What to Do with All the Leftover Thanksgiving Food

Thanksgiving is over, and while your heart may be full of gratitude, your fridge is probably bursting with leftovers. Instead of eating the same plate of turkey and stuffing for days, why not get creative? Here are some fun and delicious ways to transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into meals you’ll actually be excited to eat.

1. Reinvent Turkey

Turkey Soup
Turn your leftover turkey into a comforting soup. Simmer the turkey bones with onions, carrots, celery, and herbs to make a flavorful broth. Add shredded turkey meat, noodles, or rice, and enjoy!

Turkey Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 leftover turkey carcass
• 8 cups water
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup shredded turkey
• 1 cup cooked noodles or rice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place the turkey carcass in a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 hours.
2. Remove the carcass and strain the broth.
3. Add carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and bay leaf to the broth. Simmer for 20-30 minutes.
4. Add shredded turkey and noodles or rice. Cook for another 5 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot!

Turkey Tacos
Shred the turkey, season with taco spices, and serve in warm tortillas. Top with avocado, salsa, and a dollop of sour cream for a fiesta-worthy meal.

Turkey Pot Pie
Combine turkey with leftover vegetables, gravy, and a little cream, then bake it under a flaky pie crust or biscuit topping for a cozy dinner.

2. Get Creative with Stuffing

Stuffing Waffles
Press your stuffing into a waffle maker to create crispy stuffing waffles. Top with a fried egg or turkey slices for a hearty brunch.

• 2 cups leftover stuffing
• 1 egg
• Non Stick spray

1. Preheat your waffle maker and spray it with nonstick spray.
2. Mix stuffing with the egg until well combined.
3. Scoop the mixture into the waffle maker and press firmly. Cook until crispy and golden brown.
4. Top with turkey slices and gravy or a fried egg for a tasty twist!

Stuffing Muffins
Scoop stuffing into a muffin tin, bake until crispy, and serve as individual stuffing cups. These are perfect for a quick snack or side dish.

3. Mashed Potato Makeovers

Potato Pancakes
Mix mashed potatoes with an egg and a little flour, then pan-fry into golden potato pancakes. Serve with sour cream or cranberry sauce.

• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

1. Combine mashed potatoes, egg, flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Scoop 1/4 cup of the mixture into the skillet, flattening it slightly.
4. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
5. Serve with sour cream or cranberry sauce.

Shepherd’s Pie
Layer leftover mashed potatoes over turkey, veggies, and gravy in a casserole dish. Bake until bubbly and browned for a comforting classic.

4. Cranberry Sauce Twists

Cranberry Breakfast Parfaits
Layer cranberry sauce with yogurt and granola for a quick and festive breakfast.

• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• 1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 cup granola

1. Layer cranberry sauce, yogurt, and granola in a glass or bowl.
2. Repeat layers and serve immediately for a quick, festive breakfast.

Cranberry Glaze
Use leftover cranberry sauce as a glaze for roasted chicken or pork later in the week. Mix with a bit of orange juice for a tangy twist.

5. Sweet Potato Revamps

Sweet Potato Toast
Slice leftover sweet potatoes into thick rounds and toast them in the oven or air fryer. Top with nut butter, sliced bananas, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for a healthy snack.

• Leftover sweet potatoes (casserole or roasted)
• Nut butter (optional)
• Banana slices or berries (optional)
• Cinnamon (optional)

1. Slice leftover sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch-thick rounds.
2. Toast in an oven at 375°F for 5-10 minutes until slightly crispy.
3. Spread with nut butter and top with fruit or sprinkle with cinnamon for a healthy snack.

Sweet Potato Pie Milkshake
Blend leftover sweet potato casserole with vanilla ice cream and a splash of milk for a decadent dessert drink.

6. The Ultimate Leftover Sandwich

Layer turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes between two slices of bread (or use a dinner roll for a slider version). Toast it for a crunchy, gooey masterpiece.

• 2 slices of bread or 1 dinner roll
• 2 slices turkey
• 1/4 cup stuffing
• 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce
• 1/4 cup mashed potatoes
• Gravy for dipping (optional)

1. Layer turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes between two slices of bread.
2. Toast in a pan or sandwich press until golden and warm.
3. Serve with warm gravy on the side for dipping.

7. Freeze for Future Feasts

Not feeling another bite of Thanksgiving right now? Freeze your leftovers! Portion out turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy into freezer bags for easy dinners in the future. Soups and casseroles also freeze beautifully.

8. Share the Love

If you simply have too much, consider sharing your leftovers with neighbors or donating them to local shelters. Spread the Thanksgiving spirit by giving to those in need.

Thanksgiving leftovers don’t have to be boring! With a little creativity, you can turn your fridge full of food into a week of exciting meals. So grab your apron and get cooking—you might just discover your new favorite recipe!

What’s your favorite way to use Thanksgiving leftovers? Share your ideas in the comments below!