Looking for unique recipes for Thanksgiving leftovers? Here we’re sharing everything from updated classics to wild (but wonderful) ideas you may never have heard of.
From pot pie to bahn mi and even egg rolls, these 33 recipes might even be better than the original meal.
Thanksgiving is this week!
And while we, like so many others, are planning the smallest Thanksgiving celebration we’ve ever had…my brain is already thinking about what to do with the leftovers.
Seriously, without the normal amount of guests to help gobble up the food, we’re going to be swimming in turkey.
Of course, there are the classic favorites. Recipes such as turkey hash and turkey sandwiches are simple to pull together and always yummy. But sometimes it’s just as exciting to get creative and pull together something different.
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A Few Tips for Making the Most out of Your Thanksgiving Leftovers
Ad-hoc meals from leftovers can be incredible. In fact, transforming leftovers into new meals is one of my favorite things to do.
And over the years, I’ve found a few items that help make the process much, much simpler. Here are my top five favorites:
- Pyrex bakeware sets with lids: Cook your food in them and then then pop the lid on when you’re done. There’s no easier way to clean up!
- Freezer Safe Casserole Dish: These are the BEST for leftovers that are getting a little on the old side. Prep your casserole, stick it in the freezer, and then it’s ready to defrost when you want to serve it.
- Better Than Boullion is our go-to stock base. And we don’t just use it for soups. Add it to leftover rice with herbs for a change in flavor, or add it to your casseroles in place of salt to make your meal more robust.
- Immersion Blender: One of the best ways to transform your leftovers is to puree it and add it to something else – particularly with vegetables. Immersion blenders are the best way to do just that.
- Pastry Cutter: Ironically, I can’t imagine a kitchen without a pastry cutter…and I’ve never used it to make pastry! Like the immersion blender above, the pastry cutter is awesome for breaking up larger pieces of food to create a finer texture.
One year I used our pastry cutter to smash together leftover sausage, stuffing, and mashed potatoes to create potato pancakes…OMG those were some good eats.
Then again, there’s always the risk that those creations can turn into an inedible mess. What a waste.
If you’re not feeling quite up to risking a Frankenstein creation of your own, or even if you’re just bored with the same old hash and sandwiches, give one of these unique recipes for Thanksgiving leftovers a try!
30+ Delicious Ways to Use Up Those Thanksgiving Leftovers
The easiest cranberry cream cheese dip recipe
Cranberry cream cheese dip is a ridiculously easy appetizer that's ready in 5 minutes. This spread is everything to love - sweet, tart, salty, and a little bit spicy.
Take it up a notch by using cookie cutters to create a festive holiday shape and you'll look like a genius.
Cornbread Pudding with Bacon
Perfect as a main course or as a side dish, cornbread pudding with bacon is a sweet and savory way to use up your leftover cornbread, bacon, and cream.
Cranberry Brie Bites
Sweet and tangy cranberries with buttery brie and crescent roll dough come together to make a delicious appetizer that is sure to impress. The step-by-step instructions also make this easy cranberry brie bites recipe simple enough for anyone to make; whether it's ahead of time or at the last minute.
Low Carb Keto Nachos Recipe With Spicy Chicken
The best part about these low carb nachos is how simple they are. You might even have them on hand right now. Just substitute turkey for the chicken in the recipe for a totally munch-able and definitely crave-worthy holiday appetizer.
Air Fryer Leftover Turkey Spring Rolls
I bet you never thought you could make spring rolls from Thanksgiving leftovers. Well, it turns out you can....and they're so much healthier than traditional spring rolls too - which is definitely a bonus after stuffing yourself on the big day.
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Moroccan couscous turkey meatballs are a flavorful way to use up your leftovers and to show off your air fryer skills at the same time.
Easy Bacon Ham Cheese Rolls - Sweet and Savory Meals
Serving ham for Thanksgiving this year? Grab some crescent roll dough, bacon, cheese, and the leftover meat to create this warm alternative to leftover sandwiches.
Turkey Banh Mi
Mmmmmm. Tangy, crunchy, and filled with turkey, this leftover turkey banh mi sandwich is just heavenly.
Ham and Cheese Sliders
Grab some leftover Thanksgiving ham and cranberry sauce to make these amazing sliders for lunch, or as an appetizer the day after Thanksgiving.
Turkey Broccoli Alfredo Quesadillas
Turkey broccoli alfredo quesadillas are a completely new spin on leftovers that you can get on your plate in less than 30 minutes.
Leftover turkey and cranberry sandwich
How about a crispy skillet sandwich loaded with leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, and mashed avocado. (I'm drooling just thinking about it)
Fried Mac and Cheese
We don't often have leftover mac and cheese, but when we do, rolling it into balls and frying them up like this creates one amazing appetizer.
Turkey Tetrazzini
Topped with buttery breadcrumbs, and filled with a rich and creamy sauce, this is a delicious take on a classic recipe for Thanksgiving leftovers.
Turkey Turnovers
Take your Thanksgiving leftovers holiday shopping with you by turning the extra turkey into turkey turnovers. Yum!
Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Shepherd's Pie
Use up pretty much all your Thanksgiving leftovers in one delicious dish. It's so good, it will turn into it's own leftovers, because you won't be able to keep your hands off of it.
Healthy Leftover Turkey Enchiladas
Looking for a recipe packed with flavor, that doesn't scream leftovers? Grab some leftover turkey meat and turn it into these delicious, healthy turkey enchiladas.
Leftover Turkey Casserole with Brown Rice and Mushrooms – Kalyn's Kitchen
Leftover Turkey Casserole is a cheesy, creamy, all-in-one meal that is a perfect way to use up leftover turkey.
Leftover Turkey Pot Pie
Mmmmm....can anyone else say rosemary biscuit topping? I love this fresh take on turkey pot pie.
Turkey Bacon Brie Braid Recipe
You seriously can't mess this one up. Crescent roll dough makes it so easy, and creates a stunning meal that looks like it took hours to make.
Cast Iron Turkey Pot Pie
There's something special about meals made in a cast iron skillet. And that's definitely the case with this cast iron turkey pot pie, filled with seasonal sweet potatoes, fresh rosemary, and a hint of smoked paprika.
Keto Pesto Chicken Cauliflower Casserole Recipe
Who says you can't stay healthy during the holidays? This hearty, one-pan, keto meal happens to be full of healthy ingredients, like fresh veggies, pesto, and cheese. hearty, one-pan keto meal without rice or potatoes.
Turkey Noodle Soup - CPA
As winter weather starts to set in, this comforting soup is the perfect way to keep warm while also using up all that turkey meat.
Leftover Turkey Stew in the Slow Cooker
Leftovers lasting into the next workweek? This dump and go crock pot stew is the perfect way to use up that meat for a fantastic weeknight dinner.
Turkey Chowder
Warm yourself from the inside out with this simple, creamy, and hearty turkey chowder.
Kale and Butternut Squash Turkey Soup
Your tummy (and waistline) will love you with this simple, healthy kale and butternut squash turkey soup.
Creamy Turkey Corn Chowder Recipe (Great for Leftover Turkey!)
Here's a one pot meal that's warm, cozy, and hearty. The perfect way to finish the last bits of turkey after a long day of work.
Roasted Turkey and Stuffing Noodle Soup Recipe
This soup recipe uses up all sorts of leftovers. Pure comfort food, the stuffing added to the soup is almost like having sweet little dumplings to enjoy.
Leftover turkey and wild rice soup
This leftover turkey and wild rice soup is for the day after Thanksgiving, with leftover turkey, mushrooms, herbs, and a secret ingredient that will completely change the way you make soup from now on.
Baked Sweet Potato Pancake With An Orange Cranberry Compote
Perfect for using with leftover sweet potato puree and cranberries, this baked pancake is a fun way to start your mornings during the holiday season.
Leftover Skillet Chicken or Turkey Pasta
Just add your favorite veggies and some leftover cut-up turkey for the perfect pasta dish that's sure to please everyone.
Cheesy Leftover Cranberry Sauce Cookies
Cheese and cranberry sauce? Oh yes, my friend. Every holiday should include homemade cranberry sauce. Then use the leftovers to make these sweet and salty cookies.
Maple Leaf Pumpkin Pie Pops
These pumpkin pie pops are so easy to make, and a fun way to let the kids help use up extra pie crust and pumpkin filling.
Cranberry sauce oatmeal bars
Who doesn't love a good recipe for oatmeal bars? Grab some of that leftover cranberry sauce (you know you have some) and turn it into this sweet, tart treat.
Cranberry Hand Pies
Another tasty way to use up cranberry jelly? Turn it into mini cranberry pies. So easy, so yummy, so good.
JC's Loft says
Hmmmm that looks pretty good!
Paula
Amateur Cook says
Looks mighty fine alright! Totally different to how I make mine, but as you say, ya gotta use up what you have at the time. ☺
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
I love cranberry sauce so much!! I cannot wait to try these! And thanks for including my recipe 🙂
Mother of 3 says
Those cranberry hand pies look amazing! I love using up our leftovers to make all sorts of new recipes each year but I always have to make our “leftover pie” recipe. It’s like a Sheppard’s pie but layered with turkey, stuffing, gravy, butternut squash and potatoes.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Lots of great recipes here!! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party! I hope you were able to visit a few other posts too!
Nicole @ Bento Momentos says
5 spice turkey tacos? vietnamese turkey sandwiches? You’re speaking my language! 🙂
Christine says
Those enchiladas are calling my name!
Mia White says
Yum! I’m totes trying the banh mi! Here are my favorite turkey reinventions: https://untoadoption.org/a-turkey-rennaisance-repurposing-thanksgiving-leftovers/
teresa says
All great suggestions, thank you for sharing them at The Really Crafty link Party this week. That shepherd’s pie looks amazing, I’ll be trying it for sure.
Natalie says
I don’t know which yet, but I’m trying either the turkey chowder or turkey chili! Both sound so good, and everyone gets tired of eating plain old turkey!
Fabiola Rodriguez says
Those turkey enchiladas look amazing! I would definitely make those, and the chili. I’ll be tweeting and pinning this. Greetings from the Blogger’s Pit Stop!
Donna Parker says
I’m drooling and I only have one problem, I’m in Canada and our thanksgiving was in October so I’m rushing to my freezer to see if I have any leftovers, if not, I’m going to have to do the whole turkey dinner this weekend just so I can try these delicious recipes. 😉
Dropped by from #BloggersPitStop and always glad when I do. Thank you, off to share.
Hope this weekend treats you kindly. 🙂
Lynda Hardy says
This is a wonderful collection of recipes for using holiday leftovers – I am SO IN for the Banh Mi sandwich! Thanks for sharing with Party in Your PJs.
Sheri says
Wow, these look so good! Thanks for joining the To Grandma’s House We Go link party! Your post has been pinned!