Whether you're canning your garden harvest or canning meals for emergencies, you’ve probably run into the same problem: where to put all those jars. You need shelving that can keep your food organized but can also handle the weight. A quart filled with canned food weighs 2 to 3 pounds, so the weight can add up fast.
These DIY canning shelves don't take up much space, you can get the materials for around $50, and the 2x4s are sturdy enough to handle lots of jars. In fact, it can hold up to 120 quart jars. It's perfect for your pantry, basement, or storage room.
I found these plans on The Cook Family Homestead. You can watch the video and read the instructions below.
Today, it’s all about 25 delicious leftover turkey ideas. If you’ve ever looked at the mountain of leftover turkey in your fridge the day after Thanksgiving and wondered, “What else can I make besides sandwiches?”, you’re not alone. Thanksgiving dinner is terrific, but by day two, we’re all craving something fresh, fast, and a little creative.
The good news? Leftover turkey is one of the most versatile ingredients in your kitchen. It’s already cooked, full of flavor, and easy to repurpose into soups, casseroles, sliders, wraps, and cozy comfort meals that make the holiday weekend and beyond feel effortless.
Below are 25 easy and delicious leftover turkey recipes you can make with items you likely already have on hand. Whether you’re feeding the family, meal prepping, or looking to stretch your budget, these ideas will help you reinvent every last bite.
Let me know what you serve on Thanksgiving. I have heard people smoke a turkey, deep-fry a turkey, some purchase a spiral-cut ham, and some serve steaks. I’m thinking filet mignon, oh yeah, that’s a bit pricey, but it sure sounds yummy!
25 Easy and Delicious Leftover Turkey Ideas
1. Turkey Noodle Soup
A classic, comforting way to use leftover turkey. Add celery, carrots, onions, garlic, broth, and egg noodles for a cozy bowl that tastes like home. Linda’s Easy-To-Make Turkey Soup
2. Turkey Pot Pie
Creamy gravy, tender turkey, and mixed veggies baked under a flaky crust. Use pie dough, puff pastry, or even biscuits as a topping. Linda’s Turkey Pot Pie. Pie Pan.
3. Turkey Tacos
Shred leftover turkey, season it with taco seasoning, and load it into tortillas with lettuce, salsa, and cheese.
4. Turkey Enchiladas
Mix shredded turkey with cheese, roll in tortillas, cover with enchilada sauce, and bake until bubbly.
5. Turkey Fried Rice
A quick stovetop recipe using rice, peas, carrots, green onions, and soy sauce. Fantastic for busy nights.
12slices of Havarti cheese (it rolls up the very best)
2cupsfresh spinach leaves
Instructions
Gather all of your ingredients. Combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and whole-berry cranberry sauce. I used a hand mixer to make it extra smooth.
Scoop the mixture evenly onto the six large flour tortillas. You need to spread it to the outer edges because it will make the roll-ups stay together after rolling them up. It "seals" the roll-ups.
Place 2 slices of turkey in the middle of each tortilla. Next, place the cheese on top of the turkey slices. Now, place spinach leaves on top of the cheese.
Start rolling the tortillas towards the middle of the turkey, cheese, and spinach. Roll the tortillas as tight as possible.
Cut the ends off to make the tortillas even, if desired. This is optional, but it makes the rolls look better when you slice them.
After rolling them up individually, place the rolls in plastic wrap, twist the ends of the plastic wrap, so they will not dry out.
Place the roll-ups in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. Just before serving, remove the plastic wrap and slice them about 1-1/2 inches thick. I highly recommend serving these with my “The Best Cranberry Salsa Recipe.”
18. Turkey Pizza
Top naan flatbread or pizza dough with Alfredo, BBQ sauce, pesto, or marinara. Add turkey and cheese. Bake until golden.
19. Turkey Minestrone Soup
Load your pot with beans, veggies, broth, pasta, and turkey for a nutrient-packed meal.
20. Turkey Cobb Salad
Turkey, avocado, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, and dressing. A light but satisfying option.
21. Turkey Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Mix turkey with sour cream, chives, cheese, or gravy and pile it into a warm baked potato.
22. Turkey BBQ Sandwiches
Stir the shredded turkey into the BBQ sauce and heat. Serve on buns with coleslaw.
23. Turkey & Rice Casserole
Creamy, comforting, and budget-friendly. Add veggies, broth, and rice for a complete meal.
24. Turkey Ramen Bowls
Add turkey to ramen noodles with broth, greens, and a soft-boiled egg for a simple, upgraded lunch.
25. Turkey Stir-Fry
A fast way to use leftover veggies and leftovers. Add teriyaki or soy sauce to bring it all together.
How to Store Leftover Turkey Safely (So It Stays Fresh & Delicious)
After a big holiday meal, most of us end up with plenty of leftover turkey—and storing it properly is the key to keeping it safe, flavorful, and ready to use in your favorite next-day recipes. Improperly stored turkey can spoil quickly or grow harmful bacteria, but with a few simple steps, you can extend its life and avoid waste.
Here’s your complete guide to storing leftover turkey safely in the refrigerator, freezer, or even for long-term meal prep. Refrigerator Containers.
1. Cool the Turkey Quickly
Bacteria grow faster in the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F, so cooling matters.
Tips:
Don’t leave cooked turkey out longer than 2 hours.
Remove the meat from the carcass to speed cooling.
Spread large portions into shallow containers.
This helps the turkey reach a safe temperature quickly and evenly.
2. Store Leftover Turkey in Airtight Containers
Once cooled, place the turkey into:
Airtight containers
Resealable freezer bags
Glass meal-prep containers
Vacuum-sealed bags (best for long-term storage)
Removing as much air as possible keeps it fresher and helps prevent freezer burn.
3. Refrigerate Within 2 Hours
After carving and cooling, leftovers must be refrigerated within 2 hours.
Refrigerator Storage Time:
3–4 days at 40°F or below.
If you know you won’t eat the turkey within that time, freeze it right away.
4. Freeze Leftover Turkey for Long-Term Use
Turkey freezes beautifully and keeps its flavor when appropriately packed.
Freezer Storage Time:
Up to 3 months for best quality
Up to 6 months if vacuum-sealed
How to freeze turkey:
Portion it into usable amounts (1-3 cups per bag).
Label with the date.
Squeeze out excess air, then freeze flat.
You can also freeze turkey in gravy, which helps it stay moist.
5. Reheat Turkey to a Safe Temperature
When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, reheat them to (165°F) = (73°C) internally.
Easy reheating ideas:
In a covered pan with a splash of broth to prevent dryness
In the oven, wrapped in foil
In the microwave with a damp paper towel
Avoid reheating the same leftovers more than once—only warm what you’ll eat.
6. Know When to Throw It Out
If your turkey has:
A sour smell
Slimy texture
Gray or dull coloring
Been in the fridge longer than 4 days
…it’s safer to discard it.
Food safety always comes first.
Final Word
Storing leftover turkey safely is simple once you know the basics: cool it quickly, store it in airtight containers, refrigerate within 2 hours, and freeze what you can’t use within a few days. These steps keep your holiday leftovers fresh, delicious, and ready for soups, casseroles, sliders, and all the cozy meals you love.
Leftover turkey doesn’t have to feel repetitive. With just a few pantry staples and a little creativity, you can turn your holiday leftovers into delicious meals everyone will love. From cozy soups to easy casseroles and fresh wraps, these recipes make it simple to reinvent Thanksgiving turkey all week long. May God bless this world, Linda
Most people think survival begins the moment the lights go out. They imagine a dramatic instant where everything flips upside down. But collapse is not a single event. Collapse is a slope. It begins with a few strange shortages that do not add up. It deepens when distribution delays become normal. It accelerates when power […]
If you're into DIY projects that save money and actually work, this one’s a gem. Whether you're prepping for a disaster, want a backup cooking method, or just like building cool stuff, this homemade smoker is worth your time. It's cheap, easy to make, and works great for smoking chicken, sausage, or anything else that fits inside.
This particular build comes from the YouTuber, The Crawlspace Craftsman, who put together a functioning mini smoker using just two flowerpots and a few basic supplies, spending less than $10 total. You can watch him do it and read the instructions below.
What You’ll Need
Two 12-inch terra cotta flowerpots
Small rocks or ceramic spacers
Metal baking or pie pan
Old cookie rack or grill grate
Grinder or metal snips (to cut the rack)
Marker
Small piece of wood for a handle
Screw, washer, and nut for handle
Charcoal or wood chips
Lighter or firestarter
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Add Rocks to the Bottom Pot
Drop in a layer of rocks to elevate the pan and allow airflow from the drain hole in the pot. This helps keep oxygen moving so your fire doesn’t suffocate.
2. Place a Pan Over the Rocks
Use a metal pie pan or small baking pan. This is where you’ll place your charcoal and/or wood chips.
3. Make the Cooking Grate
Use a cookie rack or any metal grate that can support food.
Trace a circle on a piece of cardboard using the top of the pot as a guide.
Using the circular cardboard piece as a guide, make a circle on the grate.
Cut the rack with a grinder or snips to fit snugly just below the rim of the bottom pot.
Place the grate in the pot.
4. Create a Handle for the Lid
Drill a hole in two small blocks of wood.
Tie a knot in a piece of rope, then loop it through one of the blocks of wood.
Place the block inside the upper pot and pull the rope through the hole in the pot.
Now slide the rope through the second block, and secure it in place with another knot.
Bonus: The handle doubles as a damper—you can lift the lid slightly to vent smoke if needed.
6. Load the Smoker
Add charcoal to the pan and light it.
Once the coals are hot, toss in a handful of wood chips for smoke.
7. Start Smoking Food
Add your meat or veggies, chicken thighs, wings, burgers, etc.
Place the top pot (lid) over it to start smoking.
Cooking Tips
Start with just a few coals. The small space heats up quickly.
Monitor the heat by touching the outside of the pot or using a meat thermometer inside.
You can finish the food in an oven if you want crispier skin or higher temps.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make your own bread cubes for stuffing or dressing, you’re in the right place. Homemade dried bread cubes are incredibly easy to make, budget-friendly, and far more flavorful than the store-bought bags. Whether you’re planning a classic Thanksgiving feast or whipping up a cozy family dinner, learning how to cut and dry your own bread cubes gives you complete control over texture, seasoning, and ingredients.
In this guide, I’ll show you two foolproof methodsfor drying bread, air-drying and oven-drying—so you can choose whichever works best for your timeline. We’ll also cover the best types of bread to use, how to store dried cubes properly, and how many you’ll need for your favorite stuffing recipe. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have perfectly dried, golden cubes ready to soak up broth, herbs, and all those other delicious holiday flavors.
Making Your Own Bread Cubes Is Easy
Making your own bread cubes is one of the easiest ways to take your stuffing from ordinary to unforgettable. Let’s get started!
When it comes to the best holiday dishes, nothing compares to homemade stuffing or dressing made with perfectly dried bread cubes. If you’ve always relied on the store-bought bags, you’ll be amazed at how quick and budget-friendly it is to make your own.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make bread cubes for stuffing/dressing, which breads work best, how long to dry them, and the difference between air-drying and oven-drying methods. With a few simple steps, you’ll have flavorful, dry cubes ready to soak up broth, herbs, and butter for the most delicious stuffing ever.
Why You Should Make Your Own Bread Cubes
Homemade bread cubes are fresher, more flavorful, and customizable. Drying your own bread also helps you control:
Texture
Sodium content
Bread type (white, whole wheat, sourdough, gluten-free)
Cube size
Amount of seasoning
Whether you’re preparing a classic Thanksgiving dressing or a savory herb stuffing year-round, making your own cubes gives you the perfect base.
A Brief History of Bread Cubes
Bread cubes might seem like a simple pantry staple today, but their history reaches back centuries. As long as people have been baking bread, they’ve also been finding clever ways to use up every last crumb, and that’s precisely where bread cubes began.
In early European kitchens, especially in France, England, and Germany, stale bread was considered far too valuable to waste. Instead of discarding it, cooks dried it out and cut it into pieces to add texture and stretch meals. This practice led to some of the earliest forms of stuffing, a technique used to fill poultry, meats, and even vegetables with seasoned bread mixtures.
By the 17th and 18th centuries, drying and cubing bread became common in both home and professional kitchens. Bread cubes were used not only for stuffing but also for thickening soups, soaking up sauces, and turning into early versions of croutons.
When European settlers came to America, they brought these traditions with them. Over time, American cooks adapted bread cubes made from local ingredients—cornbread, sourdough, and hearty farm loaves—and combined them with herbs, onions, and celery. By the 19th century, bread-based stuffing had become a Thanksgiving and holiday staple, with bread cubes as its foundation.
Commercially packaged bread cubes appeared in the early to mid-20th century as home cooking became more convenience-focused. Companies began selling pre-dried, pre-seasoned cubes, making stuffing faster and more consistent for busy families. Today, bread cubes remain a beloved building block in kitchens worldwide, whether homemade from fresh loaves or purchased ready-to-use.
The Best Bread to Use for Stuffing or Dressing
The secret to great stuffing is using bread that dries well and holds its structure. Here are the top options:
Mixing multiple breads creates amazing flavor and texture.
How To Make Bread Cubes for Stuffing (Two Methods)
1. Air-Dry Method — Best Flavor
This method produces evenly dried cubes without toasting, giving you the most traditional stuffing texture.
Instructions
Spread the cubes in a single layer on baking sheets.
Slice bread into ½–¾ inch cubes.
Let them sit out, uncovered, for 24–48 hours.
Toss once or twice to ensure even drying.
Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
This method takes time but delivers excellent results.
2. Oven-Dry Method — Fastest Option
If you need dried bread cubes today, this is your go-to approach.
Instructions
Preheat oven to (300°F) = (148°C).
Cut the bread into 1/2-3/4 inch cubes.
Spread evenly on baking sheets.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
Remove when cubes feel dry but not browned.
Cool completely before storing.
Tip: You’re drying the cubes, not toasting them. Browning will change the flavor of your stuffing. I’m still using my toasted ones. I got busy and forgot the oven was baking them.
Oven-Baked Bread Cubes for Stuffing or Dressing
Step One: Gather Ingredients
Gather the ingredients: bread, oil, and spices of choice.
Step Two: Slice Bread
Slice the bread about 3/4 inches thick. If your bread is already sliced, skip this step.
Step Three: Place Cubes on Pan
Cut the slices into cubes about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in size, remove crusts if you want. I didn’t remove my crusts. Place the cubes on a cookie sheet.
Step Four: Drizzle with Oil
Drizzle with Olive Oil.
Step Five: Sprinkle Spices
Sprinkle salt and pepper or your favorite spices.
Step Six: Preheat Oven/Bake
Preheat oven to (300°F) = (148°C). Bake for 30-40 minutes until you reach desired crispness. Let them cool, and they will be perfect. Store in an airtight container until ready to use. These make great croutons for soups or salads.
Learning how to make bread cubes for stuffing is one of the easiest ways to elevate your holiday recipes. With just a loaf of bread and a little time, you can create a flavorful, homemade base that makes your stuffing truly unforgettable. Whether you choose to air-dry or oven-dry, your cubes will turn out perfectly crisp and ready to soak up all those delicious Thanksgiving flavors. May God bless this world, Linda
