Leftover turkey can actually be turned into many dishes. Some resemble the dinner where turkey was served. Others mask the leftover turkey and make the remains of the turkey into economical and reinvented meals.

Naturally, the first thing that may spring to most people’s mind at the thought of leftover turkey is a sandwich. Some people couldn’t have a Thanksgiving without the promise of a Friday turkey sandwich. One can use rolls from the previous night, or fresh sliced sourdough bread as a pleasant accompaniment.

A plain turkey sandwich is often much appreciated, but leftover turkey might also be the inspiration for a cold curried turkey salad. Using either a mayonnaise or yogurt base, consider adding a small amount of curry, and possibly nuts or raisins. This brings a new taste to leftover turkey, and can easily make the sandwich lover quite pleased.

Turkey hash is also a great way to make use of leftover turkey, especially when one has extra stuffing. Using cubed turkey, stuffing, onions and celery, and perhaps a little turkey gravy or stock, turkey hash can become a day after turkey breakfast, lunch or dinner. Some people also enjoy fried eggs served over hash.

Leftover turkey adapts itself well to being used in a variety of casseroles or pasta dishes. For example, finely sliced turkey could be part of a lasagna or enchilada dish. As well, leftover turkey can be used very much as tuna would be used to make a turkey casserole inspired dish. Leftover turkey combined with peas, carrots and mushroom soup can form an excellent basis for a turkey potpie.

Turkey is also excellent in fine slices or in cubes for turkey tacos or turkey quesadillas. Like turkey lasagna, Mexican inspired dishes using turkey often make economical use of leftover turkey meat, but do so in a way that does not remind everyone of turkey dinner the night before.

If the leftover turkey meat is all gone, there is still use for the turkey carcass. One can boil the carcass with a bit of onion, carrots and garlic for a fine turkey stock. This can also be turned into turkey soup, or can be stored for use as stock later. Many a fine minestrone soup is concocted from turkey stock, or turkey noodle soup might be the order of the day.

In all, turkey leftovers offer one the chance for varied meals. However, be certain that leftover turkey is used within the first two days after cooking. Reheated turkey should also reach 165 degrees F (73.89 C), in order to be safe to eat.