Thanksgiving is such a fun time with family and friends.  And we usually go overboard with our cooking.  But typically a turkey gives a family a lot more meat than we can eat in one sitting.  Even with extra guests at the table!

Do you host Thanksgiving dinner at your house? Or do you go to a family member’s home?  This year, my family came into town for a visit.  It was so much fun having all of the cousins together.  It's not often we are able to get all of our families together!

If you’re like me, you only eat turkey once a year. I like turkey OK, but I mean, it’s a meaty bird, and even for a family size like ours, it’s still a lot to eat through!

So, what to do with all of that leftover turkey meat?

Well, I’m here to offer a few suggestions on some easy, leftover turkey meal ideas to help you use up all of that meat!

Simple Meal Ideas for Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey

• Turkey Tacos: Easy! You don’t always have to use ground beef! In fact, we have used beef, chicken, pork, and duck meat for our tacos. With all of the usual toppings!

• Turkey Quesadillas: Stuff your tortillas with turkey meat, cheese, peppers, onions, cilantro, or any of your favorite ingredients!

• Turkey Chili: Make your chili using the same ingredients you would for beef chili, only use turkey meat instead.

• Turkey Enchiladas: Add turkey to your favorite enchilada recipe, and if you make these in bulk, they freeze really well. A good freezer meal to have on hand!

• Turkey Spaghetti: Shredded turkey meat in your spaghetti sauce is delicious! Really!

• Turkey Soup: Chicken noodle soup? How about turkey noodle soup? It’s still healthy, healing, and great to eat on a cold day! Or my chicken and wild rice soup is just as tasty with turkey meat!

• Turkey Sandwiches: Very easy! I like to add mayo, avocados, sprouts, and tomato with leftover turkey meat, it makes an awesome sandwich. And if I’m really in the mood, a couple of slices of bacon makes it even better!

• Turkey Lasagna: Believe it or not, turkey is actually pretty tasty in a lasagna dish. Just substitute your beef for turkey!

• Turkey Salad Sandwich: Do you like chicken salad sandwiches? I am notorious for making turkey salad, exactly the same, with celery, craisins, celery seed, etc. and spreading it on a leftover dinner roll or homemade bread. Soooo good!

• Turkey Pot Pie: No explanation necessary, add turkey to your pot pie instead of chicken!

• Turkey Broth:  You can cook down all of those bones and organs for a super healthy bone broth that you can use in soups over the winter months.  For a quick tutorial, check HERE!

And turkey meat freezes really well. Shred or cut up your turkey meat and freeze in airtight containers, or ziploc freezer bags. You can pull out the meat for soups and quick meals all winter long!

Do you have any quick and easy meal ideas using leftover Thanksgiving turkey? Please feel free to share, I would love to hear what others create with turkey!

I pray you have a Merry Christmas Season!

Tabitha at Rare Breed Farms