The tryptophan is starting to settle in and a nap is definitely in the near future — Thanksgiving must be on its way out. It’s sad for a few seconds, until you realize that you’ll soon be headed home with containers of Thanksgiving leftovers in tow. Score! Grandma was sure to load you up with extra of your fave (pumpkin cheesecake, duh) and plenty of the classics for you to play with tomorrow. Since Thanksgiving leftovers are always better when they’re turned into something else, we dug up 17 ways that you can make the most out of them. Keep scrolling to get the tastiest Black Friday ever.
1. Turkey and Mashed Potato Pot Pie Soup: If you’re lucky enough to have mashed potatoes left over after Turkey Day, you’ve *got* to try this creamy pot pie soup. Bake off a few strips of pre-made pie dough for scooping and you’ve got a comforting meal that’s best eaten under the covers. (via Yammie’s Noshery)
2. Turkey and Cranberry Quesadillas: You can’t go wrong when cheese is involved. Load up your tortillas with turkey, cranberry sauce and Swiss cheese for a fast and yummy midnight snack. (via Little Dairy on the Prairie)
3. Leftover Mashed Potato Cakes: Remember those potato bites you had as a kid with the smiley faces on them? Use your day-old mashed potatoes to create these cakes that taste scarily similar. (via Savory Nothings)
4. Leftover Thanksgiving Stuffing Waffles: Dust off your waffle maker and give it the attention it deserves. Pile in the remnants of your stuffing to crisp it up before topping with mashed potatoes, turkey and cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving 2.0. (via Shared Appetite)
5. LeftoverTurkey and Cranberry Sauce Salad: Everyone loves chicken salad, and your leftover turkey is a great substitute. Throw in some cranberry sauce and your coworkers will be SO jealous of your lunch all week. (via The Healthy Maven)
6. Thanksgiving Stuffing Poppers With Cranberry Jalapeño Dipping Sauce: Add a little spice to your Thanksgiving leftovers with the help of fresh jalapeños. Dip your falafel-inspired stuffing poppers in the hot and tangy cranberry sauce for a whole new flavor experience. (via Beard and Bonnet)
7. Turkey Mushroom Cranberry Risotto: White wine, mushrooms and fresh herbs transform shredded turkey and dried cranberries into a gourmet meal. Who says the leftover food has to be microwaved and soggy? There will be none of that here when you make this recipe! (via Reluctant Entertainer)
8. Savory Crepes With Turkey and Stuffing: Whether you prepare these for breakfast with a fried egg on top or for a quick dinner on Thanksgiving day two, you won’t be disappointed. The crepes are surprisingly easy to make and are a fun way to make leftovers *a lot* less boring. (via Butter With a Side of Bread)
9. Thanksgiving Pizza: If you’re not shopping, the day after Thanksgiving is usually filled with sweatpants and football. That situation definitely calls for pizza that’s topped with all of your favorites from the day before. (via The Gunny Sack)
10. Thanksgiving Leftover Dumplings: No matter what you have left from Thanksgiving dinner, if you put it in a wonton purse, it’s going to be delicious. Try serving with a chipotle-spiced cranberry sauce for dipping. (Foxes Love Lemons)
11. Turkey Salad Topped With Cranberry Sauce: Using up your leftovers in a tasty way doesn’t have to be complicated. Grab a cracker and pile of turkey salad with a dollop of cranberry sauce and you’re done! (via Sugar and Charm)
12. Turkey and Mashed Potatoes Casserole: Sometimes it’s hard to fit in every family dinner ON Thanksgiving day. If you have another potluck to go to the next day, utilize the food you have left to make this casserole. Guests will love that every classic flavor is in one place. (via Olivia’s Cuisine)
13. Bacon Wrapped Stuffing Bites: So, stuffing isn’t your favorite but you have a ton of it left. The solution? Wrap bites of it in bacon and bake them off until crispy and delicious. This is OBVI a game changer. (via Tablespoon)
14. Creamy Turkey Casserole: Don’t feel like getting fancy with your leftovers? Simply layer them all together and reheat in a casserole dish. Everything’s better when it’s touching anyway, right? (via Cutefetti)
15. Turkey Cranberry and Brie Egg Rolls: Who needs takeout the day after Thanksgiving when you can use your leftovers to make egg rolls? They’re baked, flavorful and a fun way to get the kiddies involved in the kitchen. (via Recipe Runner)
16. Leftover Turkey Dinner Stack: No matter what you happen to have left after Turkey Day, you can find a way to work it into this stack. Mix and match your favorites to build your perfect meal. (via Spend With Pennies)
17. Thanksgiving Leftovers Stromboli: Frozen pizza dough saves the day when you have no idea what to do with your spare food from Thanksgiving. Roll everything (literally) up in the dough and bake to golden brown perfection. (via Pip and Ebby)
Follow us on Pinterest for more easy + delicious recipe ideas.
Paige Johnson
Paige is a blogger, food writer and culinary master from Louisville, Ky. She's a newlywed who's obsessed with dogs and renovating her 117 year old home. When she's not working on her blog — My Modern Cookery — you can find her binge watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S with a triple shot latte in-hand.
