Now that the big holiday meal is over, you’re probably stuck with more Thanksgiving or Christmas food than you know what to do with. I've gathered over 30 of my favorite easy recipes that transform holiday turkey and ham leftovers into something new and satisfying.
There is no need to eat the same, microwaved meat for days on end! Whether you have extra turkey or leftover ham, these recipes are a great way to use up the last bits of your treasured holiday comfort foods.
Jump to:
- Why we love leftovers
- 1. Turkey Soup with leftover vegetables
- 2. Ham and Potato Casserole
- 3. Turkey corn chowder
- 4. Ham and Bean Soup
- 5. Turkey casserole
- 6. Ham and Noodle Casserole
- 7. Turkey Pot Pie
- 8. Ham Tetrazzini
- 9. Creamed Turkey Sandwich
- 10. Deviled Ham Recipe
- 11. Tuscan Turkey Soup
- 12. Black Eyed Pea Soup
- 13. Eggless breakfast casserole
- FAQ's
- More turkey recipes
- More ham recipes
- Great ham and turkey recipes
Why we love leftovers
Leftovers are a lifesaver in the days following a big holiday meal. After working in the kitchen for hours or even days, the extra food provides a perfect hassle-free meal.
Plus, the savory herb flavors only get better with time! So, using up the leftovers in a fun and effortless way makes the whole family excited to eat.
1. Turkey Soup with leftover vegetables
After an amazing yet tiring holiday dinner party, all most people want is to enjoy a delicious meal without spending too much time on it. That's where my hearty Turkey Soup comes in handy.
I love this recipe when I have leftover veggies, like Brussels sprouts. You can easily use them up in the savory soup, which is perfect for a much-needed lazy night night in. (Plus, it's soo much tastier than microwaved Brussels—no, thank you!)
2. Ham and Potato Casserole
If you have leftover ham, transform it into a delicious Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole. This hot and creamy dish is great the night after a holiday meal—either as a main dish or as a side. It is so easy to whip up and is sure to impress your guests with its filling, satisfying goodness.
3. Turkey corn chowder
This Turkey Corn Chowder is a great way to use up your Christmas leftovers because prep is effortless, and you probably have all the ingredients already.
Simply combine your leftover turkey with corn, potatoes, bacon, and other veggies for a hearty and delicious soup. Top with some shredded cheese and chopped herbs for a gourmet dish no one will guess is from leftovers!
4. Ham and Bean Soup
Delicious Ham and Bean Soup is a go-to ham leftover recipe in my home! You can easily make this mouthwatering dish in a slow cooker, giving you more time to spend with your family during the holiday break.
It's a satisfying, hearty meal that keeps on giving. In fact, the flavor improves even more overnight in the refrigerator. Leftovers of leftovers that taste great—now that's what I call a holiday miracle!
5. Turkey casserole
If you enjoy meal prepping and are tired of the traditional holiday food flavors, then you will love this Turkey Casserole recipe! It is loaded with protein and delicious tomato sauce, making it a perfect choice for a quick weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
Plus, if you don't have ground turkey, you can use finely chopped turkey leftovers plus green beans to make this dish work for you. See, how easy is that?
6. Ham and Noodle Casserole
Experience the ultimate comfort food with this mouthwatering Ham and Noodle Casserole. With holiday ham leftovers, creamy noodles, and a delightfully crispy top layer, every bite is a heavenly experience.
As an added bonus, this easy-to-make casserole is a hit with kids, making it the perfect meal for the whole family to enjoy. You'll love it!
7. Turkey Pot Pie
This Turkey Pot Pie is effortless to prepare, unlike some other homemade pot pie recipes. It only uses simple ingredients and allows you to make use of any leftovers you have.
Plus, there are so many ways to customize it according to what you like. Not to mention, the presentation of the dish is top-notch! It's a true winner-winner-turkey-dinner.
8. Ham Tetrazzini
This yummy Ham Tetrazzini Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional turkey tetrazzini. It calls for tasty leftover ham, creamy spaghetti, and easy veggies.
Then, it's baked in the oven until hot and bubbly. Each bite is like a flavor explosion, with perfect textures, too! If you love a good casserole, this one's for you.
9. Creamed Turkey Sandwich
One of my go-to recipes after a holiday is this Creamed Turkey Sandwich—so classic and so good! To elevate the leftover turkey, I use a homemade gravy recipe, which is super easy to make using ingredients you most likely already have in the pantry.
If you're short on time but still crave a fulfilling, flavorful lunch, this quick recipe is perfect. Plus, you can make it even more scrumptious, by using a large frying pan on medium heat to toast the bread with butter—oh my word! Yum!
10. Deviled Ham Recipe
I always crave this Deviled Ham Recipe for lunchtime sandwiches. It's a great way to bring new life back to leftover ham, and the celery in the recipe adds a nice crunch. It's also perfect for a mid-day snack when served with crackers as an appetizer.
11. Tuscan Turkey Soup
Are you looking for a delicious and comforting soup to warm you up after a white Christmas? This one-pot Tuscan Turkey Soup will do just that.
It's filled with mouth-watering flavors and hearty ingredients—a rich and flavorful broth that's hot and steamy, tender chunks of leftover turkey, perfectly cooked potatoes, and filling white beans.
Of course, this soup is the perfect meal to cozy up with on a cold winter day while you take down the Christmas decorations and await NYE!
12. Black Eyed Pea Soup
This delicious Black Eyed Pea Soup is a perfect meal that combines the savory flavor of holiday ham with a smoky twist.
Along with the addition of delicious collard greens, this soup is a hearty and flavorful dish that's easily made at a budget-friendly cost. Of course, after the holidays, that's always important!
Not only is it a satisfying meal on its own, but it also produces mouth-watering leftovers that you can enjoy for days. Anyone else need a break from cooking after Christmas, like I do?!
13. Eggless breakfast casserole
Looking for a lovely meal for breakfast, lunch or brinner? (That's breakfast for dinner!) Look no further than the Eggless Breakfast Casserole! It comes together easily using frozen hashbrowns and salty ham in a delicious creamy sauce.
FAQ's
How long are turkey leftovers good for?
Food experts recommend keeping leftover turkey in the refrigerator for up to four days. Remember, reheating/using leftover turkey in a new recipe doesn't "reset" its original leftover expiration date.
Can I freeze leftover turkey?
Yes! Turkey should be stored in an air-tight freezer-safe container. It'll keep for 3-4 months. I like to package it into smaller baggies so I can only thaw as much as I'll need at one time.
How long is leftover ham safe to eat?
You can keep cooked ham in your refrigerator for up to five days. Like turkey, reheating it in another recipe doesn't "reset" the original expiration date of the leftovers.
How can you tell if ham is spoiled?
If your ham has a greenish or gray hue, or if it smells bad, throw it away. Ham should have a salty or smokey aroma, almost sweet. When in doubt, throw it out! Better safe than sorry.
More turkey recipes
You thought I was done? The options don't stop! Here are even more mouth-watering leftover turkey recipes you need to try.
- Turkey Tetrazzini—the sauce in this pasta recipe is luscious and pairs so well with leftover turkey.
- Leftover Turkey Casserole tastes like a pot pie but with sweet cornbread on top. Yum!
- Leftover Turkey Tacos are a fun and flavorful way to spruce up the extra meat you have on hand.
- Turkey Carnitas—just the thought of this makes my mouth water!
- Turkey Pot Pie—gotta love a good classic.
- Turkey Shepherds Pie puts a European twist on Thanksgiving leftovers!
- Baked Turkey Crescent Rolls—great if you have just a few minutes and only want to buy a few ingredients.
- Thanksgiving Sandwich—these little dumpling-like sandwiches are so yummy I want to eat them all year long!
- Turkey Fried Rice—just substitute leftover turkey, and you've got a meal!
- Turkey Stuffed Peppers are easy, hearty, and delicious.
More ham recipes
Ten more easy ham recipes you didn't know your soul needed—until now, that is!
- Ham and Potato Soup is hearty, delicious, and extra creamy. Cheese-lovers, this is for you!
- Collard Greens—a fantastic Southern side dish that tastes perfect with salty Christmas ham leftovers.
- Ham and Cheese Sliders—kids are obsessed with these things!
- 15 Bean Soup is loaded with flavor and packed with color.
- Overnight Eggs Benedict with Ham—make this the night before for an easy, special breakfast in the morning.
- One Pot Ham and Penne Skillet is easily thrown together—no effort or fancy cooking skills needed!
- Hawaiian Fried Rice—cook this up as a cost-effective entree or a protein-packed side dish.
- Ham and Cheese Casserole—condensed soup makes it extra creamy.
- Ruby Tuesday Ham and Pasta Salad is good year 'round and tastes just like the restaurant favorite!
- Leftover Ham Sandwich Recipe—crispy bread and melted Swiss cheese paired with savory and sweet notes? Yum. Instead of jam, use leftover cranberry sauce!
Great ham and turkey recipes
Now that you're more than prepared with leftover turkey and ham recipes after the big holiday dinner, it's time to cook!
My family has perfected this Roast Turkey recipe, and we've enjoyed it for years. The juicy meat and perfectly golden-browned skin complete any hearty meal on a very special day.
However, if you're not up for cooking the whole bird, my Crockpot Turkey Breast and Stuffing Recipe is perfect. It delivers the savory, juicy holiday flavor everyone loves, without any of the effort—and, in a smaller portion.
On the other hand, Slow Cooker Holiday Ham is another one of my personal favorites. The prep process is super easy, and it's packed with flavor. The meat is so tender that it melts in your mouth.
I know it might be tough to decide between all of the options, but rest assured—whichever you choose, you won't be disappointed! Enjoy!
