Here’s how to use up all your Thanksgiving leftovers

By Sarah Jenkins

When you’re preparing for your Thanksgiving feast, it’s natural to focus on the big meal. But have you ever thought about how to deal with the mountain of Thanksgiving leftovers that often arise? Instead of letting excess turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce go to waste, why not use them to create new, exciting dishes?

With a little creativity, these leftovers can be transformed into fresh meals that extend the joy of Thanksgiving long after the day is over. From turkey slices to mashed potato cakes, these ideas will help you turn your post-feast extras into a range of delicious meals that keep the Thanksgiving flavor alive while reducing food waste.

Why it’s important to use up those leftovers

Thanksgiving is a celebration of togetherness and gratitude. However, it is also one of the biggest food waste days of the year. According to ReFED, a U.S.-based nonprofit that works to combat food waste, Americans will waste about 316 million pounds of food on Thanksgiving alone in 2024. “That means more than $556 million worth of food is thrown away in a single day – a sharp contrast to the spirit of gratitude that the day is intended to embody,” said Selena Mao, manager at ReFED.

With millions of pounds of uneaten food thrown away every year, finding creative ways to reuse leftovers isn’t just practical — it’s also a small step toward reducing food waste. By giving your Thanksgiving staples a second life, you can help minimize waste while still enjoying your holiday meal in a fresh and delicious way. Here’s how to use up every last bit of your Thanksgiving leftovers.

turkey

Turkey is undoubtedly the centerpiece of Thanksgiving, and there are many ways to incorporate it into delicious, inventive dishes. Consider making Turkey Cranberry Sliders, a sweet and savory option that combines leftover turkey with cranberry sauce on soft Hawaiian rolls. These sliders are perfect for a snack or light meal. Adding leftover turkey to soups is also an easy way to repurpose this Thanksgiving staple. Turkey rice soup or turkey noodle soup are both classics that are easy to prepare and ideal for cozy evenings.

Make turkey enchiladas to add a Mexican-inspired twist to your leftovers. For taco lovers, leftover turkey tacos are a quick and delicious option that brings some spice to the table.

If you love traditional chicken pot pie, you can spice up this classic comfort food with turkey and give it a fresh twist. Simply combine your leftover turkey with a mixture of fresh or frozen vegetables, then stir in a creamy sauce made from butter and roux, milk, and broth. Top the mixture with a buttery pie crust, bake until golden brown and bubbly, and you have an easy, delicious meal that’s perfect for using up leftovers.

Finally, don’t forget the turkey carcass. Use it to prepare a flavorful turkey broth that can serve as a base for future soups and stews. Simply toss your turkey bones in water with some herbs and vegetables—preferably chopped onions, carrots, garlic, celery, and thyme—and simmer them on the stove for about three to four hours to create a flavorful homemade broth.

pumpkin

Pumpkin isn’t just for cakes – there are many creative ways to use it. You can turn leftover pumpkin into a savory pumpkin quiche, stir it into oatmeal or yogurt for a flavor boost, or even mix it into a creamy batch of mac and cheese. Adding it to a hearty pumpkin chili for a warm, filling meal full of fall flavor is also a hit.

mashed potatoes

Plain mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple and there are tons of ways to reuse them. Deep-fried mashed potato balls are a fun way to take your leftovers to the next level. These crunchy, cheesy bites are always a hit and are a great app to use when hosting football parties over Thanksgiving weekend.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try making a mashed potato chocolate cake. Believe it or not, adding a cup of mashed potatoes to your favorite chocolate cake recipe can add moisture and richness to this decadent dessert. Simple mashed potatoes are best suited here.

Cranberry sauce

Cranberries are an unsung hero of the Thanksgiving table and are often left in the fridge. However, there are many ways to reuse this sweet sauce. Use it as a topping for Greek yogurt for a flavorful morning treat. You can also stir leftover cranberry sauce into your favorite quick bread recipe for a great breakfast treat.