After the Thanksgiving feast, you might find yourself with a fridge full of delicious leftovers, wondering how to give them a fresh new life.

Leftover Turkey Hash: Easy Breakfast Recipe for Thanksgiving Leftovers 16

This easy leftover turkey hash recipe is the perfect solution for transforming those holiday remnants into a hearty and satisfying breakfast. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the flavors of Thanksgiving all over again, but in a completely different, morning-friendly format.

This recipe is designed for busy mornings when you want something flavorful and filling without a lot of fuss. It’s a simple, one-pan wonder that uses readily available ingredients and comes together quickly, making it ideal for a post-holiday brunch or any day you crave a comforting meal.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This leftover turkey hash is a true kitchen hero because it brilliantly repurposes your Thanksgiving turkey and other trimmings into a completely new and exciting dish. It’s incredibly versatile, allowing you to use up various vegetables you might have on hand, making it a great way to minimize food waste after a big holiday meal. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking for a hearty breakfast or brunch option that’s both flavorful and easy to prepare. Families will appreciate how quickly it comes together, especially on a relaxed weekend morning when everyone is craving something substantial. It’s also an excellent choice for a casual holiday gathering, offering a comforting and familiar taste with a fresh twist. The beauty of this hash lies in its simplicity and the satisfying combination of savory turkey, tender potatoes, and aromatic vegetables, all brought together in a single skillet.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this turkey hash is straightforward, as many components are likely already in your pantry or fridge, especially after Thanksgiving. The star of the show, of course, is the leftover turkey, which provides a wonderful savory base. We’ll combine it with some classic hash ingredients to create a balanced and delicious meal. Don’t worry if you don’t have every single vegetable listed; this recipe is very forgiving and adaptable to what you have on hand.

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
2 cups cooked potatoes, diced (roasted, boiled, or mashed work well)
2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
4 large eggs (optional, for topping)

For simple substitutions, you can easily swap out the bell pepper for other vegetables like diced carrots, celery, or even some leftover roasted Brussels sprouts. If you don’t have olive oil, any neutral cooking oil like vegetable or canola oil will work just fine. Cooked sweet potatoes can be used instead of regular potatoes for a slightly different flavor profile. If you’re out of fresh parsley, a pinch of dried parsley can be used for garnish, or simply omit it. For seasoning, feel free to add a dash of paprika or a pinch of garlic powder if you enjoy those flavors.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for a quick breakfast or brunch.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Total Time: 25-30 minutes

This realistic timeframe ensures you can get a delicious and hearty meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen, even on a busy morning. The prep involves mostly chopping and dicing, and the cooking is a simple sautéing process.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Making this leftover turkey hash is incredibly easy, and you’ll love how quickly it comes together in one pan. Follow these simple steps for a perfect breakfast every time.

Heat the Oil and Sauté Aromatics: Begin by heating the olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes until they soften and the onion becomes translucent. You’ll notice a fragrant aroma filling your kitchen as they cook down.
Add the Potatoes and Turkey: Stir in the diced cooked potatoes and the shredded or diced cooked turkey into the skillet with the softened vegetables. Spread the mixture evenly across the pan.
Season the Hash: Sprinkle the dried thyme, black pepper, and a pinch of salt over the hash mixture. Stir everything together gently to ensure the seasonings are well distributed.
Crisp the Hash: Allow the hash to cook undisturbed for 5-7 minutes, letting the bottom get nice and crispy. You’ll see the potatoes and turkey start to brown and develop a delicious crust. Use a spatula to check the browning, then stir and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the hash is heated through and has achieved your desired level of crispiness.
Cook the Eggs (Optional): If you’re adding eggs, create four small wells in the hash mixture. Carefully crack one egg into each well. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the egg whites are set and the yolks are cooked to your preference (runny, jammy, or firm).
Serve and Garnish: Remove the skillet from the heat. If using, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately, either directly from the skillet or portioned onto plates.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This leftover turkey hash is incredibly adaptable, making it a fantastic base for various flavors and dietary preferences. For a kid-friendly twist, you can dice the vegetables very finely or even grate them so they blend seamlessly into the hash. A little shredded cheese, like cheddar or Monterey Jack, melted over the top during the last few minutes of cooking, can also make it more appealing to younger palates.

To vary the flavor, consider adding a dash of smoked paprika for a smoky undertone or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. For a different texture, you could stir in some leftover stuffing or cornbread crumbs during the last few minutes of cooking to crisp them up. If you have leftover gravy, a spoonful stirred into the hash before serving can add extra richness.

For serving, this hash is perfect on its own, especially with a fried egg on top. It also pairs wonderfully with a side of toasted bread or warm biscuits. For a more complete meal, serve it alongside a simple green salad or some fresh fruit. If you’re hosting a brunch, you can make a large batch and serve it buffet-style, allowing guests to customize their plates with hot sauce, ketchup, or extra herbs.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even with a simple recipe like turkey hash, a few common mistakes can impact the final deliciousness. Understanding these pitfalls can help you achieve perfect results every time.

One frequent issue is overcrowding the pan. When you add too many ingredients to the skillet at once, especially the potatoes and turkey, they tend to steam rather than crisp. This results in a soggy hash instead of one with those desirable crispy bits. To avoid this, use a large enough skillet so your ingredients have plenty of space to spread out in a single layer. If you’re making a very large batch, consider cooking it in two separate batches or using two skillets simultaneously.

Another common slip-up is not letting the hash cook undisturbed long enough to form a crust. It’s tempting to stir constantly, but for that golden-brown crispiness, you need to resist the urge to flip and poke. Allow the hash to sit on the hot surface for at least 5-7 minutes without stirring after you’ve spread it out. This gives the starches in the potatoes a chance to caramelize and develop that satisfying texture.

Finally, under-seasoning can leave your hash tasting bland. Leftover turkey and potatoes, while flavorful, benefit greatly from a good seasoning. Don’t be shy with the salt and pepper, and make sure to add the herbs like thyme. Taste a small portion before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This leftover turkey hash is best enjoyed fresh, especially if you’ve added eggs on top. However, if you have leftovers or want to prepare some components ahead of time, it’s definitely doable with a few considerations to maintain its delicious texture.

To store leftover cooked hash, allow it to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, the key is to try and restore some of that lovely crispiness. The best way to reheat hash is in a skillet over medium heat with a tiny bit of oil. Spread the hash in a single layer and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through and some of the edges begin to crisp up again. You can also reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, spreading it on a baking sheet, which helps prevent it from getting too soggy. Avoid reheating in the microwave if you want to preserve any crispiness, as it tends to make the hash soft.

For making ahead, you can chop

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.