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    Home » Thanksgiving Leftovers » 25 Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

    25 Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

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    When it comes to epic dinners, Thanksgiving just might rank at the very top. We literally spend hours planning the dinner, running errands in preparation for it, and cooking up a storm in the kitchen for days. Then, we end up with a lot of leftovers — which might just be the best part! If you are wondering how to transform those holiday leftovers into something new and delicious (rather than reheating the same turkey dinner for an entire week), then you have come to the right place! We are sharing 25 of our best and most popular Thanksgiving leftover recipes for everything from leftover turkey, leftover cranberry sauce, leftover mashed potatoes, and even mac and cheese.

    Over 25 most popular best Thanksgiving leftover recipes for everything from leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and more. | aheadofthyme.com

    Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes

    Creamy Turkey Orzo Soup

    Warm and cozy, creamy turkey orzo soup is wholesome, hearty, filling, and flavourful. Make this delicious one pot meal with leftover turkey in 30 minutes. One of my favorite ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers.

    Warm and cozy, creamy turkey orzo soup is wholesome, hearty, filling, and flavourful. Make this delicious one pot meal with leftover turkey in 30 minutes. | aheadofthyme.com

    Leftover Turkey Fried Rice

    Leftover turkey fried rice with turkey, fluffy rice, scrambled eggs, vegetables, and classic Asian seasonings is a one skillet meal made in just 10 minutes.

    Leftover turkey fried rice with turkey, fluffy rice, scrambled eggs, vegetables, and classic Asian seasonings is a one skillet meal made in just 10 minutes. | aheadofthyme.com

    Leftover Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Leftover turkey stuffed peppers are a nutritious, wholesome and healthy dinner that you can throw together easily and quickly. A total crowd-pleaser and delicious Thanksgiving leftover recipe.

    Leftover turkey stuffed peppers are a nutritious, wholesome and healthy dinner that you can throw together easily and quickly. A total crowd-pleaser. | aheadofthyme.com

    Turkey Tetrazzini with Spinach

    Creamy leftover turkey tetrazzini with spinach is a simple, easy and delicious pasta recipe that is comforting, creamy and cheesy. It's a family favourite.

    Creamy leftover turkey tetrazzini with spinach is a simple, easy and delicious pasta recipe that is comforting, creamy and cheesy. It's a family favourite. | aheadofthyme.com

    Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich with Cranberry Sauce

    Looking for comfort food in a hand-held serving? You got it! Put those leftovers to good use in this leftover Thanksgiving turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce.

    Looking for comfort food in a hand-held serving? Well, put those holiday leftovers to good use and make leftover Thanksgiving turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce! | aheadofthyme.com

    Turkey Potato Chowder

    Leftover turkey potato chowder is a creamy, savory, and delicious soup that is loaded with holiday leftovers. Quick and easy, ready in under 30 minutes.

    Leftover turkey potato chowder is a creamy, savory, and delicious soup that is loaded with holiday leftovers. Quick and easy, ready in under 30 minutes. | aheadofthyme.com

    Turkey Enchiladas

    Turkey Enchiladas are a cheesy, filling, and comforting meal that is quick and easy to make using a handful of ingredients including leftover turkey.

    Turkey Enchiladas are a cheesy, filling, and comforting meal that is quick and easy to make using a handful of ingredients including leftover turkey. | aheadofthyme.com

    Turkey Wild Rice Soup

    Wholesome hearty one pot leftover turkey wild rice soup is the most comforting way to use leftover turkey from Thanksgiving turkey dinner. So easy to make.

    Wholesome hearty one pot leftover turkey wild rice soup is the most comforting way to use leftover turkey from Thanksgiving turkey dinner. So easy to make. | aheadofthyme.com

    Buffalo Turkey Wraps

    Quick easy buffalo turkey wraps with homemade buffalo sauce are flavorful, spicy, and delicious. A healthy lunch that will keep you full until dinner.

    Quick easy buffalo turkey wraps with homemade buffalo sauce are flavorful, spicy, and delicious. A healthy lunch that will keep you full until dinner. | aheadofthyme.com

    Creamy Turkey Gnocchi Soup

    Creamy turkey gnocchi soup is the ultimate comfort food — creamy, rich, and delicious, made with good carbs, clean protein, and veggies in 25 minutes.

    Creamy turkey gnocchi soup is the ultimate comfort food — creamy, rich, and delicious, made with good carbs, clean protein, and veggies in 25 minutes. | aheadofthyme.com

    Coconut Turkey Curry

    Coconut turkey curry is creamy, rich, and flavorful. This delicious curry is the perfect recipe to make when you have turkey leftovers, ready in 30 minutes!

    Coconut turkey curry is creamy, rich, and flavorful. This delicious curry is the perfect recipe to make when you have turkey leftovers, ready in 30 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com

    Leftover Turkey Salad

    This Leftover Turkey Salad is a creamy and filling salad that is quick and easy to make — and your new go-to recipe for using Thanksgiving leftovers!

    This Leftover Turkey Salad is a creamy and filling salad that is quick and easy to make — and your new go-to recipe for using Thanksgiving leftovers! | aheadofthyme.com

    Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes

    Cranberry Sauce Oat Bars

    These cranberry sauce oat bars are basically date squares made with cranberry sauce. Pretty genius right? These oat bars layers together a soft, chewy and buttery crust, tart yet sweet cranberry sauce, and crumbly pecan and oat topping. The best use of Thanksgiving leftovers!

    Easy cranberry sauce oat bars with a buttery crust, cranberry sauce filling, and crumbly pecan oat topping is the best way to use leftover cranberry sauce. | aheadofthyme.com

    Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins with Oat Streusel Topping

    Don't throw away leftover cranberry sauce, instead create leftover cranberry sauce muffins with an oat streusel topping and enjoy for breakfast or dessert!

    Don't throw away leftover cranberry sauce, instead create leftover cranberry sauce muffins with an oat streusel topping and enjoy for breakfast or dessert! | aheadofthyme.com

    Cranberry Brie Bites

    Cranberry Brie Bites are quick and easy to make with flaky puff pastry, gooey melty brie, and sweet cranberry sauce. The perfect holiday appetizer.

    Cranberry Brie Bites are quick and easy to make with flaky puff pastry, gooey melty brie, and sweet cranberry sauce. The perfect holiday appetizer. | aheadofthyme.com

    Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce Chicken

    Instant pot cranberry chicken is sweet, tart, savory, and delicious. Make this chicken dinner in the pressure cooker in just 30 minutes. So quick and easy!

    Instant pot cranberry chicken is sweet, tart, savory, and delicious. Make this chicken dinner in the pressure cooker in just 30 minutes. So quick and easy! | aheadofthyme.com

    Cranberry Sauce Swirl Pound Cake

    Leftover cranberry sauce swirl pound cake is moist and tender with swirls of cranberry sauce for a sweet and tangy burst of flavour. So easy and delicious.

    Leftover cranberry sauce swirl pound cake is moist and tender with swirls of cranberry sauce for a sweet and tangy burst of flavour. So easy and delicious. | aheadofthyme.com

    Cranberry Baked Brie

    Cranberry baked brie is a sweet and savory appetizer you need to try this holiday season. It's quick and easy, melty and gooey, and so delicious.

    Cranberry baked brie is a sweet and savory appetizer you need to try this holiday season. It's quick and easy, melty and gooey, and so delicious. | aheadofthyme.com

    Cranberry Meatballs

    Cranberry Meatballs are sticky, sweet and tangy. These delicious bites are the perfect holiday appetizer, or a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce.

    Cranberry Meatballs are sticky, sweet and tangy. These delicious bites are the perfect holiday appetizer, or a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce. | aheadofthyme.com

    Cranberry Sauce Smoothie

    Leftover cranberry sauce smoothie is the perfect drink to make with holiday leftovers. Plus, this sweet and refreshing winter smoothie in ready in minutes.

    Leftover cranberry sauce smoothie is the perfect drink to make with holiday leftovers. Plus, this sweet and refreshing winter smoothie in ready in minutes. | aheadofthyme.com

    Cranberry Sauce Swirl Cheesecake

    Cranberry sauce swirl cheesecake is creamy, smooth, and indulgent. With a gorgeous red swirl on top, it's the perfect holiday dessert for your next party.

    Cranberry sauce swirl cheesecake is creamy, smooth, and indulgent. With a gorgeous red swirl on top, it's the perfect holiday dessert for your next party. | aheadofthyme.com

    Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

    Use this recipe and instead of using fruit, use leftover cranberry sauce! Layer cranberry sauce, creamy yogurt and crunchy granola to make this fruit and yogurt parfait for a delicious and healthy breakfast or a simple snack.

    Layer fresh fruits, creamy Greek yogurt and crunchy granola to make this fruit and yogurt parfait for a delicious and healthy breakfast or a simple snack. | aheadofthyme.com

    Leftover Mashed Potatoes Recipes

    Mashed Potato Cakes

    Mashed potato cakes are light and fluffy inside, crispy golden outside, and so delicious and flavorful. The best way to use up leftover mashed potatoes!

    Mashed potato cakes are light and fluffy inside, crispy golden outside, and so delicious and flavorful. The best way to use up leftover mashed potatoes! | aheadofthyme.com

    Skillet Shepherd’s Pie

    Skillet shepherd's pie is a savoury and hearty traditional comfort food. With flavourful beef and fluffy potatoes, this cozy meal it will warm you up.

    Skillet shepherd's pie is a savoury and hearty traditional comfort food. With flavourful beef and fluffy potatoes, this cozy meal it will warm you up. | aheadofthyme.com

    Mashed Potato Soup

    Mashed potato soup is one of the best ways to use up leftover mashed potatoes. It’s creamy, cheesy, delicious, and ready in under 30 minutes.

    Mashed potato soup is one of the best ways to use up leftover mashed potatoes. It’s creamy, cheesy, delicious, and ready in under 30 minutes. | aheadofthyme.com

    Potato Dinner Rolls

    Potato Dinner Rolls are soft, light, and fluffy. These quick and easy dinner rolls are loaded with leftover mashed potatoes and simple pantry staples.

    Potato Dinner Rolls are soft, light, and fluffy. These quick and easy dinner rolls are loaded with leftover mashed potatoes and simple pantry staples. | aheadofthyme.com

    Mashed Potato Balls

    Mashed potato balls are a delicious appetizer that is crisp on the outside and soft, tender, and cheesy inside. Best way to use leftover mashed potatoes!

    Mashed potato balls are a delicious appetizer that is crisp on the outside and soft, tender, and cheesy inside. Best way to use leftover mashed potatoes! | aheadofthyme.com

    Baked Mashed Potato Spring Rolls

    Baked mashed potato spring rolls combines the comforting flavours and textures of creamy mashed potatoes with a crisp crunchy layer of spring roll heaven.

    Baked mashed potato spring rolls combines the comforting flavours and textures of creamy mashed potatoes with a crisp crunchy layer of spring roll heaven. | aheadofthyme.com

    Homemade Potato and Cheese Perogies

    Homemade Potato and Cheese Perogies are comforting, delicious, and satisfying. These cheddar pierogi from scratch as easier to make than you think!

    Homemade Potato and Cheese Perogies are comforting, delicious, and satisfying. These cheddar pierogi from scratch as easier to make than you think! | aheadofthyme.com

    Sweet Potato Croquettes

    Sweet Potato Croquettes are delicious, flavorful, savory balls of mashed sweet potatoes, cheese, and seasoning — crisp outside and soft and tender inside.

    Sweet Potato Croquettes are delicious, flavorful, savory balls of mashed sweet potatoes, cheese, and seasoning — crisp outside and soft and tender inside. | aheadofthyme.com

    Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes

    Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

    Fried mac and cheese balls are crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, and have the perfect crunch. Best way to use leftover mac and cheese.

    Fried mac and cheese balls are crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, and have the perfect crunch. Best way to use leftover mac and cheese. | aheadofthyme.com

    Planning Ahead?

    If you are planning ahead for Thanksgiving leftovers, even before your Thanksgiving dinner, then try any of these recipes and make a big batch to ensure you have leftovers to use in these recipes.

    • Turkey - Juiciest Whole Roast Turkey, Roasted Turkey Breast, Instant Pot Turkey Breast, Slow Cooker Turkey Breast, Asian Five-Spice Roast Turkey, Roasted Turkey Legs, or Soy Glazed Braised Turkey Breast with Five-Spice.
    • Cranberry sauce - Make Ahead Cranberry Sauce
    • Mashed potatoes - Creamiest Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream, Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, or Healthy Mashed Potatoes.
    • Mac and cheese - Baked Mac and Cheese, Stovetop White Cheddar Mac and Cheese, or Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese.

    More Popular Recipes

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    Did You Make Any of These Thanksgiving Leftovers?

    Please leave a comment and rating below, and let me know what you thought of these Thanksgiving leftover recipes. Be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

    HUNGRY FOR MORE? Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for more recipe updates.

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    Over 25 most popular best Thanksgiving leftover recipes for everything from leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and more. | aheadofthyme.com

    25 Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes


    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    • Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 4-6 servings
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Over 25 most popular best Thanksgiving leftover recipes for everything from leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and more.


    Ingredients

    • leftover turkey - Juiciest Whole Roast Turkey, Roasted Turkey Breast, Instant Pot Turkey Breast, Slow Cooker Turkey Breast, Instant Pot Turkey Roast, Asian Five-Spice Roast Turkey, Roasted Turkey Legs, or Soy Glazed Braised Turkey Breast with Five-Spice.
    • leftover cranberry sauce - Make Ahead Cranberry Sauce
    • leftover mashed potatoes - Creamiest Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream, Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, or Healthy Mashed Potatoes.
    • leftover mac and cheese - Baked Mac and Cheese, Stovetop White Cheddar Mac and Cheese, Brie Mac and Cheese, or Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese.

    Instructions

    Check individual posts for full recipe and instructions.

    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Category: Various
    • Method: Various
    • Cuisine: Various

    Nutrition

    • Calories: 270

    Keywords: 25 best thanksgiving leftover recipes, best thanksgiving leftovers, thanksgiving leftover recipes, recipes for thanksgiving leftovers

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    25 Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
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    Comments

    1. Jess says

      October 23, 2021 at 9:23 am

      The turkey stuffed peppers were unreal! Trying the turkey potato chowder next!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says

        November 15, 2021 at 11:08 am

        Yay! So happy to hear that!

        Reply

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