If I had a superpower, it would likely be Repurposing Leftovers. I’m really good at it — and not just reheating leftover dinner for lunch the next day (although I do love leftovers for lunch) but actually remaking full meals with various leftover ingredients.
And Thanksgiving leftovers are THE BEST!
I’ve amassed a pretty impressive list of ideas on how to repurpose Thanksgiving leftovers (because no one wants to eat dry turkey breast for the next week), and I’ve compiled more than 50 SIMPLE recipes below!
These recipes will help you repurpose your Thanksgiving leftovers into completely new meals and side dishes — saving you time in the kitchen and money on otherwise wasted food.
You have no excuses — don’t let your delicious Thanksgiving leftovers go to waste!
How To Repurpose Leftover Punch or Juice
- Freeze for smoothies
- Make homemade Juice Pops
- Freeze it in ice cube trays and use it to add flavor to other beverages later on, or use it to chill (without watering down) punch the next time you make it.
How To Repurpose Leftover Soda
- Here’s a post with a bunch of ideas for flat soda (and make sure to read the comments for more ideas too)
How To Repurpose Leftover Fruit
- Freeze for smoothies
- Make Fruit Pizza
- Mix in a can of peach pie filling and make a new fruit salad
- Use leftover cranberry for this delicious slow-cooker pork recipe
- Add leftover cranberry relish to ham or turkey sandwiches as a little extra kick
- Use leftover applesauce to replace the oil in cake, brownie, or muffin recipes
How To Repurpose Leftover Veggies
- Add some milk, cheese, and spices for this yummy vegetable chowder
- Make vegetable beef soup
- Add some cream cheese and cracker crumbs to make this creamy vegetable bake
- Use leftover broccoli for cheese broccoli soup or chicken broccoli rice casserole
- Use any leftover corn for this delicious semi-homemade cornbread
- Pretty much any other soups, stews, casserole, etc.
How To Repurpose Leftover Potatoes
- Cheesy Mashed Potato Soup
- These delicious potato rolls (seriously, they are SO good!)
- Make shepherd’s pie (I recently made this with leftover pulled pork and it was amazing!)
- Use leftover baked potatoes for this delicious side dish
- Top leftover mashed potatoes with cheese and bake them for a super simple side dish.
- Chop up baked or boiled potatoes into bite-size pieces and use for soups, stews, or pot pie
- Make delicious fried potatoes from leftover baked potatoes
How To Repurpose Leftover Stuffing
- We love this yummy chicken and stuffing (or turkey and stuffing) casserole.
How To Repurpose Leftover Chicken or Turkey
You can use chicken or turkey for any of the recipes listed below.
- Chicken/Turkey Pot Pie (I make this EVERY year after Thanksgiving!)
- Chicken, Broccoli, Rice Casserole
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Chicken Fajitas
- Crispy Cheddar Chicken Bake
- Chicken Lasagna
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Chicken Vegetable Bake
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
- Creamy Chicken Packets
- Creamed Turkey/Chicken Sandwiches (slow cooker)
- Chicken and Rice Soup
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Turkey or Chicken and Wild Rice Stew
- Turkey or Chicken Spaghetti
- Turkey or Chicken Salad
- Turkey Tortilla Bake
- Hot Turkey Sandwiches (a good way to use up leftover mashed potatoes and gravy too)
- Chop it up into bite-size pieces and freeze in 2 c. portions for casseroles and soups later in the year
NOTE: here’s a tip for shredding lots of chicken or turkey in seconds!
How To Repurpose Leftover Broth and/or Gravy
- Use the broth in soups or stews
- Use the gravy for hot chicken or turkey sandwiches as mentioned above.
- Freeze it in 1 or 2 c. portions for easy use later
How To Repurpose Leftover Rolls
- Make baked ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch or dinner (any type of roll will work with this recipe)
- Make pizza sliders
- Make homemade croutons or bread crumbs
- Freeze them to make this stuffing recipe later in the year
How To Repurpose Leftover Desserts
- Eat them!
- Make cake pops from leftover cake
- Enjoy these delicious truffles (made from leftover cookies, brownies, or bars)
- Make up some goodie bags for your guests or neighbors
- Freeze them for later. (You’d be surprised how well baked goods freeze — even frosted cakes, cupcakes, brownies, bars, muffins, cookies, fudge, cream pies, etc.)
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Hopefully, you gleaned a few creative ideas to repurpose and use up some of your leftovers!
What are your favorite ways to repurpose Thanksgiving leftovers?
Kristi says
Happy 13 to Nora!! I found your blog right after she was born so it feels like I have watched her grow up…and what a beautiful young lady she is growing up to be.
Andrea says
Thanks Kristi! Wow, you really have been around a long time!
JoDi says
Nora is 13! Unbelievable! That means I’ve been reading your blog for at least 15 years which is just CRAZY to think about. Wishing you all lots of food, fun, and family this week!
Andrea says
I know — I can hardly believe it… except that she looks like she’s 16 and is almost as tall as I am!
Thanks for your long-time readership. I really appreciate it!
Robyn says
FYI-I freeze apple pies all the time! It works pre cooked or afterwards too!
Chris says
We usually go back to my father-in-laws the next day and maybe even the next if there is food. We never have leftovers after that.
Pamela S. Wade says
Sounds like some yummy ideas! Thanks! ~~Pam
Cammy@TippyToeDiet says
Last year I discovered the joy of the turkey, cranberry relish, and cream cheese (or other soft cheese) sandwich. To me, it’s better than the main event. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Deni says
My Mom has always made a big pot of Turkey frame soup with the leftover turkey meat. It’s made just like old fashioned chicken and vegetable soup. She adds any leftover vegetables like butterbeans and corn. She puts several quarts in the freezer and there is plenty to go around. I’ve started making this soup as well, It’s my favorite soup! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
Andrea says
sounds a lot like my chicken and rice soup — delicious!!