Delicious ideas for using Thanksgiving leftovers, from soups and salads to mashed potato waffles, breakfast hashes, and coffee cake. Make the most of every last bite of your holiday meal.
I adore the Thanksgiving feast, but I’m just as enthusiastic about the leftovers.
In my family, enjoying leftovers the day after Thanksgiving is a beloved tradition. It’s relaxed and casual: on Friday, whether for lunch or dinner, everyone gathers again to dig into warmed-up portions from the night before. That day has its own charm.
We love leftover turkey, but only for a short while—usually a day or two—so I like to transform our extras into new, exciting meals for the rest of the weekend. Below are my favorite ideas for breakfasts, brunches, lunches, dinners, and even desserts. Think coffee cake, mashed potato waffles, soups, salads, and sandwiches.
And a quick tip: any recipe that calls for shredded chicken can be made with turkey instead—easy and delicious.
20 Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake
The best rotisserie chicken salad—made with leftover turkey for an equally tasty result.
Creamy Chicken Orzo Soup, easily adapted with turkey.
Lemon chicken (or turkey) and artichoke pasta salad—bright and refreshing.
Cozy chicken (turkey) and stars soup—comforting and kid-friendly.
Cranberry Swirl Crumble Muffins—use leftover cranberry sauce to add bright, fruity flavor.
Thanksgiving Leftovers Cobb Salad—toss in chopped turkey for a hearty lunch.
Roasted Turkey Ramen—turn turkey and pan juices into a comforting noodle soup.
Roasted Turkey BLT with Avocado—a classic sandwich upgraded with turkey.
Cheesy Turkey Tortilla Soup—warm, cheesy, and perfect for chilly days.
Turkey Noodle Soup Risotto—creamy risotto that highlights leftover turkey and broth.
Lemon Ginger Turkey Couscous Soup—a bright, fragrant option for using up meat and pan juices.
Bacon Blue Cheese Mashed Potato Waffles—crispy, savory, and a fun twist on leftover potatoes.
Cranberry Sauce Overnight Oats—an easy, make-ahead breakfast that uses extra cranberry sauce.
Turkey and Mushroom Dumplings—savory bites that work well with shredded turkey.
Day-After-Thanksgiving Breakfast Hash with cheddar mashed potato pancakes—hearty and satisfying.
Thanksgiving Leftover Breakfast Biscuits—stack biscuits with turkey, stuffing, and gravy for a comforting morning meal.
Turkey Bacon & Avocado Ranch Pizza—use leftover turkey as a tasty pizza topping.
Sweet Potato Pancakes with Coconut Whipped Cream—a sweet breakfast that puts leftover sweet potatoes to good use.
And for a fun indulgence: Leftover Sweet Potato Casserole Grilled Cheese—decadent and surprisingly delicious.
What are your favorite ways to reinvent Thanksgiving leftovers?