50 Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes to Enjoy the Feast Twice
It's the "best part about Thanksgiving," Ree says.
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What's better than Thanksgiving dinner? All the extra leftovers you get to enjoy the next day, of course! "Leftovers are one of the best parts about Thanksgiving," Ree Drummond says. It's no wonder she has tons of ideas for Thanksgiving leftover recipes to choose from. Whether it's her leftover Thanksgiving casserole or the turkey BLT sandwich she makes with cranberry mayo, the creative ideas ahead will make reheating your turkey even more delicious.
Looking for some inspiration for how to use extra mashed potatoes? This list has plenty of ideas that’ll transform your spuds into something entirely new, like crispy mashed potato pancakes or fluffy potato rolls. How about ways reuse leftover turkey? Try a cozy turkey soup recipe, leftover turkey salad, or Ree's take on turkey tetrazzini. There are also tons of recipes for reusing your leftover cranberry sauce or even the green bean casserole! Then again, if all that rich food has you craving a lighter meal in the days to come, there's always the pumpkin smoothie or the BBQ salad with leftover cornbread croutons to leave you feeling refreshed post-holiday. With these leftover recipes, your Thanksgiving feast will feel new again! Just be sure you know how long the leftovers actually last.
Turkey Noodle Casserole
Give your leftover turkey a new spin by adding it to this creamy casserole dish. It's perfect for weeknight dinner and even picky eaters will love the addition of melty cheddar and a crispy potato chip topping.
Get the Turkey Noodle Casserole recipe.
Turkey Salad
This might just be the most refreshing way to use up leftover turkey. The bright salad is chockfull of crisp apple and celery, sweet red onion, turkey, and plump dried cranberries tossed in a tangy yogurt dressing.
Get the Turkey Salad recipe.
Gingerbread Cookie Sandwiches
Once Thanksgiving is over, it's time to start thinking about baking for Christmas! Here, you can use your leftover cranberry sauce along with orange buttercream frosting as a filling for the gingerbread cookie sandwiches.
Get the Gingerbread Cookie Sandwiches recipe.
Leftover Ham, Swiss, and Pear Panini
If you served up too much ham for the holidays, just use it for this scrumptious panini sandwich. The salty flavors pair perfectly with the sweetness from the pear slices and the freshness from the creamy herb spread.
Get Ree's Leftover Ham, Swiss, and Pear Panini recipe.
Mashed Potato Casserole
Skip the steps for making mashed potatoes and use your leftover spuds for this comforting casserole. You can go straight to adding onion soup mix, cheese, bacon and fried onions for the ultimate leftover side dish.
Get the Mashed Potato Casserole recipe.
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
If you've stocked up on extra cans of pumpkin puree, fear not. This recipe for creamy mac and cheese makes for a perfect weeknight meal.
Get the Pumpkin Mac and Cheese recipe.
Mashed Potato Pancakes
After savoring those fluffy mashed potatoes, consider transforming them into a delightful crispy, crunchy treat. They're ideal for pairing with sour cream for dipping!
Get the Mashed Potato Pancakes recipe.
Leftover Turkey BLT
If a turkey sandwich is a must-have for you after Thanksgiving, try this recipe for a turkey BLT. They're piled high with turkey, candied bacon, and cranberry mayo.
Get Ree's Leftover Turkey BLT recipe.
Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie
Nothing beats the comfort of this leftover shepherd's pie. It's made with leftover mashed potatoes on top and loaded with leftover turkey in the filling.
Potato Rolls
Made from mashed potatoes, these homemade dinner rolls are delightfully light, airy, and delicious especially when served with a generous pat of butter.
Get the Potato Rolls recipe.
Turkey Stock
Don't discard those leftover turkey bones! Break down the bird into smaller pieces and use them to create homemade stock. It can be stored in the freezer for up to six months!
Get the Turkey Stock recipe.
Pot Pie with Cheddar Crust
Replace shredded chicken with turkey in this comforting leftover dish. This delightful twist on chicken pot pie features a savory cheddar crust.
Get Ree's Pot Pie with Cheddar Crust recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Overnight Oats
This recipe ensures you won't waste even a small amount of extra pumpkin puree. Plus, you can prepare it ahead and keep it in the fridge for a leisurely weekend breakfast!
Ham and Cheese Sliders
Whether you've opted for ham or turkey, these sliders are the ideal bite-sized treat after a hearty meal. Simply layer slices of ham or turkey with cheese, mayo, honey, and pickled jalapeños for an added kick.
Get the Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe.
Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
This meal is perfect for using up leftovers from your fridge! It brings together turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, and gravy into one comforting casserole dish.
Pumpkin Risotto
Turn leftover pumpkin puree into a sophisticated dinner with this autumn-inspired pumpkin risotto. Top it off with salted pepitas, or pumpkin seeds, for an extra touch of flavor and crunch!
Get the Pumpkin Risotto recipe.
Taquitos
Substitute shredded chicken with turkey to create an effortless snack that also helps use up leftovers! They make for the perfect football-viewing snack during the long holiday weekend.
Get the Taquitos recipe.
Ham Casserole
If ham was on your menu this year, consider using the extras to make this comforting ham casserole. It's great for making in advance and stashing in the freezer until the time is right.
Get the Ham Casserole recipe.
Pretzel Turtles
You'll likely use up a lot of pecans making homemade pecan pie, but if you have a few extras, this easy candy recipe is a breeze to make. You can even get the kids to help as a fun fall activity.
Get the Pretzel Turtles recipe.
Cranberry Scones
Not only can you use extra cranberries for these scrumptious scones, but adding extra chopped fresh rosemary from your holiday dinner will give the scones a nice herbal flavor.
Get the Cranberry Scones recipe.
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