For many folks, that’s one of the best parts of the holiday meal.
Even the biggest fan of turkey sandwiches gets a little weary of them after a few days, though.
But “I’m tired of it” isn’t a good reason to toss perfectly edible food.
So before you consider throwing away the remains of your Thanksgiving feast, explore these tasty and inventive ways to use up your leftovers.
30 Ideas to Reimagine Your Thanksgiving Leftovers
From timeless favorites like soup to surprising options like nachos, you’ll find something to rekindle your appetite.
Though many of these dishes combine multiple Thanksgiving staples, we’ve grouped them by their primary ingredient so you can quickly find a solution tailored to whatever you have left over.
That said, some of these recipes look so tempting you might want to cook Thanksgiving dinner again…
Turkey
The star of the meal is also the item most likely to leave you with extras — no matter how much everyone insists they want some to take home.
Here are ways to turn that mound of leftover turkey into an exciting new meal.
1. Turkey Salad
The day after Thanksgiving you might not be in the mood for another heavy plate.
Lighten things up by turning leftover turkey into a salad — either the creamy mayo-style mix you put on bread or the leafy green kind — essentially chicken salad but with turkey!
This cranberry pecan variation from Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen is lovely, and Self Proclaimed Foodie’s Krissy swaps in Greek yogurt for (or alongside) mayonnaise.
2. Turkey Frittata
What’s eggy, satisfying and appropriate for breakfast, lunch or dinner?
A frittata, of course!
Jackie at Domestic Fits has a recipe that’ll use your turkey and rolls in a flash, and Yasmin Fahr suggests dunking her frittata into leftover cranberry sauce mixed with a touch of Dijon.
Like an omelet, the options are limitless. Crack some eggs and get creative. Extra credit if you incorporate other holiday leftovers.
3. Leftover Thanksgiving Nachos
Here’s a fresh twist on nachos.
Food Network has this tempting tray of leftover Thanksgiving nachos, featuring turkey, roasted Brussels sprouts and butternut squash.
It even makes use of the last of that can of French-fried onions from the green bean casserole.
4. Turkey Tetrazzini
What pairs nicely with leftover turkey better than mayonnaise?
Try a rich, cheesy mushroom sauce — tossed with pasta.
Tetrazzini, a classic American pasta bake, works with poultry and fish alike, and leftover turkey fits right in. Plus, The Pioneer Woman’s version calls for a whole block of cream cheese.
5. Turkey Milanese
This elegant-sounding dish from Bobby Flay is actually pretty straightforward to assemble.
Skip the pomegranate molasses if you like, and you’ll probably already have most of the pantry staples needed.
6. Turkey Pizza
Odd? Maybe — but the joy of homemade pizza is experimenting beyond the usual offerings.
If you need convincing, check out ReadySetEat’s artichoke-and-turkey pizza. Use a store-bought crust, then top with leftover turkey, diced tomatoes, canned artichokes, olives and two kinds of cheese (because, yes).
7. Turkey Enchiladas
Turn an American classic into a Mexican-style favorite that predates our nation.
There are many takes on this; here’s one of the finest leftover Thanksgiving recipes we’ve found.
You’ll need:
1.5 onions
- 2 garlic cloves
- 4 cups cooked, leftover turkey, shredded
- 8 tablespoons mild chili powder
- 2 fresh jalapeños
- 1 cup smoky barbecue sauce
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon each cumin, oregano and sugar
- 3 cups chicken broth (or homemade turkey stock; see #13 below)
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 4 tablespoons half-and-half
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar
- 12 tortillas
- salt and pepper
- cooking oil (olive works)
- frying oil (canola is fine)
- sour cream
- green onions
Make the enchilada sauce by pureeing the mild chili powder, jalapeños, barbecue sauce, a quartered onion, one garlic clove, the can of tomato sauce, cumin, oregano, sugar, a teaspoon of salt, an eighth teaspoon of pepper and two tablespoons of cooking oil.
Sauté the mixture in hot oil for about five minutes, stirring constantly.
Add the broth, a cup of half-and-half and the cornstarch slurry. Simmer for two minutes.
Sauté the remaining half onion and garlic finely diced in hot oil. Add the shredded turkey, brown slightly, stir in some sauce (reserve some) and season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
Quickly fry the 12 tortillas in hot oil. Drain and keep them warm in a casserole dish. Dip each tortilla in heated sauce, add a strip of filling, roll tightly, arrange side by side in the pan, sprinkle with cheese and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Pour heated sauce over the enchiladas and serve with sour cream and chopped green onions. Muy bien!
8. Turkey Chili
What better way to face the cold than with a big pot of chili?
Since you probably have more turkey than you need, this lighter rendition from Ambitious Kitchen is a great option.
If you want heat, try Food Network’s spicy leftover turkey chili, which uses fire-roasted tomatoes.
9. Turkey “Shepherd’s” Pie
Let’s evaluate the leftover lineup: turkey, gravy, stuffing and mashed potatoes. Clearly, these belong in one casserole topped with mashed potatoes.
Though called “shepherd’s pie” when made with lamb, this turkey-based version is simple, thrifty and delicious. You don’t need anything beyond your Thanksgiving remnants.
For a full-size version, try Martha Stewart’s recipe, which includes leftover cranberry sauce and glazed carrots.
Now doesn’t that sandwich look a bit sad?
10. Turkey Pot Pie
Got a leftover pie crust or frozen puff pastry?
Make a hearty turkey pot pie, loaded with all your favorite Thanksgiving fillings. This version even uses leftover green bean casserole.
Prefer handhelds?
Try “pocket” pies packed with cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, stuffing and turkey. Make ahead and reheat in a toaster oven.
11. Turkey Quesadillas
Quesadillas are ideal for stuffing with Thanksgiving leftovers.
This version uses brie and cranberry chutney. Delicious.
12. Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
Casseroles are economical, satisfying and a great way to turn turkey leftovers into a crowd-pleasing meal.
There are countless ways to build a Thanksgiving leftover casserole. This recipe uses canned soups and frozen peas — pantry staples you likely already own.
13. So Many Wonderful Winter Soups
First things first: if you aren’t making fresh turkey stock from the carcass, you’re missing out.
Toss root vegetables, spices and the picked-clean bird into a pot, cover with water and simmer as long as you can — it will smell amazing. (This guide suggests two to three hours, but you can go up to six, adding water as needed).
Then turn that stock into soups. There are endless leftover soup recipes. Try Alton Brown’s “bird to the last drop” or The Pioneer Woman’s comforting version.
Also consider Pinch of Yum’s Easy Turkey Pho, which uses savory fish sauce and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves.
14. OK, Fine, Turkey Sandwiches
Some traditions exist for good reason. Elevate your turkey sandwich with these creative leftover ideas:
- This Thanksgiving leftovers club sandwich stacks everything from your plate between three layers of dinner rolls.
- Martha Stewart recommends three sandwich takes: the turkey and onion, the turkey cobb, and the turkey, cheddar and green apple.
- Food Network’s Tyler Florence offers a grilled turkey, brie and apple butter sandwich. Thinly sliced carved turkey works perfectly in place of deli meat.
Mashed Potatoes
If there’s one item that people admit they made too much of and don’t regret, it’s mashed potatoes.
While reheated and smothered in gravy is always great, here are more inventive ways to enjoy them.
15. Potato Pancakes
Potato pancakes might already be the perfect Savinly dish.
They’re tasty, hearty, adaptable and cheap — especially when you’ve got lots of leftover mashed potatoes.
Dress up this basic recipe with favorite toppings — for instance, spoon on leftover cranberry sauce.
Food Network chef Giada De Laurentiis incorporates eggs and Parmesan in her “eggs in purgatory” idea.
Or add extras into the batter before frying. Kelly of Just a Taste recommends cheddar and scallions.
16. Mashed Potato Soup
Yes — more comforting soup.
You can’t argue with this loaded mashed potato soup from Mommy Hates Cooking.
Sub in the turkey stock you made instead of chicken broth for extra depth.
17. Mashed Potato Muffins
Who knew that adding an egg to mashed potatoes lets you bake fluffy muffins?
Just a Taste shares a simple mashed potato muffins, or try The Kitchn’s mashed potato “puffs” for a slightly fancier take.
18. Croquettes
Want a fast way to combine leftover turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce?
See Martha Stewart’s turkey croquettes.
If turkey’s gone, John Torode’s “bubble and squeak” croquettes at BBC Good Food use bacon, turnips and cabbage for a different repackaging of leftovers.
19. Gluten-Free Cake
Surprising as it sounds, mashed potatoes can appear on the dessert table.
This lemon drizzle cake swaps flour for ground almonds and mashed potatoes to remain light and flavorful while being gluten-free.
Stuffing
It’s rare to have much of this left — at least in many households.
But if you’re lucky enough to have extra stuffing, you’re in for some treats.
20. Fried Stuffing Bites
This recipe is dangerously good.
Fried stuffing paired with a cranberry pesto is next-level leftover ingenuity.
21. Stuffing-Stuffed Mushrooms
This Food Network recipe is easy and delicious. Do yourself a favor and use fresh Parmesan — the pre-grated tub stuff won’t cut it here.
Cranberry Sauce
Sweet yet tart, cranberry sauce is a perfect foil for the rich savory elements of Thanksgiving.
Oddly, many people barely touch it or eat it out of obligation. Don’t be that person — try these uses instead.
22. Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
Cranberry upside-down cake? Absolutely!
This take from Baked In looks as appealing as it sounds. Substitute your leftover sauce for the fresh cranberries called for — or use the sauce that didn’t make it to the table.
23. Cranberry Tartlets
With little more than dough, an egg and sugar, these cranberry tartlets are elegant and lighter than heavier desserts like pumpkin pie.
24. Cranberry Pancakes
Thanksgiving leftovers for breakfast don’t have to mean hash — although we love hash!
Stir leftover cranberry sauce into pancake batter for a sweet morning treat that could become your new Friday-after-Thanksgiving ritual.
25. Cranberry Muffins
Turn cranberry sauce into next week’s breakfast by baking muffins.
This recipe from Kitchen Treaty looks delightful, as does Wes Martin’s cranberry-carrot version.
Green Bean Casserole
Honestly, there aren’t a lot of ways to reinvent this one — probably because it’s so good reheated as is.
But besides spooning it onto salads (or straight into your face), try this simple repurpose.
26. Green Bean Quiche
This quiche has just nine ingredients, one of which is leftover green bean casserole.
Sweet Potatoes
Whether you serve candied yams or a savory version, sweet potatoes often appear at Thanksgiving.
Here’s how to use up any extras.
27. Breakfast Hash
Make a hash from leftover sweet potatoes, turkey and a poached egg.
Or follow EatingWell’s sweet potato turkey hash, which adds apple for balance.
28. Sweet Potato Biscuits
Want a slightly sweet roll once the Thanksgiving crescent rolls are gone?
Try these sweet potato biscuits from Spinach Tiger.
29. Sweet Potato Pie
Turning yams into a sweet potato pie is largely a matter of adding crust and some evaporated milk or eggs for texture.
Try Taste of Home’s version with pecans, or this recipe from Spinach Tiger.
30. Sweet Potato Cake
One more way to sweeten your leftovers: turn them into cake.
This recipe evokes homemade gingerbread. Adjust sugar to account for how sweet your yams already are.
Mark Jensen is a senior writer at Savinly. Jamie Cattanach is a contributor to Savinly Readers.
