With Thanksgiving almost here, there's a big question going on in the minds of those of us who cook: What exactly are we going to do with all the leftovers from the big Thanksgiving meal?
There's usually so much food left over, and it's a pity to throw it away. So get creative and try creating new meals from the leftovers over the next days—or maybe even weeks—if you plan on freezing the leftovers.
Related: 58 Mini Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
What to Do With Thanksgiving Leftovers You know the scene: there will be plenty of leftover green bean casseroles , mashed potatoes , sweet potatoes , the turkey , and so much pie . While repurposing new dishes from the remains of Turkey Day does require some thought and effort (unless you don't mind eating turkey sandwiches for a whole week), the results can be quite a pleasant surprise.
From leftover stuffing muffins and leftover turkey to corn chowder and turkey dinner hash , to ham and potato soup, crack turkey salad and mashed potato bagels, there are plenty of ingenious ideas to use up those tasty leftovers included here. Pick your favorites and get ready to only put those leftovers to good use, but feast on the deliciousness.
Related: 30 Warm and Cozy Turkey Soup Recipes to Use Up That Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey
Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes Sarah Walker Caron
This four-ingredient open-face turkey-cranberry sandwiches recipe takes the best parts of Thanksgiving dinner and turns them into a seriously satisfying sandwich.
Get the recipe: Open-Face Turkey Cranberry Sandwiches
Delish
Thanksgiving leftovers ring is a fun new way to enjoy turkey, cranberry sauce and your favorite side dishes all over again.
Get the recipe: Thanksgiving Leftovers Ring
Gayle Covner
The best way to make soup is to repurpose that Thanksgiving turkey of yours, bones and all. In fact, throw in any and all carcasses and bones that remain from your extravagant feast.
Get the recipe: Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup
The Cozy Cook
This mouth-watering mashed potato casserole is loaded with creamy mashed potatoes and topped with crispy chicken tenders, corn, cheddar cheese and a drizzle of brown gravy!
Get the recipe: Mashed Potato Casserole with Crispy Chicken
Wonky Wonderful
Make this ham and bean soup to use your ham leftovers in an entirely new dinner. This easy, healthy meal is perfect for a cold winter day.
Get the recipe: Leftover Ham and Bean Soup
Worn Slap Out
This creamy ham and potato soup is comforting and healthy—with bits of ham and vegetables in every bite!
Get the recipe: Healthy Ham and Potato Soup
Show Me the Yummy
This leftover turkey cornbread casserole is the perfect way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers. Turkey and veggies are topped with flavorful gravy and baked with fluffy, golden-brown cornbread.
Get the recipe: Leftover Turkey Cornbread Casserole
The Brooklyn Cook
This creamy leftover ham tortellini uses leftover ham in delicious creamy pasta. It’s super quick to make and freezes well. You could even double the recipe to make an extra large portion and freeze some for easy meals later on.
Get the recipe: Creamy Leftover Ham Tortellini
Julie's Eats and Treats
This leftover ham and spinach casserole is stuffed with spinach, ham, cheese and ziti noodles for a delicious dinner recipe! Perfect recipe to use leftover ham up!
Get the recipe: Leftover Ham and Spinach Casserole
Kitchen Sanctuary
Kind of like potato dauphinoise, but made even better with pieces of ham and caramelized onions. These scalloped potatoes with leftover ham are comfort food heaven!
Get the recipe: Scalloped Potatoes with Leftover Ham
Omnivore's Cookbook
Turn your leftover ham into a quick meal that tastes better than Chinese takeout. Learn all the secrets to creating the best fried rice without a wok.
Get the recipe: Leftover Ham Fried Rice with Pineapple
Savory Nothings
Try this easy recipe for leftover mashed potato pancakes with cheese! Made with four simple ingredients and ready in just 15 minutes, they make the best quick meal or appetizer.
Get the recipe: Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes
The Salty Marshmallow
Leftover ham and rice casserole is an easy, one-pot recipe made right on your stove top! You'll love this savory recipe for leftover ham.
Get the recipe: Leftover Ham and Rice Casserole
Spicy Southern Kitchen
Turn your turkey leftovers into this delicious leftover turkey jambalaya. Add a crusty loaf of French Bread and you have a delicious and spicy dinner.
Get the recipe: Leftover Turkey Jambalaya
Pretty Plates
This ham and smoked gouda quiche using leftover ham is absolutely delicious for brunch or breakfast the morning after Thanksgiving!
Get the recipe: Leftover Ham and Smoked Gouda Quiche
Damn Delicious
Use up your leftover ham in this glorious cobb salad with a healthy, guiltless Greek yogurt ranch dressing! It’s the perfect post-Thanksgiving detox!
Get the recipe: Leftover Ham Cobb Salad
The Reluctant Entertainer
This turkey mushroom cranberry risotto is creamy, delicious and perfect for leftover turkey.
Get the recipe: Turkey Mushroom Cranberry Risotto
The Baker Mama
Put your leftover Thanksgiving turkey to great use with this tasty twist on a comforting classic that’s full of hearty cornbread dumplings. Turkey and cornbread dumplings is an easy meal that will keep you warm all winter long!
Get the recipe: Turkey and Cornbread Dumplings
Striped Spatula
A crisp, buttery turkey croissant panini with sliced Brie, cranberry relish and baby arugula is an easy way to enjoy your holiday leftovers. Great for lunch!
Get the recipe: Turkey Croissant Panini
Skinny Taste
These leftover turkey pot pie empanadas, or hand pies, are a delicious way to use up your leftover Thanksgiving turkey!
Get the recipe: Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Empanadas
Plain Chicken
Turkey salad loaded with cheddar, bacon and ranch. A great way to use up all that leftover Thanksgiving turkey! Serve on a croissant for the best turkey sandwich ever!
Get the recipe: Crack Turkey Salad
Real Food by Dad
Deep fried balls that are dipped in panko and stuffed with dressing, chopped turkey and Parmesan cheese, then drizzled and dipped in gravy? It’s Thanksgiving in a bite and the best vehicle for leftovers.
Get the recipe: Thanksgiving Leftover Balls
Dish by Dish
These incredibly soft and tender gluten-free mashed potato bagels don't require boiling or kneading. They're totally dairy-free too!
Get the recipe: Gluten-Free Mashed Potato Bagels
Savoring the Good
Thanksgiving turkey egg rolls are the most delicious way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers. A crispy, golden brown egg roll wrapper surrounds your favorite Thanksgiving flavors. Dip in leftover gravy or spread on extra cranberry sauce.
Get the recipe: Thanksgiving Turkey Egg Rolls
Healthy Recipes
This turkey stir-fry recipe is such an easy and tasty way to use up leftover turkey. Simply add some vegetables and a tasty sauce and quickly sauté.
Get the recipe: Leftover Turkey Stir Fry
Buns in My Oven
This hot turkey sandwich with gravy and mashed potatoes is simple to make but full of flavor!
Get the recipe: Hot Turkey Sandwich
Joy Food Sunshine
Turkey and cranberry sauce are nestled between two slices of buttery bread that have been grilled to perfection, all held together by melted cheddar cheese.
Get the recipe: Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
Dish by Dish
This soft and fluffy gluten-free potato bread is a great way to use leftover mashed potatoes. Perfect for sandwiches or toast. Dairy-free, too.
Get the recipe: Soft, Fluffy Gluten-Free Potato Bread
Joy Food Sunshine
In this leftover turkey pot pie recipe, a delicious filling made with a from-scratch sauce sits between two layers of flaky, buttery homemade pie crust for a meal your entire family will love.
Get the recipe: Leftover Turkey Pot Pie
Family Favorite Holiday Recipes
This baked turkey and dumplings casserole dish is made with leftover turkey, veggies and homemade dumplings that are layered with a flavorful gravy for the perfect comfort food on a busy night.
Get the recipe: Leftover Turkey and Dumplings Casserole
Pickled Plum
This savory Leftover turkey dinner hash is a delicious way to repurpose a fridge full of leftovers after a big feast. 15 minutes and done. Brunch is served!
Get the recipe: Leftover Turkey Dinner Hash
Well Plated
Transform extra Thanksgiving stuffing into easy leftover stuffing cakes. Crisp on the outside, cheesy on the inside and perfect with eggs.
Get the recipe: Leftover Stuffing Cakes
Super Golden Bakes
This creamy leftover turkey pasta is great for using up your Thanksgiving turkey. It is quick, easy and delicious.
Get the recipe: Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta
Diethood
These leftover turkey salad sandwiches are a post-Thanksgiving classic! Make these delicious turkey salad sandwiches with leftover Thanksgiving turkey, dried cranberries and celery.
Get the recipe: Leftover Turkey Salad Sandwiches
The Food Charlatan
Use your leftover turkey and herbs from Thanksgiving to make a satisfying and healthy soup.
Get the recipe: Turkey Wild Rice Soup
A Family Feast
Turkey and stuffing turnovers are a delicious and easy way to use your Thanksgiving dinner leftovers to create a second meal your family will love!
Get the recipe: Turkey and Stuffing Turnovers
Le Creme de La Crumb
This leftover turkey corn chowder comes together in about 30 minutes and is the most delicious way to use up that leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
Get the recipe: Leftover Turkey Corn Chowder
The Cookie Rookie
We all need some ideas to use up the extra food from the big feast, and this three-cheese turkey, cranberry, and sage quesadilla is the solution. Skip the sandwich and use this Thanksgiving leftover recipe instead!
Get the recipe: Thanksgiving Leftovers Quesadilla
Handle the Heat
Thanksgiving leftover stuffing muffins are made in minutes with leftover stuffing and turkey for a tasty breakfast or snack that you can dip in cranberry sauce or gravy!
Get the recipe: Leftover Stuffing Muffins
Kathleen's Cravings
This leftover turkey skillet pot pie is made in one skillet for easy clean-up and uses store-bought biscuits for the topping. Don’t have leftover turkey? Leftover shredded chicken works too!
Get the recipe: Leftover Turkey Skillet Pot Pie
Pinch of Yum
This easy turkey noodle soup recipe is light and so flavorful. Perfect for leftovers on a cozy chilly day!
Get the recipe: Easy Turkey Pho
Yellow Bliss Road
This Turkey shepherd’s pie recipe is the perfect way to create a whole new meal from your leftover turkey and other Thanksgiving dishes.
Get the recipe: Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie
Gimme Some Oven
These Turkey enchiladas are absolutely delicious, and they’re the perfect way to use up leftover turkey.
Get the recipe: Turkey Enchiladas
Cook the Story
This twist on the classic matrimonial squares (also called Date Squares) uses cranberry sauce as a filling instead of a date purée. They’re super easy to make and are a fabulous use for leftover cranberry sauce.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Oatmeal Bars
Fortune Goodies
In true, easy Thanksgiving leftovers fashion, all you need is your choice of stuffing, mashed potatoes, diced turkey and egg roll wraps to get delicious egg rolls!
Get the recipe: Thanksgiving Egg Rolls
Diethood
This recipe for brown sugar-glazed turkey meatballs packs a bite-size punch of sweet and spicy, juicy and delicious. These meatballs are baked to perfection and are a perfect appetizer for sharing with friends!
Get the recipe: Brown Sugar Glazed Turkey Meatballs
Full Belly Sisters
These Thanksgiving stuffing waffles take everyone's favorite holiday side dish and bring it to a whole new crispy, delicious level—by cooking it in a waffle iron. Perfect for the big holiday, or just for using leftovers!
Get the recipe: Thanksgiving Stuffing Waffles
The Gunny Sack
This Thanksgiving pizza recipe is the best way to eat Thanksgiving leftovers. It has turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and more all in a puff pastry crust!
Get the recipe: The Gunny Sack
Passion For Savings
You can even freeze your Thanksgiving turkey to use in this Crockpot turkey chili a few weeks later when you’re not so sick of Turkey!
Get the recipe: Crockpot Turkey Chili
Little Spice Jar
Mashed potato balls are the perfect way to use up leftovers from Thanksgiving! They’re loaded with cheddar cheese, parmesan, garlic, chives and spices, and coated with crunchy panko. This is the perfect way to use up those mashed potatoes for a crispy snack or appetizer!
Get the recipe: Loaded Mashed Potato Balls
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