These are all the Thanksgiving leftovers recipes you need!
Leftovers can be a joy when transformed into fresh, exciting meals. After Thanksgiving we usually have enough turkey, sides and sauces to make several great dishes over the weekend. Below are simple, delicious ways to turn your leftovers into breakfasts, lunches, dinners and even desserts — all easy to pull together and full of flavor.
What To Make With Your Thanksgiving Leftovers
- Roasted Turkey Ramen — Use turkey carcass or bones to build a rich broth, then add shredded turkey, noodles and vegetables for a comforting bowl that breathes new life into leftover meat.
- Turkey and Mushroom Dumplings — Combine chopped turkey with sautéed mushrooms and aromatics, wrap in dumpling wrappers and pan-fry or steam. A great way to create a shareable, savory appetizer or main.
- Turkey Tortilla Soup — A hearty, spiced soup made with shredded turkey, tomatoes, beans and crisp tortilla strips. Top with avocado, cheese and lime for brightness.
- Cranberry Dark Chocolate Overnight Oats — Stir leftover cranberry sauce into overnight oats with a few dark chocolate chips for a sweet, satisfying breakfast that’s ready in the morning.
- Cranberry Muffins — Fold leftover cranberries into muffin batter for quick, portable treats that pair perfectly with coffee or tea.
- Cranberry Greek Yogurt Coffee Cake — Use leftover cranberry sauce swirled into a tender coffee cake batter and top with a crumbly streusel for brunch or dessert.
- Buttermilk Sweet Potato Pancakes — Turn mashed sweet potatoes into fluffy pancakes by adding buttermilk and warming spices; serve with maple syrup or coconut whipped cream.
- Thanksgiving Leftover Breakfast Sandwiches — Stack turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and a fried egg on toasted bread or a biscuit for a hearty, portable breakfast.
- Leftovers Breakfast Hash — Chop and sauté turkey, potatoes, roasted vegetables and onions, then top with a fried or poached egg for a savory morning meal.
- Bacon Blue Mashed Potato Waffles — Press seasoned mashed potatoes into a waffle iron until crisp, then top with crumbled bacon and blue cheese for a creative side or brunch item.
- Roasted Turkey BLAT — A twist on the classic BLT: roasted turkey, bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato on toasted bread with a smear of cranberry mayo or dressing.
- Turkey, Bacon Avocado Ranch Pizza — Use leftover turkey as pizza topping along with bacon, avocado slices and a drizzle of ranch for a fun, casual dinner.
- Leftover Sweet Potato Casserole Grilled Cheese — Spread leftover sweet potato casserole and melty cheese between slices of bread and grill until golden for a sweet-savory sandwich.
These ideas help you avoid monotony and waste while letting Thanksgiving flavors shine in new ways. Mix and match ingredients based on what you have on hand — turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes all adapt well to creative recipes. Enjoy turning last night’s feast into this weekend’s favorites.
