Leftover Turkey Dip: Easy Cheesy Buffalo Turkey Dip

Every year the day after Thanksgiving, my family wants two things: football and something to snack on. This leftover turkey dip covers the second one. It is basically buffalo chicken dip, but made with the turkey you already have in the fridge, and honestly I think it is even better.

Shredded turkey gets mixed with cream cheese, ranch, tangy buffalo sauce, and a pile of cheddar, then baked until hot and bubbly. Scoop it with chips, crackers, or celery and watch it vanish.

If you are a buffalo dip fan, you will love my Frank’s RedHot buffalo chicken dip and crock pot buffalo chicken dip. Still have turkey left? Make my turkey chili next.

JUMP TO

• Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Turkey Dip
• What Is Leftover Turkey Dip?
• Ingredients
• Kitchen Equipment
• Ingredient Tips
• How to Make Leftover Turkey Dip
• Expert Tips for Perfect Buffalo Turkey Dip
• Delicious Variations
• What to Serve with Buffalo Turkey Dip
• Storage Instructions
• Can You Make It Ahead?
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Estimated Nutrition
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Turkey Dip

It turns plain leftover turkey into the most-requested snack of the weekend.

Uses Up Leftovers

About 3 cups of turkey become a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ready in 30 Minutes

Five minutes to mix, 20 minutes to bake.

Creamy and Cheesy

Cream cheese, ranch, and cheddar keep it rich.

Tangy Heat

Buffalo sauce adds a kick without being too spicy.

Game-Day Ready

Perfect for the long holiday weekend.

What Is Leftover Turkey Dip?

Leftover turkey dip is a hot, creamy baked dip made with shredded cooked turkey. This buffalo version uses cream cheese, ranch dressing, hot sauce, and cheddar for a familiar buffalo chicken dip flavor.

Turkey has a slightly richer taste than chicken, and the dark meat makes the dip especially juicy.

Ingredients

this Idea!

Dip

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Cooked turkey, shredded or finely chopped	3 cups	Main ingredient
Cream cheese, softened	8 ounces	Creamy base
Ranch dressing	½ cup	Herby tang
Buffalo hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)	½ cup	Signature heat
Garlic powder	½ teaspoon	Savory depth
Shredded sharp cheddar	1½ cups, divided	Cheesy topping
Shredded mozzarella	½ cup	Melty stretch

Optional Garnishes

• (‘Sliced green onions’, ‘for topping’)
• (‘Ranch or blue cheese dressing’, ‘for drizzling’)

Kitchen Equipment

• 10-inch cast iron skillet or 1½-quart baking dish
• Mixing bowl
• Hand mixer or sturdy spoon
• Spatula

Ingredient Tips

Mix White and Dark Meat

Dark meat keeps the dip extra juicy.

Shred It Finely

Smaller pieces mean every chip gets turkey.

Swap Ranch for Blue Cheese

Use blue cheese dressing for a classic wing flavor.

Use Soft Cream Cheese

It blends evenly with no lumps.

Shred Your Own Cheese

It melts more smoothly than pre-shredded.

How to Make Leftover Turkey Dip

Step 1: Heat the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a skillet or baking dish.

Step 2: Mix the Base

Beat the cream cheese, ranch, buffalo sauce, and garlic powder until smooth.

Step 3: Add Turkey and Cheese

Stir in the turkey, 1 cup cheddar, and the mozzarella.

Step 4: Top with Cheese

Spread into the dish and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar on top.

Step 5: Bake

Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until hot and bubbling at the edges. Broil 1 to 2 minutes for a golden top if you like.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Drizzle with ranch, sprinkle with green onions, and serve hot with dippers.

Expert Tips for Perfect Buffalo Turkey Dip

Warm the Turkey Slightly

Cold turkey from the fridge lengthens the bake time.

Do Not Overbake

Too long and the cream cheese can turn oily.

Broil Carefully

Watch closely; cheese goes from golden to burnt quickly.

Taste the Heat

Add hot sauce a little at a time if serving kids.

Serve in Cast Iron

It keeps the dip warm longer at the table.

Delicious Variations

Slow Cooker

Combine everything in a small slow cooker and cook on LOW 2 hours, stirring once.

Cranberry Buffalo

Swirl ¼ cup cranberry sauce over the top before baking for sweet heat.

Bacon Ranch

Add ½ cup crumbled bacon.

Jalapeño Popper

Stir in diced jalapeños and use pepper jack cheese.

Lighter Version

Use Greek yogurt instead of ranch and reduced-fat cream cheese.

What to Serve with Buffalo Turkey Dip

Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, celery sticks, carrot sticks, toasted baguette slices, or pita chips.

For a leftovers party, pair it with cranberry turkey stuffing balls and deviled eggs.

Storage Instructions

Storage Method	How Long	Best Practice
Refrigerator	3 days	Covered, after cooling
Reheat	10 to 15 minutes	350°F oven or microwave in 30-second bursts
Freezer	Not recommended	The texture becomes grainy

Since the turkey is already a leftover, plan to enjoy the dip within 3 days.

Stir well after reheating to bring it back together.

Can You Make It Ahead?

Assemble the dip, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add 5 to 10 minutes to the bake time.

Shred the turkey right after Thanksgiving dinner so it is ready to go.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using Old Leftovers

Use turkey within 3 to 4 days of cooking.

Dry Turkey Chunks

Shred finely and include dark meat.

Overbaking

Causes greasy separation.

Too Much Hot Sauce

Start with ½ cup and add more at the table.

Cold Cream Cheese

Leaves lumps in the dip.

Estimated Nutrition

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	230
Carbohydrates	2g
Protein	15g
Fat	18g
Saturated Fat	8g
Fiber	0g
Sugar	1g
Sodium	610mg
Cholesterol	65mg

Estimate per serving of dip only, based on 10 servings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

This leftover turkey dip is the tastiest way to use up holiday turkey. It is creamy, cheesy, a little spicy, and ready in about 30 minutes.

Make it for the day-after-Thanksgiving game and you will never look at leftovers the same way.

Print