50 Of the Best Recipes Using Thanksgiving Leftovers - Operation $40K (2024)

50 Of the Best Recipes Using Thanksgiving Leftovers

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It’s wonderful to sit down with friends and family to celebrate Thanksgiving, but afterwards? How can you start down the same food for a few days and not get a little tired of turkey sandwiches? That is whey we whipped up a list of our favorite 50 ideas for those tasty tidbits – you can reinvent them into something entirely different and your family will actually thank you! Just check out our 50 Of the Best Recipes Using Thanksgiving Leftovers!

50 Of the Best Recipes Using Thanksgiving Leftovers - Operation $40K (1)
50 Of the Best Recipes Using Thanksgiving Leftovers - Operation $40K (2)
  1. Cranberry Sauce Brownies

The cranberry sauce brownies are one of the most natural Thanksgiving recipes you will ever come across. It requires only two ingredients and takes only an hour to prepare. It is a tasty dish, loved by kids, and an excellent way to use up leftover cranberry sauce.

Learn how to make Cranberry Sauce Brownies here.

  1. Leftover Cranberry Sauce Pumpkin Muffins

It teaches you a fun way to use up leftover cranberry sauce. I always try to think of different ways to put the sauce into good use, and the cranberry sauce pumpkin muffins are one of them. It tastes great and is easy to make.

Learn how to make Leftover Cranberry Sauce Pumpkin Muffins here.

  1. Leftover Cranberry Sauce Hand Pies

I have not shared a pie recipe with you for a long time. So I thought of this recipe as this is where you can make good use of leftover cranberry sauce. These pies are delicious, easy, and is perfect for an individual serving.

Learn how to make Leftover Cranberry Sauce Hand Pies here.

  1. Leftover Cranberry Sauce & Greek Yogurt Coffee Cake

I made this Greek yogurt coffee cake last weekend as I had some leftover cranberry sauce. Surprisingly It was devoured as soon as I made it. It was so delicious. Everyone ate to the last bit, and I am sure it will happen with you too.

Learn how to make Leftover Cranberry Sauce & Greek Yogurt Coffee Cake here.

  1. Leftover Turkey Ratatouille Skillet with Herbed Dumplings

It is one of those dishes which allows you to use all the leftovers skillfully! The ratatouille is an easy dish, and also a great foundation to add whatever ingredients you will feel like. I have prepared this recipe by tossing in leftover turkey and topping it with dumplings.

Learn how to make Leftover Turkey Ratatouille Skillet with Herbed Dumplings here.

  1. Leftover Turkey with Pistachio Pesto & Arugala Sandwich

You can prepare this dish during the weekends, and it is an excellent way to make use of leftover turkey. I had pistachios left with me from Christmas baking, and I used these to make the pesto.

Learn how to make Leftover Turkey with Pistachio Pesto & Arugala Sandwich here.

  1. Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

The leftover turkey shepherd’s pie is the most excellent leftover dish that one can ever make. It is made with delicious chunks of turkey and mixed vegetables in a gravy sauce. The shepherd’s pie is terrific, and it is real comfort food, in my opinion.

Learn how to make Leftover Shepherd’s Pie here.

  1. Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole

It is one of my favorite recipes that my mother used to make when we were kids. Whenever I have leftovers in the fridge, I will whip this up for my family members. It is made from leftover turkey, leftover mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.

Learn how to make Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole here.

  1. Leftover Turkey Noodle Casserole

The leftover turkey noodle casserole prepared in 30 min, and it is packed with so much flavor! It is an excellent recipe for leftover turkey, and it is versatile as you can make this dish with chicken or ham also. If you are looking for a low carb meal, then this recipe is perfect for you.

Learn how to make Leftover Turkey Noodle Casserole here.

  1. Leftover Turkey Taco Crescent Ring

The taco crescent ring is a great way to make good use of leftover turkey or chicken. The turkey is mixed with black beans, taco seasoning, and wrapped in crescent ring dough. It can be served as an appetizer or main course.

Learn how to make Leftover Turkey Taco Crescent Ring here.

  1. Three Ingredient Leftover Turkey Stew

The three ingredients leftover turkey stew is great for those who are looking to make a healthy and filling dish with leftover from Thanksgiving. The recipe uses only three ingredients, including cubed turkey pieces. Serve this dish with slices of bread, and watch your family members lap it up.

Learn how to make Three-Ingredient Leftover Turkey Stew here.

  1. Leftover Turkey Pot Pie

The turkey pot pie is the perfect way to enjoy leftover turkey. I grew up on pot pies as it has a creamy filling loaded with vegetables and turkey that is put inside a pie crust that is flaky and baked till golden.

Learn how to make Leftover Turkey Pot Pie here.

  1. Leftover Turkey Taquitos

The turkey taquitos are the perfect Mexican dish for putting to use all the leftover turkey that you may have from Thanksgiving. You can use chicken too, but with turkey, the taste is delicious. My family loves these simple finger food taquitos that I make with leftover turkey or chicken.

Learn how to make Leftover Turkey Taquitos here.

  1. Leftover Squash & Rapini Frittata for Two

Can you think of a better way of using up leftovers in your home than making frittata? They are very healthy, easy to prepare, and delicious.

Learn how to make Leftover Squash & Rapini Frittata for Two here.

  1. Stuffed Butternut Squash

The stuffed butternut squash is a great way to use up all those leftovers. I usually add leftover turkey to it and make a complete meal. The stuffed butternut squash is very easy to make, and I use leftover turkey or mushrooms, and mozzarella cheese for the stuffing.

Learn how to make Stuffed Butternut Squash here.

  1. Thanksgiving Leftover Pierogies

I am a big fan of pierogi, and my husband simply loves them. I am not an expert in making pierogies, but it is safe to say that pierogi dough is straightforward to work with. For filling the pierogies, I choose from mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and leftover turkey.

Learn how to make Thanksgiving Leftover Pierogies here.

  1. Scalloped Potatoes from Leftovers

One of the things that my mom taught me for cooking is that it is always better to cook extra potatoes as meal preparation becomes a lot easier the next day. And this is where the recipe of scalloped potatoes comes in. It is an easy and delicious recipe, and even if you do not have any leftover potatoes, you can always boil some and use it in the recipe.

Learn how to make Scalloped Potatoes from Leftovers here.

  1. Loaded Mashed Potato Cakes

The loaded mashed potato cakes are my favorite twice baked potato in patty form and are often considered the best way to make use of leftover mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes should be cold; they should be thick, and not too creamy. For getting the best results, I suggest that you serve them right after frying so that they are hot and crispy.

Learn how to make Loaded Mashed Potato Cakes here.

  1. Turkey & Mashed Potato Pot Pie Soup

The soup is my favorite as it uses a lot of Thanksgiving leftovers such as turkey, roasted carrots, and mashed potatoes. You can also add some random ingredients that you may have in your fridges, such as celery and corn. The turkey & mashed potato pot pie soup is a warm and comforting meal, and with turkey leftovers, the taste is simply delicious.

Learn how to make Turkey & Mashed Potato Pie Soup here.

  1. Thanksgiving Leftovers Stromboli

So you enjoyed the Thanksgiving and made breakfast the next day with your leftover stuffing. But now is the time for lunch, and you need to make use of the remaining leftovers. Just take a pizza dough, tuck in all your leftovers, roll it up, and bake till it is properly done. Just cut a slice, and enjoy your meal of stromboli.

Learn how to make Thanksgiving Leftovers Stromboli here.

  1. Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich

Not sure what to do with all those Thanksgiving leftovers? Well, you can turn them into delicious leftovers sandwiches with a tasty filling. You can start with leftover turkey, then add the mashed potatoes, and other stuffing. When you look at the sandwich, you will love what you will see between the two slices of bread!

Learn how to make Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich here.

  1. Leftover Sweet Potato Biscuits

Do you love the old-fashioned sweet potato biscuits? They are straightforward to make, and a great addition to your Fall menu. I serve these tasty biscuits for breakfast or at the time of dinner as an appetizer or a side dish. In case you are wondering, sweet potato biscuits are buttermilk biscuits wherein mashed sweet potato is added for sweetness.

Learn how to make Leftover Sweet Potato Biscuits here.

  1. Leftover Turkey & Stuffing Croquettes

Are you looking for a new way to use up your leftover turkey? The answer lies in stuffing croquettes, which are lighter and tastier when you fill it with leftover turkey.

Learn how to make Leftover Turkey & Stuffing Croquettes here.

  1. Leftover Stuffing Waffles

You can make leftover stuffing waffles with whatever you have in hand, and you can give yourself some seriously delicious food. You can use toppings of cranberry sauce, and a little bit of leftover gravy on the waffles to make it tastier.

Learn how to make Leftover Stuffing Waffles here.

  1. Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Stuffing Muffins

The leftover turkey stuffing muffins are easy to prepare and are perfect for a tasty snack or breakfast. You can dip these muffins in cranberry sauce and enjoy the muffins with a cup of coffee. The recipe is very versatile, and you can add some leftover mashed potatoes to make the item denser.

Learn how to make Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Stuffing Muffins here.

  1. Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Pizza

Are you looking to use up the leftovers from Thanksgiving? Then you should consider this recipe of leftover turkey pizza. It is a classic homemade pizza that has layers of mashed potatoes, shredded turkey, and loads of cheese that makes this dish a favorite among kids.

Learn how to make Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Pizza here.

  1. Creamed Turkey over Biscuits

Creamed turkey over biscuits is a great way to use the leftover turkey just after Thanksgiving. The shredded and creamy turkey is served over buttered biscuits, and this makes the leftover dish a delicious one. You can replace the turkey with chicken if you like.

Learn how to make Creamed Turkey over Biscuits here.

  1. Leftover Stuffing Cakes

Leftovers are a severe concern, and stuffing cakes are almost a regular affair in my house just after Thanksgiving. The fillings of stuffing cakes are quite pleasant, and you can serve them to your kids for breakfast.

Learn how to make Leftover Stuffing Cakes here.

  1. Turkey Cranberry Quesadillas

The turkey cranberry quesadillas are all about sweet cranberry sauce, soft tender pieces of turkey meat inside the cheese quesadillas. The combination is unique, and the taste is simply excellent.

Learn how to make Turkey Cranberry Quesadillas here.

  1. Leftover Turkey Potato Cakes

The leftover turkey potato cakes are pure comfort food, and they are made from leftovers only. The turkey cakes are very crispy and are so delicious that my husband that it is even better than the original turkey dinner.

Learn how to make Leftover Turkey Potato Cakes here.

  1. Leftover Turkey Corn Chowder

It is an easy crockpot recipe that makes good use of the Thanksgiving leftovers. The dish is full of vegetables and leftover turkey, making it a filling and healthy option for either lunch or dinner. The recipe looks creamy after preparation and is one of the new ways to take care of your Thanksgiving leftovers.

Learn how to make Leftover Turkey Corn Chowder here.

  1. Thanksgiving Leftovers Stuffed Egg Rolls

Are you looking for an exciting way to take care of your leftovers? The Thanksgiving stuffed egg rolls are a great way to finish those leftover staples. I am sure you will not be able to resist an egg roll that is stuffed with turkey and mashed potatoes.

Learn how to make Thanksgiving Leftovers Stuffed Egg Rolls here.

  1. Leftover Turkey & Rice Soup

The leftover turkey & rice soup is the perfect comfort food for your weekends. It can be easily prepared in 30 min and requires just a few ingredients. The dish is full of leftover turkey, vegetables, and a broth that is full of flavor. It is a great one-pot meal which will be enjoyed by all.

Learn how to make Leftover Turkey & Rice Soup here.

  1. Cranberry Vinaigrette

The Cranberry Vinaigrette is made with as few as three ingredients and leftover cranberry sauce. It is effortless to make, and delicious, and can be served as a salad topping.

Learn how to make Cranberry Vinaigrette here.

  1. Kickoff Meatballs

It is a great appetizer recipe that can be used for holiday parties and game nights. This meatball recipe is a great appetizer, and you will love the tangy taste. It requires only 5 min of prep time, which makes it one of the most natural appetizer recipes.

Learn how to make Kickoff Meatballs here.

  1. Baked Brie Bites

The baked brie bites are easy to make appetizers having a garnish of pistachios and cranberry preserves. It is a perfect snack for holidays and weekends.

Learn how to make Baked Brie Bites here.

  1. Sushi Inspired Thanksgiving Turkey Rolls

You just cannot avoid thanksgiving leftovers. But I always come up with new and unique ways to make good use of these leftovers through innovative recipes.

Learn how to make Sushi Inspired Thanksgiving Turkey Rolls here.

  1. Cheesy Potato Croquettes

Thanksgiving is just a great excuse to enjoy the leftovers in the form of delicious cheesy potato croquettes. It is very crispy on the outside and soft and cheesy on the inside. It seems that the biggest challenge for you would be to wait for the croquettes to cool down so that you can have them.

Learn how to make Cheesy Potato Croquettes here.

  1. Muffin Tin Mashed Potatoes

It is an easy recipe wherein you can cook up a delicious dish by putting to use leftover mashed potatoes. The muffin tin mashed potatoes can be had with tea in the afternoon, or you can present them during breakfast.

Learn how to make Muffin Tin Mashed Potatoes here.

  1. Cran Turkey Enchiladas

You might get scared with the title of this recipe, but the cran turkey enchiladas are lovely to eat, and a relatively easy which you can prepare with the help of leftover turkey from Thanksgiving day. The dish is made with a tangy-sweet sauce and is the best twist that you can have on enchiladas.

Learn how to make Cran Turkey Enchiladas here.

  1. Cran Turkey Chili

Made with leftover turkey from Thanksgiving, this easy and delicious chili dinner can be made with just simple ingredients. It allows you to use leftover turkey and cranberries and prepare a dish that has a perfect balance of spice & sweet.

Learn how to make Cran Turkey Chilli here.

  1. Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sauce Salad

If you want to use your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers in a better way, then the leftover turkey cranberry salad is the best option for you. It is an effortless,and delicious meal and great filling for a salad. I am sure you will enjoy this leftover Thanksgiving recipe.

Learn how to make Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sauce Salad here.

  1. Turkey Holiday Hash

The Turkey holiday hash is an easy recipe that uses leftover turkey in a delicious way for a perfect holiday feast. You can serve turkey holiday hash with cranberry sauce or garnish the hash with chopped parsley.

Learn how to make Turkey Holiday Hash here.

  1. Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Nachos

The leftovers turkey nachos recipe is a great way to use up the leftover turkey for a perfect holiday meal. One may also use cubed chicken breast if you have that as a leftover instead of turkey. I serve this as an appetizer, and my kids love the chicken version better.

Learn how to make Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Nachos here.

  1. Fried Mashed Potato Balls

If you have leftover potatoes (who doesn’t?), then you should try preparing the crispy fried mashed potato balls. Flavored with bacon, these bite-sized treats taste great with a sour cream dip.

Learn how to make Fried Mashed Potato Balls here.

  1. Cranberry Barbecue Turkey Pizza

The pizza is made with leftover cranberry sauce and turkey. Believe me, thanksgiving leftover has never looked so good. Every time I host a Thanksgiving dinner, I think of new recipes with the leftovers, and this time I thought of making the Cranberry Barbecue Turkey Pizza for all.

Learn how to make Cranberry Barbecue Turkey Pizza here.

  1. Leftover Mashed Potato Rolls

Did you know that you can use leftover mashed potatoes in homemade bread? Yes, you can make potato rolls, which are a homemade bread recipe that uses mashed potatoes. The dinner rolls are very soft and tender, and you can have them with a bowl of soup.

Learn how to make Leftover Mashed Potato Rolls here.

  1. Thanksgiving Leftovers Croque Madame

When it comes to a sandwich, croissants are a way to go. I made no exception when I started preparing the Thanksgiving Leftovers Croque Madame. I sued leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce, and the Croque Madame was a killer one. Everyone in my family liked it, hope you will too.

Learn how to make Thanksgiving Leftovers Croque Madame here.

  1. Thanksgiving Leftovers Lasagna

Everyone in my family believes that the best part of Thanksgiving is in the leftovers. I enjoy layering those leftovers into a lasagna as it is a great way to guarantee a delicious and healthy meal for everybody.

Learn how to make Thanksgiving Leftovers Lasagna here.

  1. Turkey Poutine

If you are yearning for a mouth-watering and tasty leftover turkey recipe, then you will love this dish that I crafted for my family. It is a pretty straightforward recipe that tastes more like a turkey sandwich. Just prepare the meal for either lunch or dinner and enjoy its rich and unique taste.

Learn how to make Turkey Poutine here

Other posts you may enjoy:

Dannelle Gay

50 Of the Best Recipes Using Thanksgiving Leftovers - Operation $40K (2024)

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