40 Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

This cozy pot pie turns cooked leftover turkey into a completely new dinner by combining it with carrots, peas, mushrooms, and a creamy homemade white sauce. Instead of the usual pastry crust, toss chunks of leftover bread with garlic butter, pile them over the filling, and top with Parmesan and melting cheese before baking. It is an especially practical post-Thanksgiving meal because you can swap in whatever vegetables or bread you already have on hand. The creamy filling and cheesy garlic bread topping make it a comforting way to use up several odds and ends from the holiday meal.

Put leftover Thanksgiving turkey to work in this easy one-pot soup made with onion, carrots, celery, egg noodles, thyme, and turkey or chicken broth. The vegetables simmer with the herbs and broth before the already-cooked turkey and noodles are added, so the entire dinner is ready in about 35 minutes. Using homemade turkey broth is also an option if you want to get even more use from the Thanksgiving turkey. For make-ahead meals, the noodles can be cooked separately, and the soup base can even be frozen for up to three months.

This hearty shepherd's pie uses two Thanksgiving staples at once: leftover cooked turkey and mashed potatoes. The turkey is combined with peas, onion, bell pepper, carrots, celery, garlic, herbs, and a savory broth-based sauce, then covered with mashed potatoes and mozzarella before baking until hot and golden. It is an easy comfort food dinner that turns a plate of holiday leftovers into a filling casserole-style meal. The recipe also suggests adding other Thanksgiving extras such as stuffing or cranberry sauce if you have more leftovers to use up.

Give leftover mashed potatoes a crispy makeover with these loaded potato cakes made with bacon, cheddar cheese, onion, garlic, herbs, eggs, and flour. Everything is mixed together, shaped into patties, and pan-fried in butter or reserved bacon fat until crisp and golden on both sides. They make an easy post-Thanksgiving lunch, light dinner, side dish, or even breakfast when served with an egg. You can also cook the patties in the air fryer, and extras can be refrigerated or frozen for later.

Leftover cooked turkey becomes a comforting pasta bake in this turkey tetrazzini loaded with spaghetti, mushrooms, mozzarella, Parmesan, and a creamy garlic-flavored cheese sauce. After the pasta is cooked, a sauce is prepared with onion, garlic, mushrooms, broth, cream, and cream cheese. Then everything is combined with the turkey and baked with plenty of cheese on top. It is a great option when you want a filling family dinner that tastes completely different from Thanksgiving dinner. The casserole also reheats well, making it useful for an easy make-ahead meal during the busy holiday weekend.

Turn extra Thanksgiving stuffing into easy individual portions with these simple stuffing muffins made with just stuffing, eggs, and melted butter. The ingredients are gently mixed together, scooped into a muffin pan, and baked until the tops are golden and crisp. You can use homemade or boxed stuffing, including stuffing that already contains vegetables or cooked sausage. They are also convenient to make ahead, and the finished muffins can be frozen for up to two months.

This cheesy casserole transforms fully cooked leftover turkey into a quick comfort food dinner with egg noodles, peas, corn, cheddar, sage, and thyme. The noodles cook in chicken stock, while a simple roux made with butter, flour, reserved stock, and milk creates the creamy sauce before everything is combined and baked. It comes together in about 30 minutes, making it especially handy when you want an easy family meal after Thanksgiving. You can also assemble it the night before or freeze the unbaked casserole for up to three months.

Leftover mashed sweet potatoes get a breakfast-worthy makeover in these cinnamon and vanilla muffins. The sweet potatoes are mixed with brown sugar, oil, egg, and vanilla before the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt are folded in and the batter is baked in a muffin tin. The recipe is specifically designed to take advantage of mashed sweet potatoes that may already contain butter and sugar, making it a practical choice after a holiday dinner. Ready in about 30 minutes, the muffins work well for breakfast on the go or an afternoon snack.

These baked sliders use two Thanksgiving favorites at once by layering cooked leftover turkey and cranberry sauce with Swiss cheese on Hawaiian sweet rolls. A savory mixture of melted butter, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and optional poppy seeds is brushed over the rolls before they are baked until the cheese melts and the tops crisp up. With only about five minutes of prep, they make an easy day-after-Thanksgiving lunch, appetizer, or casual family meal. The recipe even suggests adding other leftovers such as stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, or green bean casserole if you want to clear out more of the fridge.

This hearty soup gives leftover cooked turkey a fresh spin by pairing it with wild rice, mushrooms, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning in a savory chicken broth. Everything cooks in one pot, including the rice, and a splash of cream is stirred in at the end for a richer finish. It is a cozy post-Thanksgiving dinner when you are ready for something different from turkey sandwiches, and you can easily add other vegetables you have on hand. The soup also freezes well for up to six months, making it a practical way to save extra turkey for later.

Give leftover mashed sweet potatoes a completely different purpose by turning them into lightly spiced pancakes for a post-Thanksgiving breakfast or brunch. The sweet potatoes are combined with eggs, milk, brown sugar, maple syrup, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted butter, then cooked by the scoop in a skillet until done on both sides. The recipe is designed to work with sweet-leaning leftover sweet potatoes, and even a little herb or black pepper in the original dish is fine. The pancakes are ready in about 25 minutes and can be frozen for up to three months, so they are useful for both immediate leftovers and later breakfasts.

This simple casserole uses two Thanksgiving leftovers at once by layering cooked turkey with leftover stuffing and covering everything with a creamy mixture of chicken soup and milk. Once assembled in a baking dish, it cooks until hot and bubbly, so there is very little prep involved. It is an easy comfort food dinner for the days after Thanksgiving, especially when you want to clear out several containers without recreating the original holiday plate. You can also add quick-cooking vegetables such as peas, corn, or green beans, or divide the casserole between two dishes and freeze one for later.

Give leftover Thanksgiving turkey a bold new flavor with these enchiladas made with shredded cooked turkey, sour cream, green chiles, mozzarella, jack cheese, taco seasoning, corn tortillas, and green enchilada sauce. The turkey filling is rolled inside sauce-dipped tortillas, covered with more sauce and cheese, and baked until everything is hot and bubbling. Ready in about 30 minutes, they are a great choice for an easy family dinner when you want something that tastes completely different from the holiday meal. They can also be assembled ahead and frozen for up to three months before baking.

Put leftover Thanksgiving dinner rolls to work the next morning with this easy French toast casserole flavored with vanilla, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cubed rolls or other leftover bread are soaked with a milk-and-egg mixture, topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel, and baked until golden. You can assemble it the night before and refrigerate it until morning, which makes it especially convenient for a relaxed holiday weekend breakfast or brunch. Maple syrup makes a simple finishing touch when it is time to serve.

This casserole puts several Thanksgiving leftovers to work at once, layering cooked turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, corn, gravy, and stuffing into one hearty dish. The layers are assembled in a baking dish, covered, and baked until heated through, with the stuffing forming the top layer. It takes just five minutes to prep and is an easy way to transform a refrigerator full of holiday sides into one comforting post-Thanksgiving dinner. You can also swap in leftovers such as green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, or other cooked vegetables depending on what you have available.

This creative Thanksgiving pizza layers several holiday leftovers into a flaky puff pastry crust, including mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, green bean casserole, cooked turkey, and stuffing. Everything is topped with cheddar cheese, baked until hot, then finished with crispy French-fried onions and fresh herbs. It is a great way to use multiple leftovers at once while turning them into a dinner that feels completely different from the original Thanksgiving meal. Ready in about 35 minutes, it is also flexible enough to use other extras such as ham, cooked carrots, squash, or creamed corn.

Transform chilled leftover mashed potatoes into crispy skillet pancakes with feta, scallions, parsley, egg, flour, and a light breadcrumb coating. The mixture is shaped into patties and shallow-fried in olive oil for just a few minutes per side until golden. They take only about 15 minutes from start to finish, making them an easy option for a quick breakfast, appetizer, side dish, or light post-Thanksgiving meal. The recipe is also flexible, so other cheeses and fresh herbs can be used depending on what you already have.

Give cooked Thanksgiving turkey a completely different flavor profile with this hearty one-pot chili made with fire-roasted tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, peppers, onion, garlic, and plenty of spices. Chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne, and a little cocoa powder add smoky, savory depth while the shredded turkey makes the dish filling without requiring any additional meat preparation. After a quick sauté, everything simmers together for about 30 minutes, making this an easy post-holiday dinner with minimal hands-on work. Leftovers freeze well for up to three months, so it is also a practical option when you have more turkey than you can use right away.

Turn cold leftover mashed potatoes into crispy, cheese-filled croquettes with this creative side dish. The potatoes are shaped around pieces of cheddar, chilled, dipped in beaten egg and seasoned panko breadcrumbs, then fried slowly until golden so the cheese melts in the center. The recipe can be scaled according to however many mashed potatoes you have left, making it especially useful after a big Thanksgiving dinner. These require a little more care than some leftover recipes, but they are a fun way to transform mashed potatoes into something that feels completely different from the original side dish.

This skillet hash combines three classic Thanksgiving leftovers, cooked turkey, stuffing, and gravy, with onion, garlic, red pepper, and toasted sliced almonds. The vegetables are sautéed first, then the turkey and stuffing are heated in the skillet before gravy and almonds are added and cooked until the mixture develops a lightly golden crust. It works especially well as a post-Thanksgiving breakfast topped with a fried egg, but the recipe notes that it can be enjoyed any time of day. You can even serve it over leftover mashed potatoes to use another holiday side and turn it into an extra-hearty meal.

Leftover holiday ham becomes an easy lunch or snack in this simple ham salad made with hard-boiled egg, celery, onion, sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, and mustard. The cooked ham, egg, celery, and onion are finely minced in a food processor or blender, then mixed with the creamy dressing ingredients and chilled before serving. With about 20 minutes of prep, it is a quick way to repurpose Thanksgiving ham without simply reheating it. Serve it on rolls or sandwiches, or use it as a spread with crackers for an easy meal or snack during the holiday weekend.

These sweet-and-savory Monte Cristo sandwiches give leftover turkey and cranberry sauce a completely different post-Thanksgiving makeover. French bread is layered with cranberry sauce, sliced turkey, and Muenster cheese, then dipped in an egg-and-milk mixture and cooked in butter until golden on both sides. A dusting of confectioners' sugar finishes the sandwiches and plays up the contrast between the tangy cranberry sauce and savory turkey and cheese. Ready in about 35 minutes, they make a fun holiday-weekend brunch or lunch that uses two leftovers at once.

Put leftover Thanksgiving ham, and even the ham bone, to good use in this hearty soup with Great Northern or navy beans, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, and parsley. After the vegetables are sautéed, the ham, beans, seasonings, and chicken stock simmer together for several hours. A portion of the soup is blended back in at the end to thicken the broth. It is a comforting way to stretch extra ham into a filling family meal instead of serving it again as-is. The recipe can also be made in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, and leftover soup freezes for up to three months.

This white chili transforms shredded leftover Thanksgiving turkey into a flavorful one-pot meal with Great Northern beans, charred corn, green chiles, onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, and coriander. Some of the beans are mashed to help thicken the chili, then cream cheese and pepper Jack are stirred in before everything finishes simmering with fresh cilantro and lime juice. The base recipe is mild and family-friendly, but jalapeños, cayenne, hot green chiles, or hot sauce can be added for more heat. With just five minutes of prep and about 35 minutes total, it is an easy post-holiday dinner that can also be frozen for later.

Leftover turkey and cranberry sauce become an easy grilled cheese with Brie and Havarti tucked between thick slices of bread. The sandwich is brushed with oil and cooked on a grill until toasted and the cheeses melt, or it can be prepared in a skillet with butter instead. It takes only about 15 minutes from start to finish, making it a quick option for lunch or dinner when you want Thanksgiving flavors without reheating another full plate of leftovers. The combination of savory turkey, tart-sweet cranberry sauce, and two cheeses gives those holiday staples a simple new twist.

Give leftover mashed potatoes a portable makeover with these savory muffins made with cheddar cheese, fresh chives, and egg. The potato mixture is packed into a muffin pan and baked until the edges turn crisp, then topped with additional cheddar for the final few minutes in the oven. They make an easy side dish or snack after Thanksgiving, and the recipe also suggests mixing in shredded leftover turkey or diced ham if you want to clear out even more holiday food. With only four main ingredients and 10 minutes of prep, they are a simple way to turn extra mashed potatoes into something that feels new.

Give leftover Thanksgiving turkey a Tex-Mex makeover with this flavorful tortilla soup made with tomatoes, corn, onion, garlic, jalapeño, cumin, oregano, and chicken stock. The soup simmers for about 15 minutes before the already-cooked shredded turkey is added just long enough to heat through, then it is finished with crispy fried tortilla strips and optional avocado, Monterey Jack, cilantro, and lime. Ready in about 35 minutes, it makes an easy lunch or dinner when you are tired of traditional holiday flavors. Leftover turkey stock can also replace the chicken broth if you happen to have some on hand.

This quick open-faced sandwich transforms leftover turkey into a warm, satisfying meal with toasted bread, melted Brie or provolone, and plenty of gravy. The bread is toasted under the broiler, topped with turkey and cheese, broiled again until the cheese melts, and finished with warm gravy. It takes only about five minutes, making it an especially handy lunch or easy dinner during the busy holiday weekend. The recipe also notes that stuffing and cranberry sauce can be added if you want to work even more Thanksgiving leftovers into the sandwich.

Use leftover holiday ham in this hearty casserole made with russet potatoes, onion, white cheddar, and a simple sauce of butter, flour, milk, and chicken broth. The potatoes and cooked diced ham are covered with the lightly thickened sauce and baked, then topped with cheese and returned to the oven until everything is hot and melted. It works for either brunch or dinner and is a filling way to turn extra Thanksgiving ham into a completely different meal. You can also assemble it ahead and refrigerate it overnight, or freeze the finished casserole for later.

This comforting soup turns leftover cooked turkey into a spoonable version of classic pot pie with carrots, potatoes, peas, celery, onion, thyme, and marjoram. Turkey or chicken stock, half-and-half, flour, and a little white wine create the creamy broth, while baked pieces of refrigerated pie crust are served on top for that familiar pot pie element. Everything comes together in one pot, with the turkey added alongside the vegetables and simmered until heated through. Ready in about 50 minutes, it makes a cozy post-Thanksgiving dinner that feels very different from another plate of reheated turkey.

These crispy bites combine four Thanksgiving leftovers in one fun snack: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Chopped turkey and stuffing are mixed with Parmesan and parsley, formed into balls, chilled, wrapped in cold mashed potatoes, coated in flour, egg, and panko, then deep-fried until golden and served with gravy for dipping. They take a little more hands-on prep, but they are an especially creative option for game-day snacking or a post-holiday appetizer platter. The recipe also includes instructions for baking or air frying them if you would rather skip the deep fryer.

Leftover sweet potato casserole gets a second life in this warmly spiced quick bread flavored with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, and a splash of orange juice. The casserole is mixed into a simple batter with sugars, eggs, oil, and flour. You can even include any leftover streusel right in the bread. The recipe makes two loaves and works well for a post-Thanksgiving breakfast, brunch, snack, or dessert, with optional cream cheese icing on top. It also freezes for up to three months, making it useful when you have more sweet potato leftovers than you can eat right away.

Turn leftover Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce into a cheesy crescent ring that works as either an appetizer or an easy meal. Layer crescent roll dough with chive and onion cream cheese, Dijon mustard, rosemary, Gruyère, thinly sliced cooked turkey, and whole-berry cranberry sauce, then fold into a ring and brush with seasoned butter before baking. The combination gives those familiar holiday leftovers a completely different presentation with savory cheese, herbs, and a sweet-tart cranberry layer. You can fully assemble the ring ahead of time and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake.

Transform extra Thanksgiving stuffing into savory skillet cakes with just egg, melty cheese, and a little olive oil. Shape the mixture into patties and pan-fry for a few minutes per side, until crisp on the outside and heated through, then top with a fried egg for an easy holiday-weekend breakfast. You can also top them with leftover gravy, turkey, ham, sautéed vegetables, or fresh herbs if you have more Thanksgiving extras to use. Ready in about 20 minutes, these stuffing cakes can also be frozen for up to three months.

This 15-minute quesadilla turns leftover Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce into a quick, cheesy lunch or dinner. Layer chopped cooked turkey, cranberry sauce, fresh sage, and a blend of cheeses between tortillas, then cook in a skillet until the cheese melts and the tortillas heat through. The recipe is flexible enough to accommodate other holiday leftovers such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, or broccoli casserole, so it can help clear out several containers at once. You can even freeze extras and reheat them later for another easy meal.

These crispy egg rolls wrap several Thanksgiving favorites into one fun appetizer, snack, or casual meal. Fill egg roll wrappers with leftover mashed potatoes, cooked turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing, then roll tightly and fry until golden, then serve with extra cranberry sauce or leftover gravy for dipping. If you prefer to skip frying, the recipe also includes air fryer instructions that cook the rolls at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes. It is an especially creative choice when you want to transform multiple leftovers into something that feels completely different from Thanksgiving dinner.

Cooked Thanksgiving turkey becomes a creamy, hearty soup with carrots, celery, onion, herbs, rice, and turkey or chicken broth. Sauté the vegetables first, simmer the rice directly in the broth, and thicken the soup with a half-and-half and flour mixture before stirring in the chopped leftover turkey at the end, just long enough to heat through. You can use brown rice, white rice, or a brown and wild rice blend, and leftover turkey stock works especially well if you have it. This cozy one-pot meal is a practical option for an easy dinner a day or two after the holiday.

Leftover holiday ham becomes an easy batch of baked sliders with Hawaiian rolls, Provolone cheese, and a buttery seasoned topping. Layer the rolls with the cooked ham and cheese, then cover with a mixture of melted butter, Dijon or honey mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and everything bagel seasoning, and bake until warm and melted. Ready in under 30 minutes, they are a convenient way to repurpose extra Thanksgiving ham for lunch, appetizers, or an easy family meal. You can also replace the Provolone with Cheddar or Swiss, depending on what you have on hand.