Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipe Roundup

As a food blogger, by the time Thanksgiving actually comes around in late November I have already cooked upwards of two to three turkeys while testing recipes before the actual holiday. In doing this I have come up with some pretty creative ways to use up extra turkey, mashed potatoes (and more) so that they are reinvented in new ways for you.

While stacking it on a sandwich is great, I don’t want your family to get sick of having the same meal for days on end. Instead of reliving Thanksgiving like its “groundhog day”. Turn to these recipes to create new meals out of leftovers so that extra food doesn’t go to waste!

Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipe Roundup

Check out all of my favorite Thanksgiving leftover recipes with tips below.

Butternut Squash, Chard & Bacon Quiche

Add whatever leftover veggies and greens you have from Thanksgiving dinner into this flexible recipe for quiche. Swap the butternut squash for roasted sweet potatoes. You can also add leftover roasted turkey or chopped green beans.

Turkey and Wild Rice Soup with Garlic Oil

I like this recipe for Thanksgiving leftovers because it is a nice change of pace from feeling “over holiday themed”. The comforting soup is great for rainy days!

Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Panini with Turkey, Brie, Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Cranberry Mayo 

Take your Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich to the next level with this panini. This sandwich combines roasted turkey with mayo made with leftover cranberry sauce and shredded Brussels sprouts.

Turkey, Apple & Brie Open-Face Sandwich 

I typically use deli-sliced turkey for this sandwich but you can easily swap in sliced pieces of turkey breast.

Mini Thanksgiving Turkey & Cranberry Pot Pies

If using leftovers, simply swap out the ground turkey for chopped turkey meat. You can also sub chicken for turkey in this similar classic pot pie recipe and make turkey pot pie.

Roasted Butternut Squash & Balsamic Brussels Sprouts Flatbread Pizza with Goat Cheese

Take your leftover roasted vegetables and spread them onto this flatbread! You could even add sautéed greens or chopped roasted turkey as well.

Thai Green Curry Chicken 

Instead of chicken thighs swap in cooked, chopped turkey meat. Since the meat is already cooked, just make the curry and add the meat, cooking until it’s warmed.

Not only is it delicious but doing what’s called “sandbagging” (using shortcuts in cooking to cut down on prep time) the meal comes together in about 15 minutes.

Thanksgiving Leftover Shepherd’s Pie 

This hearty dish is a great way to use up any leftover mashed potatoes, turkey, and other vegetables or to savor those holiday flavors year round. Throw in anything from Brussels sprouts to chopped green beans.

Turkey Sausage Sandwich with Gouda, Cranberry Mayo & Bacon

In this recipe turkey sausage patties are served with crispy hickory-smoked bacon, melted nutty gouda cheese and homemade cranberry mayonnaise and topped with arugula on toasted sourdough bread.

A Few More Tips

• Make a turkey salad as you would a chicken salad. Mix chopped leftover roasted turkey with mayonnaise, a little dijon mustard, salt and pepper and add to toasted bread or a bagel with lettuce and avocado. Serve the turkey salad over some mixed greens for a lighter lunch.
• Make the famous “moist-maker” sandwich from the show Friends. It’s made by stacking leftover stuffing, roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce (I add arugula) on a sandwich with an extra slice of bread dipped in gravy in the middle.
• Add turkey instead of grilled chicken over your favorite salads!