Leftover Turkey Frittata (Thanksgiving Leftovers Series)

This Leftover Turkey Frittata recipe is a perfect post-holiday breakfast or brunch. Whisked eggs, cooked seasonal vegetables, and cheese are combined with the leftover Thanksgiving turkey and baked in the oven until fluffy and delicious. It’s one of the best ways to use up your holiday leftovers!

There’s nothing quite like an impressive brunch that cleans out your fridge at the same time! That’s exactly what this Leftover Turkey Frittata Recipe is all about—each fluffy, protein-packed slice is made extra hearty and filling thanks to pieces of the leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

Whip it up as a post-holiday breakfast or brunch… It only takes an hour! With 17 grams of protein per slice, it’s a hearty way to start the day.

Leftover Turkey Frittata Ingredients

To no one’s surprise, this frittata recipe features pieces of the leftover Thanksgiving turkey in each slice. But to make it one of the best recipes using leftover turkey, I added seasonal vegetables and simple seasonings to round out the flavors. 

Everything other than the eggs is flexible, so keep scrolling to see some recommended swaps and substitutions.

Here’s what you need to make a homemade frittata:

• Onions (yellow or white onions recommended but use whatever you have!)
• Vegetables, like mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and spinach.
• Leftover cooked turkey. Use only white or dark meat or a combo of both. Chop the leftovers into bite-sized pieces to incorporate them evenly throughout the frittata.
• Eggs, which are the protein-rich and heart-healthy star of this recipe! Use the whole egg, rather than just egg whites, for rich flavor and to reduce food waste.
• Cheese, such as gruyere, mozzarella, goat cheese, or cheddar cheese.
• MSG seasoning
• Thyme (dried or fresh)

(full ingredient list and quantities listed in the recipe card below)

Street Smart Nutrition Tip: Did you roast a chicken instead of a turkey this year? No problem! Go ahead and use shredded chicken as a substitute for the turkey. This is also a great way to use a rotisserie chicken during other times of the year. 

Swaps and Substitutions

Don’t be afraid to play with the ingredients and flavors in this turkey frittata. The proteins, veggies, and seasonings can all be adjusted to your liking.

While your extra turkey leftovers serve as the star of this breakfast recipe, you could replace 1/2 cup of it with another protein you like, such as:

• Crispy baked or fried bacon
• Leftover diced ham
• Shredded pre-cooked chicken

​No leftover turkey? No problem! Try ground turkey or turkey sausage. Brown over medium heat before mixing with the other filling ingredients.

As for the vegetables in this turkey frittata, I recommend using a ratio of 1 cup of veggies and 1 cup of tightly packed leafy greens. Here are some veggie suggestions to customize your frittata:

• Swap the sweet potatoes for carrots if you mashed all the sweet potatoes for the main feast.
• Use leeks or shallots instead of onions. 
• Yellow or white potatoes work just as well as sweet potatoes! 
• Add chopped kale instead of spinach.
• Use the fresh or frozen vegetables you already have on hand rather than what’s in the recipe card. Broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, butternut squash, cauliflower, and even leftover green beans or pumpkin would all be tasty.

The seasonings in this recipe are also flexible. Add a pinch of ground sage, dried parsley, dried rosemary, and/or garlic powder and black pepper for a warm and herbaceous twist. 

A seasoning you shouldn’t skip is MSG (monosodium glutamate). It’s an ingredient I recommend every home cook has in their kitchen because it has lower sodium levels than salt and is a flavor powerhouse. Just a sprinkle can light up your taste buds with savory umami flavor!

Are you new to cooking with MSG? Be sure to check out my guide on Cooking with MSG before you make this turkey frittata. It includes three simple ways to enhance the flavors and reduce the sodium in your home-cooked recipes.

And if you would like to make a dairy-free frittata, omit the cheese or replace it with your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese.

How to Make a Leftover Turkey Frittata

This turkey frittata recipe is a breeze to make in one oven-proof skillet! There are enough slices for the whole family, too, making it an obvious choice to bring to the post-Thanksgiving brunch.

Just follow these simple steps to make it:

1. Heat a large cast iron skillet or any large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Go ahead and preheat your oven at this time, too.
2. Pour the oil into the skillet. Once hot, sauté the onions, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes until soft. Stir the spinach and turkey into the veggie mixture and cook until they’re heated through and the spinach is wilted.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs together with the seasonings and herbs. Fold in the shredded cheese before pouring it over the turkey-vegetable mixture in the heated skillet.
4. Stir or shake the skillet gently to distribute the veggies and turkey, then cover with a layer of foil and transfer to the oven.
5. Bake the frittata until the edges are set and the center no longer jiggles (about 25 minutes). Set it aside to cool before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Street Smart Tip: Run a sharp knife around the edge of the skillet to help loosen the edges. It also helps to let it cool slightly before slicing, and use a serrated knife to help with clean cuts.

Turkey Frittata Serving Suggestions

A slice or two of this turkey frittata would be perfect for a light yet filling breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. You can enjoy it on its own or pair it with all kinds of other dishes, such as:

• A dollop of leftover cranberry sauce or fruit jam on top.
• A lightly dressed green salad.
• Any leftover Thanksgiving side dishes, like green beans, mashed sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, or stuffing.
• Breakfast classics, like roasted potatoes, carrot cake muffins, or pancakes.

If you’re looking for more impressive breakfast and brunch recipes, try these!

• Creamy Greek Yogurt Fruit Salad
• Pineapple Banana Protein Oats
• Chimichurri Potato Breakfast Tacos
• Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Scrambled Eggs
• Pumpkin Spice Baked Oatmeal Cups

Turkey Frittata Storage Tips

Store the leftover frittata slices in individual airtight containers in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can also freeze the slices or the whole frittata for up to 3 months. Cover it in a layer of plastic wrap and store it in a freezer-safe container to maintain freshness.

To reheat the next day, microwave the slices for 1 to 2 minutes or warm them in a 350ºF oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

Leftover Turkey Frittata Recipe FAQs

What’s the difference between a frittata and a quiche?

A frittata and a quiche are both baked egg dishes made with whisked eggs, veggies, proteins, and cheese. The differences all come down to the texture and preparation methods!

A frittata begins on the stove before it’s moved to the oven to finish cooking. It typically has a sturdier and fluffier texture because it’s made with more eggs than dairy, similar to an omelet.

A quiche is sometimes baked in a pie crust and is cooked entirely in the oven. Its texture is almost custard-like because the egg filling is made with more milk or cream.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can definitely whip up the turkey frittata in advance! Bake the frittata as normal and set it aside to cool fully. Transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until it’s time to eat.

Quickly reheat the frittata in a 350ºF oven for about 15 minutes or until it’s warmed through. Slice and serve as normal, then enjoy!

And if you’re looking for more delicious ways to use your leftover turkey, check out this roundup featuring 30+ leftover turkey recipes! You’ll love the quick and easy Leftover Turkey Fried Rice and this soul-warming Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup.

Why is my frittata sticking to the skillet?

This can happen if your cast iron isn’t well seasoned or if you don’t use a non-stick pan. If your Leftover Turkey Frittata is already cooked, use a soft spatula to help remove the slices from the skillet. They won’t look as pretty, but it will still taste good!

Next time, season your cast iron prior to cooking. Or, use a non-stick cooking spray as needed to make it easier to slice and serve.

As always, I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. Leave me a comment or rating to let me know what you think!

Thanks for stopping by the Street Smart Nutrition blog. Cheers to more fearlessly nourishing meals!