30 Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes You’ll Love
Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into delicious meals that save money and reduce waste with these 30 creative recipes.
Thanksgiving dinner is a feast, but it often leaves you with mountains of leftovers. Instead of letting that turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce go to waste, transform them into exciting new meals. These
30 Thanksgiving leftover recipes
will help you save money, reduce food waste, and keep the holiday flavors going for days. From hearty breakfasts to comforting dinners and clever snacks, there’s something for every meal.Why Repurpose Thanksgiving Leftovers?
Repurposing leftovers isn’t just about stretching your grocery budget—it’s smart cooking. The average American throws away about 325 pounds of food per year, much of it from holidays like Thanksgiving. By turning extras into new dishes, you cut waste, save cash on future groceries, and enjoy variety without extra shopping. Focus on classics like turkey, gravy, potatoes, stuffing, and cranberries for endless possibilities.
Turkey Recipes
Turkey is the star of Thanksgiving leftovers. Shred it, dice it, or slice it for these versatile ideas that go beyond sandwiches.
1. Turkey Cranberry Pecan Salad
Mix shredded turkey with cranberry sauce, chopped pecans, and a light dressing for a fresh salad. Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen’s version adds celery for crunch, while Self Proclaimed Foodie swaps mayo for Greek yogurt to lighten it up. Serve on greens or in wraps—ready in minutes.
2. Turkey Frittata
Eggy and versatile, a frittata works for any meal. Whisk eggs with diced turkey, cheese, spinach, and herbs, then bake until set. It’s fluffy, filling, and clears out the fridge fast.
3. Leftover Thanksgiving Nachos
Layer tortilla chips with shredded turkey, roasted Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, cheese, and those French-fried onions from green bean casserole. Bake until melty—perfect game-day snack from Food Network.
4. Turkey Tetrazzini
This creamy pasta bakes turkey with spaghetti, mushrooms, cheese, and a rich sauce. The Pioneer Woman’s recipe uses leftover poultry perfectly, adding peas for color. Family favorite that’s cozy and economical.
5. Turkey Enchiladas
Fill tortillas with turkey, onions, garlic, chili powder, jalapeños, barbecue sauce, tomato sauce, cumin, oregano, and sugar. Roll, sauce with a creamy mix of half-and-half and cornstarch, top with cheese, and bake. Fry onions and garlic first for depth.
6. Turkey Pot Pie
Combine turkey, gravy, mixed veggies, and top with pie crust or puff pastry. Individual portions bake quickly—use frozen dough to save time.
7. Turkey Fried Rice
Stir-fry diced turkey with day-old rice, soy sauce, eggs, peas, carrots, and green onions. Quick weeknight dinner that hides veggies kids might skip.
8. Turkey Chili
Simmer shredded turkey with chili powder, jalapeños, barbecue sauce, tomato sauce, broth, cumin, oregano, and sugar. Ambitious Kitchen’s light version is healthy; Food Network’s uses fire-roasted tomatoes for spice.
9. Turkey “Shepherd’s” Pie
Layer turkey, gravy, stuffing, and veggies under mashed potatoes. Bake until bubbly. Martha Stewart adds cranberry sauce and carrots for a full pie twist.
10. Turkey Pocket Pies
Handheld delights stuffed with turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet and mashed potatoes, and stuffing. Bake or toaster-oven for portable meals.
11. Turkey Quesadillas
Stuff tortillas with turkey, cheese, and extras like beans or peppers. Grill until crispy—dipping in salsa or gravy elevates it.
12. Turkey Soup
Boil turkey carcass for stock, add noodles, carrots, celery, and herbs. Homemade broth maximizes every bite.
13. Homemade Turkey Stock
Simmer bones with onions, carrots, celery, and peppercorns for rich stock. Use in soups, rice, or gravy—free flavor booster.
14. Turkey Croquettes
Mix ground turkey, potatoes, and cranberries; bread and fry into patties. Martha Stewart’s recipe is crispy outside, soft inside.
15. Turkey Gumbo
Inspired by chefs like Braunda Smith, create a Southern stew with turkey, sausage, okra, and rice for bold flavors.
Mashed Potato Recipes
Mashed potatoes are creamy gold—perfect for binding or topping dishes.
16. Potato Puffs
Pipe mashed potatoes into puffs, bake or fry crisp. San Antonio chef Braunda Smith’s version adds cheese for indulgence.
17. Mashed Potato Cakes
Form patties with potatoes, turkey, and herbs; pan-fry golden. Serve with cranberry dipping sauce.
18. Loaded Mashed Potato Balls
Mix in cheese, bacon bits, and chives; roll into balls and bake. Fun appetizer repurposes extras.
Stuffing Recipes
Leftover stuffing shines fried or stuffed into veggies.
19. Fried Stuffing Bites
Bread and deep-fry stuffing balls, serve with cranberry pesto. Irresistible crunch meets savory filling.
20. Stuffing-Stuffed Mushrooms
Fill mushroom caps with stuffing, top with fresh parmesan, and bake. Food Network keeps it simple and elegant.
21. Stuffing Meatballs
Mix stuffing with ground meat or turkey, form balls, and simmer in gravy. Hearty and unique.
Cranberry Sauce and Other Ideas
That tart sauce pairs surprisingly well in sweets and savories.
22. Cranberry Turkey Sliders
Mini buns with turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and gravy. Bite-sized bliss.
23. Cranberry Muffins
Bake sauce into muffins with flour, sugar, eggs, and nuts. Breakfast treat.
24. Sweet Potato Casserole Remix
Mash extras with marshmallows or pecans for a second round, or layer in pies.
25. Green Bean Casserole Fried Rice
Stir-fry beans, onions, and rice for an Asian twist on the side dish.
26. Brussels Sprouts Hash
Sauté roasted sprouts with turkey and potatoes for breakfast hash.
27. Towering Tortilla Pie
Layer tortillas with turkey, sweet potatoes, beans, and cheese. SFGate’s stacked delight serves a crowd.
28. Steamed Buns
Chef Jason Dady’s fluffy buns stuffed with turkey and slaw.
29. Bubble and Squeak Croquettes
John Torode’s patties with potatoes, cabbage, turnips, and bacon—no turkey needed.
30. Turkey Mashed Potato Cranberry Cakes
Mix turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce, butter, and parsley; form cakes and pan-fry. Season to taste.
Meal Planning Table
| Meal Type | Recipe Ideas | Key Leftovers Used |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Frittata, Hash, Muffins | Turkey, Potatoes, Cranberries |
| Lunch | Salad, Quesadillas, Sliders | Turkey, Cranberry, Stuffing |
| Dinner | Chili, Tetrazzini, Shepherd’s Pie | Turkey, Gravy, Potatoes |
| Snacks | Nachos, Croquettes, Bites | All Leftovers |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How long do Thanksgiving leftovers last?
A: Refrigerate within 2 hours; safe for 3-4 days. Freeze for up to 4 months.
Q: Can I freeze turkey stock?
A: Yes, portion into ice cube trays or bags for easy use.
Q: What’s the best way to store leftovers?
A: Airtight containers; label with dates to track freshness.
Q: Are these recipes kid-friendly?
A: Many are, like quesadillas and sliders—customize spice levels.
Q: How do I reduce Thanksgiving waste?
A: Plan portions, shop smarter, and repurpose like these recipes.
These recipes turn abundance into opportunity. Experiment, taste as you go, and enjoy savings!
References
- 30 Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes You’ll Love — The Penny Hoarder. 2023-11-15. https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/thanksgiving-leftover-recipes/
- Thanksgiving leftovers: Turn them into gumbo, pasta, buns — San Antonio Express-News. 2024-11-20. https://www.expressnews.com/food/recipes-cooking/article/thanksgiving-leftovers-recipes-21196809.php
- Thanksgiving leftover recipe: Turkey, Mashed Potato and Cranberry — Connecticut Insider. 2024-11-25. https://www.ctinsider.com/food/article/Thanksgiving-leftover-recipe-Turkey-Mashed-14861633.php
- Tradition built on Thanksgiving leftovers — SFGATE. 2023-11-22. https://www.sfgate.com/food/southtonorth/article/Tradition-built-on-Thanksgiving-leftovers-4044573.php
- Your Thanksgiving leftovers are harming the planet — Wilton Bulletin. 2024-11-18. https://www.wiltonbulletin.com/living/article/how-much-to-buy-how-to-use-leftovers-and-other-21204847.php
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