Light & Healthy Leftover Turkey Recipes

For me, the best part of roasting a turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas (or anytime for that matter) is all the delicious recipes you can make from the leftover turkey.

Have you been stuck with loads of leftover turkey and wondered how to repurpose it without piling on the pounds? Well, you’re in luck! This article is all about turning those extra turkey bits into yummy dishes that won’t wreck your Weight Watchers plan.

After the big Thanksgiving holiday feast, our fridges are often filled with turkey, and it’s time to get creative. We’re on a mission to find easy and healthy ways to use up that leftover bird. From soups to salads and hearty mains, we’ve got your back with recipes that not only taste great but are also light and healthy.

For more ideas check out this Cook Once Eat All Week Meal Prep (Turkey Breast)

Cooked turkey can be used in so many ways. You can use it anywhere you would use cooked chicken – in rice dishes and in Mexican dishes like tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos and nachos and in all kinds of soups, stews and chilies.

I’m a big fan of leftover turkey noodle soup, turkey sandwiches, soups and leftover turkey casseroles.

And as I focus on healthy eating and weight management, I’m always on the lookout for ways to lighten-up old family favorite dishes. So, I’ve gathered a great collection of light and healthy leftover turkey recipes all in one place so they’re here when I need them.

1. Slow Cooker Turkey and Wild Rice Casserole

A long-time go-to wild rice casserole, perfect with after-Thanksgiving leftover turkey. And so easy since it’s made in the slow cooker.

2. Impossibly Easy Pot Pie Made Lighter

Impossibly Easy Chicken (or Turkey) Pot Pie Made Lighter
A comfort food favorite from freezer and pantry staples that comes together in minutes and always satisfies! A delightful way to use up leftover turkey or chicken.

3. Wild Rice Turkey Pot Pie

Dig into a pot pie with a new twist. You’ll find wild rice in the savory veggie-rich filling and the Bisquick® topping. (Found at Betty Crocker.)

4. Chicken (or Turkey) Broccoli Casserole

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
You can substitute leftover turkey for the chicken in this lightened up version of Mom’s favorite chicken and broccoli casserole (aka chicken divan).

5. Chicken (or Turkey) Apple Stuffing Casserole

Chicken (or Turkey) Apple Stuffing Casserole
Creamy and comforting, this casserole is another easy and delicious family-favorite recipe that starts with shredded cooked chicken breast, turkey breast or leftover rotisserie chicken and only requires a handful of additional ingredients.

Low in fat and calories, it mixes together in minutes and needs about 30 minutes to bake. If you have enough leftover stuffing, from your Thanksgiving dinner, this recipe will come together even quicker. 

6. Crock Pot Turkey Vegetable Barley Soup

Crock Pot Turkey Vegetable Barley Soup
This is one of those easy dump and stir recipes that takes just a few minutes to toss together. Perfect after a long weekend of cooking, when you’re ready to take it extra easy in the kitchen.

7. Slow Cooker Turkey Green Chile Chowder

Slow Cooker Turkey Green Chile Chowder
This slow cooker turkey green chili chowder reminded me of my mom’s corn chowder, only zippier and heartier, thanks to the addition of green chilies and turkey.

8. Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Leftovers Soup

Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Leftovers Soup
It may not be the prettiest soup ever, but we all thought it was pretty darned good. Tasty and comforting.

9. Crock Pot Turkey Broth

Crock Pot Turkey Broth
Making turkey or chicken broth (stock) is pretty easy anyway, but using a slow cooker makes the process virtually effortless. For very little work you are rewarded with several cups of delicious homemade broth, free of the artificial stuff often found in the boxed kind.

10. Spicy Turkey, Apple and Spinach Panini

Spicy Turkey, Apple and Spinach Panini
What’s not to like about thinly sliced apples, smoked turkey, spinach and cheddar layered between spicy mayo smeared multigrain bread and grilled until toasty and melty? Substitute leftover turkey for the smoked deli turkey in this panini.

11. Chicken (or Turkey) Salad with Apples and Cranberries

Substitute leftover cooked turkey in this ever popular Chicken Salad with Apples and Cranberries. One of the post popular recipes on Simple Nourished Living, it has been shared more than 250 thousand times for good reason.

12. Curried Chicken (or Turkey) Salad

Substitute cooked turkey in this flavorful Curried Chicken Salad recipe. It’s a tasty combination of sweet and spicy with lots of crunch from the celery and apples.

More Turkey Sandwich Ideas for WW

• Healthier Turkey Artichoke Panini
  Gobble away guilt-free with this lighter turkey panini. Found at Betty Crocker.
• Turkey Cuban
  Leftover turkey breast makes a great, lighter alternative to roast pork in this healthier Cuban and it’s a great way to use your leftover turkey this Thanksgiving.  Found at SkinnyTaste.
• Hungry Girl Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese
  Made with light bread and light laughing cow cheese from Hungry Girl.
• Turkey and Provolone Panini
  Turkey, provolone, roasted red peppers and light chipotle mayo on light wheat bread.

More Weight Watchers Friendly Ideas for Thanksgiving Leftovers

Substitute Turkey for Chicken in this Slow Cooker Chicken Ala King

Substitute Turkey for the Chicken in One of these Salads