Gluten Free Leftover Turkey Recipes - Use Your Thanksgiving Leftovers! (2024)

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Nov 22, 2022

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Sure, the Thanksgiving feast is great, but the best part about it might be the leftovers. If you are ready to elevate your extra turkey beyond the basic sandwich, you’ll love these Leftover Turkey Recipes. From light and fresh to hearty and comforting, plus all of these ideas are gluten free!

Gluten Free Leftover Turkey Recipes - Use Your Thanksgiving Leftovers! (1)

You’ve gathered around the table and enjoyed your roast turkey slathered with gluten free gravy. The dishes are washed, the leftovers are all packed away in the fridge. You are ready to relax, only now you might be daydreaming about all of that leftover turkey.

Sure, you could bake a loaf of gluten free bread and make sandwiches smeared with cranberry sauce. But that gets boring fast. So it’s time to get creative. Only first, let’s talk about storing that leftover turkey.

Gluten Free Leftover Turkey Recipes - Use Your Thanksgiving Leftovers! (2)

How Long Does Leftover Turkey Last

When storing leftover turkey, make sure you put it in an airtight container or plastic ziploc storgage bag and get it in the refrigerator right away. You do not want turkey to be left at room temperature longer than two hours.

Once refrigerated, it will be safe to eat within 3 to 4 days. However, if anything looks or smells off, then you should discard it immediately.

If you won’t eat it within that time, you can also freeze it for 1 to 2 months. Just be sure it is tightly sealed with as much excess air removes in order to prevent freezer burn.

Reheating Leftovers

In order to ensure safety, be sure to reheat your leftover turkey until it is steaming hot. If you have a thermometer, it should reach 165°F. You ca reheat it in the microwave, a skillet, or in an over that is at least 325°F.

What to Make with Leftover Turkey

We’ve already discussed sandwiches. Salads seem like an obvious choice, and many people make leftover turkey soup. But there is so much more and you’ll find some mouthwatering ideas right here.

Turkey Pot Pie Soup

A hearty bowl of Turkey Pot Pie Soupis the perfect warm and cozy meal. Loaded with vegetables and topped with gluten free pie crust crackers, it's serious comfort food made with Thanksgiving leftover.

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This flavorful Turkey Swiss Quiche is filled with all the ingredients of a classic turkey club sandwich, including bacon and avocado. A delicious and protein-packed meal that you can enjoy for breakfast or brunch, lunch or dinner.

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White Turkey Chili

With leftover turkey, hearty white beans, and the perfect blend of spices, this White Turkey Chili is a simmering pot of hearty and healthy comfort food. Even better, it's ready in about 30 minutes with cooked-all-day flavor.

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Cranberry BBQ Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

A fun and easy way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers, Cranberry BBQ Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potatoesare an easy dinner recipe the family might love even more than the holiday feast. Leftover turkey is slatheredwith a tangy mixture of cranberry sauce and barbecuesauce and loaded on sweet potatoes with a crumbly topping.

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Jambalaya Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes

TryJambalaya Stuffed Sweet Potatoesare a new twist on the classic Cajun dish that comes together fast and packs a flavor punch. Baked sweet potatoes are filled with that hearty mixture of turkey, shrimp, sausage, and veggies.

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Kentucky Hot Brown Dip

Kentucky Hot Brown Diphas all the best parts of the classic sandwich in a melty, cheesy snack. This Southern-inspired favorite is loaded with turkey, bacon, tomatoes, and, of course, plenty of cheese for your party menu!

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Harvest Turkey Cobb Salad

This Harvest Cobb Salad recipe is perfect for this time of year. It pulls together leftover turkey and some of the best flavors of the season with a tangy Cranberry Balsamic Vinaigrette.

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Gluten Free Turkey Rice Casserole

While usually made with chicken, this creamy, cheesy, and gluten-free casserole is full of cozy, amazing flavor, especially when you make it with leftover turkey. Enjoy this healthier twist on classic comfort food as an easy weeknight dinner!

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Gluten Free Turkey Wild Rice Soup

While technically a chicken soup recipe, you can easily make this creamy Wild Rice Soup with leftover turkey. It is the definition of comfort food with tender veggies, meat, and hearty rice in a savory, velvety broth.

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A comforting Gluten-Free Turkey Pot Pie made from scratch using leftover turkey, carrots, onion, peas and a creamy, smooth gravy like sauce. It’s all baked in a classic and flaky gluten free pie crust.

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Make a favorite healthy with these Leftover Turkey Nachos Salad Bowls! Use up leftover turkey and vegetables with these quick loaded salad bowls.

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The only thing better than a leftover turkey sandwich is this batch of Leftover Turkey Butternut Squash Enchiladas. Turkey and butternut squash are rolled up in corn tortillas, smothered in enchilada sauce, and topped with cranberry salsa.

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This turkey tetrazzini recipe is the classic Thanksgiving leftover turkey recipe made gluten free. It's cozy comfort food that is so easy to make and packed with protein.

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This gluten free Leftover Turkey Stew recipe is made with potatoes and vegetables. It’s easy, healthy, and a great way to use up turkey meat!

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This turkey teriyaki stir-fry is the perfect way to eat up those Thanksgiving turkey leftovers. A healthy dose of stir-fry veggies are mixed in with a simple warm teriyaki glaze and then spooned over al dente rice noodles for a quick and tasty meal.

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    Gluten Free Leftover Turkey Recipes - Use Your Thanksgiving Leftovers! (2024)

    FAQs

    How long is leftover turkey good for in the refrigerator? ›

    USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

    What can I eat at Thanksgiving that's gluten-free? ›

    Here's a list of foods that are usually gluten-free:
    • Turkey (check with the producer to ensure that wheat-based gravy or stuffing hasn't been added to the turkey.)
    • Cranberries and cranberry sauce.
    • Sweet Potatoes.
    • White Potatoes.
    • Fresh, roasted, or steamed vegetables without sauce (sauces often contain wheat)

    How many days after Thanksgiving can you eat leftovers? ›

    How long do the turkey and trimmings stay safe in the refrigerator or freezer? The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later.

    Are Thanksgiving turkeys gluten-free? ›

    If you are looking for a gluten-free turkey, make sure to look for a plain turkey with no additional solutions, spices, or flavorings listed on the label, as well as always throw away those gravy flavor packets that come with the bird-they usually contain gluten.

    Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

    Frozen Turkey

    Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

    Is it safe to eat leftover turkey after 6 days? ›

    As a general guideline, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommends eating or freezing turkey and other leftovers within three to four days. For Thanksgiving, that means you should eat or freeze by Monday.

    What do most gluten-free people eat? ›

    Allowed fresh foods
    • Fruits and vegetables.
    • Beans, seeds, legumes and nuts in their natural, unprocessed forms.
    • Eggs.
    • Lean, nonprocessed meats, fish and poultry.
    • Most low-fat dairy products.

    What foods are gluten-free in turkey? ›

    Here are some ideas of widely available menu choices which can be cooked gluten free for your holiday in Turkey:
    • Chicken shish kebab.
    • Lamb shish kebab.
    • Grilled lamb chops.
    • Grilled fish – try the “Akya” / silverfish – absolutely delicious grilled.

    What do gluten-free people eat instead of bread? ›

    Most corn, brown rice and quinoa are whole grains that can be used as substitutes for grains that contain gluten. There are also many packaged gluten free baking mixes, so try some to find your favorite. Many of these other grains can be effectively used as substitutes for bread.

    Is 5 day old turkey safe to eat? ›

    Cooked turkey and other leftovers can be kept in the fridge safely for about three to four days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FoodSafety.gov say. But after that time, "the risk of food poisoning goes up," the Mayo Clinic notes, pointing to the growth of bacteria in refrigerated leftovers.

    Can you eat leftover turkey after 5 days? ›

    Before refrigerating, make sure to divide leftovers into smaller portions and put them into shallow containers so they cool quickly, which should prevent bacterial growth. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for three to four days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

    Is 5 days too old for leftovers? ›

    Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

    Why is turkey not gluten-free? ›

    Even if you try to choose the meat from the outside of the bird, the juices flow throughout the turkey and can carry gluten proteins throughout. Unfortunately, this may mean skipping the turkey entirely if it's been cooked with bread stuffing. Ask your host in advance if they plan to cook the stuffing in the turkey.

    Do mashed potatoes contain gluten? ›

    The simple answer is yes — potatoes are gluten-free. Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and other grains. Potatoes aren't grains, they're a type of starchy vegetable. That's good news for people who can't tolerate gluten because they have celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

    Are Butterball turkeys gluten-free? ›

    Fresh and frozen Butterball turkeys are all natural, gluten free and raised without hormones. Fresh and Frozen Butterball turkeys are deep basted for juiciness and flavor. All natural means minimally processed and no artificial ingredients.

    Can you reheat turkey after 5 days? ›

    Leftover cooked food may be stored in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. During this time, you can reheat the leftovers to 165 °F. Be sure to return any unused portion to the refrigerator within two hours to remain safe.

    Are leftovers good after 7 days? ›

    Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

    Is leftover turkey good for a week? ›

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends using cooked turkey within three to four days as long as it is kept refrigerated at a temperature that is 40°F or lower.

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