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The big meal is over, the dishes are (mostly) done, and now your fridge is packed with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and half a bowl of cranberry sauce. The good news is that leftovers are one of the best parts of Thanksgiving.
Instead of eating the same plate four days in a row, you can turn those extras into brand new meals. Think cozy soups, cheesy casseroles, crispy waffles, sliders and even egg rolls.
I rounded up 15 easy recipes from some of my favourite food bloggers so you can use up every last bit and keep everyone happy all weekend long.
The Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes to Make This Year
This article is all about the best Thanksgiving leftover recipes.
1. Leftover Turkey Pot Pie
What it is: A classic double crust pot pie filled with chopped turkey, mixed veggies, diced potatoes and leftover turkey gravy.
Store-bought pie crusts keep this one easy, and the gravy does all the work as the sauce. Brush the top with egg wash and bake until it’s bubbly and deep golden. Tip: let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing so the filling sets up and doesn’t run all over the plate.
2. Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
What it is: A one-skillet shepherd’s pie that uses up turkey, gravy, peas, corn and a big pile of leftover mashed potatoes.
The turkey and veggies simmer in gravy with thyme and rosemary, then the mashed potatoes get spread over the top and baked. Tip: broil it for the last few minutes so the potato peaks get crispy and browned.
3. Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup
What it is: A cozy pot of soup with carrots, celery, onion, wide egg noodles and shredded turkey in a herby broth.
Bay leaves, thyme and oregano flavour the broth, and a squeeze of lemon with fresh parsley at the end brightens everything up. Tip: add extra broth if you plan to have leftovers, since the noodles keep soaking it up in the fridge.
4. Creamy Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup
What it is: A rich and creamy soup with wild rice, mushrooms, carrots, celery and plenty of shredded turkey.
The veggies get sautéed in butter, thickened with a little flour and broth, then finished with cream and a splash of lemon juice. Tip: cook the wild rice separately first so it stays tender without soaking up all the broth.
5. Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini
What it is: A creamy baked spaghetti casserole with turkey, mushrooms, peppers and celery under a cheesy breadcrumb topping.
The sauce comes together with cream of chicken and mushroom soups, heavy cream and cream cheese, so it’s extra comforting. Tip: save a little pasta water when you drain the noodles in case the sauce needs loosening.
6. Leftover Turkey Enchiladas
What it is: Flour tortillas stuffed with turkey, cream cheese, black beans, corn, jalapeño and cheese, then baked in red enchilada sauce.
Lime juice and cilantro keep the filling fresh, and a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack melts over the top. Tip: set out sour cream, avocado and red onion so everyone can top their own.
7. Leftover Turkey Chili
What it is: A hearty chili with shredded turkey, black beans and kidney beans simmered in tomato sauce and broth.
Cumin, chili powder, oregano and a pinch of cayenne give it plenty of flavour, and it’s ready in about an hour. Tip: make a big batch and freeze half for an easy dinner in December.
8. Turkey Cranberry Sliders
What it is: Hawaiian rolls layered with turkey, cranberry sauce and provolone, then brushed with a honey Dijon butter glaze.
A sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning on top makes them look bakery fancy with almost no effort. Tip: keep the rolls connected as one slab so they’re quick to assemble and bake evenly.
9. Thanksgiving Quesadillas
What it is: Crispy tortillas filled with cranberry sauce, mozzarella, turkey and chopped stuffing.
They cook in a skillet with a plate pressed on top so they get golden and melty. Tip: warm up a little leftover gravy for dipping.
10. Thanksgiving Egg Rolls
What it is: Egg roll wrappers filled with mashed potatoes, stuffing and chopped turkey, then baked until golden.
No deep frying needed here. They bake on a sheet pan and get flipped partway through so both sides crisp up. Tip: serve them with leftover gravy or cranberry sauce for dunking.
11. Leftover Turkey Casserole
What it is: A layered bake with mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, stuffing, turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce and cheddar.
It’s basically your whole Thanksgiving plate in one pan. Tip: bake it covered first, then uncover for the last 10 to 15 minutes so the cheese gets bubbly and golden.
12. Leftover Stuffing Waffles
What it is: Leftover stuffing pressed in a waffle iron until crispy, then topped with an egg and cranberry sauce.
Each waffle takes about half a cup of stuffing and cooks in 4 to 5 minutes. Tip: grease the waffle iron well so the crispy edges release cleanly.
13. Cheesy Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes
What it is: Crispy pan-fried patties made with chilled mashed potatoes, cheddar, scallions, an egg and a little flour.
They get dredged in flour and fried until golden on both sides, then topped with sour cream. Tip: use cold mashed potatoes straight from the fridge so the patties hold their shape.
14. Leftover Turkey and Cranberry Sauce Salad
What it is: A creamy turkey salad with celery, green onions, toasted walnuts, mayo and a swirl of cranberry sauce.
Serve it on bread, in lettuce wraps or over greens for an easy lunch. Tip: swap the mayo for Greek yogurt if you want something a little lighter after the big feast.
15. Cranberry Brie Bites
What it is: Mini puff pastry cups filled with brie, cranberry sauce spiced with cinnamon and orange zest, and chopped walnuts.
They bake in a mini muffin pan and get topped with fresh rosemary, so they’re perfect for using up cranberry sauce at a holiday party. Tip: pop them out of the pan right after baking so they don’t stick.
Tips for Using Up Thanksgiving Leftovers
- Pack leftovers into shallow containers and get them in the fridge within two hours of dinner.
- Shred or chop the turkey right away so it’s ready to toss into soups, sliders and casseroles.
- Save the turkey carcass to make homemade broth for your soups.
- Use cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days, or freeze them for later.
- Freeze extra turkey in recipe-sized portions so weeknight dinners come together fast.
Pin this post to your Thanksgiving or dinner ideas board so you have these leftover recipes handy the day after the big feast!
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