9 Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

You’ve already spent weeks planning your family’s Thanksgiving meal, and the last thing you want to do is spend more time in the kitchen. Enter these simple Thanksgiving leftover meals that will help you power through your Black Friday shopping with ease.

1. You can’t have a true Thanksgiving leftover recipe list without including Ross Gellar’s “Moist Maker” sandwich right from the start. Friends season 5, episode 9, “The One With Ross’ Sandwich” was the holiday content we didn’t know we needed in 1998.
Ross’ turkey sandwich may have been the only thing he had going for him at the time, but can you truly go wrong with three slices of bread? The middle slice dredged in gravy creates the “moist” in this layered sandwich that includes all components of a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner. Try a Moist Maker and judge for yourself — was Ross’ whiny rant warranted?

2. If you’re looking to make a delicious turkey soup recipe from leftover Thanksgiving meal ingredients, turkey ramen is the way to go!
Marsha Takeda-Morrison shares how versatile this recipe can be — simply add components from your dinner for a delicious lunch throughout Thanksgiving weekend.

“Use turkey bones to make a broth, or use store-bought broth — no judgment! Then add dried or fresh ramen noodles — available at Asian markets — and top with leftover turkey and leftover Thanksgiving veggies like shredded carrot, slivered Brussels sprouts, asparagus, and add on a hard-boiled egg,” the mom of two told Mom.com.

3. The holidays are not the time to start a keto diet, so let that dream go and give your Thanksgiving stuffing new life with these Leftover Stuffing Waffles from Laura Sampson at Little House Big Alaska.
Laura suggests serving them with eggs for breakfast or with a side of leftover turkey for lunch. The waffles would also make a great bread for a turkey leftovers sandwich.

4. Pie for breakfast? Sure, why not? When coupled with milk, yogurt, or granola, it’s just as healthy as any other breakfast out there.
“A slice of pie blended with ice cream and milk makes for a killer milkshake,” Blue Apron Chef, Claire King suggested on the site’s blog. “I also love any leftover apple crumble with some Greek yogurt for breakfast the next morning.”

The holidays can be difficult when you’re vegan or vegetarian, especially in a family of carnivores. If your holiday guest list includes plant-based eaters, be sure to have protein options they can enjoy at your table. These Thanksgiving dinner vegan recipes are a great alternative for after-Thanksgiving meals. Ensure your Thanksgiving sides are vegan by using plant-based butter, nondairy milk, and vegetable broth during preparation.

5. If you’re having guests over during Thanksgiving weekend, serve your sides family-style and let everyone prepare their own serving; bowls are quick, easy, and customizable.
Try this Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner Bowl when you want to please a crowd with minimal work on your part. Just warm everything up, lay it out on the table, and let everyone serve themselves!

6. Put that leftover whole cranberry sauce to work for you with a vegan treat that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee.
This Leftover Cranberry Sauce Bread from Oh My Veggies truly takes the cake when it comes to plant-based, nutrition. The ground flax seeds and whole-wheat flour pack a punch of fiber to sustain you as you head out for that post-Thanksgiving hike.

Is there a discerning eater in your family? If so, then you know getting them to try anything beyond dinner rolls and macaroni and cheese is a challenge. Mix things up with these picky-kids-friendly recipe ideas that are fast, fun, and filling.

7. One issue kids may have with your favorite Thanksgiving leftover recipe is that it’s too much like the main event. Turkey is fine on Thursday, but who really wants to eat it the same way three days in a row?
Mix it up with this flavorful Turkey Pesto Panini — you don’t even need a panini-maker or sandwich press to create this at home. Simply place the sandwich in a cast iron skillet and mash it down with a plain-old spatula. Easy-peasy!

8. Keep little hands busy while you peruse online holiday deals on Black Friday. This hands-on dessert is just what you need, if you have any pie left over.
These two-ingredient Pumpkin Pie Minis use store-bought pies and cookie cutters to create adorable one-bite desserts the whole family will love. Just be sure to work out who gets to spray on the whipped topping before they begin.

9. While they’re nacho typical Thanksgiving leftover recipe, a platter full of Thanksgiving food nachos could be a fun way to encourage a choosy eater.
Blue Apron Chef Alex Saggiomo suggests adding a bit of diced jalapeno to your cranberry sauce to finish off your Thanksgiving nacho platter.

“Mashed potatoes, shredded turkey, stuffing, roasted vegetables, gravy, it’s all fair game,” Saggiamo suggested on the Blue Apron Blog. “Just layer your favorite leftovers with corn chips and shower it all with shredded white cheddar.”