25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (2024)

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (1)

Cheryl MalikPosted: 11/20/23Updated: 11/28/23

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Facing a fridge full of Thanksgiving leftovers? Tired of turkey, dreading more dressing, already stuffed with sweet potatoes? Don’t let all your turkey day prep and hours in the kitchen go to waste! This list of recipes will breathe life and excitement back into your holiday foods. We’ve got soups, salads, dips, and even waffles or pancakes just begging for your leftover turkey, leftover cranberry sauce, or leftover potatoes.

25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (2)

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1 Recipes Using Leftover Turkey Bones

1.1 Instant Pot Turkey Stock

1.2 Instant Pot Bone Broth (That Gels!)

1.3 Crockpot Bone Broth

1.4 Stovetop Bone Broth

2 Recipes Using Leftover Turkey

2.1 Leftover Turkey Poutine

2.2 Smoked Turkey and White Bean Soup

2.3 Leftover Turkey Casserole

2.4 Turkey Pot Pie Casserole

2.5 Leftover Turkey Tortilla Soup (Whole30 Tortilla Soup)

2.6 White Bean Chili

2.7 Turkey Melt with Cheddar, Spinach, and Bacon

2.8 Leftover Turkey Salad with Apples and Cranberries

2.9 Turkey Noodle Soup

2.10 Turkey and Dumplings

2.11 Holiday Burrito

2.12 Air Fryer Turkey Quesadilla

2.13 Turkey Stuffed Peppers

3 Recipes Using Leftover Cranberry Sauce

4 Recipes Using Leftover Potatoes

4.1 How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes (3 Ways!)

4.2 Sweet Potato Hash Browns

4.3 Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes

4.4 Sweet Potato Waffles

4.5 Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl

4.6 Sweet Potato Pancakes

4.7 Mashed Potato Soup with Tarragon

Recipes Using Leftover Turkey Bones

25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (3)

Instant Pot Turkey Stock

from easyhealthyrecipes.com

This Instant Pot turkey stock is the perfect use for that leftover turkey carcass! It’s rich, deeply flavorful, and packed with nutrients.

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (4)

Instant Pot Bone Broth (That Gels!)

These step-by-step instructions give you perfect homemade bone broth right in your Instant Pot. Enjoy a mug of warm broth on a chilly day, or use it in your favorite soups, to cook pasta or rice, or to add a little flavor to boiled chicken breasts.

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (5)

Crockpot Bone Broth

u003cpu003eRich and nutrient-dense bone broth is even easier to make when you use your slow cooker! This recipeu0026#39;s written for chicken or beef bones, but turkey will work, too!u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (6)

Stovetop Bone Broth

u003cpu003eNo slow cooker or Instant Pot? Nourishing bone broth can be made just as easily on the stovetop! Simmered low and slow with plenty of fresh herbs, this recipe yields enough broth from your bones-of-choice to sip on for days.u003c/pu003e

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Recipes Using Leftover Turkey

25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (7)

Leftover Turkey Poutine

Forget the sandwiches. This quick and easy poutine-inspired recipe is the best way to use leftover holiday turkey.

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (8)

Smoked Turkey and White Bean Soup

from easyhealthyrecipes.com

u003cpu003eThis hearty soup recipe uses smoked turkey legs, white beans, and plenty of veggies for an incredibly satisfying cool-weather meal. If you didnu0026#39;t smoke your turkey this Thanksgiving, no worries. This soup works beautifully with any leftover turkey you have!u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (9)

Leftover Turkey Casserole

u003cpu003eThis easy casserole combines leftover turkey with egg noodles, peas, and a creamy sauce for an easy comfort meal that turns Thanksgiving leftovers into something new and delicious.u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (10)

Turkey Pot Pie Casserole

u003cpu003eWhile this recipe is actually for a chicken pot pie casserole, you can easily use it to make a turkey pot pie casserole instead! It calls for 2 cups of cooked, chopped chicken, but 2 cups of leftover turkey will absolutely do the trick. Youu0026#39;ll end up with all the flavor of a creamy, savory turkey pot pie, in an easy-to-make casserole topped with buttery, flaky puff pastry!u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (11)

Leftover Turkey Tortilla Soup (Whole30 Tortilla Soup)

u003cpu003eLooking to eat a little lighter between Thanksgiving and Christmas? This twist on chicken tortilla soup uses leftover turkey in a dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, grain-free, tortilla-free dish thatu0026#39;s great for anyone on a Whole30 round. Even if youu0026#39;re not on round, youu0026#39;ll love the way this soup makes you feel after a few days of holiday indulgence!u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (12)

White Bean Chili

u003cpu003eThis white bean chili is absolutely loaded with flavor, easy to make, and super filling. Replace the chicken in this chili with your leftover holiday turkey and youu0026#39;ve got a savory, protein-packed meal with barely any effort.u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (13)

Turkey Melt with Cheddar, Spinach, and Bacon

from easyhealthyrecipes.com

The perfect sandwich for cooler weather, this incredible turkey melt is toasty, melty, and mouth-wateringly delicious.

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (14)

Leftover Turkey Salad with Apples and Cranberries

u003cpu003eLeftover holiday turkey gets a simple seasonal makeover in this creamy turkey salad. Great for sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or enjoying by the spoonful.u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (15)

Turkey Noodle Soup

u003cpu003eAll the warmth and comfort of a classic chicken noodle soup, made with leftover Thanksgiving turkey instead! Itu0026#39;s loaded with herbs, veggies, and tender noodles, and I guarantee the whole family will love it!u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (16)

Turkey and Dumplings

from easyhealthyrecipes.com

u003cpu003eHomemade turkey and dumplings is just maybe the ultimate comfort meal. This easy recipe puts leftover turkey to deliciously good use.u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (17)

Holiday Burrito

u003cpu003eOK, this recipe is, again, originally written for chicken. BUT! You can either replace the chicken with leftover turkey and keep everything else the same, OR! Use this as inspiration and build your own holiday burrito! Layer leftover stuffing, turkey, cranberries, and gravy in a tortilla and enjoy your handheld holiday dinner on the go.u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (18)

Air Fryer Turkey Quesadilla

from easyhealthyrecipes.com

u003cpu003eAlong the same lines as the holiday burrito we mentioned before, you can totally use your leftover Thanksgiving turkey as the protein in your air fryer quesadilla! Feel free to add in other leftover ingredients if you want. Cranberries, roasted sweet potatoes, whatever sounds good.u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (19)

Turkey Stuffed Peppers

from easyhealthyrecipes.com

u003cpu003eReplace the ground turkey in this recipe with your leftover turkey and youu0026#39;ve got an easy, tasty dinner that wonu0026#39;t remind you of Thanksgiving at all! u003c/pu003e

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Recipes Using Leftover Cranberry Sauce

25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (20)

Best Ever Cranberry Brie Bites

u003cpu003eThese cranberry brie bites are the best ever! I usually serve them as holiday appetizers, but theyu0026#39;re a perfect way to use up any leftover cranberry sauce after the holidays, too. Melty brie topped with cranberry sauce, baked in buttery crescent dough or puff pastry, all topped with a drizzle of honey.u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (21)

Cranberry Brie Dip

u003cpu003eAnother perfect cheese + cranberry dish I serve as a holiday appetizer but which also works for a tasty way to use up leftovers! All you need is a wheel of brie and any cranberry sauce youu0026#39;ve got on hand. Oh, and donu0026#39;t forget your chips or crostini!u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (22)

Baked Brie and Steak Cheese Fries

u003cpu003eThe ultimate indulgence, these cheese fries are truly next level, made with melty brie, sauteed filet mignon, and bearnaise sauce. I typically use some raspberry preserves for dipping, but leftover cranberry sauce would be perfect here! u003c/pu003e

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Recipes Using Leftover Potatoes

25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (23)

How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes (3 Ways!)

from easyhealthyrecipes.com

u003cpu003eOne important step to enjoying leftover mashed potatoes? Knowing the best ways to reheat them!u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (24)

Sweet Potato Hash Browns

u003cpu003eSweet potato hashbrown patties are one of my favorite ways to use these sweet and savory potatoes! Serve them for breakfast, brunch, or dinner – you canu0026#39;t go wrong!u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (25)

Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes

u003cpu003eThese delicious potato pancakes are made from leftover mashed potatoes and are quick u0026amp; easy to make. Perfect after Thanksgiving!u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (26)

Sweet Potato Waffles

from easyhealthyrecipes.com

u003cpu003eCombine your cooked or uncooked sweet potatoes with eggs and your favorite spices for super easy seasonal waffles.u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (27)

Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl

u003cpu003eQuick and easy, a bit sweet (naturally), and packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats. This breakfast bowl is a simple, satisfying, and delicious breakfast, and a great way to use up leftover sweet potatoes. Make sure to reheat your sweet potatoes first – they need to be hot enough to cook the eggs!u003c/pu003e

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (28)

Sweet Potato Pancakes

Fluffy, warm, sweet potato pancakes are the perfect autumn breakfast or brunch dish. With hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and brown sugar, these better-than-box-mix pancakes totally embrace the spirit (and flavors) of the season.

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (29)

Mashed Potato Soup with Tarragon

A delicious, gourmet use for leftover mashed potatoes, upgraded with bright, fresh tarragon.

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (30)

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In addition to being a certified health coach, certified yoga instructor, and mom of 3, Cheryl is also the recipe developer, editor-in-chief, food photographer, and passionate foodie behind 40 Aprons. Having spent the last 10+ years as a food blogger, she's become known for her flavorful recipes, detailed instructions, gorgeous photography, and down-to-earth approach to food and cooking in general.

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25+ of the Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes & Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What is a creative way to eat Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

Instead, try turning your leftovers into a casserole, like our turkey divan, our chicken stuffing casserole, or our turkey pot pie; a soup, like our turkey noodle soup, our leftover turkey & wild rice soup, or our homemade turkey stock (made from your turkey carcass); or something lighter or more flavorful than before, ...

What meals are better as leftovers? ›

  • Meatloaf. Though meatloaf is often restricted to the weeknight dinner table, it is a powerhouse leftover. ...
  • Lasagna. Sure, there's nothing better than lasagna coming out of the oven hot with bubbling cheese. ...
  • Pulled Pork. ...
  • Beef Stew. ...
  • Chili. ...
  • Frittatas, Quiches and Tarts.

How long can leftover turkey stay in the fridge? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

How many days after Thanksgiving can you eat leftovers? ›

The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.

What are the 10 creative ways to use leftovers? ›

10 ways to use leftovers
  • Pizza. Friday night pizza night at home is great way to save some dollars and clean out the fridge. ...
  • Chicken salad. ...
  • Soup. ...
  • Put an egg on it. ...
  • Stir Fry. ...
  • Flatbread. ...
  • Quesadillas. ...
  • Smoothie or juice.
Mar 28, 2018

What are 4 commonly consumed foods at Thanksgiving other than turkey? ›

Cornish game hen, goose, duck, ham, beef, salmon, and mushroom recipes make worthy centerpieces for holiday meals.

What foods should not be eaten as leftovers? ›

Here are a few foods you should never reheat for safety reasons.
  • You should think twice before warming up leftover potatoes. ...
  • Reheating mushrooms can give you an upset stomach. ...
  • You probably shouldn't reheat your chicken. ...
  • Eggs can quickly become unsafe to reheat. ...
  • Reheating cooked rice can lead to bacterial poisoning.
Sep 21, 2018

How do I make my leftovers more exciting? ›

By reimagining leftovers into new meals, you can make them a little more exciting and even have some fun in the process. Depending on the original taste and seasoning of your leftover meal, you can add leftover meat, vegetables, or seafood to a new creation such as fried rice, pasta, casseroles, tacos, or soup.

What to eat instead of dinner? ›

Healthy dinner options include:
  • Grilled Chicken: Lean protein source with minimal fat.
  • Salmon: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids for heart health.
  • Quinoa: Protein-packed and fiber-rich grain.
  • Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, or Swiss chard for vitamins and minerals.
  • Sweet Potatoes: High in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Apr 20, 2023

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

Frozen Turkey

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Can you eat cooked turkey after 7 days? ›

Snyder points to the USDA FoodKeeper app for best guidance: The tool notes that refrigerated, cooked turkey should be eaten within 4 days. Eat frozen turkey leftovers within 6 months for premier quality.

Can you freeze Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

Freezing keeps food safe by preventing the growth of bacteria, which can cause the food to spoil. As long as your leftovers have been frozen at 0 degrees F, you can store them indefinitely. But they'll taste best used within two to three months.

Can you eat turkey 5 days after Thanksgiving? ›

Turkey: 3-4 days.

Eat turkey within three to four days of cooking. If you use the turkey in a new dish like a soup or casserole, only consume within those initial four days. Another option is freezing the cooked turkey. Turkey can last up to four more months if frozen.

Can you reheat turkey twice? ›

How many times can you reheat turkey? It's not a good idea to reheat turkey more than once. Technically, as long as it reaches 165° each time, it's safe to eat. That said, it's a food safety hazard to some degree, since every time you heat and cool food, it passes through the danger zone (between 40° and 140°).

Is stuffing good after 3 days? ›

For leftovers, remember the 2-hour rule and refrigerate cooked poultry and stuffing within two hours to avoid bacteria from multiplying on room-temperature food. Leftover stuffing should be consumed or frozen within 3-4 days.

What is a good alternative Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Alternatives could be:
  • Baked Stuffed Shrimp dinner or any seafood, saffron herbed rice, seasonal vegetables.
  • Beef Crown Rib Roast dinner with Potatoes Gratin Dauphinoise and asparagus.
  • Roast Leg of Lamb with wine, lemon, garlic, and rosemary, Brussel sprouts, wild rice.
Nov 5, 2023

What can I do instead of traditional Thanksgiving dinner? ›

25 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas
  1. 01 of 25. Artichoke Hearts Gratin. ...
  2. 02 of 25. Roasted Pumpkin Soup. ...
  3. 03 of 25. Roasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Crostini. ...
  4. 04 of 25. Apple Pie Shot. ...
  5. 05 of 25. Citrus Turkey Brine. ...
  6. 06 of 25. Bacon-Wrapped Pork Medallions. ...
  7. 07 of 25. Tangy Honey-Glazed Ham. ...
  8. 08 of 25.
Oct 3, 2023

What to do with leftovers you don't like? ›

Don't Throw That Away! 10 Creative Ways to Use Leftovers
  1. Create leftovers purposefully. ...
  2. Store leftovers smartly. ...
  3. Dedicate a leftovers night. ...
  4. Turn dinner into lunch. ...
  5. Think “ingredients,” not “leftovers.” ...
  6. Make soup. ...
  7. Salvage stale bread. ...
  8. Stash vegetable scraps.

What is an alternative to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Think: pumpkin risotto, crab-stuffed mushrooms, sweet potato curry, and cauliflower gratin. Looking to skip the roasted turkey? No problem! Try a tender roast beef or an easy slow cooker pork chop recipe instead!

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