40 Greatest Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

Jazz up your turkey, cranberry, stuffing, and more with these 40 Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes that’ll help you devour those leftovers in no time.

Thanksgiving leftovers are the best, but sometimes, it gets tiring eating the same turkey and cranberry sauce leftovers over and over again after the holiday. 

Jazz up your leftovers and make your taste buds happy with these 40 Creative + Delicious Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes to help you and your family devour those Thanksgiving leftovers in no time!

I realize that stuffing cooked outside the bird is technically called “dressing,” but in my family, we use stuffing as a catch-all term. 

I decided to simplify things and do the same in this post, so whether you cooked your stuffing inside or outside the turkey, I’ll be calling it all “stuffing” here. 

 

To learn why experts recommend not stuffing your turkey, see 25 Best Turkey Cooking Hacks for the Tastiest Bird You’ve Ever Had.

 

For more must-know Thanksgiving tips, check out the following:

10 Early Thanksgiving Prep Ideas to Make the Holiday So Much Easier

10 Free + Low Cost Thanksgiving Supplies You Need for a Seamless Turkey Day

21 Thanksgiving Hacks to Streamline Your Holiday

25 Best Turkey Cooking Hacks for the Perfect Bird Every Time

 

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Best Ever Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes You Need to Try

 

TURKEY GRILLED CHEESE WITH CRANBERRY + BRIE

In my family, we’ve always eaten Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce leftovers in sandwich form – just plain white bread with Miracle Whip, cold turkey, cranberry sauce, and salt and pepper. 

Don’t get me wrong, this is a delicious sandwich, but it gets seriously boring after the first couple days.  

Here’s a great way to upgrade that boring, cold sandwich with a warm and toasty grilled cheese with Brie (my favorite!).  I’ll definitely be making these after the holiday!

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TURKEY- CRANBERRY STRUDEL WITH MAPLE ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Store bought puff pastry isn’t often used by home cooks, but it should be because it’s so easy to work with and amazingly delicious! 

Here we have a warm and comforting puff pastry strudel filled with leftover turkey and cranberry sauce and another seasonal favorite, Maple Roasted Butternut Squash! 

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For more awesome butternut squash recipes, check out 25 Amazing Butternut Squash Recipes You Need to Try This Fall + Winter – Even Desserts!

 

THANKSGIVING PIZZA

Here’s another fun and creative way to enjoy puff pastry piled high with ALL of your Thanksgiving leftovers!  This pizza really is one of the best ways to enjoy Turkey Day leftovers!

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LEFTOVER STUFFING WAFFLES

Betcha never thought of turning your Thanksgiving leftovers into breakfast food! 

This recipe transforms leftover stuffing into delicious, golden waffles great with cranberry sauce or covered in turkey and gravy for a seasonal take on traditional Chicken and Waffles.

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TURKEY ORZO SOUP

Soup is the perfect meal idea to warm you up when it’s cold outside.  Use up all that extra turkey in this comforting orzo soup with chicken broth and nourishing veggies.

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HOLIDAY HASH

Did you get a little crazy with the stuffing this year and make way too much? 

Don’t let one delicious morsel go to waste – use up leftover stuffing, turkey, and gravy in this hearty morning meal sure to start off your day just right!

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THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS STROMBOLI 

Stromboli isn’t just for Italian flavors anymore.  Fill store bought pizza crust with loads of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes to enjoy all your leftovers together again.

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ULTIMATE LEFTOVERS CLUB

This Ultimate Club will give new life to your leftovers. 

Turkey gets piled high with crispy bacon, sweet and tart cranberry sauce, melted cheddar cheese, and creamy mayo and cream cheese to make the ultimate comfort food sandwich.

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SLOW COOKER TURKEY BARLEY SOUP

After cooking that enormous Thanksgiving feast, you’re probably not eager to put a lot of effort into cooking.  Use up leftover turkey in this yummy barley soup, and let your slow cooker do all the work.

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LEFTOVERS PANINI

A Panini press can turn just about any sandwich into a melty, decadent treat.  If you don’t have a Panini press, you can use a heavy skillet – cast-iron is the perfect weight for this – to press the sandwich, as seen here.

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THANKSGIVING TURKEY PESTO PANINI

Here’s a more savory panini option (minus sweet cranberry and jam) with fresh pesto, avocado, tomato, and gooey mozzarella.

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TURKEY CRANBERRY SLIDERS

Sliders are super popular, and it’s no wonder – they’re compact, tasty, and great for feeding a crowd.  

Invite family back for a second Thanksgiving dinner, watch a football game, and snack on these delicious sliders with leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, and gravy.

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LEFTOVER TURKEY FRITATTA

Thanksgiving dinner gets a healthy makeover in this frittata recipe with turkey, spinach, and mozzarella cheese.

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MOM’S TURKEY SOUP

Nothing’s more comforting than a traditional noodle soup with nourishing homemade turkey broth, hearty chunks of turkey and vegetables, and delicious egg noodles.

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TURKEY NACHOS

Liven up those turkey leftovers with Colby Jack cheese, jalapeños, Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce, taco seasoning, and fresh vegetables for a spicy kick!

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TURKEY SHEPHERD’S PIE

This Thanksgiving leftover recipe is especially great because you can customize your ingredients to what you had at your holiday dinner.

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TURKEY POT PIE

I love just about anything in pie form – desserts, quiche, and pot pies like this.  

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If you love the comforting goodness of a delicious, well made pie crust, you should try this recipe with My Mom’s Super Simple Tender + Flaky Pie Crust Recipe – you’ll love it!  

For pot pie in soup form, keep scrolling!

 

TURKEY + STUFFING MUFFINS

Combine leftover turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy with some eggs and stock as a binder for easy, grab-and-go muffins perfect for hectic weekday mornings.

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AUNT BEE’S LEFTOVER TURKEY CASSEROLE

I’m a big believer in keeping old family recipes alive.  

Here’s one for Thanksgiving leftovers with turkey, peas, and rotini in a simple creamy sauce made with cream of chicken and cream of celery soups.  Classic!

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TURKEY CHILI [WITH LEFTOVER TURKEY]

Here’s another healthy and hearty meal containing shredded turkey, kidney beans, tomatoes, and chili spices for a warm and tasty meal.

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LEFTOVER TURKEY CARNITAS

This recipe is so good you seriously need to try it!  It’s a healthier but equally delicious version of traditional pork carnitas – minus the lard and long cooking time.

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TURKEY SALAD SANDWICHES

Turkey salad is made tons more delicious with the addition of seasonal dried cranberries, apples, and crunchy pecans on a soft and buttery croissant.

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CHEESY MASHED POTATO PANCAKES

Potato pancakes are a classic way to use up leftover mashed potatoes.  Here’s the best potato pancake recipe flavored with plenty of delicious cheddar cheese! 

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CHEESY BREAKFAST STUFFING CAKES

Potatoes aren’t the only Thanksgiving leftover that can be made into yummy cakes with loads of uses!  

These stuffing cakes are great with bacon and eggs for breakfast.  

You can also add Hollandaise sauce (my favorite is Knorr Hollandaise Sauce Mix – it’s way better than any homemade or restaurant version I’ve had!) for a unique take on Eggs Benedict.  

Don’t worry – calories don’t count this time of year 😉 

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TURKEY CORN CHOWDER

This recipe for quick and easy Turkey Corn Chowder will help you get a creamy, satisfying soup on the table in no time!  It’s also great for leftover chicken.

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TURKEY + CRANBERRY BBQ SAUCE PIZZA

Have you ever imagined cranberry sauce on a pizza??  

BBQ sauce might be a little more normal, but not much.  It all seems to work on this gorgeous and incredibly tasty pizza recipe topped with leftover turkey and cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, and your favorite cheese. 

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THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS CRESCENT RING

There are tons of crescent ring recipes, and they’re all delicious – who can resist crescent rolls??  This crescent ring features your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers topped with ooey gooey cheddar cheese.

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SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY SOUP

Your family is sure to love this Blue Ribbon Recipe with leftover turkey, tomatoes, green chiles, and other great Southwestern flavors.  You may want to double the recipe!

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TURKEY TETRAZZINI WITH CRUNCHY PARMESAN PANKO TOPPING

This creamy Turkey Tetrazzini features mushrooms, peas, and an irresistibly crunchy topping made of Panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.  It’s hard to believe leftovers can taste this good!

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TURKEY ENCHILADAS

Turkey is a great addition to traditional enchiladas with black beans, enchilada sauce, and lots of Mexican cheese.

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CRAN-TURKEY ENCHILADAS

For a sweeter, Thanksgiving version, check out this enchilada recipe that uses leftover turkey and cranberry sauce, sour cream, cheese, and salsa.  What’s not to love?!

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POT PIE SOUP

Turn leftover turkey into a warm, comforting, and lightly creamy soup with this recipe.  Pair with some leftover rolls for a well rounded meal.

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TURKEY GYROS

This recipe calls for marinating and cooking turkey just for these gyros, but you can certainly change it up for Thanksgiving leftovers!  

Just put leftover turkey on a fresh, soft pita with red onion, tomatoes, and creamy Tzatziki Sauce for a delicious Greek style meal.

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ONE POT CHEESY TURKEY TAMALE PIE

Polenta with sharp white cheddar cheese, lots of enchilada sauce, leftover turkey and gravy, loads of Mexican flavors, pomegranate salsa, and plenty of yummy cheese melted on top.  

If this looks and sounds amazing to you (it sure does to me!), you just gotta try this one pot tamale pie that’s so much easier than making traditional tamales, but is still just as good!

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THANKSGIVING LEFTOVER PIZZA

Here’s another pizza idea that super simple.  

Just pile your leftovers onto store bought pizza crust – mashed potatoes, turkey, and gravy can all be used here.  Then, cover with lots of shredded cheeses for a melty, gooey, amazingly delicious treat!

Get the recipe.

 

SLOW COOKER HOT TURKEY SANDWICHES

Here’s another great idea for football Sunday following Turkey Day.  

Looking for an easy meal to entertain your family and some guests?  This recipe couldn’t be simpler.  

Just throw leftover turkey, Velveeta, cream of mushroom soup, and turkey or chicken broth in the slow cooker for sandwiches that are sure to please a crowd!  

You can also serve this on egg noodles for an easy weeknight meal.

Get the recipe.

 

EASY LEFTOVER TURKEY STROGANOFF

If you like mushrooms, check out this stroganoff dish that uses up leftover turkey and gravy for a satisfying saucy dish that’s great over noodles.  

This recipe calls for Summer Savory, which is an herb that’s much more popular in Canada than it is here in the U.S.  Give it a try, or feel free to leave it out or substitute other favorites like thyme and sage.

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CREAMED TURKEY OVER BISCUITS

This recipe is like a combination of Sausage Gravy and Biscuits and Chicken and Waffles.  Add your leftover turkey to this creamy, flavorful sauce and put over biscuits for a hearty dish that’s perfect for any meal of the day!

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CHEESY TURKEY + RANCH QUESADILLAS

Quesadillas are a great option for busy families looking for a quick and filling meal the kids will love.  

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Thanksgiving is stressful.  These Genius Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes make it so much easier by helping you manage the aftermath of the holiday with new ways to enjoy all that leftover food!

What do you think of these Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes?  Did you find any new favorites?  Please let me know in the comments below!

 

Related Posts:

10 Early Thanksgiving Prep Ideas to Make the Holiday So Much Easier

10 Free + Low Cost Thanksgiving Supplies You Need for a Seamless Turkey Day

21 Thanksgiving Hacks to Streamline Your Holiday

25 Best Turkey Cooking Hacks for the Tastiest Bird You’ve Ever Had

 

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