Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (2024)

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Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (1)

The best Thanksgiving leftovers recipes to enjoy your leftover with the next day!

The Thanksgiving dinner is a truly amazing thing and one of the parts that I enjoy most is just getting started when the dinner comes to an end and that is thinking about creative ways to use all of the leftovers. In fact I tend to plan on making more than I believe that will be finished to ensure that there will be enough leftover to experiment with. Although I would be probably be perfectly happy using all of the leftover turkey in my favourite roast turkey sandwiches, I see it almost as a challenge to do something new and creative with the leftovers every year to keep things interesting. There are just so many things that you can do with roast turkey and if you also consider using some of the other leftovers in the same dish like the cranberry sauce or the sweet potato casserole things really start to get really fun. If you roasted a full turkey, don?t throw the carcass out as you can use it to make some turkey stock and that opens up a whole new load of doors for turkey soups and stews. I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some ideas for using your Thanksgiving leftovers in creative ways and so I present to you some of my favourites!

Cranberry and Brie Turkey Grilled Cheese with Avocado and Bacon
Roast Turkey Club Sandwich with Cranberry Sauce
Easy Homemade Turkey Stock
Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
Roast Turkey Cobb Sandwich
Thanksgiving Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Thanksgiving Eggs Benedict
Roast Turkey Cuban Sandwich
Turkey and Squash “Thanksgiving” Risotto
Texmex Hot and Brown
Grilled Turkey and Brie Sandwich with Cranberry Chutney
Roast Turkey Sandwich with Artichoke Tapenade, Caramelized Onions and Roasted Red Peppers
The Rachel Sandwich (aka Roast Turkey Reuben Sandwich)
Turkey and Cranberry Quesadillas
Turkey and Cranberry Sushi
Turkey, Cranberry, Brie and Pear Sandwiches with Avocado and Bacon
Turkey Pho
Ham and Eggs au Gratin
Ham and Bean Soup
Split Pea Soup
Roast Beef Sandwich with Caramelized Onions and Grainy Mustard, Horseradish Mayo
Pot Roast Mushroom Soup
Pot Roast Grilled Cheese French Dip Sandwich with Spicy Miso Au Jus
Cranberry and Brie Turkey Quesadillas with Avocado and Candied Jalapenos
Ham and Pineapple Fried Cauliflower Rice
Cottage Cheese and Egg Muffins with Ham and Cheddar Cheese
Ham and Potato Corn Chowder
Ham and Cheese Egg Casserole
Pot Roast Beef Philly Cheese Steak Dip
Slow Cooker Roast Beef French Dip Sandwich
Pot Roast Sandwich Smothered in Gravy with Melted Swiss Cheese and Horseradish Mayonnaise
Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta
Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup

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Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (35)

Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (36)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (37)Culinary Cory says

    Great list of leftover ideas. Nice variety of sandwiches.

    Reply

  2. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (38)Kerstin says

    You're got all the bases covered here, what a great list of ideas!

    Reply

  3. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (39)3 hungry tummies says

    What a great list of using up leftover!!!

    Reply

  4. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (40)WannabeVirginia W. says

    Awesome recipes. I am wondering if you could include the nutritional facts or calories of the meals that you have made.

    Reply

  5. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (41)Nina Timm says

    I think I'll skip the real deal and move over to the leftovers right away!!!

    Reply

  6. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (42)screwdestiny says

    Ooh, they all sound so tasty! I'm just gonna be boring and make a turkey shephard's pie…

    Reply

  7. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (45)Sharon says

    Wow great leftover ideas, having the family over tonight to eat leftovers, so these are great!

    Reply

  8. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (46)Chris says

    My personal favorite is the Kentucky Hot Brown, but these are all great ideas.

    Reply

  9. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (47)LV says

    When are you going to produce a Closet Cooking cookbook? They'd make great Christmas presents! I'd buy one for everyone I know!

    Reply

  10. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (48)Kaylie says

    The Turkey and Brie sandwich looks amazing! I'm Canadian so my Thanksgiving was a while ago, but I may see if I can find some turkey breasts at the store just to try that. 🙂

    Reply

  11. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (49)Gina says

    All great ideas!!!

    Reply

  12. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (50)Anonymous says

    Fabulous ideas – I think the risotto and chilli are top of my list as favourites.
    🙂 Mandy

    Reply

  13. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (51)LimeCake says

    Wow what a mouthwatering roundup of delicious recipes to try!

    Reply

  14. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (52)MissAlyssa says

    that photo of the turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce is making me want to eat turkey again!!! ill fight the urge but yum E!!!!

    Reply

  15. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (54)Anonymous says

    I like your leftover ideas…I may try a grilled pizza if we have enough turkey or ham leftover..if we have alot of mexican fajita meat left over I usually make a grilled pizza from that. You should try something like that. I'm a blogger myself at thewhitedish.wordpress.com Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply

  16. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (55)Bibliovore says

    Nice — thanks for posting this! One more suggestion for you: a savory brioche/puff (I like Better Homes and Gardens' recipe for Gruyère puffs) makes a fantastic seat for turkey salad or on which to spread cranberry sauce.

    Reply

  17. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (57)Anonymous says

    You've done it again! Never ceases to make my mouth water! BRAVO!!!

    Reply

  18. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (58)Anonymous says

    I can't decide if I would rather have had your turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce for breakfast, or the extra large slice of pumpkin pie that I just indulged in! Thanks for sharing; happy Leftover Day.

    -the tasty tRuth

    Reply

  19. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (59)Elizabeth says

    Turkey and cranberries are the best!!

    Reply

  20. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (60)Love In Spoonfuls says

    Oh my GOODNESS! definitely making the turkey and brie grilled cheese and the quesadillas. Plus, you had my mouth watering with the description of the turkey, cranberry and mayo combo… love it. Good thing I have more turkey (and leftovers) coming my way this Christmas!

    Reply

  21. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (62)JQR77 says

    These all look really good. I'm especially interested in trying the sushi.

    Reply

  22. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (63)Kara Rae says

    I used your turkey pho recipe as a base. I also added dried shiitake mushrooms along with the star anise, cloves, etc.- added an extra layer of flavor. Thanks for the recipe- we've started a new (happily, gluten-free) post-thanksgiving tradition!

    Reply

  23. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (64)tanya1234 says

    thankxxxxx 🙂

    Reply

  24. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (65)ROR says

    ah Kevin, you're killing me, man… all the leftover turkey stayed at my folks' place!! :/

    Reply

  25. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (66)Natty says

    So… Much… Turkey… Haha, can't eat anymore turkey!

    Natalya @ Ruff House Art

    Reply

  26. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (67)Anonymous says

    Yummmm definately going to try these out!!!

    Reply

  27. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (68)charmel tan says

    These are perfect recipes for our thanksgiving left overs. We don't want it to got to waste. We have to savor and enjoy it.
    electronic voting systems

    Reply

  28. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (69)Adriana says

    Creative ideas for leftovers! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply

  29. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (70)Jessy @ Italian Shirt says

    Oh… at last found all in one, I was struggling a lot to find a good collection for my thanks giving dinner table. Hope I have no hassle next time thanks to you.

    Reply

  30. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (71)Pauline says

    Turkey pho! What a great idea! (Also, you forgot an "h") I'll have to try that myself.

    You should also try brisket pho! Brisket is even better than the usual rare sliced steak (I come from a Viet household whose momma makes one of the best pho around).

    Reply

  31. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (72)Kevin says

    Pauline: Turkey pho is definitely a great way to enjoy the turkey leftovers and to use those turkey bones! I will have to try a brisket pho now!

    Reply

  32. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (73)Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says

    How wrong is it that I just want to skip Thanksgiving and head right to the leftovers?!

    Reply

  33. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (74)Heather Christo says

    OH KEVIN!!! this looks amazing- I want all of those sandwiches!!!!

    Reply

  34. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (75)Olivia says

    Great list of ideas! Thank you

    Reply

  35. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (76)Gaby Dalkin says

    that turkey club sandwich!!!! want!

    Reply

  36. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (77)Sabrina says

    wow, these are elevated turkey sandwiches, I’ve always only made the simplest turkey sandwiches by comparison, turkey cranberry brie is such a great idea for a sandwich and a spin off of brie and jam or other preverses, cranberry even better, I like it’s flavor and it’s nor overly sweet, like turkey I need to consider cranberry miuch more often than November 24, thank you!

    Reply

  37. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (78)sara chan says

    Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into delicious creations! Try a turkey and cranberry panini, mashed potato pancakes, or a festive turkey and stuffing casserole. Get creative with these recipes to savor the flavors of the holiday season even after Thanksgiving Day. 🦃🍂 #LeftoverMagic #ThanksgivingTransformed

    Reply

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Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to deal with Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.

What is made from Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

Instead, try turning your leftovers into a casserole, like our turkey divan, our chicken stuffing casserole, or our turkey pot pie; a soup, like our turkey noodle soup, our leftover turkey & wild rice soup, or our homemade turkey stock (made from your turkey carcass); or something lighter or more flavorful than before, ...

Can I eat leftover turkey after 7 days? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

How to warm up Thanksgiving leftovers in an air fryer? ›

If you prefer the air fryer, it's best to stick to a couple slices at a time. Wrap your slices in foil to prevent splattering, then pop them in the air fryer for five to 10 minutes at 350°.

How to reheat Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

Transfer the turkey and mashed potatoes into oven-safe dishes, add a little stock to the turkey and butter to the potatoes, and cover both dishes. Reheat them together for about 30 minutes at 350°F. You're winning the leftover dinner game right now.

How long can Thanksgiving food be left out? ›

How to Properly Store Thanksgiving Leftovers. Hot or cold foods at room temperature should be left out no longer than two hours—that number goes down to one hour when the temperature is over 90 degrees. If food has been left out for more than two hours, it's best to throw it away.

Do Americans prefer Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

I'm the leftover king in our house, so I indulged on Mr. Turkey and sides for several more meals, none quite as good as the first, in my opinion. Apparently I'm in the minority, as this poll reported that 80 percent of Americans prefer the leftover version.

What are 4 commonly consumed foods at Thanksgiving other than turkey? ›

Cornish game hen, goose, duck, ham, beef, salmon, and mushroom recipes make worthy centerpieces for holiday meals.

What are 3 foods that are eaten on Thanksgiving? ›

Most Traditional Thanksgiving Foods. A traditional Thanksgiving meal consists of roast turkey and many sides including stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans and cranberry sauce, with pumpkin pie as dessert.

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

Frozen Turkey

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Can you eat leftover turkey on the 5th day? ›

According to foodsafety.gov, a website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the following foods are safe in the fridge: Turkey: 3-4 days. Eat turkey within three to four days of cooking. If you use the turkey in a new dish like a soup or casserole, only consume within those initial four days.

Is it OK to eat turkey that's been in the fridge for 2 weeks? ›

If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

How do chefs reheat turkey? ›

To reheat, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Keeping the turkey in the roasting pan, pour a bit of stock (chicken, turkey, or veggie stock or broth will work) over the meat to moisten it. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the turkey is warmed through.

Can you put foil in an air fryer? ›

The great news about air fryers is that you can use foil along with parchment paper to cook your food in an air fryer. Just remember that if it's safe and effective to use in a conventional oven, it will work just fine in an air fryer.

How to reheat turkey and keep it moist? ›

Instructions
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F.
  2. Slice the turkey and spread into a baking dish. ...
  3. Cover the turkey with broth and dot with the butter. ...
  4. Reheat in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes. ...
  5. Serving.

What is the rule for leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away.

What should you do with leftovers from Thanksgiving that has sat out for longer than 2 hours? ›

After two hours, perishable food enters the Danger Zone (between 40°F to 140°F (4°C to 60°C)) where bacteria can multiply quickly and cause the food to become unsafe. If foods have been left out for more than two hours, discard items to prevent foodborne illness.

How do you decolonize Thanksgiving dinner? ›

According to Hooley, one of the most straightforward actions people can take to decolonise their Thanksgiving includes supporting Indigenous land acknowledgments and land back movements.

How do you recover the day after Thanksgiving? ›

How to recover from a Thanksgiving feast
  1. Don't try to “make up for” your feast with a famine. ...
  2. Give away the leftovers! ...
  3. Forego the food courts on post-Thanksgiving shopping days. ...
  4. Don't forget your water bottle. ...
  5. Keep up with exercise. ...
  6. Get plenty of sleep.
Nov 25, 2023

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