Delicious leftover turkey recipes for the whole family

turkey leftovers

by Emily Gilbert |
Updated on

We all look forward to sitting down to a delicious family dinner on Christmas day but most of the time, there are lots of leftovers by the end of it.

Now you might be perfectly happy with a loaded turkey sandwich (and we don't blame you!) but if you fancy stretching your leftover turkey a little further, why not try one of these delicious recipes?

We've included meals suitable for toddlers, older kids and - if you're lucky enough to sit down just the two of you - grown-ups too.

Wild rice salad with cranberries, turkey & pomegranate

This festive combo of wild rice with caramelised pecans, dried cranberries and pomegranate is a healthy dish the whole family can enjoy.

Turkey, broccoli, pea and tomato pasta

Turkey, broccoli, pea and tomato pasta

A good option for lunchboxes, prepare this dish the night before and just add the dressing in the morning.

Turkey pilaf

Turkey pilaf by Annabel Karmel

A quick midweek meal idea that will help you use up leftover turkey.

Cajun Crumbed Turkey Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Cajun Crumbed Turkey Mac 'n' Cheese

For a modern twist on a classic mac n cheese recipe, try this cajun turkey version.

Turkey and sweet leek pie

A yearly favourite from Jamie Oliver, this delicious pie is a great choice for families with older kids.

Turkey bubble and squeak

Created by Joe Wicks, bubble and squeak is a traditional dish that uses up leftover meat and veg from Christmas dinner.

Turkey risotto

Another recipe from Mr Jamie Oliver, this risotto dish is deliciously indulgent and one to enjoy with your other half.

Turkey pizza

Who doesn't love pizza? This simple meal will be a big hit with kids and takes no time at all to put together.

Turkey curry

Many people love to make a curry with their leftover turkey and this one from Easy Peasy Foodie is super simple to put together and can be used to stock the freezer.

Turkey dinner burrito

For a scrummy lunchtime meal, pop a tortilla onto a griddle pan for one minute to soften before removing and placing it on a plate. Combine turkey, stuffing, mashed potato and gravy together then spoon along the middle of the tortilla, wrap up the burrito, then tuck it in and enjoy!

How to handle turkey leftovers safely

  • Leave your cooked turkey to completely cool before refrigerating as soon as you can – ideally within 90 minutes.

  • Any remaining turkey should be eaten within two days but you can always stick it in the freezer in portions if you won't get through it all.

Popular articles to read next

The best Christmas presents for toddlers

13 creative Christmas card ideas to make with children

Weaning ideas for Christmas: My first turkey dinner!

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us
How we write our articles and reviews
Mother & Baby is dedicated to ensuring our information is always valuable and trustworthy, which is why we only use reputable resources such as the NHS, reviewed medical papers, or the advice of a credible doctor, GP, midwife, psychotherapist, gynaecologist or other medical professionals. Where possible, our articles are medically reviewed or contain expert advice. Our writers are all kept up to date on the latest safety advice for all the products we recommend and follow strict reporting guidelines to ensure our content comes from credible sources. Remember to always consult a medical professional if you have any worries. Our articles are not intended to replace professional advice from your GP or midwife.