the savory turkey and veggies. The gravy is creamy and the crust is flaky. Yum!
Marsha Gardner’s (Florala, AL) Day After Thanksgiving Turkey Casserole has all the comfort of a traditional shepherd’s pie with the vibrant flavors of Thanksgiving dinner. This is one of my favorite ways of spreading the joy of the holiday meal into the entire week.
The pie is filled with carrots, onions, mushrooms, and celery that are sauteed in butter. Leftover turkey is mixed in and that’s poured into a baking dish. Then, leftover mashed potatoes are spread on top. Once, baked the mashed potatoes are golden brown. A super simple day after Thanksgiving dinner.
“I love making leftovers into yummy new things,” explains Dawn Whitted (Spearfish, SD). “This Turkey Dinner Croquettes recipe is designed to use up holiday leftovers. You really can put virtually anything into it and they would be amazing.”
This is a very delicious concoction Dawn created. The Cheese-Its crumbs add a bit more flavor than traditional bread crumbs. And I loved using French fried onions as a coating. What’s great is you can use whatever you have leftover – corn, green bean casserole, etc – to add to the stuffing and turkey mixture.
Casseroles are a great way to use up leftovers and I really like Sheila Kremer (Tyndall, SD) Angel Hair Turkey Casserole. With so few ingredients, it comes together in a snap.
“I created this recipe tonight after doing the ‘freezer stare’ and the leftover bits and pieces of turkey I saved from the holidays that were just begging to be used,” reveals Sheila.
I’d pick up the five ingredients to have on hand for when your family wonders what’s for dinner. Creamy and full of flavor, this will please even the pickiest eaters in your house.
Soup a favorite? Give Sue Bronner’s (Jacksonville, FL) Creamy Turkey Soup, Leftover Special a try.
“I started making this soup as a leftover special utilizing my leftover turkey from Thanksgiving dinner for what my family and friends call our ‘Cold Turkey Party’ (held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving),” reveals Sue. “Our friends and family gather after the holiday to share our favorite foods, recipes, and stories that make the meal and the holiday so special. Everyone leaves with great memories, and best yet… no more leftovers!”
Love the idea of the party and I love Sue’s simple soup. It’s creamy with robust flavor and a little kick of spice from the cayenne. Filled with leftover turkey, celery, potatoes, and carrots it’s a very hearty meal.
What’s your favorite way to reinvent turkey? Share your recipe with us! If you need some inspiration, check out or Thanksgiving 2.0 collection. It not only has recipes for extra turkey, but leftover sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and more. Happy Pinching!