Creative Ways to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers: Turn Extras Into Something Exciting

Sometimes, when you cook on Thanksgiving you have leftovers.  But, you may get tired of eating the same meal over and over again for a week or more. 

The good news is that you can change things up.

Here are my top leftover ideas you can make using your Thanksgiving leftovers.

The Ultimate Leftover Sandwich

This is one of the most common things people do.  Here’s a few things you can do to spruce your sandwich up.

• Use toasted rolls, croissant, or bread.
• Spread cranberry sauce or gravy like mayo and add turkey or ham.
• Top is off with lettuce, cheese, tomato, etc.
• Add a touch of oil with a few of your favorite seasoning (pepper, oregano, basil)

You can have a tasty sandwich full of flavor.

Thanksgiving Bowl (Comfort in a Dish)

• Start off with a base (stuffing or mashed potatoes)
• Add your meat and veggies
• Drizzle your sauce or gravy
• Top with something sweet (cranberry)

Customize to your likely and enjoy.

Turkey Pot Pie

A delicious homemade meal that taste new.

Use your vegetables and turkey fill in your pie.

Blend your base ingredients with a gravy or creamy sauce.

Top with biscuits or pie crust.

Bake.

This is the perfect way to use leftovers and to eat something that taste new and comforting.

Leftover Stuffing Waffles

If you have a waffle maker, try this out. 

• Cover your waffle maker with oil or pam spray.
• Add you stuffing to your waffle maker until it is crisp.
• Top with gravy, turkey or ham, and or a fried egg.

A quick meal to eat.  Crispy on the outside yet soft on the inside.

Cranberry Sauce Creations

A variety of ways you can use your cranberry sauce.

• Mix it in with yogurt
• Spread it on a piece of toast with cream cheese
• Use it a glaze
• Add to your smoothie drink

Turkey Soup or Broth

You can’t go wrong with a soup. 

• Simmer your turkey bones and vegetables to make a homemade broth.
• Add some noodles, turkey or ham.
• Season to your liking

A light meal so you won’t become to stuffed.

Mashed Potato Makeovers

Mashed potatoes can be used for:

• Fritter
• Casserole
• Topping to a Sheppard’s pie

Thanksgiving Quesadillas or Wraps

You can’t go wrong.

• Fill your tortillas with your favorite meat, cheese, peppers and stuffing.
• Put in a pan or grill.
• Add some sauce over it or dip your quesadilla or wrap into one.

Dig into your satisfying meal.

Freeze for Later

You don’t have to eat everything all at once.  Save it for later but make sure you:

• Label and date it.
• Separate in portions.

This will give you options for meals in the future for when you don’t want to cook.

Final Thoughts

Use your creativity to whip a meal that taste new but uses leftovers.  You’ll thank yourself later.

You might even create your own recipes after trying a few of these out.

Give those leftovers a second chance at life.🍽️