This is the best leftover turkey recipe everyone will love! Super easy and flavorful turkey dumplings that even your kids will love! Great for Thanksgiving leftovers.
This is seriously the best leftover turkey recipe everyone will love. We make each year! Not only did my picky husband give it a thumbs up, but the kids loved it too! 😉 (originally published 11/13, affiliate links present)
I always have a ton of leftover turkey, and ham. Hating to throw any of it away, I fiddled around with different ideas over the years and finally came up with an easy cooked turkey recipe.
- This year I came up with this yummy leftover turkey recipe! They kinda’ look like little turnovers or pockets that everyone enjoyed!
If you too have leftover Thanksgiving turkey I know you’re wondering:
How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge
3-4 days is typical. Yes you can make sandwiches, and more sandwiches but that is BORING!! Once is about my limit I tell you.
It is time to get way more creative than that. This leftover turkey recipe everyone will love!
How long can you eat leftover turkey from Thanksgiving?
- 3 to 4 days
- The USDA recommends that you throw everything out after this time, but realistically you’ve got about twice that long.
- This timing really applies to all Thanksgiving sides; mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, turkey stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, you name it.
Can you freeze turkey after 3 days
- In general the refrigerator will slow the growth enough that cooked meat can be kept safely for up to 5 days.
In the freezer your cooked meat can be stored for 2-3 months. If you want to freeze food you should really do it as soon as possible after cooking to maximize the amount of time it will keep in the freezer well.
Ready for the best leftover turkey recipe now? You have come to the right place!
We always have leftovers and I just hate throwing food away.
I thought that beyond turkey sandwiches there had to be some other simple ways to use this delicious meat.
Here is the printable recipe for you and what you’ll need to make these fun leftover turkey dumplings we call them.
Best leftover turkey recipe
- Refrigerated crescent rolls
- Leftover turkey
- Mayonnaise
- Cheese – we like Swiss or mozzarella
Use any and all seasoning you usually throw into everything – we like dill, salt, and pepper
Instructions:
All you do is cube the turkey and cheese, add the rest of the ingredients and stir in a bowl.
- Then lay each crescent roll with the larger part of the triangle inside the muffin tin and the smaller end hanging out.
Scoop the mixture inside the muffin cup, and fold the smaller end over the top and tuck it underneath a bit.
- Bake as directed on the crescent roll container, take out when they are golden brown on the top, and waaallaahhhhh…..they were great!
Ours takes about 10 minutes per batch. I have a muffin pan that holds 12 so I usually make that many. Crescents come in 8 so if I want more I’ll throw the other 4 in after I scoop these out.
Once you try the best leftover turkey recipe you see here, I have a few other ways of using your leftover turkey or ham this year too!
- Leftover ham recipe
- This Instant Pot turkey tetrazzini
- Leftover turkey noodle soup is kinda’ like pot pie without the crust
- Our leftover turkey pot pie recipe is fantastic.
We are all about soup during the Fall and Winter months.
- Instant Pot shredded turkey soup
- More Leftover turkey meat recipes
- Leftover turkey casserole is great all thrown into a baking dish and into the oven
- Use leftover turkey to make these cute turkey burger boats
This is what these leftover turkey dumplings look like when they’re golden brown and ready to be eaten!!
- Prepped and baked in about 20 minutes, it’s a great post Thanksgiving dinner to try. Let us know what y’all think, we’d love to hear your families reactions.
Can leftover turkey be frozen?
- Yes!
- Roasted turkey freezes very well but you should remove the meat from the bones first. Then freeze each one separately. Turkey can be frozen for up to three months in airtight containers or freezer bags.
What should you serve with these turkey dumplings?
- I love to use up all my other items in the fridge like the little bit of green beans that didn’t get finished etc.
- A side of veggies is always a plus.
- Side salads are easy to throw together too.
I also have 20 recipes for using leftover ham as well. Many of them you can substitute turkey for ham for more ideas!
Here is a video of how we make this family friendly recipe.
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***** If you LOVED this recipe give it 5 Stars below and let everyone know what you thought about it. 😉
Best Leftover Turkey Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 c Leftover turkey cooked, cut into small pieces
- 1/2 c mayonnaise or more if you want more moist
- 1 c swiss or mozzarella cheese, shredded, or more
- 1 pkg Crescent rolls 8 which was enough for the 5 of us
- 1 tsp dill pinch of each
- salt
- pepper
- thyme
- optional * dried cranberries or walnuts
Instructions
- Spray non stick cooking spray into muffin tin.
- Push large side of crescent triangle into bottom of each muffin tin.
- Mix leftover turkey and all other ingredients together and spoon into each muffin tin hole.
- Fold small piece of crescent triangle over top of turkey mixture. Bake as directed on crescent roll container, or until lightly browned on top.
Video
Michele says
Easy & taste wonderful! (I added a little provolone cheese because I was low on mozzarella) Definitely will make again! Thank you!!
The Typical Mom says
Yay!!
Kathy says
So easy and good!
Laurieann says
This was a family pleaser for sure!!
The Typical Mom says
Oh good!
Sara says
I was looking for a way to use my leftover turkey and I found it! I can’t wait to mix this up today and delight my family with leftovers!
Veena Azmanov says
Love the leftover turkey idea. Awesome breakfast option. Yum and delicious and kids to relish them for Tiffin snack too.
Jacqueline Debono says
Such an original way to use up leftover turkey or ham. Going to bookmark this recipe for our Christmas leftovers too!
Deanne says
I’m always looking for ways to use our Thanksgiving turkey leftovers and this recipe was perfect – thank you!
Denisse Salinas says
I actually look more forward to leftover turkey recipes than to the actual turkey! This recipe is defs one I will add to the list! Looks so good!
Taylor says
I absolutely LOVE this idea!!! Will be my go-to leftover turkey recipe every year!
Beth says
We make this every year and so tasty! Looking forward to the leftovers again!
Cathy says
Just made 3 batches of these. Terrific! Didn’t have dill or thyme, but used a mix of garlic and onion powders and some chili powder. Yummy!!
Diane Rubinato says
Made these tonight using my 6 jumbo muffin tins. Used 33% less Fat than Original Crescents Reduced Fat dough for 8. SO SO simple to make and hubby loved them.
Pretty sure these would be great with beef too! Might even play around with different spices. Thanks!
Cheree says
Thank you for this awesome recipe! I was looking for something different to make with Turkey ?
The Typical Mom says
Yeah!! Glad you enjoyed them.
Amber says
I made these last year, but this year my family reminded me about them because they requested them. They love them.
The Typical Mom says
OH yeah!!
Taylor says
It’s ok to bake mayo?
stephanie says
I didn’t have crescent rolls i just used the biscuits in the cupcake pan and then stacked it up with the good stuff on top. I also put a little bit of seasoned bread crumbs in and baked it. Oh my gosh they were to die for. One of my husbands new favorites
Loreen says
How much turkey did you use?
TQponer says
I eyeballed it but about the amt. of 2 chicken breasts worth. 😉
Victoria says
What a fantastic idea! I’ll have to add this to my ever growing list of muffin tin recipes to try!
Jamie says
What a great idea to wrap the turkey. I love that they are smaller in size too!