Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (2024)

[heart_this] · Nov 22, 2023 · 43 Comments

The best Thanksgiving leftovers recipes to enjoy your leftover with the next day!

The Thanksgiving dinner is a truly amazing thing and one of the parts that I enjoy most is just getting started when the dinner comes to an end and that is thinking about creative ways to use all of the leftovers. In fact I tend to plan on making more than I believe that will be finished to ensure that there will be enough leftover to experiment with. Although I would be probably be perfectly happy using all of the leftover turkey in my favourite roast turkey sandwiches, I see it almost as a challenge to do something new and creative with the leftovers every year to keep things interesting. There are just so many things that you can do with roast turkey and if you also consider using some of the other leftovers in the same dish like the cranberry sauce or the sweet potato casserole things really start to get really fun. If you roasted a full turkey, don?t throw the carcass out as you can use it to make some turkey stock and that opens up a whole new load of doors for turkey soups and stews. I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some ideas for using your Thanksgiving leftovers in creative ways and so I present to you some of my favourites!

Cranberry and Brie Turkey Grilled Cheese with Avocado and Bacon
Roast Turkey Club Sandwich with Cranberry Sauce
Easy Homemade Turkey Stock
Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
Roast Turkey Cobb Sandwich
Thanksgiving Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Thanksgiving Eggs Benedict
Roast Turkey Cuban Sandwich
Turkey and Squash “Thanksgiving” Risotto
Texmex Hot and Brown
Grilled Turkey and Brie Sandwich with Cranberry Chutney
Roast Turkey Sandwich with Artichoke Tapenade, Caramelized Onions and Roasted Red Peppers
The Rachel Sandwich (aka Roast Turkey Reuben Sandwich)
Turkey and Cranberry Quesadillas
Turkey and Cranberry Sushi
Turkey, Cranberry, Brie and Pear Sandwiches with Avocado and Bacon
Turkey Pho
Ham and Eggs au Gratin
Ham and Bean Soup
Split Pea Soup
Roast Beef Sandwich with Caramelized Onions and Grainy Mustard, Horseradish Mayo
Pot Roast Mushroom Soup
Pot Roast Grilled Cheese French Dip Sandwich with Spicy Miso Au Jus
Cranberry and Brie Turkey Quesadillas with Avocado and Candied Jalapenos
Ham and Pineapple Fried Cauliflower Rice
Cottage Cheese and Egg Muffins with Ham and Cheddar Cheese
Ham and Potato Corn Chowder
Ham and Cheese Egg Casserole
Pot Roast Beef Philly Cheese Steak Dip
Slow Cooker Roast Beef French Dip Sandwich
Pot Roast Sandwich Smothered in Gravy with Melted Swiss Cheese and Horseradish Mayonnaise
Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta
Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Culinary Cory says
November 28, 2009 at 2:29 am

Great list of leftover ideas. Nice variety of sandwiches.
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Kerstin says
November 28, 2009 at 4:49 am

You're got all the bases covered here, what a great list of ideas!
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3 hungry tummies says
November 28, 2009 at 5:14 am

What a great list of using up leftover!!!
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WannabeVirginia W. says
November 28, 2009 at 5:30 am

Awesome recipes. I am wondering if you could include the nutritional facts or calories of the meals that you have made.
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Nina Timm says
November 28, 2009 at 5:48 am

I think I'll skip the real deal and move over to the leftovers right away!!!
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screwdestiny says
November 28, 2009 at 6:46 am

Ooh, they all sound so tasty! I'm just gonna be boring and make a turkey shephard's pie…
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♥peachkins♥ says
November 28, 2009 at 1:58 pm

great ideas kevin!
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angela@spinachtiger says
November 28, 2009 at 2:56 pm

How nice of you to think of us Americans. I made zuni cafe chicken instead and if you've never tried it, you will love it! Same left overs apply though.
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Sharon says
November 28, 2009 at 4:27 pm

Wow great leftover ideas, having the family over tonight to eat leftovers, so these are great!
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Chris says
November 28, 2009 at 9:34 pm

My personal favorite is the Kentucky Hot Brown, but these are all great ideas.
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LV says
November 29, 2009 at 7:06 pm

When are you going to produce a Closet Cooking cookbook? They'd make great Christmas presents! I'd buy one for everyone I know!
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Kaylie says
November 30, 2009 at 4:00 am

The Turkey and Brie sandwich looks amazing! I'm Canadian so my Thanksgiving was a while ago, but I may see if I can find some turkey breasts at the store just to try that. 🙂
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Gina says
December 2, 2009 at 2:16 pm

All great ideas!!!
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Anonymous says
November 26, 2010 at 8:07 am

Fabulous ideas – I think the risotto and chilli are top of my list as favourites.
🙂 Mandy
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LimeCake says
November 26, 2010 at 8:52 am

Wow what a mouthwatering roundup of delicious recipes to try!
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MissAlyssa says
November 27, 2010 at 11:19 pm

that photo of the turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce is making me want to eat turkey again!!! ill fight the urge but yum E!!!!
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Elysa says
November 12, 2011 at 9:10 pm

Your post has me dreaming about the Thanksgiving leftovers I'll be enjoying in a couple of weeks. In fact, I liked your suggestions so much, I shared the link at my own blog:
http://elysasmusingsfromgraceland.blogspot.com/2011/11/anyone-else-dreaming-about-thanksgiving.html
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Anonymous says
November 23, 2011 at 4:50 am

I like your leftover ideas…I may try a grilled pizza if we have enough turkey or ham leftover..if we have alot of mexican fajita meat left over I usually make a grilled pizza from that. You should try something like that. I'm a blogger myself at thewhitedish.wordpress.com Happy Thanksgiving!
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Bibliovore says
November 24, 2011 at 6:37 am

Nice — thanks for posting this! One more suggestion for you: a savory brioche/puff (I like Better Homes and Gardens' recipe for Gruyère puffs) makes a fantastic seat for turkey salad or on which to spread cranberry sauce.
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vicky says
November 24, 2011 at 11:22 pm

I dont eat turkey but man oh man – those recipes look divine (except the sushi one). Great post.
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Anonymous says
November 25, 2011 at 9:40 am

You've done it again! Never ceases to make my mouth water! BRAVO!!!
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Anonymous says
November 25, 2011 at 5:50 pm

I can't decide if I would rather have had your turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce for breakfast, or the extra large slice of pumpkin pie that I just indulged in! Thanks for sharing; happy Leftover Day.
-the tasty tRuth
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Elizabeth says
November 25, 2011 at 8:17 pm

Turkey and cranberries are the best!!
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Love In Spoonfuls says
November 25, 2011 at 10:13 pm

Oh my GOODNESS! definitely making the turkey and brie grilled cheese and the quesadillas. Plus, you had my mouth watering with the description of the turkey, cranberry and mayo combo… love it. Good thing I have more turkey (and leftovers) coming my way this Christmas!
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a-hearts says
November 28, 2011 at 11:05 am

mmm this looks awesome
xoxo aley
http://a-hearts.blogspot.com/
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JQR77 says
November 29, 2011 at 5:08 am

These all look really good. I'm especially interested in trying the sushi.
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Kara Rae says
November 30, 2011 at 4:52 am

I used your turkey pho recipe as a base. I also added dried shiitake mushrooms along with the star anise, cloves, etc.- added an extra layer of flavor. Thanks for the recipe- we've started a new (happily, gluten-free) post-thanksgiving tradition!
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tanya1234 says
November 19, 2012 at 1:08 pm

thankxxxxx 🙂
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ROR says
November 26, 2012 at 3:39 pm

ah Kevin, you're killing me, man… all the leftover turkey stayed at my folks' place!! :/
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Natty says
November 26, 2012 at 5:32 pm

So… Much… Turkey… Haha, can't eat anymore turkey!
Natalya @ Ruff House Art
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Anonymous says
November 27, 2012 at 5:50 am

Yummmm definately going to try these out!!!
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charmel tan says
November 27, 2012 at 4:10 pm

These are perfect recipes for our thanksgiving left overs. We don't want it to got to waste. We have to savor and enjoy it.
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Adriana says
November 28, 2012 at 3:24 am

Creative ideas for leftovers! Thanks for the inspiration!
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Jessy @ Italian Shirt says
November 28, 2012 at 10:06 am

Oh… at last found all in one, I was struggling a lot to find a good collection for my thanks giving dinner table. Hope I have no hassle next time thanks to you.
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Pauline says
December 16, 2012 at 8:21 am

Turkey pho! What a great idea! (Also, you forgot an "h") I'll have to try that myself.
You should also try brisket pho! Brisket is even better than the usual rare sliced steak (I come from a Viet household whose momma makes one of the best pho around).
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Kevin says
December 17, 2012 at 1:48 am

Pauline: Turkey pho is definitely a great way to enjoy the turkey leftovers and to use those turkey bones! I will have to try a brisket pho now!
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Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
November 24, 2013 at 4:55 pm

How wrong is it that I just want to skip Thanksgiving and head right to the leftovers?!
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Heather Christo says
November 27, 2013 at 3:03 pm

OH KEVIN!!! this looks amazing- I want all of those sandwiches!!!!
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Olivia says
October 12, 2015 at 11:45 am

Great list of ideas! Thank you
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Gaby Dalkin says
October 12, 2015 at 10:26 pm

that turkey club sandwich!!!! want!
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Sabrina says
November 25, 2022 at 11:53 pm

wow, these are elevated turkey sandwiches, I’ve always only made the simplest turkey sandwiches by comparison, turkey cranberry brie is such a great idea for a sandwich and a spin off of brie and jam or other preverses, cranberry even better, I like it’s flavor and it’s nor overly sweet, like turkey I need to consider cranberry miuch more often than November 24, thank you!
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sara chan says
January 6, 2024 at 3:52 am

Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into delicious creations! Try a turkey and cranberry panini, mashed potato pancakes, or a festive turkey and stuffing casserole. Get creative with these recipes to savor the flavors of the holiday season even after Thanksgiving Day. 🦃🍂 #LeftoverMagic #ThanksgivingTransformed
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FAQs

What is a creative way to eat Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

Instead, try turning your leftovers into a casserole, like our turkey divan, our chicken stuffing casserole, or our turkey pot pie; a soup, like our turkey noodle soup, our leftover turkey & wild rice soup, or our homemade turkey stock (made from your turkey carcass); or something lighter or more flavorful than before, ...

Read The Full Story ›

How do you deal with leftovers on Thanksgiving? ›

The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.

How do you use leftovers creatively? ›

Creative Leftover Ideas for Common Ingredients:

Leftover cooked meats can be incorporated into sandwiches, salads, or pasta dishes, while meat scraps can be #repurposed into flavorful stews or tacos. Leftover rice and pasta can be transformed into flavorful fried rice or baked pasta dishes.

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What is a good alternative Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Alternatives could be:

Baked Stuffed Shrimp dinner or any seafood, saffron herbed rice, seasonal vegetables.
Beef Crown Rib Roast dinner with Potatoes Gratin Dauphinoise and asparagus.
Roast Leg of Lamb with wine, lemon, garlic, and rosemary, Brussel sprouts, wild rice.

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How long are Thanksgiving leftovers good for? ›

What are some guidelines for storing leftovers? The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends throwing out refrigerated leftovers after three to four days. If foods are kept in the freezer, they can usually still be consumed for three to four months.

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What percentage of people prefer Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

Apparently I'm in the minority, as this poll reported that 80 percent of Americans prefer the leftover version.

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Why do Thanksgiving leftovers taste better? ›

The flavor compounds – the herbs, the spices, the reactions that take place during cooking, sort of cool back and depending on how you have cooled and refrigerated your food, actually get back into the food and get trapped into the starches and the proteins.

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How many Americans prefer leftovers on Thanksgiving? ›

But what about all of those leftovers? While 80% of people love next-day turkey and fixings, the other 20% are indifferent or hate them.

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What to do with leftovers you don't want? ›

Reimagine Leftovers

Shred leftover meat and turn it into a pasta sauce, combine leftover vegetables into a frittata or make a stir-fry or fried rice using yesterday's rice. You can also pickle them, turn them into a casserole or blitz them into a quick dip or soup to save time.

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What can I do with leftovers in the fridge? ›

Cover leftovers, wrap them in airtight packaging, or seal them in storage containers. These practices help keep bacteria out, retain moisture, and prevent leftovers from picking up odors from other food in the refrigerator.

What is the least favorite dish for Thanksgiving? ›

"For the third year in a row, cranberry sauce takes first place as the most disliked traditional Thanksgiving food. Over 31% of respondents, 82 million American adults, do not want cranberry sauce for their Thanksgiving dinner.

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What is America's favorite Thanksgiving side dish? ›

What is America's favorite Thanksgiving side? Mashed potatoes took home the top spot for this year's favorite side. The top five most popular holiday side dishes include: Mashed potatoes.

Which state eats the most turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

Of all the states, residents of California consume the most turkey per person, but California is not one of the five. Missouri is. It's number five. The top turkey producing state is Minnesota, followed by North Carolina, Arkansas and Virginia.

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What to do with leftovers you don't like? ›

Don't Throw That Away! 10 Creative Ways to Use Leftovers

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Make soup. ...
Salvage stale bread. ...
Stash vegetable scraps.