50 Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes You'll Crave for Days

If you have unused sweet potatoes taking up space in your kitchen, why not turn them into a moist, decadent cake that tastes just like fall? With spiced cake, marshmallow buttercream frosting, and toasted pecans, this dessert is basically a reimagined version of sweet potato casserole—but with more sugar!

Get the Sweet Potato Cake recipe.

A deconstructed turkey sandwich is a fun way to use leftover bits of turkey! Doused in a buttery, creamy sauce, your Thanksgiving entrée will taste like the filling of a chicken pot pie—except it'll be spooned over flaky biscuits for a melt-in-your-mouth upgrade.

Get the Turkey à la King recipe.

Maybe your family swaps or supplements the traditional turkey with a roasted ham. If that’s the case, then you'll definitely want to turn the remnants into an irresistible casserole, complete with scalloped potatoes. This dish is cozy, filling, and Drummond-family approved! Ree says her kids “could eat this yummy comfort food on a weekly basis for the rest of their lives.”

Get Ree's Scalloped Potatoes and Ham recipe.

If you’re hosting a post-Thanksgiving weekend gathering or you’re just searching for something satiating to graze on, create a Thanksgiving-themed charcuterie board. Pile on all the usual fixings, plus add cranberry sauce to the assorted jams and sliced turkey to the medley of meats. Preparing this appetizer is also an excellent way to reuse extra crackers or spreads from Thanksgiving Day.

Get the Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board recipe.

You might be tempted to toss the dregs of mashed potatoes the day after Thanksgiving, but this recipe will have you thinking twice! The creamy, starchy dish is mixed with parsley and cheese, rolled in seasoned breadcrumbs and fried until the edges are golden and crispy. Enjoy them as a hearty appetizer or savory side!

Get Ree's Fried Mashed Potato Balls recipe.

Another imaginative way to use up all the leftover bites of turkey? Make a flatbread. This recipe entails stuffing a golden piece of naan with turkey and topping it with a full-on Thanksgiving spread of Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, toasted pecans.

Get Ree's Leftover Turkey and Cranberry Flatbreads recipe.

Sure, you could serve stuffing straight out of the bowl for a leftover Thanksgiving meal, but using it to fill seasonal vegetables is a much more exciting (and nutritious!) way to eat it. Add the bread-based stuffing to a sliced and scooped delicata squash and drizzle brown butter on top for a sweet and savory medley!

Get the Stuffed Delicata Squash recipe.

If you have an extra serving of mashed potatoes from Thanksgiving, mix the creamy heap with mayonnaise, mustard, and green onion, plus a dash of salt and pepper, for a nostalgic potato salad dish. While you could always start from scratch, having pre-mashed potatoes will save you time and effort!

Get Ree's Perfect Potato Salad recipe.

Maybe you opted for baked sweet potatoes rather than a sweet potato casserole for your Thanksgiving menu. If you have extras in the fridge, scoop out the centers and combine them with maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, butter, and salt for the most indulgent filling. Topped with a sugary pecan mix, this dish will taste next-level amazing.

Get the Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes recipe.

Don’t know what to do with your stuffing scraps? Turn the extras into a casserole, obviously! Combined with roasted chicken (or, better yet, leftover turkey) and seasonal seasonings and thrown in the oven, your Thanksgiving stuffing will turn into a heavenly mix: moist in the center and crunchy on top.

Get the Chicken and Stuffing Casserole recipe.

If you don't want to waste the spare serving of cranberry sauce, consider turning it into a delectable breakfast by using the leftovers as a tart filling for sweet rolls. Simply spread the sauce over the dough, roll it up, toss it in the oven, and drizzle the finished product with a cream cheese glaze.

Get the Sourdough Cranberry Orange Rolls recipe.

Make mashed potatoes even more delicious with crispy bacon, melted cheese, and a casserole baking dish. Transforming the excess into a cozy casserole that’s reminiscent of twice-baked potatoes (with much less legwork!) is a comforting side to serve during family dinners on chilly evenings.

Get the Twice-Baked Potato Casserole recipe.

Breathe new life into your Thanksgiving turkey by converting it into a hearty, warming, and flavorful chili! It’s the perfect meal to batch-cook in advance and heat up throughout the week. Plus, with onions, peppers, tomatoes, beans, and corn, it’s a great way to sneak in some extra fiber into your diet!

Get the Slow Cooker Turkey Chili recipe.

Give your leftover turkey a new spin by adding it to this creamy casserole dish. It's perfect for weeknight dinner and even picky eaters will love the addition of melty cheddar and a crispy potato chip topping.

Get the Turkey Noodle Casserole recipe.

This might just be the most refreshing way to use up leftover turkey. The bright salad is chockfull of crisp apple and celery, sweet red onion, turkey, and plump dried cranberries tossed in a tangy yogurt dressing.

Get the Turkey Salad recipe.

Once Thanksgiving is over, it's time to start thinking about baking for Christmas! Here, you can use your leftover cranberry sauce along with orange buttercream frosting as a filling for the gingerbread cookie sandwiches.

Get the Gingerbread Cookie Sandwiches recipe.

If you served up too much ham for the holidays, just use it for this scrumptious panini sandwich. The salty flavors pair perfectly with the sweetness from the pear slices and the freshness from the creamy herb spread.

Get Ree's Leftover Ham, Swiss, and Pear Panini recipe.

Skip the steps for making mashed potatoes and use your leftover spuds for this comforting casserole. You can go straight to adding onion soup mix, cheese, bacon and fried onions for the ultimate leftover side dish.

Get the Mashed Potato Casserole recipe.