Updated 30 May 2026 by Linda Garrould. A Christmas Countdown family favourite.
The best things to do with leftover turkey are a warming casserole or curry, a turkey and ham pie, soup made from the carcass, a quick stir-fry or fried rice, and of course sandwiches. Below are our favourite family ideas, starting with two recipes we make every Boxing Day.
I hope you had a wonderful, stress-free Christmas Day. By the time you have enjoyed the turkey hot on the day and cold on Boxing Day, you are probably wondering what to do with the rest. Here is how we use ours.
1. Turkey casserole
As the weather turns colder, a hot turkey casserole is always welcome. Soften onions, carrots and celery, add stock, a little leftover gravy and your turkey, then simmer until everything is hot and tender. Serve with mashed potato or crusty bread.
2. Crispy turkey salad
For something lighter, pull the meat off the bird and fry it until hot and crisp with a little chilli and spice. There is no need to add oil, just get the pan really hot first and the meat will release enough of its own, though a splash of mild chilli oil adds lovely flavour. Be careful not to burn it. Toss with green salad, tomatoes and olives, scatter over some pomegranate seeds and serve with crusty bread and butter. A refreshing change after all the rich Christmas food. It also makes a brilliant high-protein, low-fat lunch, ideal after the gym (see the nutrition note below).
Is leftover turkey actually good for you?
Skinless roast turkey is one of the leanest, most protein-rich meats you can eat, which makes cold leftover turkey a genuinely healthy choice for a quick lunch. Skinless roast turkey breast has roughly 30g of protein and only about 2g of fat per 100g, with around 140 calories, and it is naturally low in salt. That is exactly why the crispy turkey salad above works so well as a post-gym or light lunch: plenty of protein to keep you satisfied, without much fat.
A couple of sensible caveats. The skin, the gravy, sausages, stuffing and any cured or processed turkey add fat and salt, so for the leanest result stick to the breast meat and go easy on the trimmings. And a salad is only as healthy as what you serve with it. These are general food facts rather than tailored dietary advice, but as a whole-food source of lean protein, cold roast turkey is hard to beat.
More easy leftover turkey ideas
- Leftover turkey curry – one of the most popular ways of all. Fry onion, garlic and curry paste, add coconut milk or chopped tomatoes, then warm through the turkey and serve with rice.
- Turkey and ham pie – fold turkey and any leftover ham through a creamy leek sauce, top with pastry or mash and bake until golden.
- Turkey soup from the carcass – simmer the stripped carcass with an onion, carrot and bay leaf for a couple of hours to make stock, then add shredded turkey, vegetables and noodles or barley.
- Turkey stir-fry or fried rice – a fast midweek supper using up odds and ends of vegetables.
- Coronation turkey sandwiches – mix turkey with a little mayonnaise, curry powder, mango chutney and sultanas for the best sandwich of the year.
- Turkey risotto – stir leftover turkey through a simple risotto with peas and Parmesan.
- Turkey hash – fry chopped turkey with leftover potatoes and sprouts and top with a fried egg for a brilliant Boxing Day brunch.
Storing leftover turkey safely
Cool leftover turkey within two hours, cover it and keep it in the fridge, where it will be good for two to three days. Eat it within that time or freeze it on the day you cooked it for up to three months. When reheating, make sure it is piping hot all the way through, and only reheat once.
Leftover turkey FAQs
How long does leftover turkey last in the fridge?
Two to three days, as long as it was cooled and refrigerated within two hours of serving. Reheat until piping hot and only reheat once.
Can you freeze leftover turkey?
Yes. Freeze it on the day it was cooked, in portions, for up to three months. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge before reheating.
What is the most popular leftover turkey recipe?
Leftover turkey curry and turkey casserole are perennial favourites, closely followed by turkey and ham pie and a soup made from the carcass.
Can you use the turkey carcass?
Absolutely. Simmer it with onion, carrot, celery and a bay leaf for a couple of hours to make a free, flavourful stock for soup.
Is cold leftover turkey healthy?
Yes. Skinless roast turkey breast is naturally lean and high in protein, with around 30g of protein and about 2g of fat per 100g, and it is low in salt, so it makes an excellent high-protein salad. Skin, gravy and stuffing add fat and salt, so stick to the breast meat for the leanest option.
Round off the leftovers with our Christmas recipes and get a head start on next year with our Christmas to-do lists.
0 Comments