The turkey’s been carved, the last slice of pie has disappeared, and somehow, despite everyone going back for seconds, your refrigerator is still packed.
Sound familiar?
Thanksgiving leftovers are practically a holiday tradition of their own. And while there’s nothing wrong with a turkey sandwich on Friday, there’s only so many times you can recreate Thursday’s dinner before you’re ready for something different.
These Thanksgiving leftover ideas give turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and other holiday favorites a delicious second act. Some take just a few minutes, others make an easy dinner, and a few might even become new family favorites.
Give Turkey New Life
Turkey sandwiches are a classic, but that bird has plenty of possibilities beyond two slices of bread.
The secret to reheating cooked turkey is keeping it moist. Recipes that include broth, gravy, or a sauce work particularly well, especially with white meat.
Turkey Pot Pie
Turn leftover turkey, vegetables, and gravy into a comforting dinner with very little prep.
Combine chopped turkey with leftover carrots, peas, or other vegetables. Stir in enough gravy to coat everything, adding a splash of broth if the mixture seems thick. Transfer to a baking dish, cover with refrigerated pie crust or puff pastry, and bake until golden and bubbling.
It’s also a good way to use those small portions of vegetables that aren’t quite enough for another meal.
Turkey Quesadillas
Shred leftover turkey and layer it between tortillas with shredded cheese, sautéed onions, and peppers.
Cook in a skillet until the tortillas are crisp and the cheese melts. Add a little salsa, sour cream, or even cranberry sauce if you like a sweet and savory combination.
Turkey Noodle Soup
If you’ve saved the turkey carcass, you’ve already got the start of homemade stock.
Simmer the bones with water, onion, celery, and carrots, then strain the stock. Add shredded turkey, vegetables, and noodles for a warm, satisfying meal.
Short on time? Store-bought broth works, too.
Kitchen Tip: Add cooked turkey near the end of soups and stews so it warms through without becoming dry or stringy.
Reinvent Thanksgiving Sides
Crispy Stuffing Waffles
Your waffle iron has another job waiting for it.
Combine leftover stuffing with a beaten egg to help it hold together. Spoon the mixture into a lightly greased waffle iron and cook until the edges are crispy and the center is heated through. Top with warm turkey and gravy or serve alongside an egg for breakfast.
The best part? Those golden, crunchy edges that usually disappear first from the stuffing pan.
Golden Potato Cakes
Roasted Vegetable Frittata
Leftover green beans, carrots, mushrooms, or roasted onions make excellent additions to a frittata.
Chop the vegetables, warm them in an oven-safe skillet, and pour beaten eggs over the top. Add shredded cheese, cook until the edges begin to set, then finish in the oven until the eggs are fully cooked.
It’s a particularly good option when you have a little of everything but not enough of anything to make a full side dish.
Build Better Sandwiches
The Thanksgiving Panini
Layer turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and cheese between slices of sturdy bread. Butter the outside and toast until golden. Keep the cranberry sauce light so the bread stays crisp.
The Turkey Club
When you’re ready for a break from traditional holiday flavors, pair turkey with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on toasted bread.
The Open Faced Turkey Sandwich
Place warm turkey over thick toast, add mashed potatoes, and finish with hot gravy. It’s Thanksgiving comfort food without setting the whole table again.
Sandwich Tip: Leftover dinner rolls make great slider buns. Fill them with turkey, cheese, and a little cranberry sauce, then warm them in the oven for an easy lunch.
Make Breakfast Better
The morning after Thanksgiving calls for coffee, a slower start, and something easy to eat. Fortunately, several holiday leftovers work surprisingly well at breakfast.
- Turkey breakfast hash: Crisp diced potatoes and turkey in a skillet with onions, then top with a freshly cooked egg.
- Cranberry French toast: Spread cranberry sauce between slices of bread, dip in an egg mixture, and cook until golden.
- Stuffing breakfast bake: Combine stuffing with eggs, milk, and cheese, then bake until the eggs are fully set.
- Sweet potato pancakes: Stir plain mashed sweet potatoes into pancake batter with cinnamon and nutmeg. Adjust the batter if the potatoes already contain milk, butter, or sugar.
Save The Cranberries
Cranberry sauce tends to linger in the refrigerator long after the turkey is gone. Fortunately, that sweet and tart flavor works with much more than poultry.
Swirl a spoonful into plain yogurt with granola, spread it over cream cheese on a bagel, or add it to warm oatmeal.
For something savory, mix cranberry sauce with Dijon mustard for a quick sandwich spread.
You can also warm it with a splash of orange juice and spoon it over pancakes or waffles.
One more idea: Stir cranberry sauce into a simple vinaigrette with olive oil, vinegar, and mustard. Toss with mixed greens, nuts, and crumbled cheese for a refreshing change after the big meal.
Try One Pan
Thanksgiving Shepherds Pie
Spread chopped turkey, leftover vegetables, and gravy in a baking dish. Cover with mashed potatoes and use a fork to create ridges across the top.
Bake until the filling is bubbling, the center is thoroughly heated, and the potatoes are lightly golden.
Turkey Stuffing Bake
Store Leftovers Safely
Leftover Storage Checklist
- Refrigerate promptly. Put perishable foods away within two hours, or one hour if the temperature is above 90°F.
- Use shallow containers. Divide large portions of turkey, potatoes, and stuffing so they cool quickly.
- Label containers. Include the date so you know when everything was prepared.
- Eat within four days. Most cooked Thanksgiving leftovers keep for three to four days in a refrigerator maintained at 40°F or below.
- Freeze what you won't use. Package extra portions promptly rather than waiting until they're almost past their refrigerated storage window.
- Reheat thoroughly. Leftovers should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
One common mistake is leaving food on the counter until it cools completely. Large portions should be divided into smaller containers and refrigerated promptly instead.
And don’t rely on smell or appearance to decide whether food is safe. Harmful bacteria aren’t always noticeable.
Plan Leftovers Ahead
A little thought before Thanksgiving dinner can make the next few days much easier.
Start with realistic portions. If everyone loves turkey sandwiches but the sweet potatoes barely get touched, keep that in mind when deciding how much to prepare.
Have storage containers and labels ready before guests arrive. You’ll be glad you did when the cleanup begins.
If you’re sending leftovers home with family, pack portions promptly and keep perishable foods chilled until guests leave.
For your own refrigerator, store turkey, gravy, and sides separately when practical. It’s easier to turn them into different meals later instead of reheating the same combination every day.
And if you find yourself with more food than you can reasonably finish, freeze a few portions for a busy December evening.
Make Hosting Easier
Of course, the easiest Thanksgiving leftovers are the ones you didn’t have to spend all day cooking in the first place.
If you’re hosting a large family gathering, office Thanksgiving luncheon, or Friendsgiving celebration, Lee n’ Eddies can help you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the occasion.
Our Thanksgiving catering menus feature holiday favorites, including turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and traditional sides. For smaller gatherings, our Party Packs offer convenient options for groups of 12 to 15 guests.
We’ve been helping Chicagoland families and businesses celebrate around good food since 1959.
One Call Does It All. Explore our holiday catering options or request a quote to start planning.
Questions & Answers about Thanksgiving Leftovers
How many people can Lee n’ Eddies cater for an office event?
Dinner rolls work well for turkey sliders, mini breakfast sandwiches, or garlic bread. For a sweet option, cube them and use them in bread pudding. Slightly stale rolls can also become homemade croutons or breadcrumbs.
What can I do with leftover green bean casserole?
Can I use leftover Thanksgiving desserts in new recipes?
How can I make a lunch from several small portions of Thanksgiving leftovers?
Keep The Goodness Going
Thanksgiving may be over, but there’s no reason to say goodbye to all that good food just yet.
A little turkey becomes a pot pie. Stuffing gets a crispy makeover. Mashed potatoes find their way into breakfast.
The best Thanksgiving leftover ideas don’t require another big cooking project. Just a little creativity and a few ingredients you probably already have.
And who knows? Friday’s lunch might give Thursday’s dinner some competition.
