Creamy Hot Turkey Sandwich with Leftovers

Turn your turkey leftovers into pure comfort in only 3 steps! This Open-Faced Hot Turkey Sandwich is smothered in a rich and creamy sauce and served on toasted bread for the ultimate cozy meal.

Hot Turkey Sandwiches have a creamy tender filling that is more flavorful than when it was first cooked. This is basically an old-fashioned creamed turkey recipe with a cozy, open-faced twist — perfect for using up every bit of your leftover turkey.

What Is Creamed Turkey, Anyway?

This open-faced hot turkey sandwich with creamed turkey — a rich, buttery sauce full of shredded turkey, served over toasted bread instead of biscuits or rice.

My grandmother lived through the Depression, when nothing in her kitchen ever went to waste. Old-fashioned recipes like creamed turkey were just what we ate growing up — a way to turn a little leftover turkey into a whole new, comforting meal. I love that this recipe carries on that same waste-nothing spirit, and it might just become your favorite way to use up your own leftovers too.

How Long Is Leftover Turkey Good For?

According to the USDA food safety guidelines, leftover turkey should go in the fridge within two hours of cooking, and it’s good for three to four days from there. If you won’t use it within that window, freeze it within two hours of cooking instead — properly stored, frozen turkey stays good for several months.

Ingredients Tips

You’ll find the full ingredient list and exact measurements in the recipe card below, but here are a few notes on what makes this creamed turkey sauce so good:

• Turkey broth: Homemade from your turkey carcass gives the richest flavor, but store-bought (or chicken broth) works great too.
• Heavy cream: Don’t substitute milk here — the cream is what makes this a true creamed turkey sauce instead of a thin gravy.
• Turkey: Shredded, diced, or chopped all work. Use whatever leftover turkey (or rotisserie chicken!) you have on hand.
• Butter and flour: This classic roux base is the secret to that thick, creamy texture without any canned soup.
• Seasoning – Salt and pepper. You can use herbs such as sage and oregano too.

Variations to Try

This creamed turkey filling is endlessly flexible — here are a few ways to switch it up:

• Stir in any leftover gravy along with the turkey for even more flavor.
• Swap the from-scratch sauce for a can of cream of chicken soup when you’re short on time.
• Sauté chopped celery and onion in the butter before adding the flour for extra texture.
• Top with a spoonful of cranberry sauce for a sweet-and-savory bite.

How to make it – 3 simple steps

1. Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the flour and whisk until smooth.
2. Whisk in the broth into the flour mixture and when it comes up to a simmer add the cream. Cook until the sauce begins to thicken.
3. Stir in the turkey and season with salt and pepper. Heat through.

I’ve included a short video in the recipe card to show you the thickness of the filling. We didn’t want it as thick as gravy but thick enough to be creamy.

Serving Suggestions

For serving, we love crusty Overnight Sourdough Bread, toasted and buttered. Leftover Black Pepper Biscuits or One-hour Dinner Rolls work great too. Serving it open-faced means more room for that creamy filling, but you can just as easily make it a traditional sandwich, or spoon it over Mashed Potatoes or your favorite Turkey Dressing Recipe.

Storage & Reheating

The turkey filling reheats beautifully on the stovetop or in the microwave. Refrigerate it right away and use it within four days, or freeze it in an airtight container for up to three months.

What to serve with It

Round out the meal with a side like Frozen Cranberry Salad, Fruit Cocktail Salad, or a Cherry Fluff Salad — and don’t forget the leftover pumpkin pie for dessert!

I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.

Related Recipes You’ll Love

Loving this creamed turkey recipe? Here are more ways to use up your holiday leftovers:

• Leftover Turkey Casserole
• Turkey a la King
• Fried Dressing Patties
• Baked Mashed Potato Cakes
• Chicken Salad with Mayo and Greek Yogurt
• Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup
• Wild Rice and Chicken Soup
• Chicken Mushroom Potato Stew

O.k., I’ll say it. I like Thanksgiving turkey leftovers probably more than the carved bird on Thanksgiving.

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Originally published: November 13, 2020. Updated: August 25, 2026 – Enhanced with more detailed instructions, tips, and serving suggestions. No changes were made to the recipe.