15 Delicious Recipes for Leftover Smoked Turkey Legs

Leftover smoked turkey legs from Thanksgiving or other holidays are a tasty treat. With intense smoky flavor and succulent meat, smoked turkey legs can be transformed into various mouthwatering dishes. If you have some leftover smoked turkey legs in your refrigerator, check out these 15 delicious recipes to use them up.

1. Hearty Smoked Turkey Leg Soup

Nothing beats a bowl of hearty soup on a chilly evening. To make this soup simmer the smoked turkey legs in chicken or vegetable broth along with vegetables like carrots celery, onions and potatoes. Once the vegetables are tender, remove the turkey meat from the bones and shred or chop it before adding it back to the broth. Season the soup with salt, pepper, thyme, parsley and other herbs. Serve this robust turkey soup with crusty bread.

2. Cheesy Smoked Turkey Sliders

Shred the smoked turkey meat from the bones and mix it with sautéed onions and bell peppers Pile the turkey mixture onto mini buns and top with melty cheddar cheese and barbecue sauce, These tasty sliders are perfect as game day snacks or appetizers for parties

3. Smoked Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie is comfort food at its finest To make this holiday version, layer shredded smoked turkey, stuffing, turkey gravy, vegetables like peas, carrots and corn, and mashed potatoes in a baking dish. Top with more mashed potatoes and cheese then bake until bubbly and golden.

4. Smoked Turkey Lentil Soup

Protein-packed lentils plus shredded smoked turkey meat makes one nutritious soup. Sauté onions and carrots then add broth, lentils, crushed tomatoes and spices like cumin, paprika and thyme. Simmer until lentils are tender then mix in the shredded turkey and simmer briefly more. Garnish with fresh parsley.

5. Smoked Turkey Pot Pie

For this creative leftover turkey pot pie, make a creamy sauce with vegetables like peas, carrots, celery, and add milk, broth, spices and flour. Place the shredded smoked turkey in a pie crust, pour the vegetable sauce over and top with a second pie crust or puff pastry. Bake until the crust is golden brown.

6. Smoked Turkey Enchiladas

Wrap tortillas around a cheesy filling of shredded smoked turkey, black beans, sautéed peppers and onions, enchilada sauce and cheddar or pepper jack cheese. Arrange the filled tortillas in a baking dish, smother with more enchilada sauce and cheese then bake until hot and bubbly.

7. Smoked Turkey Chowder

This hearty chowder has amazing depth of flavor. Cook bacon, onions, carrots and potatoes in broth. Once tender, add milk, shredded smoked turkey and seasonings. Finish it off with sweet corn kernels and a sprinkle of parsley. Enjoy with crusty bread.

8. Smoked Turkey Casserole

Casseroles are king for using up leftovers. Combine cooked macaroni, shredded smoked turkey, peas, mushroom soup, onions, celery, poultry seasoning and cheese in a baking dish. You can also add cooked rice or stuffing cubes. Top with crushed crackers or fried onions and bake.

9. BBQ Smoked Turkey Pizza

For an easy leftover turkey pizza, spread barbecue sauce over a pre-baked pizza crust. Top with shredded smoked turkey, red onion, pineapple tidbits, shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Bake just until the cheese melts then finish with chopped cilantro.

10. Smoked Turkey Quesadillas

Jazz up quesadillas by filling tortillas with shredded smoked turkey, black beans, sautéed peppers and onions, pepper jack cheese and enchilada sauce. Cook the quesadillas in a skillet until the cheese melts and tortilla is lightly browned. Serve with guacamole and sour cream.

11. Smoked Turkey Hash

Make a flavorful hash with diced smoked turkey meat, potatoes, onions, bell peppers, southwest seasoning and smoked paprika. Cook the hash in a skillet until the potatoes are browned and turkey is heated through. Top with a fried egg for an easy weeknight dinner.

12. Smoked Turkey Tetrazzini

This classic casserole turns leftover turkey into an easy baked pasta dish. Cook spaghetti and mix with turkey, peas, mushrooms, parmesan, sherry, chicken broth and cream. Transfer to a baking dish, top with bread crumbs or fried onions and bake until bubbly.

13. Smoked Turkey Salad Wraps

Shred the smoked turkey and mix it with mayo, apples, pecans, celery, dried cranberries, lettuce and spices to make a tasty salad. Spread the salad onto tortillas or stuff into pita pockets along with cheese and other veggies for an easy wrap.

14. Smoked Turkey & Wild Rice Soup

Cook wild rice blend in chicken broth with smoked turkey legs and vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions. Once wild rice is tender, remove turkey from bones and shred the meat before mixing it back into the soup. Season with thyme, sage and bay leaf.

15. Smoked Turkey Stir Fry

For a healthy dinner, stir fry sliced smoked turkey with broccoli, snap peas, bell peppers, carrots, soy sauce, ginger and garlic. Serve the flavorful turkey and veggie stir fry over brown rice, quinoa or whole wheat noodles.

With their intense smoky flavor and juicy meat, leftover smoked turkey legs can elevate soups, sandwiches, pizzas, casseroles and more. Get creative with seasonings and mix up ingredients to keep meals exciting. These 15 recipes offer a delicious variety of ways to use up those turkey leftovers.