Smoked turkey is a delicious highlight of many holiday meals and gatherings. However, once the initial feast is over, you may be wondering what to do with all those leftovers! With proper storage, you can keep smoked turkey for 3-4 days in the fridge or up to 6 months in the freezer. This gives you plenty of time to get creative and whip up new dishes.
In this article, I’ll share 19 of my favorite recipes for leftover smoked turkey. From soups and sandwiches to casseroles, stir-fries, and more – you’ll find endless ideas to use every last bit of the bird!
Proper Storage for Leftover Smoked Turkey
Before diving into recipes, it’s important to understand how to properly store smoked turkey leftovers. This will help maintain safety, texture, and flavor so you can enjoy the meat to its fullest potential over the coming days or weeks.
Cooling and Wrapping
After initially serving the turkey, allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes before storage. This prevents condensation inside the container. Wrap the turkey tightly in plastic wrap, foil, or airtight containers.
Portioning
Consider portioning the turkey into smaller servings before refrigerating or freezing This allows you to only reheat what you need later on
Labeling and Dating
Always label leftovers with the date This helps track how long they’ve been stored
Refrigeration vs. Freezing
Refrigeration preserves turkey for 3-4 days. Freezing can extend this to 6 months. For freezing, use heavy-duty freezer bags or vacuum sealing.
Thawing
When ready to use, thaw frozen turkey slowly in the fridge over 24-48 hours. Never thaw at room temperature.
19 Delicious Recipes for Leftover Smoked Turkey
Now let’s get to the good stuff! Here are 19 of my personal favorite ways to use up leftover smoked turkey.
1. Classic Turkey Sandwiches
- Layer turkey, lettuce, tomato, cheese, mayo or mustard between bread slices.
2. Turkey Club Wraps
- Fill a tortilla with turkey, bacon, avocado, lettuce, and tomato.
3. Smoked Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
- Simmer turkey, wild rice, carrots, celery, and onions for a comforting soup.
4. Turkey and Bean Chili
- Use shredded turkey instead of ground beef in your favorite chili recipe.
5. Turkey Cobb Salad
- Top greens with turkey, egg, bacon, avocado, and blue cheese.
6. Smoked Turkey Caesar Salad
- Add sliced turkey to a classic Caesar salad.
7. Turkey and Stuffing Casserole
- Layer turkey, stuffing, and creamy sauce in a baking dish.
8. Turkey Enchiladas
- Roll turkey in tortillas, top with sauce and cheese, then bake.
9. Smoked Turkey Omelette
- Fold turkey, onions, and cheese into a fluffy omelet.
10. Turkey Hash
- Sauté diced turkey with potatoes, onions, and peppers.
11. BBQ Turkey Pizza
- Top crust with turkey, barbecue sauce, and red onions.
12. Turkey Stir-Fry
- Sauté turkey and vegetables in a skillet with soy sauce and garlic.
13. Turkey Fried Rice
- Stir turkey into fried rice with peas, carrots, and eggs.
14. Turkey Pot Pie
- Bake turkey and veggies topped with a flaky pie crust.
15. White Turkey Chili
- Simmer turkey in a creamy white chili with beans and corn.
16. Turkey Tacos
- Serve shredded turkey in soft tortillas with all the fixings.
17. Turkey Quesadillas
- Stuff tortillas with turkey, cheese, and sautéed onions.
18. Buffalo Turkey Dip
- Mix turkey with hot sauce, cream cheese, and blue cheese for dipping.
19. Turkey Noodle Soup
- Simmer turkey in chicken broth with veggies and egg noodles.
Final Thoughts
With proper storage and a bit of creativity, you can enjoy your leftover smoked turkey for many meals to come. These recipes offer a variety of ways to serve the turkey so you’ll never get bored! From soups to pizzas, the possibilities are endless.
Next time you smoke or roast a turkey, plan ahead for how to use those leftovers. With this list as your guide, you’ll look forward to delicious turkey creations for days after the initial feast.
FAQ
How to eat leftover smoked turkey?
You could do a turkey salad! A little turkey , Mayo and seasoning to taste. Sometimes I leave out Mayo and do oil and vinegar instead. You could also do soup! Make a broth with the carcass and add the meat to it. You could add veggies or low carb noodles if you’d like. Soup is wonderful especially this time of year!
How long is leftover smoked turkey good for?
USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.
What to do with an already smoked turkey breast?
Smoked turkey breast will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat individual slices in the microwave, or place a covered pan of turkey in the oven at 325 degrees F until warmed through.
How to cook a turkey that has already been smoked?
A smoked turkey is already cooked by the process of having been smoked. I preheat my oven to 500 degrees, put the turkey in an uncovered pan. About a half-hour before I want to serve it, I put it into the oven and close the oven door.