Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year, but a close second — foodwise — would have to be the long weekend following turkey day. Suddenly my pathetic fridge looks like a fireworks display of flavors. Of course I’ve got a soft spot for the ol’ turkey sandwich with a side of grandma’s potato salad, but the possibilities are endless.
My sister always makes way too much cranberry sauce which means there’ll be plenty leftover for a quesadilla, cranberry lime margaritas, and even cranberry chocolate croissant french toast. You can make leftover mashed potatoes the star of the show, or give the spotlight to the stuffing. There are so many options — from breakfast and lunch to dinner and dessert. We’ve got some of the best Thanksgiving leftovers ideas out there.
20 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Thanksgiving Leftovers
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Cranberry Chocolate Croussant French Toast Casserole
This elegant dish is a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce and can be tossed together in minutes and made up to two days in advance.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Quesadilla
This scrumptious recipe can be open to interpretation -- add any number of yummy fall flavors!
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Turkey Meatball Sandwiches
Looking for a great way to use up your leftover Thanksgiving turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and sweet potatoes? Try these turkey meatball sammies for lunch today!
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Cranberry Lime Margarita
This fun, festive recipe uses your leftover cranberry sauce and is super simple to make (and delicious)!
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Farro With Turkey & Cranberries
Nothing says comfort like turning yesterday's turkey and cranberry sauce into a hearty dish with farro and Gruyere.
Get the recipe from Reluctant Entertainer
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Pumpkin Gnocchi
Try this easy pumpkin gnocchi if you've got an open can of pumpkin puree or some leftover roasted pumpkin. Add a dollop of cranberry sauce if you've still got some, too!
Get the recipe at Peachy Palate
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Turkey Holiday Hash
One of my all-time fave ways to use leftover turkey. Add some fresh veggies in with your leftover turkey, stuffing, and gravy and fry it up in a skillet for a scrumptious post-holiday meal.
Get the recipe from Boulder Locavore
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Leftover Mashed Potato Crusted Quiche
Try something different with your leftover spuds by making them the base for a rich and cheesy vegetable quiche,
Get the recipe at Teacher-Chef
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Stuffing Stuffed Mushrooms
I'm always struggling over what to do with leftover stuffing, but these bite-sized beauties are both easy and delicious.
Get the recipe at Purely Consumed
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Roasted Butternut Squash Dip
Turn your squash side dish into this decadent spread -- eat it with crackers or spread it onto a leftovers sandwich!
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Turkey Fried Rice
Use up the turkey and the Thanksgiving veggies for this healthy version of Chinese take out.
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Turkey, Black Bean, Avocado, and Radish Salad with Lime and Cilantro
After all that rich Thanksgiving food, your heart with thank you for this crunchy, flavorful, Southwest inspired salad.
Get the recipe at Kalyn's Kitchen
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Thanksgiving Stuffing Burgers
Once you try these burgers made from leftover stuffing, you might just look forward to the day after Thanksgiving even more than Thanksgiving itself.
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Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich
An epic sandwich like this can only be born from a fridge loaded with leftover Thanksgiving goodies.
Get the recipe from Miss Hangry Pants
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Turkey Cranchiladas
Adding cranberry sauce to enchiladas is magical. It adds just a hint of sweetness that will make them irresistible.
Get the recipe from Pink Parsley
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Nachos
It doesn't get much better than Thanksgiving leftovers with spicy Mexican flare.
Get the recipe from Girl Verses Dough
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Orange Cranberry Parfait
Made from leftover cranberry sauce, this beautiful and elegant dessert can be whipped up in no time.
Get the recipe from Sweet Remedy
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Open Faced Turkey Cranberry Enchilada Melt
Imagine all of the Thanksgiving deliciousness on a warm buttery roll with melted cheese on top. Yum.
Get the recipe from Running to the Kitchen
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Sweet Potato Biscuits
These biscuits are perfect along side soup that you might make with your leftover turkey, or for breakfast served with butter and honey.
Get the recipe from Home Cooking Memories
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Leftover Pumpkin Pie Milkshake
Decadent, creamy, full of pumpkin flavor, and basically just all around awesome.
Get the recipe from Blogging Over Thyme
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Pulled Turkey Sandwich with BBQ Cranberry Sauce
You might find yourself actually saving turkey and cranberry sauce so you can make this sandwich for lunch after the holiday. Delicious!
Get the recipe from Pink Parsley
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Turkey Tamale Pie
This warm and cheesy pie made from your turkey leftovers is a true comfort food!
Get the recipe from Dinners, Dishes & Desserts
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Cranberry Sauce Brownies
A box of your favorite brownie mix and leftover cranberry sauce -- that's all you'll need to make these dreamy brownies.
Get the recipe from Confections of a Foodie Bride
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Ultimate Thanksgiving Lasagna
Just layer your leftover turkey, stuffing, veggies, and gravy in between layers of lasagna, bake and you’ve got a whole new meal.
Get the recipe from Barbara Cooks
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Thanksgiving Eggs Benedict
Inside of 20 minutes, you can turn Thanksgiving dinner into of breakfast of Eggs Benedict!
Get the recipe from Closet Cooking
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Gluten-Free Spiced Cranberry Sauce Corn Muffin Recipe
Don't we all make way too much cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving? You're lucky if you do because you can whip up these delicious, quick, and easy muffins for breakfast the next day.
Get the recipe from Cooking On The Weekends
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Thanksgiving Potato Skins
What better way to use up your leftovers than to fill crispy potatoes with them?
Get the recipe from Dixie Chik Cooks
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Thanksgiving Tostadas Two Ways
These tostadas are simple to throw together, they look really pretty, and they're the perfect meal for lunch or dinner after the holiday.
Get the recipe from Family Fresh Cooking
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Turkey, Kiwi and Apple Salad
A good-for-you mixed green salad full of your tasty leftovers, and brightened with fresh fruit.
Get the recipe at Chelsea's Messy Apron
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Turkey Pot Pie with Cornbread Topping
This turkey recipe will completely transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a new yummy meal.
Get the recipe at Curry and Comfort
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Thanksgiving Leftover Pizza
All you need is the pizza dough. Anything and everything leftover from your feast can go on top.
Get the recipe at Jelly Toast
