Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
Nov 23, 2023
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Thanksgiving leftovers? Honestly, that's the best part of Thanksgiving! After a full day (or days) of cooking, it feels downright magical to turn those containers of leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing into brand-new meals with hardly any extra work.
I truly want to be a source for everything you need for Thanksgiving. And that includes what to do with the leftovers!
Our Favorite Leftover Thanksgiving Recipes
After hours and hours of cooking to prepare Thanksgiving dinner recipes, I love being able to rely on leftovers to feed my family for days. But we aren't talking about a boring sandwich or plate of reheated food -- these easy recipes transform your leftover roasted turkey, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, gluten-free sweet potato casserole, bread stuffing, and homemade cranberry orange sauce into new creations that will make you look forward to the leftovers more than Thanksgiving itself.
1. From-Scratch Turkey Tetrazzini
There's no more classic leftover Thanksgiving recipe than Turkey Tetrazzini! This creamy, comforting casserole uses a homemade mushroom sauce that keeps even dried-out leftover turkey delicious.
2. Thanksgiving Egg Rolls
This fun handheld recipe uses it all! Roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, bread stuffing, and turkey gravy! Hands down, it's one of the most fun recipes to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers.
3. Copycat Panera Turkey Sandwich
Made with roasted turkey, sharp cheddar, and thin apple slices piled on top of cranberry walnut bread, there is nothing boring about this turkey sandwich.
4. Southwest Turkey Soup
If you want a completely different flavor profile from Thanksgiving dinner, this is the recipe for you. It comes together quickly and features a richly spiced, creamy tomato broth filled with Southwest flavor.
5. Sweet Potato Pancakes
Use your leftover sweet potato casserole in place of the sweet potato puree to make insanely delicious pancakes or sweet potato waffles. Bonus: Top the pancakes or waffles with leftover warm cranberry orange sauce for a 2-in-1 leftover recipe.
6. Thanksgiving Pizza
If you like homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza, you will love this leftover Thanksgiving pizza. Made with leftover turkey and leftover cranberry orange sauce, it is a little sweet, a little spicy, and incredibly tasty!
7. Pierogi Lasagna
If you like pierogi, you will love this Mashed Potato Lasagna! Layers of mashed potatoes between sheets of tender pasta, all covered in cheese. It's one of my favorite Thanksgiving leftover recipes.
8. Turkey Club Wrap
Swap deli turkey for thinly sliced or shredded turkey in this wrap for a tasty lunch the day after Thanksgiving.
9. Baked Brie
Top baked brie with a scoop of leftover cranberry orange sauce instead of fig jam for a delicious and festive appetizer. It is the perfect snack for watching football or decorating the Christmas tree.
10. Swedish Meatballs
Swedish Meatballs are a great recipe to use leftover stuffing. Instead of the bread and milk the recipe calls for, replace them with 1 cup of leftover bread stuffing. The stuffing adds tremendous flavor.
11. Hidden Veggie Cheese Quesadilla
Add a thin layer of leftover baked butternut squash to a cheese quesadilla. It is a simple "mom-hack" I use all the time to get in a few extra veggies in my kids' diet.
12. Turkey & Cranberry Quesadilla
Spread a tortilla with leftover cranberry sauce, then top it with leftover turkey and shredded cheese for a cheesy turkey quesadilla. This is one of my favorite, simple ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers.
13. Mashed Potato Cakes
These potato cakes are a super easy recipe using leftover mashed potatoes. They are creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly good. Serve this Thanksgiving leftover recipe as a side dish or a vegetarian entree.
14. Instant Pot Turkey Noodle Soup
Starring leftover turkey, tender noodles, and a creamy, savory broth, this turkey noodle soup comes together in about 30 minutes for a twist on a classic.
15. Potato Tacos
Add some taco seasoning to leftover mashed potatoes, and you are well on your way to enjoying a simple, unique taco. And while mashed potatoes in tacos may sound odd, it works.
More Easy Ideas for Thanksgiving Leftovers
If the above recipes weren't enough, check out more quick, simple ways to use your Thanksgiving Leftovers.
- Leftover Instant Pot Ham or Baked Ham? Use one of my favorite leftover ham recipes to transform it into something new.
- Use Turkey in Place of Chicken: Use leftover turkey in any recipe calling for leftover rotisserie chicken.
- Turkey Stock: Do not throw your turkey carcass away. Instead, use it to make the most delicious stock! Use it immediately or freeze it for the next few months in any recipe calling for chicken stock. Follow my recipes for instant pot chicken stock or stovetop chicken stock and simply swap out the chicken bones for the turkey carcass.
- Croutons: Leftover bread stuffing makes the most flavorful croutons ever! Break up leftover stuffing into small chunks and spread in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. Broil for 2-3 minutes per side until golden. Use the stuffing croutons to add a punch of flavor to your salad.
- Sweet Potato Smoothie: A smoothie that tastes like sweet potato pie? Sign me up!
- Tater Tot Casserole: Replace the tater tots with leftover mashed potatoes for a quick and easy version of Shepherd's Pie.
More Thanksgiving Resources
I hope these Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes gave you the inspiration to put your leftovers to good use! If you have other creative leftover ideas, I would love for you to share them with us all below in the comments. xo-Kristen
So many of these look divine. I wouldn't mind having any of them on Friday and all have that quality that says "I'm comfort food - dig in" Have a wonderful holiday.
Thanks so much Laura! I hope you have a very blessed holiday as well!
So many great ideas! I'll be referring back to this in a couple of days!
I hope you enjoy every bite!
So many great recipe options! These will come in handy!
I sure hope they do!