Leftover Turkey Cornbread Casserole Recipe - Thanksgiving Leftovers (2024)

by Jennifer Debth

57 Comments

4.79 from 28 votes

ThisLeftover Turkey Cornbread Casseroleis the PERFECT way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers. Turkey and veggies are topped with flavorful gravy and baked with fluffy, golden-brown cornbread.

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  • General
  • Ingredients
  • How to make
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  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • How long to bake
  • What turkey to use
  • What gravy to use
  • Pairing suggestions
  • How to store
  • Nutrition information

Let’s be real…the best part about Thanksgiving is the leftovers.While I do love the actual meal (duh), there’s something about waking up the next morning, throwing on some Christmas music, and eating ALL THE LEFTOVERS. Who’s with me? 😉

You know what’s better than just plain old regular leftovers? Turning your leftovers into a NEW recipe! Today, we’re taking leftover turkey and turning it into a delicious leftover turkey cornbread casserole. Can I get a heck yes?

If you’re looking for other ways to use your leftover turkey, try my leftover turkey corn chowder recipe or this leftover turkey sandwich!

Ingredients

I absolutelylove the tender, juicy turkey, flavorful gravy, and fluffy yet crispy cornbread that make up this casserole. It’s all your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers in one!

  • Unsalted Butter– used to cook the veggies.
  • Yellow Onion, Carrots, Celery– a classic veggie combo, also known as a mirepoix, that adds delicious texture and sweet flavor.
  • Dried Rosemary, Dried Thyme, Dried Nutmeg, Dried Ground Sage, Salt, and Pepper– a sweet, salty, flavorful blend of classic Thanksgiving seasonings.
  • Turkey– I use Jennie-O Oven-Ready Boneless Turkey Breast but feel free to use whatever turkey you have leftover. You’ll need about 4 cups, diced.
  • Turkey Gravy– Jennie-O Turkey comes with a packet of gravy so I used that but feel free to use homemade gravy instead. You’ll need one cup!
  • Corn Muffin Mix– prepared according to box directions to become our base for the cornbread topping.
  • Corn– use drained canned corn for easy prep; adds a pop of texture and amazing sweetness.
  • Cheddar Cheese– adds a sharp, cheesy flavor to the cornbread.

Pro tip

This recipe is pretty forgiving, so play around and use whatever leftovers you have on hand. A layer of cranberry sauce could be absolutely delicious!

How to make

This cornbread casserole takes 20 minutes to prep, making it PERFECT for Thanksgiving leftovers, because nobody wants to spend any more time in the kitchen!

  1. Melt butter in a sauté pan then add in onion, carrots, celery, and spices. Cook until the veggies are tender then add in cubed turkey.
  2. Transfer the veggie/turkey mixture to a greased baking dish then pour gravy over the top. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, mix together corn muffin mix and prepare according to package directions. Stir in corn and cheddar cheese.
  4. Pour the corn muffin mixture over the top of the veggie/turkey mixture.
  5. Bake for 35-55 minutes then serve and enjoy!

Pro tip

I love serving extra gravy on the side for additional moisture!

How long to bake

Once assembled, you’ll bake the casserole in a preheated 400ºF oven for 35-55 minutes.

You’ll know it’s done when the cornbread has become golden-brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the casserole comes out clean.

Leftover Turkey Cornbread Casserole Recipe - Thanksgiving Leftovers (2)

What turkey to use

Any leftover, cooked and cubed turkey will work for this recipe. I use Jennie-O’s Oven-Ready Boneless Turkey Breast, because that’s what we always use for Thanksgiving.Whatever turkey you use, you’ll need about 4 cups.

What gravy to use

Any leftover gravy you have on hand is just fine — store-bought or homemade! If you have none, whip up a homemade gravy in 20 minutes!

Leftover Turkey Cornbread Casserole Recipe - Thanksgiving Leftovers (3)

What to serve with leftover turkey cornbread casserole

I love to serve this leftover turkey cornbread casserole with an extra splash of gravy and even more delicious leftovers!

  • Green Bean Casserole
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Sausage Stuffing
  • Sweet Potato Casserole

Leftover Turkey Cornbread Casserole Recipe - Thanksgiving Leftovers (4)

How to store

Store leftover turkey cornbread casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.

To reheat,thaw in the fridge if frozen then microwave or bake to warm.

– Jennifer

Leftover Turkey Cornbread Casserole Recipe - Thanksgiving Leftovers (5)

Leftover Turkey Cornbread Casserole Recipe

4.79 from 28 votes

ThisLeftover Turkey Cornbread Casseroleis the PERFECT way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers. Turkey and veggies are topped with flavorful gravy and baked with fluffy, golden-brown cornbread.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Yield: 8 people

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Equipment for this recipe

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1/2 cup diced carrots
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried ground sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 pound frozen oven ready boneless turkey breast baked according to bag directions and cubed, (about 4 cups diced)
  • 1 cup turkey gravy I used the one that came with the turkey + more for serving
  • 1 (8.5 oz) packgage corn muffin mix prepared according package directions
  • 1 (15 oz) can corn drained
  • 1 (8 oz) block cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and grease a small rectangle baking dish (mine was about 5 1/2” x 10”)* with cooking spray.

  • Melt butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat.

  • Once melted, add in onion, carrots, celery, and spices.

  • Cook until veggies are tender, about 10 minutes.

  • Once cooked, stir in cubed turkey and pour veggie/turkey mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

  • Pour over gravy. Set aside.

  • In a large bowl, mix together corn muffin mix and prepared according to package directions.

  • Then stir in corn and cheddar cheese.

  • Pour corn muffin mixture over the veggies/turkey.

  • Bake in preheated oven for 35-55 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

  • Serve with more gravy and enjoy!

  • Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!

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STORING

Room Temp:N/A

Refrigerator:3-4 Days

Freezer:2-3 Months

Reheat:Microwave or bake until warm

*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Leftover Turkey Cornbread Casserole Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 390 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 9g56%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Cholesterol 69mg23%

Sodium 930mg40%

Potassium 330mg9%

Carbohydrates 35g12%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 9g10%

Protein 24g48%

Vitamin A 1760IU35%

Vitamin C 2.6mg3%

Calcium 254mg25%

Iron 2.1mg12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: corn muffin mix, easy, leftover turkey, turkey breast

Enjoy this recipe?

Tag @showmetheyummy on Instagram and hashtag it #showmetheyummy

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

This post was originally published November 13, 2017 and has been updated to provide more detailed content.

Leftover Turkey Cornbread Casserole Recipe - Thanksgiving Leftovers (2024)

FAQs

How long are Thanksgiving leftovers good for in the fridge? ›

How long do the turkey and trimmings stay safe in the refrigerator or freezer? The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later.

Can you eat cooked turkey after 5 days? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

How do you reheat turkey casserole? ›

The best way to reheat turkey is in a 350°F oven.

Cover the dish with foil and heat in the oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes.

How do you reheat corn casserole? ›

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to reheat, let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Cover Corn Casserole with foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, then remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes or until heated through.

Is it OK to eat 5 day old leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Can you eat turkey 5 days after Thanksgiving? ›

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for three to four days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. Turkey typically lasts up to four days in the fridge before it goes bad.

Can you eat 7 day old cooked turkey? ›

Snyder points to the USDA FoodKeeper app for best guidance: The tool notes that refrigerated, cooked turkey should be eaten within 4 days. Eat frozen turkey leftovers within 6 months for premier quality.

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Can I freeze cooked turkey after 3 days? ›

If your turkey has been properly handled, you can refrigerate and eat it for up to four days. If you are planning to freeze it, it's best to freeze it within one day of cooking for optimal texture and taste. However, leftover turkey can be frozen after three days and it will be fine.

How long to reheat 9x13 casserole? ›

How long to reheat casserole in oven? Generally, most casseroles reheat within 20-30 minutes, or when the temperature reaches 165°F, making it safe for consumption and enjoyably hot!

How do you reheat a 9x13 casserole? ›

If you baked your casserole ahead of time, simply cover the dish with foil and reheat at 350˚F until heated through.

How do chefs reheat turkey? ›

To reheat, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Keeping the turkey in the roasting pan, pour a bit of stock (chicken, turkey, or veggie stock or broth will work) over the meat to moisten it. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the turkey is warmed through.

How long to reheat cornbread casserole? ›

Let the casserole fully cool and then cover tightly with plastic and store in the refrigerator. To reheat: Warm in a 300 degree oven for 10-20 minutes, or until warmed through.

How do you reheat a refrigerated casserole? ›

The best way to is to cover it and put it into a cold oven. Covering the top will trap the steam in and keep it moist while it reheats. Set the oven temperature to 350°F and heat it to an internal temperature 165°F. Use an instant read thermometer to check that the it has reached a food safe temperature.

How long to reheat refrigerated casserole in oven? ›

quickest way to reheat A casserole

For best results, place a damp paper towel over the top to maintain moisture. Transfer the leftovers to an oven-safe baking tray, cover with foil, and place in a hot oven (350ºF). Heat for 10-20 minutes, or until hot throughout.

Are leftovers good after 7 days? ›

According to the FDA Food Code, all perishable foods that are opened or prepared should be thrown out after 7 days, maximum. No leftovers should survive in your fridge for longer than that. Some foods should be even be thrown away before the 7 day mark.

Do leftovers last 7 days? ›

Typically, leftovers will safely last for three to four days if they're refrigerated within two hours and packed in an airtight container. According to the Mayo Clinic, after this time frame, illness-causing bacteria are more likely to grow, even in the cold environment of a refrigerator.

How long is turkey stuffing good for in the fridge? ›

Dressing/stuffing: Like turkey, if stored properly, stuffing or dressing will be safe to eat for three to four days after cooking. It will last for about a month if stored properly in the freezer. Cranberry sauce – homemade and store-bought: Homemade cranberry sauce lasts seven to 10 days.

Are leftovers OK after 4 days? ›

Discard all perishable foods, such as meat, poultry, eggs, side dishes, or casseroles, left at room temperature longer than two hours; one hour in room temperatures above 90 °F. Once leftovers are stored safely, they will remain safe three to four days.

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