10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Turkey Gravy

For Thanksgiving or Christmas, turkey gravy often finds its way into leftovers. Learn 10 creative ways to repurpose turkey gravy into easy, delicious meals so nothing goes to waste after your holiday meal!

If your holiday dinners are anything like mine, you probably end up with way more food than anyone can handle. But hey, that’s what happens when you come from an Italian family, right?

Rather than tossing out perfectly good gravy, I love finding creative ways to use it in new dishes. Whether it’s turning it into a cozy soup or a cheesy poutine, there are so many options to keep things delicious long after the holiday meal is over. With just a little planning, you can stash it away for a quick weeknight dinner or even save it for a cold winter day when a hearty gravy-based dish will hit the spot.

🦃How To Properly Store and Freeze Turkey Gravy

The first step to using turkey gravy in recipes is to make sure it’s stored properly. Whether you use the fridge or freeze, proper storage will ensure that it remains tasty and doesn’t go bad quickly.

Refrigerating Turkey Gravy:

1. Cool It Down: Before storing, allow the turkey gravy to cool to room temperature. This helps to prevent condensation, which can encourage bacterial growth.
2. Transfer to a Container: Use a ladle or funnel to pour the gravy into airtight containers or heavy-duty resealable plastic bags.
3. Leave Some Space: If using containers, leave about an inch of headspace to allow for any expansion.
4. Seal Tight: Ensure the container or bag is sealed tightly to prevent air from getting in.
5. Label and Date: Using a marker or sticky label, note the date on the container or bag. This helps you keep track of how long it’s been stored.
6. Store: Place the gravy in the coldest part of the refrigerator.
7. Use Within 3-4 Days: For best quality, consume refrigerated turkey gravy within 3-4 days.

Freezing Turkey Gravy:

1. Cool It Down: Let the gravy cool to room temperature.
2. Pre-Portion: If you want to use small amounts of gravy at different times, consider portioning the gravy into ice cube trays or muffin tins. Once frozen, you can pop them out and store in a larger freezer bag.
3. Transfer to Freezer Bags or Containers: Pour the gravy into heavy-duty freezer bags or airtight freezer-safe containers.
4. Leave Some Space: Leave about an inch of headspace in containers to allow for expansion during freezing.
5. Seal Tight: Press out as much air as possible from freezer bags before sealing.
6. Use Within 4-6 Months: For best quality, consume frozen gravy within 4-6 months. While it can remain safe beyond this time, the quality may start to diminish. Thaw frozen gravy in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

🍗Leftover Turkey Gravy Recipe Ideas

1️⃣Turkey Gravy Soup

Make a comforting holiday soup with turkey gravy, turkey leftovers, and mixed vegetables, perfect for cold-weather meals.

• 2 cups leftover turkey gravy
• 3 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 1 cup chopped leftover turkey
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (like carrots, peas, and corn)
• Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pot. Simmer until vegetables are tender. Serve hot.

2️⃣Poutine with Turkey Gravy

Turn your gravy into a Canadian-inspired poutine by drizzling it over fries and cheese curds for an easy appetizer.

• French Fries
• Cheese curds
• Leftover turkey gravy
• Instructions: Lay cooked fries on a plate, sprinkle cheese curds on top, and pour hot gravy over it.

3️⃣Turkey Gravy Pot Pie

Create a delicious holiday pot pie with a flaky crust, leftover turkey, vegetables, and savory gravy for the ultimate comfort food.

• 2 cups turkey gravy
• 2 cups chopped leftover turkey
• 1 pie crust
• 1 ½ cups mixed vegetables
• Instructions: Mix turkey and veggies with gravy. Pour into a pie dish and cover with pie crust. Bake until golden.

4️⃣Creamy Turkey Gravy Pasta

Use turkey gravy as a leftover pasta sauce combined with cream and turkey for a hearty meal.

• 1 cup leftover turkey gravy
• 2 cups cooked pasta
• ½ cup cream
• 1 cup cooked turkey, chopped
• Instructions: In a skillet, combine gravy, cream, and turkey. Pour over pasta and serve.

5️⃣Turkey Gravy Rice

Replace broth with gravy to cook flavorful rice, adding depth to your dish with holiday leftovers.

• 1 cup rice
• 2 cups leftover turkey gravy
• 1 cup chopped vegetables
• Instructions: Cook rice in gravy until soft. Stir in veggies and serve.

6️⃣Pizza with Turkey Gravy Sauce

Try a fusion pizza by spreading turkey gravy as sauce and topping it with turkey and cheese for a creative twist on pizza night.

• 1 pizza base
• 1 cup leftover turkey gravy as pizza sauce
• 1 cup leftover turkey, shredded
• 1 cup cheese (your choice)
• Instructions: Spread gravy on pizza base, top with turkey and cheese. Bake as per pizza base instructions.

7️⃣Mashed Potato Bowls with Gravy

Layer mashed potatoes, turkey, and corn, then drizzle with gravy for a loaded mashed potato bowl dinner.

• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 cup leftover turkey, chopped
• ½ cup corn
• Leftover turkey gravy
• Instructions: Layer mashed potatoes, turkey, and corn in a bowl. Pour hot gravy on top.

8️⃣Turkey Gravy Sandwich Spread

Blend turkey gravy with mayonnaise for an easy sandwich spread, perfect for turkey salad sandwiches or leftover lunches.

• 1 cup turkey gravy
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• Instructions: Blend gravy with mayonnaise. Spread on sandwiches.

9️⃣Turkey Gravy Nachos

Top tortilla chips with turkey, cheese, and gravy for holiday nachos that make a festive snack or appetizer.

• Tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 cup chopped turkey
• Leftover turkey gravy
• Instructions: Lay out tortilla chips, sprinkle cheese and turkey. Drizzle gravy and bake until cheese melts.

🔟Glazed Meatballs with Turkey Gravy

Use turkey gravy to glaze meatballs for an easy holiday meal or party appetizer with bold flavor.

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 egg
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 cup leftover turkey gravy
• Instructions: Combine beef or turkey, egg, breadcrumbs. Form into meatballs. Bake or fry until almost done. Glaze with gravy and continue cooking until glazed and cooked through.

❓FAQ

✅More Ways To Use Leftovers

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• 10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Green Bean Casserole
• 10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Dinner Rolls
• 10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Mac and Cheese