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Leftover Thanksgiving recipes are one of the things I look forward to after the big holiday meal. Once the table is cleared, there is always turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce in the fridge. I like turning them into something more interesting than a reheated plate.
In this collection of Thanksgiving leftovers recipes, you will find ideas for the day after and the following days. There are easy lunches, simple dinners, savory breakfast and brunch recipes and a few snacks to share if you still have guests at home. Most of them use food you already cooked, so you spend less time in the kitchen and still serve a homemade meal.
What to make with leftover Thanksgiving food
When you are not sure what to make with leftover Thanksgiving food, start with what you have most of. A container of turkey, a bowl of mashed potatoes, a dish of stuffing, extra roasted vegetables or cranberry sauce can all become a new meal.
To make things easier, I grouped these leftover Thanksgiving recipes by ingredient, so you can jump straight to:
Leftover turkey
Leftover mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes
Leftover stuffing and vegetables
Leftover cranberry sauce
Find the section that matches your fridge and pick a recipe you like.
Leftover turkey and cranberry sauce make a simple panini that tastes like a fresh meal. Pile sliced turkey into bread with sautéed onions, cheese and cranberry sauce, then grill until the outside is crisp and the filling is hot and melty.
This turkey pasta is a quick way to use cooked meat without repeating the same dinner. Turkey, red pesto and Parmesan coat the pasta in a flavorful sauce and the whole dish comes together fast.
If you still have turkey bones and some meat on them, turn them into a noodle soup. Make a simple stock, add vegetables and pasta and you get a warming bowl that stretches the leftovers well.
This puff pastry chicken pot pie works very well with leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Make the creamy filling with vegetables, swap the chicken for turkey, cover with puff pastry and bake until the crust is golden and flaky.
If you have turkey leftovers and small ramekins, try making these mini pot pies! A mustard flavored filling is tucked under puff pastry lids, so everyone gets their own small pie.
This salad is an easy way to use leftover chicken or turkey without turning on the stove. Mix the meat with celery, grapes, dried cranberries and walnuts, then serve it on lettuce, with bread or in croissants for a simple lunch.
Cold mashed potatoes work very well in this simple skillet flatbread. The dough is yeast-free, comes together in a bowl and cooks in a pan. Serve it as a side for stews or use it as a base for toppings.
This recipe turns mashed potatoes into crisp croquettes with a bit of heat. Stir in cheese and jalapeños, shape the mixture and fry until the croquettes are golden outside and soft inside.
Plain mashed sweet potatoes can become gnocchi in a few steps. You only need flour, egg, a knife and a pot of boiling water. Toss the gnocchi with your favorite sauce and dinner is ready.
Use leftover mashed sweet potatoes to make a stack of pancakes for breakfast or brunch. The sweet potatoes give them a gentle sweetness, so you can finish them with chocolate chips, syrup, fruit or other toppings.
If there is stuffing that nobody wants to reheat, turn it into savory waffles. Mix it with a little stock and egg, cook in a waffle makerand serve the waffles with turkey and gravy.
A tray of roasted Brussels sprouts can easily become this salad the next day. Toss the sprouts with prosciutto, Feta and a simple dressing and you get a new side that tastes different from the original roast.
Made too much cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving dinner? Use some of it in this cheese ball with bacon and nuts. Shape the mixture, chill it and serve with crackers or bread for a quick appetizer while everyone is still around the table.
Cranberry sauce also works well in:
Turkey Cranberry Panini for a sweet and savory sandwich.
Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad if you want to stir a spoonful into the dressing.
You can mix and match these leftover Thanksgiving recipes over the next few days and build simple menus from what you already have. Try one or two ideas, see what your family likes and keep those as your go-to plan for future holidays.
Great ideas thanks!