One of the best things about Thanksgiving is knowing there will probably be plenty of good food left for the next day. Instead of reheating the same plate again, these easy Thanksgiving leftover recipes turn turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and even sweet potato casserole into completely new meals.
And if you’re still planning the big feast, save these Thanksgiving turkey recipes, make-ahead Thanksgiving side dishes, and easy Thanksgiving stuffing recipes too. The better the Thanksgiving dinner, the better the leftovers!
1. Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Recipe by Jessica Gavin
This cozy pot pie turns leftover turkey into a comforting dinner with carrots, celery, peas, potatoes, mushrooms, and a creamy herb gravy. Puff pastry creates a flaky golden top, making yesterday’s turkey feel like an entirely new meal.
2. Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe by 101 Cooking for Two
Leftover turkey gets folded into pasta with peas and a homemade Parmesan cream sauce, then baked under a crispy Parmesan breadcrumb topping. It’s a warm, filling family dinner and a great alternative when everyone has had enough of turkey sandwiches.
3. Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup Recipe by The Kitchn
A warm bowl of turkey noodle soup is perfect after a big holiday meal. This easy version combines shredded Thanksgiving turkey with noodles, vegetables, herbs, and broth for a cozy dinner that comes together quickly without requiring hours at the stove.
4. Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe by Dinner, then Dessert
This hearty casserole combines chopped turkey, cornbread, peas, carrots, and green beans with a creamy gravy and mozzarella sauce. It’s especially useful when several containers of Thanksgiving leftovers are taking over the refrigerator and you want one easy family dinner.
5. Leftover Turkey Skillet Shepherd’s Pie Recipe by PBS Food
Turkey, gravy, vegetables, and mashed potatoes all get a second life in this one-skillet shepherd’s pie. The turkey and veggie filling is covered with fluffy mashed potatoes and optional cheddar before baking until the edges are bubbling and the top is golden.
6. Turkey Cranberry Sliders Recipe by Bon Appétit
These warm sliders layer leftover turkey with melty cheese, cranberry mayo, and buttery toasted rolls. You can even add leftover mashed potatoes. The sweet cranberry sauce and savory turkey make them a fun lunch or casual dinner for the day after Thanksgiving.
7. Leftover Stuffing Waffles Recipe by Just a Taste
Turn leftover Thanksgiving stuffing into crispy, savory waffles that are perfect for the morning after the big feast. Made with stuffing, eggs, and a little broth, they’re delicious topped with cranberry sauce, warm gravy, or even a fried egg.
8. Leftover Stuffing Muffins Recipe by Budget Bytes
These savory stuffing muffins combine leftover dressing with turkey, spinach, eggs, and milk, then bake everything in individual muffin cups. They’re portable, easy to reheat, and a clever way to turn Thanksgiving leftovers into a simple breakfast or lunch.
9. Potato Croquettes Recipe by Martha Stewart
Leftover mashed potatoes become crispy little croquettes with just a few basic additions. The potatoes are seasoned, shaped, coated in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, then fried until golden outside while staying soft and fluffy in the center.
10. Cranberry Sauce Muffins Recipe by Well Fed Baker
If cranberry sauce always seems to be the last Thanksgiving leftover in your fridge, turn it into breakfast. These gluten-free muffins swirl cranberry sauce through a tender batter and add chopped walnuts for a little crunch and extra texture.
11. Cranberry Crumble Bars Recipe by Ovenspiration
Leftover cranberry sauce becomes the sweet-tart center of these easy crumble bars. A simple buttery dough forms both the base and crumbly topping, making this an easy dessert when you have cranberry sauce left but don’t want another traditional Thanksgiving dessert.
12. Sweet Potato Waffles Recipe by Grace and Good Eats
Leftover sweet potato casserole or candied sweet potatoes can become breakfast the next morning with these homemade waffles. The sweet potato adds moisture and gentle sweetness, while any brown sugar and pecans from the casserole bring even more holiday flavor.
13. Leftover Turkey Quesadillas Recipe by The Family Food Kitchen
These quick quesadillas keep things simple with shredded turkey and plenty of melted cheese tucked inside crisp flour tortillas. Add cranberry sauce, peppers, onions, black beans, or whatever else is left in the fridge to make them your own.
14. Leftover Turkey Curry Recipe by Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
For something completely different from traditional Thanksgiving flavors, turn leftover turkey into a creamy curry. Coconut milk, fresh vegetables, chili, lime, coriander, and homemade curry paste transform cooked turkey into a flavorful dinner that works well with rice or naan.
15. Leftover Turkey Salad Recipe by Jamie Oliver
This fresh turkey salad is a nice change after several days of rich holiday food. Cooked turkey is paired with cashews, dried cranberries, fresh herbs, salad greens, pomegranate, citrus, and a bright dressing for plenty of contrasting flavors and textures.
16. Leftover Turkey Tacos Recipe by Cucina by Elena
Give Thanksgiving turkey a completely different flavor with these easy tacos. The cooked turkey is warmed with seasonings, broth, and lime until flavorful and lightly browned, then tucked into tortillas with fresh toppings, cheese, and even cranberry relish if you have some left.
17. Thanksgiving Egg Rolls Recipe by Delish
These crispy egg rolls put an entire Thanksgiving dinner inside one crunchy wrapper. Leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and stuffing are layered together, fried until golden, and served with warm leftover gravy for dipping.
18. Leftover Turkey Pizza Recipe by Crinkled Cookbook
This pizza piles several holiday favorites onto one crust, including turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce. Ricotta, Parmesan, and a garlicky white pizza sauce pull everything together, creating a dinner that tastes very different from simply reheating Thanksgiving leftovers.
19. Leftover Turkey Hash Recipe by The Mom 100
Turkey hash is an easy option for breakfast, brunch, or a relaxed dinner after Thanksgiving. Along with leftover turkey, you can use roasted potatoes, Brussels sprouts, green beans, or other cooked vegetables and serve the crispy hash with leftover gravy or cranberry sauce.
20. Leftover Turkey Panini Recipe by Simply Made Dish
Pile thick slices of bread with leftover turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn, and gravy, then press everything until the bread is crisp and warm. It’s an easy way to turn several small containers of Thanksgiving leftovers into one seriously satisfying sandwich.
21. Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe by Little Broken
Turn leftover Thanksgiving turkey into a warm and hearty chili loaded with beans, tomatoes, corn, vegetables, and plenty of cozy spices. It’s an easy one-pot dinner that gives leftover turkey a completely different flavor and works especially well for the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving leftovers definitely don’t have to mean eating the same meal three days in a row. A little turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, or mashed potatoes can easily become soup, pizza, tacos, sliders, breakfast, or an entirely new comfort-food dinner.
And honestly, having a fridge full of Thanksgiving leftovers might be one of the best parts of the holiday.
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