21 Turkey Recipes: Easy, Delicious Meals for Every Occasion

Hey there! If you’re anything like me, turkey isn’t just for Thanksgiving it’s a versatile protein that can be used in so many dishes year-round. From classic roasted turkey to quick weeknight casseroles, turkey can do it all. Today, I’m sharing 21 turkey recipes that are easy, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion.

I’ve cooked most of these myself, some are my family favorites, and others are clever twists I picked up from friends. Grab your apron, because your kitchen is about to smell amazing.

1. Classic Roast Turkey

Ingredients

• 1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 lemon, halved
• Fresh herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Rub butter all over turkey; season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme.
3. Stuff cavity with onion, lemon, and herbs.
4. Roast 3–3.5 hours, basting occasionally.
5. Let rest 20 minutes before carving.

Pro Tip: For extra crispy skin, uncover turkey for the last 30 minutes of roasting.

2. Turkey Pot Pie

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked turkey, diced
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 cup peas
• ½ cup celery, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 4 tbsp butter
• ¼ cup flour
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 sheet puff pastry

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Sauté veggies in butter until soft.
3. Stir in flour, cook 2 mins.
4. Gradually whisk in stock and milk until thickened.
5. Add turkey, peas, salt, pepper, thyme.
6. Pour into pie dish; top with puff pastry, seal edges, brush with egg.
7. Bake 25–30 mins until golden.

3. Turkey Tacos

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded
• 8 small tortillas
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• ½ cup diced tomatoes
• ½ cup shredded cheddar
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin

Instructions

1. Heat turkey with chili powder and cumin.
2. Warm tortillas.
3. Assemble tacos: turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream.
4. Serve immediately.

Fun Twist: Add avocado slices for extra creaminess.

4. Turkey Chili

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Brown turkey with onion and garlic.
2. Add beans, tomatoes, corn, and spices.
3. Simmer 25–30 mins.
4. Serve with cornbread or over rice.

5. Turkey Meatballs

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix all ingredients; form into 1-inch balls.
3. Place on baking sheet; bake 20–25 mins.
4. Serve with pasta and marinara.

6. Turkey Burgers

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper
• Burger buns

Instructions

1. Mix turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings.
2. Form patties; grill or pan-fry 5–6 mins per side.
3. Serve on buns with lettuce, tomato, and sauce of choice.

7. Turkey and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked turkey, sliced thin
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp ginger, minced

Instructions

1. Heat sesame oil; stir-fry veggies until tender-crisp.
2. Add turkey and soy sauce; cook 2–3 mins.
3. Serve over rice or noodles.

8. Turkey Sandwich with Cranberry Mayo

Ingredients

• 4 slices whole grain bread
• 1 cup cooked turkey, sliced
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp cranberry sauce
• Lettuce and tomato slices

Instructions

1. Mix mayo and cranberry sauce.
2. Spread on bread slices.
3. Layer turkey, lettuce, tomato.
4. Top with remaining bread and slice.

9. Turkey Casserole

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked turkey, diced
• 2 cups cooked pasta
• 1 cup cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix turkey, pasta, soup, cheese, and garlic powder.
3. Pour into baking dish; top with breadcrumbs.
4. Bake 25–30 mins until bubbly.

10. Turkey Fried Rice

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup cooked turkey, diced
• 1 cup mixed veggies (peas, carrots, corn)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions

1. Heat oil; scramble eggs and set aside.
2. Stir-fry turkey and veggies 3–4 mins.
3. Add rice, eggs, soy sauce; stir until heated.

11. Turkey Quesadillas

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded
• 4 large flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• ½ cup diced peppers
• Salsa for serving

Instructions

1. Heat skillet; layer turkey, peppers, and cheese on half of tortilla.
2. Fold and cook 2–3 mins per side until golden.
3. Serve with salsa.

12. Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked turkey, diced
• 2 cups mixed veggies
• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Layer turkey and veggies in casserole dish.
3. Top with mashed potatoes; dot with butter.
4. Bake 25–30 mins until golden.

13. Turkey Enchiladas

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 cup enchilada sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• ½ cup diced onions

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Fill tortillas with turkey and onions; roll up.
3. Place in baking dish; top with sauce and cheese.
4. Bake 20–25 mins until bubbly.

14. Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked turkey, diced
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Heat oil; sauté sweet potatoes until soft.
2. Add turkey, bell pepper, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook 5–7 mins, stirring occasionally.

15. Turkey Alfredo Pasta

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked turkey, sliced
• 8 oz fettuccine
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Cook pasta; drain.
2. Sauté garlic in butter, add cream, simmer 2–3 mins.
3. Stir in cheese and turkey; combine with pasta.

16. Turkey Meatloaf

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 small onion, diced
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix all ingredients; shape into loaf.
3. Bake 40–45 mins; brush with extra ketchup halfway.

17. Turkey and Spinach Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers, tops removed
• 2 cups cooked turkey, diced
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• ½ cup shredded cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix turkey, rice, spinach, and tomato sauce.
3. Stuff peppers; top with cheese.
4. Bake 25–30 mins until peppers are tender.

18. Turkey Soup

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• ½ cup noodles
• Salt, pepper, thyme

Instructions

1. Bring stock to boil; add carrots, celery, and noodles.
2. Simmer 10–15 mins.
3. Add turkey; cook 5 mins.
4. Season and serve hot.

19. Turkey Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 pizza crust
• 1 cup cooked turkey, shredded
• ½ cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• ½ cup diced bell peppers

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Spread sauce on crust; top with turkey, cheese, peppers.
3. Bake 12–15 mins until crust is golden.

20. Turkey Sliders

Ingredients

• 1 lb cooked turkey, shredded
• 8 small slider buns
• ½ cup BBQ sauce
• Coleslaw for topping

Instructions

1. Mix turkey with BBQ sauce; warm.
2. Assemble sliders with coleslaw.
3. Serve as a fun appetizer or meal.

21. Turkey Fried Tacos

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded
• 4 tortillas
• ½ cup shredded cheese
• ½ cup diced onions
• Oil for frying

Instructions

1. Fill tortillas with turkey, cheese, and onions.
2. Fold and fry in oil 2–3 mins per side until golden.
3. Drain on paper towels; serve hot.

Final Thoughts

There you have it 21 turkey recipes that are versatile, easy, and insanely delicious. From comforting casseroles to quick weeknight dinners, turkey proves it’s more than just a holiday star. Grab your favorite recipe, fire up the kitchen, and make a meal that everyone will rave about.

FYI, some of these are perfect for using leftover turkey (hello, Thanksgiving leftovers!), so you can keep the magic going long after the main holiday. Enjoy, experiment, and most importantly eat well and have fun! 🙂