Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (2024)

By: Author Julie Menghini

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Leftover Turkey Casserole repurposes leftover turkey and stuffing into one easy recipe. This one-dish turkey casserole is quick, creamy, and delicious. With only 3 steps it’s on your table in a jiffy!

Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (1)

Leftover Turkey Casserole is a great way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers especially when everyone is screaming “not more turkey! This turkey casserole recipe is also a great fix for a turkey that ended up dry.

I just love Thanksgiving. All of that delicious food and sitting around the table with the people we love.

I have John’s family over every year, and even though it’s not a big group I still cook like I’m feeding a hundred. Can you relate?

I don’t mind because I WANT the leftovers! John’s always a big help because he cooks the bird on the grill which frees up my oven.

Here’s our tutorial onHow to Spatchcock and Carve your Thanksgiving Turkeyas well as some easy tips for making Thanksgiving stress-free!

It wasn’t all that long ago that my 96-year-old father-in-law declared that he liked my Turkey Dressing better than his wife’s dressing. He’s such a soft-spoken man that I didn’t know he was that brave even though he served in WWII and the Korean War.

I always make extra dressing to make sure I have plenty left to make this Leftover Turkey Casserole. After all of the cooking, I do in preparation for Thanksgiving, I want something quick, easy and delicious.

How long is leftover turkey good for?

According to CDC, refrigerate leftovers within two hours. Keep hot food hot and cold food cold until then. They have a lot of handling tips that are very helpful as well.

It’s important to use your leftover turkey and stuffing as soon as possible. Most leftovers can be kept for three to four days in the fridge. If you have more food than you plan to eat within four days, freeze it within two hours after it’s cooked.

When you’re ready to eat your leftovers, reheat them to an internal temperature of 74 C (165 F), measured by a digital food thermometer. Use frozen leftovers within 1 to 2 months.

I don’t use a lot of canned ingredients, but this turkey casserole recipe is the exception. I grab two cans of cream of chicken soup when I’m grabbing all of the other ingredients that I need for the Holiday.

Leftover Turkey Casserole Ingredients:

Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (2)
  • Cooked turkey – Shred or chop turkey. Use white, dark or a combination. Whatever you like.
  • Bread Dressing (Stuffing if you like) Premade or leftover. Not the dry croutons.
  • Cream of chicken soup – use low sodium since your leftovers have already been seasoned.
  • Milk – I used skim but any is fine and found that it blends easier with the soup when it’s room temperature.

VARIATIONS & TIPS FROM THE COOK:

  • This recipe works well with cooked chicken whether you bake it or buy a rotisserie chicken at the store.
  • Turkey breasts are on sale and easy to freeze around the holidays. The leftovers will work great here.
  • If you don’t have any leftover dressing you can use a small box of “Stove Top Dressing”.
  • Add veggies! You will need to use vegetables that don’t have to cook very long such as frozen corn, peas, or green beans or saute them before you put this turkey casserole recipe together.
  • Cream of Mushroom or Celery soup works well if that’s what’s in your cupboard.
  • You can make a smaller amount if you don’t have a lot of leftovers or if you’re cooking for just a few. Use a smaller container and use only one can of soup.
  • Bake this recipe in two freezable containers. Eat one and freeze the other for a rainy day.

What can you serve with Leftover Turkey Casserole?

If you have any leftover cranberry sauce, that would be amazing. Keep it simple! Here are a few ideas for you.

Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (3)
Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (4)
Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (5)
Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (6)

Do you need some more leftover turkey recipe ideas?

You can substitute cooked turkey for any recipe that calls for chicken.

Pin this delicious turkey casserole recipe!

Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (7)

A few items you may need to make the perfect Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe

  • Instant Read Thermometer – I use an instant-read thermometer for this recipe, for grilling, and even baking bread! I couldn’t function without one.
  • Baking Dish – I’ve got this one and love it. It comes with a lid that makes taking and refrigerating my treats a lot easier.

If it’s more recipes for Thanksgiving leftover recipes you’re looking for, here are some great ones

If you like this recipe, we would appreciate your comment and a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review!

Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (8)

Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe

Author: Julie Menghini

Leftover Turkey Casserole repurposes leftover turkey and stuffing into one easy recipe. This one-dish casserole is quick, creamy, and delicious.

4.48 from 119 votes

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword: leftover turkey casserole, turkey casserole recipe

Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 6 cups cooked turkey cubed or shredded
  • 4 cups pre-made bread stuffing
  • 2 cans cream of chicken soup low sodium
  • 1 cup milk I used skim

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

  • Cover the bottom of the baking dish with the cooked turkey. Crumble the dressing over the top of the turkey.

  • Mix the canned soup with the milk and pour over the dressing and turkey.

  • Bake until bubbly, 40 to 60 minutes.

Video

Notes

  • The milk blends easier with the soup when both are at room temperature.
  • Chicken can be substituted for Turkey.
  • Cream of Mushroom or Celery can be substitued for Chicken soup.
  • You can use more or less turkey. Just make sure that it covers the bottom of the dish you use. The more you use the thicker the casserole will be.
  • You can add vegetables to a variation to this dish.
  • Leftovers can be frozen in an air-tight container.

This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. Please calculate your own nutritional information if you want it exact to what you make and use my calculations as a guide only.

Nutrition

Calories: 369kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 22gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 1111mgPotassium: 319mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 543IUCalcium: 85mgIron: 3mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

What is your favorite way to repurpose Thanksgiving leftovers? Are you the cook or the guest? Please share, you are my inspiration!

Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge? ›

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 over cooked turkey? ›

Place your carved meat in a shallow baking dish and cover it with stock. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in low oven, somewhere around 250 degrees, for 5-10 minutes. The dryness won't be entirely gone after this short broth bath, but the turkey will definitely be more moist than before.

Can you freeze cooked turkey after 4 days? ›

If your turkey has been properly handled, you can refrigerate and eat it for up to four days. If you are planning to freeze it, it's best to freeze it within one day of cooking for optimal texture and taste. However, leftover turkey can be frozen after three days and it will be fine.

What is turkey casserole made of? ›

Mix turkey, celery, pimento peppers, almonds, and salt into mushroom soup mixture; cook and stir until heated through, about 5 minutes. Pour mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish; top with bread crumbs and Cheddar cheese. Bake in the preheated oven until casserole is bubbling and cheese is melted, 30 to 40 minutes.

Is it safe to eat cooked turkey after 5 days? ›

Cooked turkey and other leftovers can be kept in the fridge safely for about three to four days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FoodSafety.gov say. But after that time, "the risk of food poisoning goes up," the Mayo Clinic notes, pointing to the growth of bacteria in refrigerated leftovers.

Can you eat 7 day old turkey? ›

Turkey typically lasts up to four days in the fridge before it goes bad. It can be stored in the freezer for up to four months before it starts to lose its flavor and texture.

How do you reheat leftover turkey without drying it out? ›

Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

Why does leftover turkey taste different? ›

As you wait, the aromas diffuse through this big bird and even the inside tastes better. In the case of leftovers, what you've done is actually chopped up the pieces and put some broth on top of that. So when it cools, it picks up the aroma and the flavor of the broth and becomes tastier than the first time around.

How do chefs reheat turkey? ›

How to reheat turkey
  1. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
  2. Carve the turkey breast meat into thin slices and carve the leg meat off the bone. Lay in a roasting tin or gratin dish. ...
  3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and roast for 30 mins until the turkey is very hot – at least 75C on a cooking thermometer.

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

Frozen Turkey

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Is it safe to eat turkey left out overnight? ›

If the room temperature is above 90 degrees, limit the time that turkey sits out to only one hour. After that time, it must be put away in the refrigerator or freezer to prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria on the surface.

How do you freeze cooked turkey so it stays moist? ›

Freeze: Turkey Meat

If you can, pour a bit of gravy over the meat before freezing; it'll add moisture. You can eat the turkey with gravy as usual, but leftover turkey is quite versatile. It makes a great filling for casseroles, tacos and sandwiches. Here's how to reheat turkey without drying it out.

Why put foil on casserole dish? ›

It protects your food from drying out or burning and helps keep in the heat and moisture, ensuring a perfectly cooked meal. Loosely covering your dish with foil can prevent uneven browning while baking. However, tightly sealing your bakeware with foil is the way to go for more steam.

What does the binder of a casserole do? ›

The binder, a liquid that holds the other ingredients together. – Fat-free milk, broth, fruit juice, soup, eggs, or a thickened Béchamel/White sauce.

What's the difference between a casserole and a lasagna? ›

While lasagna may not share the same ingredients as what comes to mind when you picture a typical casserole, it is not only the type of food within the dish that defines it. Any one-dish meal that is cooked in the oven in a wide, deep dish (or, casserole dish) is by definition a casserole.

Can you eat turkey 5 days after Thanksgiving? ›

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends throwing out refrigerated leftovers after three to four days. If foods are kept in the freezer, they can usually still be consumed for three to four months.

Is it safe to eat leftover turkey after 6 days? ›

The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.

Is it OK if turkey was left in fridge for a week? ›

Use refrigerated turkey and stuffing within 3 to 4 days. Use gravy within 1 to 2 days. If freezing, use leftovers within 2 to 6 months for best quality.

Is leftover turkey good for a week? ›

Like other leftovers, leftover cooked turkey can—and will—go bad. “The texture and smell of turkey will indicate when it has gone bad,” Edwards says. “Generally it will smell bad and get a slimy texture. It's best to throw it away after four days in the fridge or move it to the freezer at that point.”

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