If you’re anything like me, you have a ton of leftover turkey after the holiday season and you’re looking for fun and creative ways to use it all up while staying on track with your weight loss plan during the holidays!
Eating healthy on the 17 Day Diet, even during the holidays doesn’t have to be difficult. And if you have leftover turkey, you’re even in better shape for healthy eating!
I’ve updated this list with a few newer recipes, so keep on reading for all the details!
You have leftovers, so don’t let your bird go to waste – it’s super easy to repurpose cooked turkey for a few more meals.
If you have more than you can eat a few days after your holiday, place your carvings in a sealed container and freeze for future use.
Here are My Favorite Healthy Recipe Ideas for Leftover Turkey
I have updated this list to share even more of my favorite recipes that would be perfect for using up leftover holiday turkey.
1. Not Your Momma’s Shepherd’s Pie
Rather than cook another batch of ground turkey, use your already-cooked leftover turkey in my recipe for a healthy low-carb Not Your Momma’s Shepherd’s Pie.
Add your cooked turkey to your onion and garlic mixture to the pan to warm your turkey.
Bonus points if you have leftover Thanksgiving veggies such as carrots, green beans and other low-sugar veggies that would be yummy in this dish!
2. Green Chili Chicken Enchilada with Cauliflower
This green chili chicken enchilada with cauliflower recipe is probably my all-time favorite dinner!
This recipe calls for cooked chicken, so using up your leftover turkey would make this dish even easier to make.
Although this recipe calls for chicken breast, I’m sure using up your dark meat would be fine, too!
3. Low-Carb Turkey Tacos
Use your leftover turkey meat combined with your favorite low-sugar salsa for a spicy meat mixture using my Cauliflower Tortilla recipe.
Add toppings such as shredded lettuce, a bit of cheese (yes, it’s allowed!), sour cream and tomatoes!
If you can make these tortillas a day in advance and put them in the toaster to crisp them up the day of, they are perfect this way!
4. Chicken Paprikash
When you’re looking for something new to include in your dinner rotation, plus something easy, especially with leftover turkey, this Chicken Paprikash recipe should do the trick.
Since you’re using already cooked leftover turkey, you can skip step one (browning). Put your salt, pepper and onion powder seasoning into the onion mixture at this point.
5. Middle Eastern Turkey & Carrot Stew
Use your leftover turkey in this Middle Eastern Turkey & Carrot Stew.
Follow the recipe and instead of cooking a new batch of ground turkey, add your already-cooked leftover turkey to your stew mixture to warm up the turkey.
If you have leftover carrots from your holiday dinner, use these up, too!
6. Chicken and Broccoli Bake
This Chicken and Broccoli Bake recipe is a classic for the 17 Day Diet Blog. It’s already super easy to make, but using up your already cooked turkey will make this dish a quick weeknight meal for your family.
Skip the chicken browning step and you’ll be half way done with making the dish!
7. Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt
This Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt recipe is perfect for using your leftover turkey!
This is a yummy lunch salad recipe, so it’ll be quick and easy to make.
Your entire family will also love it, so it’s a double bonus eating healthy for you and still making your family happy with “diet food”!
8. Loaded Chicken Vegetable Soup
This Loaded Chicken Vegetable Soup recipes already calls for cooked chicken, so if you’re swimming in extra turkey this holiday season, this swap is a no brainer!
This soup is already super easy to make, so using leftover turkey will cut your time nearly in half!
Even though your entire family will gobble this up, you can easily add a starch to your soup for non-dieting family members such as wild rice or noodles!
9. Chicken Cabbage & Broccoli Stir Fry
This Chicken Cabbage & Broccoli Stir Fry normally calls for ground chicken. However, this is the perfect recipe to use your leftover holiday turkey!
In this recipe, simply skip the first step which is cooking the meat.
Sub in your warmed through turkey and you’re good to go!
10. Lemony Chicken and Kale Detox Soup
Here’s another yummy soup to consider using up your leftover turkey!
This Lemony Chicken and Kale Detox Soup is such a comforting soup when it’s cold outside.
Plus, it’s also perfect for the early spring with the freshness coming from the twist of lemon near the end of the recipe!
Healthy Recipe Ideas for Leftover Turkey
Have an over abundance of leftover turkey and not sure how to use it? Here are my favorite healthy recipes to use your leftover holiday turkey.
Not Your Momma’s Shepherd’s Pie
Turning what is a normally carb-rich dinner into a light and healthy Shepherd's Pie using cauliflower, is a game changer!
Green Chili Chicken Enchilada with Cauliflower
Instead of using chicken, use your leftover already-cooked turkey in this savory and healthy dinner!
Cauliflower Tortillas
Use up extra turkey and make tacos - healthy style! These cauliflower tortillas are a low-carb life saver!
Chicken Paprikash
Use your cooked leftover chicken in this lovely dish. Follow the recipe after step 1 and you'll be golden!
Middle Eastern Turkey and Carrot Stew
The sky's the limit in the flavor combos in this stew! Your leftover turkey will thank you!
Chicken and Broccoli Bake
This is a healthy dinner the entire family will love! Use your leftover turkey for a simple and quick weekday meal!
Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt
Your leftover shredded turkey breast (and even dark meat) would be perfect for this lunch-time meal!
Loaded Chicken Vegetable Soup
This hearty Loaded Chicken and Vegetable Soup is perfect for a fall or winter day. Packed with lean protein and lots of fiber, it's a wonderful and warming soup for weight loss.
Chicken Cabbage & Broccoli Stir Fry
This nutrient-rich stir fry is low carb, filled with fresh ingredients and a perfectly healthy dish for weight loss with any low carb diet plan!
Lemony Chicken and Kale Detox Soup
This hearty and brightly flavored Lemony Chicken and Kale Detox Soup is a perfectly fiber-rich soup to keep you satiated for hours, plus it's ideal for weight loss, too!
Do you have a fun idea on how to use your leftover turkey? I’d love to hear from you!
I’ve been loving the 17 Day Diet since 2011. I love sharing my favorite healthy recipes and meal plans to keep you motivated and on the right path to success!
When I’m not hanging out here, I enjoy quick trips to the Oregon Coast, designing my jewelry line, being a proud Swiftie, and tinkering with my personal Youtube Channel!
Are you new to the 17 Day Diet? Check out my latest book, Fast Track Your Weight Loss With The 17 Day Diet on Amazon! (aff link)