How to use up all your Thanksgiving leftovers

As you prepare for your Thanksgiving feast, it’s natural to focus on the big meal. But have you thought about how to handle the mountain of Thanksgiving leftovers that often follow?

Instead of letting extra turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce go to waste, why not turn them into new, exciting dishes?

From turkey sliders to mashed potatoes, these ideas will help you turn your post-party leftovers into a series of delicious meals that will keep your Thanksgiving flavors 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 ReFEDa nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting food waste in the United States, Americans will waste approximately 316 million pounds of food during Thanksgiving alone in 2024.

“This represents more than $556 million worth of groceries thrown away in a single day – a stark contrast to the spirit of gratitude this day is meant to embody,” said Selena Mao, manager at ReFED.

By giving your Thanksgiving supplies a new lease of life, you can help minimize waste while continuing to enjoy your holiday meal in fresh and delicious ways.

Here’s how to use your Thanksgiving leftovers.

Turkey

Turkey is undoubtedly the centerpiece of Thanksgiving, and there are plenty of ways to repurpose it into tasty, inventive dishes. Consider making turkey cranberry slidersa sweet and savory option that combines leftover turkey with cranberry sauce on soft Hawaiian rolls. These sliders make for a perfect snack or light meal.

Adding leftover turkey to soups is also an easy way to reuse this Thanksgiving staple. Turkey and rice soup or turkey noodle soup are both classics that are easy to prepare and ideal for cozy evenings.

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

If you like traditional chicken pot pie, change things up by using turkey for a fresh twist on this classic comfort food. Simply combine your leftover turkey with a mix of fresh or frozen vegetables, then stir in a creamy sauce made from a butter and flour roux, milk and stock. 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 reusing leftovers.

Finally, don’t forget the turkey carcass. Use it to prepare a flavorful turkey stock that can serve as a base for future soups and stews. Simply throw the turkey bones in water with some herbs and vegetables (chopped onion, carrots, garlic, celery and thyme are favorites) and let them simmer on the stove for about three to four hours for a flavorful homemade stock.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin isn’t just for pies; there are many creative ways to use it. You can transform leftover pumpkin into a savory pumpkin quicheStir it into oatmeal or yogurt for a boost of flavor or even mix it into a creamy batch of macaroni and cheese. Add it to a savory meal pumpkin chili for a warm, satisfying meal full of fall flavor, this is also a hit.

Mashed potatoes

Basic mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, and there are countless ways to reuse them. 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 a great app if you’re hosting football parties over Thanksgiving weekend.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try one chocolate cake with mashed potatoes. 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. Regular mashed potatoes work best here.

Cranberry sauce

As the unsung hero of the Thanksgiving table, cranberries are often left in the refrigerator. However, there are many ways to reuse this sweet sauce. Use it as a topping for Greek yogurt for a tangy morning treat. You can also stir your leftover cranberry sauce into your favorite quickbread recipe for a great breakfast treat.

For a more festive touch, add a few tablespoons of leftover cranberry sauce to your favorite cocktail for a holiday-inspired drink. And for dessert: don’t miss this opportunity to make cranberry shortcakewhere the sourness of the sauce combines beautifully with the sweetness of the cake.

Filling

Stuffing is perhaps one of the most versatile Thanksgiving leftovers. Instead of just heating it up, you can try savory filling waffles. They’re quick and easy to prepare: just mix the leftover filling with a few eggs and cook in your waffle maker for about five minutes. These crispy waffles are perfect for brunch and are an ideal treat when you have weekend guests staying over.

Do you have more filling? Try to fry it until crispy filling frittersuse it as a filling for spring rolls or stir it into a casserole. If you have leftover turkey and mashed potatoes, why not put the stuffing in one layer turkey shepherd’s pie for an extra layer of comfort?

Bread

Finally, don’t forget the leftover bread. Whether it concerns rolls or loaves, you can easily turn that bread into something special. Try one overnight blueberry french toast with french toastperfect for a weekend brunch. It’s an easy way to turn stale bread into a delicious, sweet breakfast treat.

With so many creative ways to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers, you don’t have to let any food go to waste. From sliders to soups and cakes to fritters, these recipes offer flavorful ways to make the most of your holiday meal. Give them a try, and you’ll have delicious meals that will last well past Thanksgiving Day.

Sarah Jenkins via Associated Press.