Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes (2024)

Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes – Transform your Thanksgiving Leftovers into a delicious pasta dinner, soup, appetizer, or just a snack!Use your remaining turkey, mashed potatoes, and squash to cook up some of our favorite comfort foods.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes (1)

Thanksgivingdinner is the meal that keeps on giving, day after day. (Thank goodness!!) For that reason, my advice is to take theseleftoverrecipes and use up your mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and turkey, in the most delicious ways.

By the way, HELLO and Happy Black Fridaaaaay! How was your Thanksgiving? Any arguments, hugs, proposals?! DO tell! AND, yes, I AM shouting. I am excited for all of us because, A) we’re shopping and B) we’re about to enjoy Thanksgiving Leftovers for 3 days! I live for this.

First, let’s start with taking care of that leftover TURKEY.

    Turkey Corn Chowder

    This is just a one-pot, 30-minute-deal meal, with rave reviews. Make this delicious and hearty, quick-cooking chowder, loaded with turkey and corn, asap.

    Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe with Orzo and Spinach

    Delicious and hearty soup loaded with tomatoes, spinach, orzo pasta, and turkey meat. Make a pot of this healthy and easy soup with your Thanksgiving leftovers.

    Leftover Turkey Salad Sandwiches

    Make these crunchy and delicious turkey salad sandwiches with leftover Thanksgiving turkey, dried cranberries, and celery.

    Ground Turkey Black Bean Enchiladas

    Loaded with turkey and black beans, these saucy, cheesy enchiladas are super easy to make and are always everyone’sfavorite! Use shredded turkey meat in place of ground turkey.

    Turkey Tetrazzini with Fettuccine

    This is my husband’s favorite. The dude couldn’t care less for turkey meat, but toss it in with some creamy pasta, and he’s all in, head first.

    Turkey Casserole and Wild Rice Casserole

    Hearty and flavorful Turkey Casserole prepared with a wild rice blend, mushrooms, cream, and melty cheese. It’s easy, it’s delicious, and it’s one of the best meals to create with those Thanksgiving leftovers.

    Turkey Frittata

    This simple Leftover Turkey Frittata with spinach and mozzarella is easy to make, is gluten-free, and bursting with an abundance of flavors.

    Moving on along to our super favorite side dish: leftover CRANBERRY SAUCE

    Cranberry Turkey Quesadillas

    This recipe combines both, sweet, tart cranberry sauce and tender turkey meat tucked inside melty, cheesy quesadillas. Kids love ’em!

    Pumpkin Pancakes with Cranberry Maple Syrup

    What do you think about having some Pumpkin Pancakes topped with an awesome Cranberry Maple Syrup?? They are SO GOOD!

    Also, here’s a perfect appetizer to serve with some of that cranberry sauce:

    Cranberry Sauce Topped Baked Brie!

    In fact, I served this yesterday right after dinner with the few tablespoons of sauce that was left-over. Honestly, it was gone a minute or two after I set it on the table.

    Finally, what are we going to do with those leftover MASHED POTATOES?!

    Cheesy Potato Waffles

    Delicious, cheesy, and savory waffles prepared with Thanksgiving leftover mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese.

    Spinach and Garlic Potato Patties

    Made with a mixture of mashed potatoes, spinach, and garlic, I bet you these patties will make it to your weekly meal rotation, scouts Honor.

    Got some Mashed Sweet Potatoes to take care of?! I’m looking at this Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

    This will be tomorrow’s din din, and I am really looking forward to it. It’s just layers of meat and veggies topped with sweet potato mash. In.credible!

    Are you dealing with a surplus of butternut squash?!

    You need to try this Crock Pot Butternut Squash with Apples side dish! OR, this Butternut Squash and Spinach Pie.

    Butternut Squash Soup

    Simply the BEST EVER Butternut Squash Soup! With just a tad bit of tweaking – adding your leftover cooked squash at the end of the sauté part instead of the beginning – you’ll be just a few ingredients away from this incredibly delicious, comforting, and healthy soup.

    I think that should just about cover it. Right? If you have any other ideas OR if you need help with anything else, please leave me a comment! I’m pretty sure we can find something in the thousand recipes that I’ve shared with you these past 6+ years. 😀

    Have a great weekend ahead, don’t spend all your money, and remember to eat all of the above. It’s the Holidays – wear your stretchy pants. XO

    ENJOY!

    Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes (17)

    CRAVING MORE? SIGN UP FOR THE DIETHOOD NEWSLETTER FOR FRESH NEW RECIPES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX!
    FOLLOW DIETHOOD ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST AND INSTAGRAM FOR ALL OF THE LATEST CONTENT, RECIPES AND UPDATES.

    Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes (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, ...

    How do you deal with leftovers on Thanksgiving? ›

    10 ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers (besides just reheating them)
    1. Roasted turkey and vegetable salads. ...
    2. Turkey tacos. ...
    3. Potato pancakes. ...
    4. Make a turkey pot pie. ...
    5. Turkey pizza. ...
    6. Turkey soup. ...
    7. Turkey grilled cheese. ...
    8. Turn stuffing into muffins.
    Nov 23, 2023

    How long are Thanksgiving leftovers good in the fridge? ›

    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.

    Can you eat cooked turkey after 5 days? ›

    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.

    What are the 10 creative ways to use leftovers? ›

    10 Creative Ways To Repurpose Leftovers
    • Frittata. Combine leftover vegetables, meats or cheeses with beaten eggs, and cook them in a skillet to make a delicious frittata. ...
    • Stir-Fry. ...
    • Casserole. ...
    • Pizza. ...
    • Soup or Stew. ...
    • Quesadilla or Wrap. ...
    • Salad. ...
    • Stuffed Peppers.

    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 percentage of people prefer Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

    According to the survey, an overwhelming majority of Americans, 94%, dine on a Thanksgiving leftover sandwich.

    What is the rule for leftovers? ›

    Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away.

    Why do Thanksgiving leftovers taste better? ›

    The flavor compounds – the herbs, the spices, the reactions that take place during cooking, sort of cool back and depending on how you have cooled and refrigerated your food, actually get back into the food and get trapped into the starches and the proteins.

    Is it OK to eat 5 day old leftovers? ›

    When it comes to refrigerated leftovers, the USDA says for most food it's best to eat it within three to four days to be safe. And the FDA lays out similar guidance, with a strict four-day maximum for most leftovers.

    Can I freeze my Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

    How Long Can You Freeze Leftover Turkey? Leftover turkey freezes well for up to six months if properly handled, packed and frozen within three days of the original preparation. However, I like to try and use it within three months for best flavor and texture, and to avoid the possibility of freezer burn.

    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 eat 7 day old cooked turkey? ›

    Like other leftovers, leftover cooked turkey can—and will—go bad. “The texture and smell of turkey will indicate when it has gone bad,” Edwards says. “Generally it will smell bad and get a slimy texture. It's best to throw it away after four days in the fridge or move it to the freezer at that point.”

    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.

    How long is stuffing good for? ›

    Dressing/stuffing: Like turkey, if stored properly, stuffing or dressing will be safe to eat for three to four days after cooking. It will last for about a month if stored properly in the freezer. Cranberry sauce – homemade and store-bought: Homemade cranberry sauce lasts seven to 10 days.

    How do you make leftovers exciting? ›

    Simply mix the leftover meat with vegetables like peas, carrots, and onions, and top with a pie crust. Transform leftover steak or roast beef into a delicious stir-fry. Cut the meat into thin slices and toss with vegetables, rice, and a flavorful sauce. Turn leftover grilled vegetables into a frittata or quiche.

    How do you make leftovers fun? ›

    Here are some creative ways to turn leftovers into a new dinner dish:
    1. Use leftover roast chicken or turkey to make a hearty pot pie or chicken pot pie. ...
    2. Transform leftover steak or roast beef into a delicious stir-fry. ...
    3. Turn leftover grilled vegetables into a frittata or quiche.
    Jan 11, 2024

    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.

    How do you enjoy leftovers? ›

    Here are just a few ideas:
    1. Turn side dishes into a main course like a vegetable plate on a meatless Monday.
    2. Add new ingredients to leftovers. ...
    3. There is nothing that isn't made better when you Put An Egg On It like burgers, rice, or salad.
    4. Make it a wrap or sandwich. ...
    5. Turn it into a soup or stew.
    Dec 28, 2022

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Manual Maggio

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5772

    Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

    Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Manual Maggio

    Birthday: 1998-01-20

    Address: 359 Kelvin Stream, Lake Eldonview, MT 33517-1242

    Phone: +577037762465

    Job: Product Hospitality Supervisor

    Hobby: Gardening, Web surfing, Video gaming, Amateur radio, Flag Football, Reading, Table tennis

    Introduction: My name is Manual Maggio, I am a thankful, tender, adventurous, delightful, fantastic, proud, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.