Got turkey (leftovers)? You will love all of these healthy leftover turkey recipes! Fabulous leftover turkey breast recipes. Delicious and healthy leftover turkey recipes! Paleo, Keto, Low Carb, or just plain amazing!
I am forever in search of easy, but unique recipes that use up leftovers, not being a leftover fan, I like new and healthy leftover turkey recipes. And this round-up has it all! Quiche, pizzas, appetizers, sliders, Banh Mi, Reubens and even dog treats using leftover turkey!
Got leftover turkey or rotisserie chicken? These are our favorite ways to use leftover turkey; Leftover Turkey Tacos, Wild Rice Supreme, and these supreme Turkey cranberry sliders.
Turkey breast is an incredibly versatile ingredient perfect for making easy, delicious meals. With its mild flavor and lean meat, turkey breast works great in everything from weeknight dinners to impressive entrées for special occasions. If you’ve got turkey breast in the fridge or freezer and need inspiration, keep reading.
Below are 23 amazing recipes to make with turkey breast. From classics like turkey tetrazzini to creative dishes like turkey breast roulade, these recipe ideas will help you get the most out of this handy protein.
Simple Roasted Turkey Breast
Nothing beats a beautifully roasted turkey breast for its ease and flavor Try recipes like
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Herb Roasted Turkey Breast – Coated in a savory blend of olive oil, lemon, garlic, and herbs.
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Roast Turkey Breast with Gravy – Garlic, mustard, and thyme add tons of flavor.
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Holiday Roast Turkey Cordon Bleu – Filled with ham and Swiss cheese for a festive meal
Roasting concentrates the turkey flavor while keeping the meat juicy and tender. Serve carved turkey breast with classic sides for an easy dinner solution any night.
Grilled and Smoked Turkey Breast
Adding smoke flavor takes turkey up a notch. Options include:
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Grilled Turkey Breast with Sage – Infused with lemon and fresh sage.
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Bacon Wrapped Smoked Turkey Breast – Bacon protects the meat while smoking.
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Smoked Turkey Breast with Cranberry Glaze – Sweet and tangy cranberry pairs perfectly.
The char from grilling or kiss of smoke gives next-level flavor. Try smoking on a grill or pellet smoker for tender, juicy results.
Breaded and Fried Turkey Cutlets
Crispy, golden turkey cutlets are a crowd-pleasing option. Consider:
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Tender Breaded Turkey Cutlets – Dredged in flour and breadcrumbs then pan-fried.
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Crispy Air Fryer Turkey Cutlets with Lemon – Air frying makes them extra crisp.
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Garlic Ranch Fried Turkey Cutlets – Buttermilk ranch flavor in every bite.
Breading and frying maximizes the flavor and texture of turkey breast. Serve these saucy cutlets with mashed or roasted potatoes.
Ground Turkey Recipes
Ground turkey breast is a helper for making everyday favorites like:
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Turkey Meatballs – Baked with tomato sauce or in a sub sandwich.
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Healthy Turkey Burgers – Add zucchini and oats for an extra light option.
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Turkey Tetrazzini – A classic casserole with turkey, pasta, cheeses, and sherry.
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Turkey Chili – Swap in ground turkey for a lighter take on classic chili.
Ground turkey works great in place of beef or pork in most recipes. Use it to make lighter versions of popular dishes.
Turkey Breast Soups and Stews
Simmering turkey breast makes it fall-off-the-bone tender in soups like:
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Turkey Noodle Soup – Classic and comforting with egg noodles.
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Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup – Thickened with cream and pureed veggies.
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Turkey Tortilla Soup – With corn, black beans, peppers, and lime.
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Curry Turkey Stew – Indian-spiced tomato gravy with chickpeas.
Braise turkey pieces or shred cooked turkey to add hearty protein to your favorite soups and stews.
Stuffed and Rolled Turkey Breast
Stuffing turkey breast amps up flavor and presentation:
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Turkey Breast Porchetta – Seasoned and stuffed with apples and fennel.
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Turkey Roulade with Cranberries – Fresh cranberry stuffing inside.
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Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast Stuffed with Spinach – Savory spinach and feta filling.
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Herb and Cheese Stuffed Turkey Breast – With garlic, spinach and Parmesan.
After roasting, sliced turkey reveals a beautiful swirl of stuffing in each piece. Serve with a bright cranberry sauce.
Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Set it and forget it with simple slow cooker recipes:
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Slow Cooker Herbed Turkey Breast – Simmered in white wine, chicken stock and herbs.
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Slow Cooker Mediterranean Turkey – Kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes add big flavor.
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Cranberry Slow Cooker Turkey Breast – Includes a sweet dried cranberry chutney.
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Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Ragu – Shredded turkey in a rich red wine tomato sauce.
The slow, moist heat tenderizes turkey so it shreds easily for sandwiches, pasta dishes, and more.
Turkey Breast Salad Entrées
Cool salads are a refreshing way to serve turkey, like in:
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Turkey Cobb Salad – With bacon, eggs, avocado, cheddar and ranch dressing.
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Mediterranean Turkey Salad – Artichokes, roasted peppers, olives, and feta.
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Curry Turkey Salad wraps – Cranberries, almonds and curry dressing over greens.
Chopped or sliced turkey breast elevates salad from side dish to mealworthy entrée. Take your pick of creative flavors.
Sandwiches Starring Turkey Breast
Pile sliced turkey between bread for an easy sandwich, including:
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Classic Club Sandwiches – Triple decker with bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo.
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Turkey Reubens – Sautéed turkey, Swiss, and sauerkraut on rye bread.
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Turkey Bacon Ranch Paninis – Oozing with cheddar and ranch flavors.
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Open Faced Turkey and Apple Melts – With brie, honey, and arugula.
Sandwiches make a perfect weekday lunch or light dinner. Use up leftover turkey or pick up a roasted breast.
Global Turkey Breast Recipes
Take your turkey around the world with cultural recipes like:
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Turkey Gyros – Thin slices piled with veggies on warm pitas.
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Turkey Enchiladas Verde – Smothered in tangy green enchilada sauce.
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Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps – With peanut sauce and fresh veggies.
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Turkey Schnitzel – Pounded thin, breaded, and pan-fried.
The mild taste of turkey breast adapts well to any cuisine. It’s the perfect blank canvas for global seasonings.
Thanksgiving Classics with Turkey Breast
When you need just the breast, make holiday favorites like:
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Roast Turkey Breast with Gravy – A smaller scale Thanksgiving centerpiece.
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Turkey Pot Pie – Comforting post-holiday meal.
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Open Faced Turkey and Stuffing sandwiches – For leftover turkey.
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Turkey Noodle Soup – Noodles and veggies in leftover turkey broth.
Enjoy standout Thanksgiving flavors without roasting a whole bird. Turkey breast streamlines preparation.
Easy Frozen and Deli Turkey Breast Recipes
No need to cook a breast from scratch when you can use:
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Frozen seasoned turkey breast fillets – Heat and serve with simple sides.
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Smoked precooked turkey breast deli meat – For salads, sandwiches, wraps.
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Canned or pouched turkey breast – Add to pastas, soups and sides.
Convenience products help you get dinner on the table fast. Keep your freezer and pantry stocked.
The Takeaway
From soups and salads to roulades and cutlets, turkey breast works deliciously in all types of recipes. It offers a neutral base for bold seasoning and adapts well to all cooking methods. Ground turkey breast substitutes easily for beef or pork in popular dishes.
So next time you’ve got turkey breast on hand, browse these recipe ideas for inspiration. With endless options from casual to gourmet, you could eat turkey every night and never get bored! From sandwiches to roasts and more, turkey breast is an underutilized ingredient perfect for tasty, simple meals any day of the year.
Replacing Cooked Turkey for Chicken in Recipes
Typically, you can use leftover holiday cooked turkey for any recipe that calls for cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken.
For instance, you might enjoy replacing the chicken with turkey in this Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup. In fact, I cannot think of an instance where the recipe calls for cooked/rotisserie chicken that cooked turkey cannot replace it! So be creative! And use that gobbler up!
Between 3-5 days, when wrapped well or kept in an airtight container. Tuck it near the back of your fridge and it will last longer, as most refrigerators are cooler towards the back.
Yes! Probably the easiest and best way to store leftover turkey is by wrapping it well in foil, a freezer ziplock or an airtight container and freeze 4-6 months.
Place desired amount of turkey in a casserole dish or pan, preferably with a lid. Add 1-2 cups of turkey or chicken stock/broth and reheat in a 300F degree oven for 20-45 minutes (time varies based on how much turkey is in the pan.) It’s also yummier and more moist if you had a pat or two of butter to the top of the turkey. (General rule is 1 cup of liquid per 2 cups of turkey)
This is one of my favorite ways, in fact, you can roast your turkey a few days before Thanksgiving or Christmas, carve and then rewarm in the crockpot or slow cooker, saving you precious time and oven space. Add turkey meat to the crockpot and pour turkey or chicken stock/broth over the top (general rule is 1 cup of liquid, per 2 cups of turkey), add 1-3 pats of butter to the top of the turkey and set crockpot on low for 3-4 hours. Moist, never dried out turkey! Ta-da!
Rely on your senses, give it a good sniff. If it smells sour, is slimy or has turned a gray color it has most likely spoiled or bad and it’s best to toss it out.
Recipes for Sandwiches using Leftover Turkey
There are some delicious and unique sandwiches in this category! Bahn Mi, Panini, sliders and more!
We will start with the classic, leftover turkey sandwiches, look at all of these creative and beautiful ways to enjoy leftover turkey! 1
The best and easiest way to enjoy leftover turkey is making these soft, crispy and buttery bottomed turkey and cheese sliders! They will become your favorite too! 3
Use leftover sliced turkey in place of deli meat in this gourmet grilled cheese — it’s sure to become a family favorite! 4
The perfect way to use your leftover turkey from your holiday celebration. Warm, juicy turkey covered in brie and cranberry aioli served on warm, crusty bread. 5
Leftover turkey from Thanksgiving? No problem! Try some turkey reubens with homemade thousand island dressing! Youll love this delicious twist on a classic sandwich! 6
This leftover turkey banh mi sandwich is tangy, crunchy, turkey sandwich heaven. If youve got leftover turkey you will not be disappointed! 7
Thanksgiving dinner is epic in our family, we make enough food to feed an army and I think we enjoy the leftovers just as much as we do the actual meal. This Turkey Salad is our favorite way to enjoy the leftover turkey. 8
Use up your leftover turkey and cranberry sauce with this unique, sophisticated and delicious Leftover Turkey Panini, with, cranberry aioli, fresh green apples, fig spread and ooey gooey melted brie cheese join together to treat your taste buds to a sensational experience! 9
In this Turkey Cranberry Sandwich recipe turkey and cranberry sauce are nestled between two slices of buttery bread that have been grilled to perfection, all held together by melted cheddar cheese. This Thanksgiving sandwich is the perfect way to use up leftover turkey! 10
Use your left over roasted turkey to make delicious low carb calzones with a Fathead dough pastry. 11
These pesto Grilled Turkey & Havarti Sandwiches are a fast family favorite! Buttery grilled sourdough, garlic basil pesto, melty Havarti cheese, and tomato with sliced turkey. When they ask “what’s for dinner?” and these toasted turkey sandwiches are the answer, there is nothing but smiles! 12
This Turkey Gobbler Wrap is an exact copycat of the Trader Joe’s version, complete with stuffing, cream cheese, and cranberries! Use leftover holiday turkey and sides to create these delicious and easy make-ahead lunches!
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
What can I do with turkey breasts?
- Rolled turkey breast with herby lemon & pine nut stuffing. …
- Low-fat turkey bolognese. …
- Roast turkey breast. …
- Turkey, strawberry & avocado salad. …
- Chipotle turkey & avocado grain bowl. …
- Mediterranean turkey-stuffed peppers. …
- App onlySuper-succulent turkey breast. …
- Roast turkey breast wrapped in bacon.
What is turkey breast good for?
It’s rich in B-complex vitamins niacin, B6 and B12 and the essential nutrient choline. It’s a good source of the minerals magnesium and phosphorus, and it provides iron, potassium and zinc. It’s also high in selenium, which may help support your immune system, Champagne said.
What pairs well with turkey breast?
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes. …
- Roasted Root Vegetables. …
- Cornbread Stuffing. …
- Brussels Sprouts with Bacon. …
- Cranberry Sauce With Orange Zest. …
- Wild Rice Pilaf. …
- Grilled Asparagus with Lemon. …
- Mac and Cheese.
What’s a good recipe for a turkey breast?
Get the Turkey And Stuffing Skillet recipe. Say goodbye to dry, boring turkey. This juicy turkey breast recipe is packed with flavor: Simply coat the turkey in herby butter and crunchy pecans. You’ll be fighting your friends for the last piece. Get the Rosemary, Sage, and Pecan-Crusted Turkey Breast recipe.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
What to eat with turkey breast?
Frankly, turkey breast is a no brainer for delicious family dinners any day of the year. Here are some of our favorite recipes. Simply simmer a boneless turkey breast with kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, Greek seasoning, and chicken broth brightened with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
What to serve with grilled turkey breast?
Grilled turkey breast is served with a bright sauce of olive oil, butter, lemon juice, and sage leaves. “Delicious,” raves HaR. “The turkey breast was so tender. I did not fry the sage leave but didn’t miss it.
What to do with leftover turkey breast?
Put leftover turkey breast to good use in this classic salad. Dice or shred the turkey and toss it together with mayo, celery, cranberries, pecans, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. For extra crunch, add chopped apples or bell peppers. Pile the salad onto slices of bread, crackers, or lettuce for a tasty and protein-packed light meal. 7. Turkey Hash
How do you make stuffed turkey breast?
Get the Prosciutto-Wrapped Stuffed Turkey Breast recipe at How Sweet Eats. This recipe starts off with a turkey brine that has hints of orange, cinnamon, bay leaves, and pepper. Then it’s rubbed with a savory herb butter and placed in a slow cooker with onions and garlic. As you can tell, it has a ton of flavor!