It’s the same problem every year. The holidays might be over, but unfortunately, the gravy is not. You don’t want to throw those holiday leftovers away, but the thought of another turkey dinner might make you turn up your nose. We’ve all been there.

Lucky for you, turkey dinner and the sides are the perfect staples that fit perfectly into new meals! All it takes is a little creativity and some preplanning. Don’t know where to start? Get inspired by a few of our favourite recipes below!

Tortilla Soup

Have a bunch of leftover turkey? Don’t just heat it up and try reserving it! Shred it and add it to this hearty Tortilla Soup! Serves 4-6. Find the original recipe here. 

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
• 1 Onion, medium dice
• 1 Red Pepper, medium dice
• ½ cup Frozen Corn Kernels or 1 Can Whole Kernel Corn
• 2 tbsp Jalapeño, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp Garlic, freshly minced
• 1½ tsp Ground Cumin
• 2½ tbsp Smoked Paprika
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 Can (540 mL) Co-op Gold Diced Stewed Chili Style Tomatoes
• 1 Can (540 mL) Co-op Gold Six Bean Mix
• 3 cup Water
• 2 cup Shredded Turkey
• 1½ cup Shredded Cheese
• 3 cup Co-op Gold Nacho Flavoured Tortilla Chips
• ¼ cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro
• 1 Lime, Cut Into Wedges

Directions

Place a large pot on medium-high heat. Add oil and heat. Add onion and peppers and cook for about 5 minutes, allowing a bit of colour to form. Next, turn the heat down to medium and add corn, jalapeño, garlic, cumin, paprika and salt. Cook for 2 minutes, then add canned tomatoes, beans and water.

Turn the heat down to low and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 45 minutes, stirring regularly. Add turkey, cover and simmer for five more mins.

To serve, spoon into a bowl and garnish with cheese, tortilla chips and cilantro. Serve a lime wedge on the side and add as you like.

Turkey Stroganoff

The perfect comfort food that hides both that leftover turkey and wine! Serves 4. Watch the original recipe here. 

Ingredients

• 5-7 slices of Turkey Breast
• ¼ cup + 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil, divided
• 3 cups Button Mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup Onion, diced
• 1 tsp Fresh Garlic, minced
• 1 cup White Wine
• ½ tsp Salt
• 1 Can (284 mL) Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Condensed Soup
• 1 cup Campbell’s Concentrated Chicken Broth
• 1½ tbsp Co-op Gold Premium Dijon Mustard
• 1 cup Water
• 1½ tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
• 1½ tbsp Fresh Dill, chopped
• 1 Package (454 grams) Co-op Gold Pure Wide Egg Noodles

Directions

Heat a large pan to medium heat and add a tablespoon of oil if needed. Brown mushrooms, then add onion and cook for a couple minutes. Add garlic, cook for 30 more seconds, then add white wine. Allow wine to reduce by half. Add salt, mushroom soup and desired amount of concentrated broth based on your flavour preference. Add mustard, turkey and water and lightly simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Add parsley and dill.

Cook egg noodles according to package directions, then add stroganoff over noodles to serve.

Green Bean Caesar Salad

The perfect side that will hide your leftover vegetables! They might be so addicting that you might add them to the holiday spread next year! View the original recipe here. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups French Beans, trimmed of their ends
• ½ Lemon, zested
• ¼ cup Toasted Almond Slices
• 1 tbsp Chopped Capers
• 1 tbsp Chopped Dill
• 3 tbsp Co-op Gold Caesar Salad Dressing

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil and fill a large bowl with ice water. Blanch the green beans in the boiling water for approximately a minute, or until just lightly cooked but still with a pleasant bite. Transfer the beans to ice water to halt cooking. When the beans are chilled, remove them from the ice bath and drain thoroughly.

Transfer beans to a medium-sized salad bowl and combine with the remaining ingredients. Toss together to distribute the dressing evenly.

BBQ Turkey Tacos

We guarantee when you serve this dish, not even your pickiest eaters will be able to tell it’s their holiday leftovers! Watch the original recipe here. 

Ingredients

• 3 cups Turkey, shredded
• 1/2 cup Co-op Gold Bold Barbecue Sauce
• ¼ cup Salsa Verde
• ⅓ cup Pineapple, diced small
• ¼ cup Green Onions, sliced
• ⅓ cup Avocado, diced small
• 1 tsp Fresh Cilantro, chopped
• 1 cup Tex-Mex Cheese
• 2 tbsp Sour Cream
• 12 (6-inch) Corn Tortillas
• ⅓ cup Salsa

Directions

Combine your turkey with barbecue sauce and salsa verde, allowing it to chill in the fridge. To make your toppings, place pineapple, green onion, avocado, and cilantro in a bowl and mix well with a spoon. Reserve for later when it’s time to build your tacos.

Warm your tortillas on a sheet tray in the oven for about 1 minute or in the microwave.

Lay out 12 tortillas. Divide cheese and then turkey between them all. Keep all your ingredients in a nice line down the middle of the tortilla. Add the pineapple mix to the chicken, then top with sour cream and salsa. Serve immediately.

Ham and Swiss Naan Pizza

Have some leftover ham? There’s no need to try and serve it the same way! Hide it in a completely new meal. Serves 3-4. View the original recipe here. 

Ingredients

• ½ cup Mayo
• 2 tbsp Grainy Mustard
• 1 Package (145 g) Co-op Market Town Swiss Cheese Slices
• 300 grams Ham, sliced thin
• 3 tsp Capers
• 1 cup Baby Arugula
• 3 Pieces Co-op Market Town Naan Bread

Directions

In a small bowl, create a sauce by whisking together mayo and mustard. Place naan on a baking sheet. Divide the sauce evenly amongst the naan bread and spread across to cover each piece.

Top each naan with equal amounts of ham and cheese. Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the naan is golden brown around the edges. Remove from the oven and allow the naan pizzas to cool slightly. Sprinkle the pizzas evenly with capers and arugula. Cut each naan into six to eight pieces and serve warm.

There you have it! Your holiday leftovers are reimagined into exciting new meals that everyone will love. No more stale turkey dinner leftovers, just tasty creations that make life a little easier after the hustle and bustle of the season.

So, next time you’re staring at those leftovers in the fridge, remember that creativity can go a long way. Ready to start cooking? Swing by your local Otter Co-op Food Store for all the essentials you need to bring these recipes to life—because nothing says "stress-free" like a meal that's both easy and delicious!