The Perfect Roast Turkey Plus 5 Delicious Leftover Turkey Recipes

A homestead-style guide to roasting the perfect turkey — and turning every last bit into something amazing.

There’s something special about a slow-roasted turkey filling the house with the smells of home. Whether it’s Thanksgiving or just a cozy Sunday supper, roasting a turkey from scratch feels like an invitation to slow down, gather around the table, and savor the season.

Over the years, I’ve tried a dozen different methods for cooking the perfect turkey — brined, buttered, basted — and finally landed on this simple, no-fuss approach that gives you crispy golden skin and tender, juicy meat every time.

And because I can never stand to waste good food, I’m also sharing my family’s favorite leftover turkey recipes: Turkey stock, a creamy Turkey Pot Pie, hearty Turkey and Dumplings, crispy Turkey Flautas, Turkey Enchiladas, and classic Turkey Noodle Soup. Each one brings a little something different to the table — proof that one good roast turkey can stretch beautifully into several comforting meals. Honestly, I like to stock up the freezer with turkeys and pull one out throughout the year just so I can make these other delicious dishes.

🦃 The Perfect Roast Turkey

Ingredients

• 1 whole turkey, thawed

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon onion powder

• 2 teaspoons paprika

• 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or sage), chopped

• 1 onion, quartered

• 1 lemon, halved

• 1 head of garlic, cut in half crosswise

• 2 carrots, quarted

• 2 celery stalks, chopped

Directions

1. Prep the Turkey:
   Remove the giblets and pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Place it on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan.

2. Season the Bird:
   Mix butter with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and herbs. Gently loosen the skin over the breast and rub half of the butter mixture underneath. Spread the remaining butter over the top and sides.

3. Stuff for Flavor:
   Fill the cavity with the onion, lemon, and garlic halves. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine.

4. Roast:
   Roast uncovered at 325°F (165°C) for about 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 170°F in the thickest part of the thigh. (I usually baste the turkey a couple of times in the last hour of cooking)

5. Rest and Serve:
   Remove from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for at least 20–30 minutes before carving.

The result? Golden brown skin, juicy meat, and rich pan drippings perfect for gravy.

I usually fix traditional sides to go with the turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and rolls. Occasionally, I will serve the turkey over rice with gravy. Once we have all had our fill, I pick the remaining meat off of the carcass and store it in the fridge or freezer to use in future meals. I also save the carcass to boil down low and slow for a delicious homemade stock that I can use in other recipes.

Bonus Tip- Don’t throw away the turkey carcass after you pick the leftover meat off if it. Instead, throw it in a crockpot with roughly chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cover everything completely with water and slow cook on the lowest setting for at least 12 hours. You will be rewarded with a nutritious, from-scratch turkey stock that can be used in the recipes below.

🥧 Family-Favorite Leftover Turkey Recipes

As delicious as the roasted turkey is fresh from the oven, I think I might prefer using the leftover turkey as an ingredient even better. I love the convenience of pulling the turkey out of the fridge of freezer to throw together a quick and easy meal that has all the flavor of a slow home cooked dish. Here are five of my family’s favorites.

1. Turkey Pot Pie

A creamy, comforting classic that tastes like a hug in a dish.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked turkey, chopped

• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables

• 1 cup diced potatoes

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 3 tablespoons butter or oil

• 3 tablespoons flour

• 2 cups turkey broth (previously made from carcass)

• ½ cup milk or cream

• Salt, pepper, and thyme to taste

• 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade- check out my pie crust recipe here)

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, melt butter and sauté onion and potatoes until lightly browned and softened.

2. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in broth and milk.

3. Add turkey, veggies, and seasonings; simmer until thickened.

4. Pour into a pie crust and top with crust.

5. Bake at 400°F for 30–35 minutes, until golden and bubbly and crust is fully cooked.

2. Turkey and Dumplings

The ultimate comfort food — creamy, savory, and perfect for chilly evenings.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 onion, diced

• 6 cups turkey broth (previously made from turkey carcass)

• 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded

• Salt, pepper, and spices (rosemary, thyme, sage, paprika, or parsley) to taste

Dumplings:

• 2 cup flour

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 1 cup milk

Instructions:

1. For dumplings, mix dry ingredients, cut in butter, and stir in milk until soft dough forms.Flour the counter and roll out dough into a thin sheet. Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut dough into piece about 1 inch square.

2. In a Dutch oven or stock pot, melt butter and sauté onion until tender.

3. Add broth and turkey; simmer 10 minutes. Stir in seasonings.

4. Drop cut dumpling pieces into simmering soup. Cover and cook about 15 minutes.

3. Turkey Flautas

One of my personal favorites, crispy comfort food perfection

Ingredients:

• cooked turkey, shredded

• corn tortillas

• Oil for frying

• enchilada sauce

• shredded cheese

Instructions:

1. Heat oil. Dip corn tortillas in oil for a few seconds to warm them and make them more pliable. Stack on a plate.

2. Place shredded turkey onto tortillas, roll tightly, and arrange in casserole dish.

3. Cover with enchilada sauce and top with cheese.

4. Bake at 400 until cheese is melted and bubbling.

5. Serve with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole, rice, and refried beans.

4. Turkey Enchiladas

A flavorful twist for when you’re ready to move past comfort food and add a little spice.

Ingredients:

• cooked turkey, shredded

• corn tortillas

• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Heat oil. Dip corn tortillas in oil for a few seconds to warm them and make them more pliable. Stack on a plate.

2. Place shredded turkey onto tortillas, roll tightly, and secure with a toothpick if needed.

3. Fry in hot oil until golden and crispy on all sides.

4. Serve with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole.

5. Turkey Noodle Soup

Pure goodness in a bowl, nothing cures what ails you better than this

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter or oil

• 1 onion, 3 carrots, 2 celery stalks, diced

• 6 cups turkey broth (previously made from turkey carcass)

• 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded

• 1 lb egg noodles

• Salt, pepper, and spices (rosemary, thyme, sage, paprika, or parsley) to taste

Instructions:

1. In a stock pot, melt butter and sauté onion, celery, and carrot until tender.

2. Add broth and turkey; simmer 10 minutes. Stir in seasonings.

3. Add egg noodles once soup mixture comes to a full rolling boil. Cover and cook about 10-15 minutes.

🍽 Making the Most of It All

A single roast turkey can feed your family for days — not just with leftovers, but with fresh, creative meals that feel new each time. From flaky pot pie to hearty dumplings to crispy flautas, these recipes celebrate the beauty of simple ingredients and the satisfaction of making the most of what you have.

So go ahead — roast that turkey, gather your people, and let your home fill with the smells and sounds of a meal made with love.