15 Creative Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes to Use Every Bit

The best part of Thanksgiving? The leftovers. With smart planning and creative recipes, you can transform your holiday feast into a week of delicious meals without repetition or waste.

This guide covers 15 inventive ways to use every component of your Thanksgiving dinner—turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and more—creating exciting new dishes that might become as anticipated as the holiday itself.

Why Leftover Recipes Matter

Food Waste Reduction:

• Average family throws away 30% of Thanksgiving leftovers
• Smart recipes use every bit
• Saves money and reduces environmental impact

Meal Prep Benefits:

• No cooking for 4-5 days post-Thanksgiving
• Lunches ready for work
• Less grocery shopping needed

Budget Impact:

• Extends value of expensive holiday ingredients
• Reduces weekly food costs
• Makes the most of your Thanksgiving investment

Time Savings:

• Ingredients already cooked
• Faster than cooking from scratch
• Perfect for busy post-holiday schedules

Leftover Storage Guidelines

Turkey:

• Remove from bone within 2 hours of serving
• Store in airtight containers
• Refrigerator: 3-4 days
• Freezer: 2-3 months

Sides:

• Most sides: 3-4 days refrigerated
• Gravy: 2-3 days refrigerated
• Stuffing: 3-4 days refrigerated
• Cranberry sauce: 10-14 days refrigerated

Reheating Tips:

• Reheat to 165°F internal temperature
• Add moisture when reheating (broth, gravy)
• Microwave with damp paper towel to prevent drying

Turkey-Based Leftover Recipes

1. Classic Turkey Pot Pie

Use leftover turkey, vegetables, and gravy in a flaky pie crust.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups shredded turkey
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, celery)
• 2 cups leftover gravy (or make fresh)
• 2 pie crusts

Instructions:

1. Mix turkey, vegetables, and gravy
2. Pour into pie crust
3. Top with second crust, cut vents
4. Bake at 425°F for 35-40 minutes

Make-ahead: Assemble and freeze unbaked for up to 3 months Serves: 6-8

2. Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

Hearty soup using turkey carcass for rich broth.

Ingredients:

• Turkey carcass
• 1 cup wild rice
• 4 cups vegetables (celery, carrots, onion)
• Fresh herbs
• Turkey meat

Instructions:

1. Simmer carcass with water and vegetables for 2 hours
2. Strain broth, add rice
3. Cook until rice tender
4. Add shredded turkey meat
5. Season and serve

Freezes well: Up to 3 months Serves: 8-10

3. Turkey Cranberry Panini

Sweet and savory pressed sandwich.

Ingredients:

• Sourdough bread
• Sliced turkey
• Cranberry sauce
• Brie or Swiss cheese
• Butter

Instructions:

1. Layer turkey, cranberry sauce, and cheese between bread
2. Butter outside
3. Press in panini maker or skillet until golden

Quick meal: Ready in 10 minutes Perfect for: Lunch

4. Turkey Fried Rice

Asian-inspired use for leftover turkey and rice.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chopped turkey
• 4 cups cooked rice (day-old works best)
• Mixed vegetables
• Soy sauce, sesame oil
• Eggs

Instructions:

1. Scramble eggs, set aside
2. Stir-fry vegetables
3. Add rice and turkey
4. Season with soy sauce and sesame oil
5. Mix in scrambled eggs

Time: 15 minutes Serves: 4-6

5. Turkey Shepherd's Pie

Use mashed potatoes as topping for turkey and vegetable filling.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups chopped turkey
• 2 cups mixed vegetables
• 2 cups gravy
• 4 cups mashed potatoes
• Cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Layer turkey and vegetables in baking dish
2. Pour gravy over
3. Spread mashed potatoes on top
4. Sprinkle with cheese
5. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes

Comfort food: Ultimate cozy meal Serves: 6-8

For more one-dish meal ideas, see our one-pot meals guide.

Stuffing Transformation Recipes

6. Stuffing Waffles

Crispy waffles made from leftover stuffing.

Instructions:

1. Beat 1 egg per cup of stuffing
2. Mix together
3. Cook in preheated waffle maker until crispy
4. Top with turkey, gravy, or cranberry sauce

Genius idea: Turns side into main dish Time: 5 minutes per waffle

7. Stuffing-Crusted Chicken

Use stuffing as coating for chicken breasts.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 cups stuffing, finely chopped
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Butter

Instructions:

1. Dip chicken in egg
2. Press stuffing crumbs onto chicken
3. Bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes

Creative: New use for stuffing Serves: 4

8. Stuffing Balls

Bite-sized stuffing portions, perfect for freezing.

Instructions:

1. Mix stuffing with beaten egg (1 egg per 2 cups stuffing)
2. Form into balls
3. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until crispy

Perfect for: Lunches, snacks Freezer-friendly: Yes

Mashed Potato Makeovers

9. Loaded Mashed Potato Cakes

Crispy pan-fried patties with cheese and bacon.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup bacon bits
• 2 eggs
• Flour for dusting

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients
2. Form into patties
3. Dust with flour
4. Pan-fry until golden and crispy

Time: 20 minutes Serves: 4-6

10. Mashed Potato Soup

Creamy soup base using leftover mashed potatoes.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 4 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 1 cup milk
• Cheese, bacon, chives for topping

Instructions:

1. Whisk mashed potatoes into warm broth
2. Add milk, heat through
3. Top with cheese, bacon, chives

Comfort food: Warm and satisfying Time: 15 minutes

Sweet Potato Dishes

11. Sweet Potato Pancakes

Breakfast pancakes with leftover sweet potato casserole.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Butter for cooking

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients
2. Cook like regular pancakes
3. Serve with maple syrup

Breakfast winner: Kids love these Time: 15 minutes

Cranberry Sauce Creations

12. Cranberry Orange Muffins

Moist muffins studded with cranberry sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• 2 cups flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 cup sugar
• Orange zest

Instructions:

1. Mix wet ingredients with cranberry sauce
2. Fold in dry ingredients
3. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes

Make-ahead: Freeze for up to 3 months Yield: 12 muffins

13. Cranberry Brie Bites

Appetizer using puff pastry, brie, and cranberry sauce.

Ingredients:

• Puff pastry squares
• Brie cheese, cubed
• Cranberry sauce
• Pecans

Instructions:

1. Press puff pastry into mini muffin tins
2. Add brie cube and spoonful of cranberry sauce
3. Top with pecan
4. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes

Party food: Perfect for holiday gatherings Time: 25 minutes

Everything-Together Recipes

14. Thanksgiving Pizza

Use all leftovers on a pizza base.

Toppings:

• Mashed potatoes (sauce base)
• Shredded turkey
• Stuffing crumbles
• Cranberry sauce drizzle
• Cheese
• Gravy for dipping

Instructions:

1. Spread mashed potatoes on pizza dough
2. Layer turkey, stuffing, cheese
3. Bake at 450°F for 15-20 minutes
4. Drizzle with cranberry sauce

Fun factor: Entire meal on pizza Kid-friendly: Absolutely

15. Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole

Layer everything into one baking dish.

Layers (bottom to top):

• Stuffing
• Turkey
• Vegetables
• Gravy
• Mashed potatoes
• Cheese

Instructions:

1. Layer ingredients in 9x13 dish
2. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes
3. Top should be golden and bubbly

Ultimate leftover meal: Uses everything Serves: 8-10

Leftover Planning Strategy

Immediately After Dinner:

• Package turkey meat separately from bones
• Store sides in individual containers
• Label everything with date
• Make stock from turkey carcass

Day After Thanksgiving:

• Make turkey soup or pot pie
• Freeze portions you won't eat within 3 days
• Plan leftover menu for the week

Week After:

• Use frozen portions in new recipes
• Get creative with remaining ingredients
• Use stock in various recipes

For more meal planning tips, check our weekly meal prep ideas.

Freezing Guide

Best for Freezing:

• Turkey meat (plain, without sauce)
• Mashed potatoes
• Stuffing balls
• Turkey soup
• Pot pie (unbaked)
• Gravy

Don't Freeze Well:

• Fresh cranberry sauce (cooked is okay)
• Salads
• Cream-based dishes

Freezing Tips:

• Use freezer-safe containers
• Remove excess air
• Label with contents and date
• Freeze in meal-sized portions
• Use within 2-3 months

Leftover Safety Tips

Two-Hour Rule:

• Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking
• Don't leave at room temperature longer

Reheat Properly:

• Heat to 165°F internal temperature
• Use food thermometer to verify
• Don't reheat more than once

When in Doubt, Throw It Out:

• Off smell, appearance, or texture
• Stored too long
• Temperature abuse suspected

Budget Impact

Thanksgiving Dinner Cost: £80-120 Leftover Meals Created: 8-12 meals Cost per Leftover Meal: £7-15 Savings vs. Cooking Fresh: 40-60%

Maximum Value Strategy:

• Plan leftover recipes before Thanksgiving
• Buy ingredients for transformations (pie crust, rice, etc.)
• Freeze what you won't eat within 3 days
• Get creative with combinations

For more budget cooking strategies, see our feeding family 50 dollars week guide.

Kids and Picky Eaters

Kid-Friendly Leftover Ideas:

• Turkey quesadillas
• Stuffing waffles with syrup
• Mashed potato pancakes
• Turkey mac and cheese
• Sweet potato smoothies

Disguise Techniques:

• Mix small amounts into familiar foods
• Use fun shapes and presentations
• Let kids help create new recipes
• Don't force—some kids need time

Leftover Fatigue Prevention

Avoid Burnout:

• Space out leftover meals
• Mix with fresh ingredients
• Freeze some for later in the month
• Transform completely (pizza vs. traditional plate)
• Take one break day for takeout

Creative Combinations:

• Asian fusion (turkey fried rice)
• Mexican (turkey enchiladas)
• Italian (turkey lasagna)
• Breakfast (stuffing waffles)

The Bottom Line

Thanksgiving leftovers are a gift that keeps giving. With creative recipes and proper storage, you can enjoy your holiday feast for a full week without repetition or boredom.

The key is planning ahead, storing properly, and thinking beyond the traditional "plate of leftovers." Transform your Thanksgiving components into entirely new dishes that feel fresh and exciting.

Start with 3-4 recipes from this list, freeze what you can't use immediately, and enjoy delicious, essentially free meals for days after the holiday.

For more meal transformation ideas, explore our meal prep for beginners and batch cooking guide.

Happy Thanksgiving and happy leftover eating!