Looking for thanksgiving leftovers recipes that go beyond reheating the same plate? Think stacked sandwiches, golden potato-topped bakes and even a sweet treat with a piece of pie on top.
These pictures give you plenty of ideas for the turkey, potatoes and cranberry sauce still in your fridge.
You can keep things simple or try something a little different. Start with what you have left, then pick an idea below to inspire your next meal.
Thanksgiving leftover ideas worth saving
stacked turkey sandwiches
We’re starting off strong with this loaded toasted sandwich. I love the bright red spread against the sliced turkey, leafy greens and thin rings of red onion.
For your own version, try leftover cranberry sauce with turkey and cheese. Keep the extra middle slice of toast if you want that same tall stack.
golden potato-topped pie
How good does this potato topping look? The fork marks have little browned edges, with chunks of poultry, carrots and peas showing in the gravy underneath.
This is a lovely direction for leftover turkey and mashed potatoes. I’d keep those ridges across the top rather than smoothing everything flat.
cheesy stuffing-style bake
I am obsessed with that cheese pull. The browned bread pieces and rosemary sprig make this casserole look especially inviting.
If stuffing is what you have left, a cheesy stuffing bake could be your next dinner idea. Use this picture as inspiration for that golden, uneven top.
turkey noodle soup
If you’re looking for something a little different from another plate of turkey and gravy, go with turkey noodle soup. This one has wide noodles, carrot rounds and celery nestled around the pieces of turkey.
I love how much is packed into the broth. A little chopped herb garnish would be a pretty finishing touch for your bowl.
stuffing waffle with gravy
A waffle with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce? Yes, please! The browned, herb-flecked waffle has gravy running into its little squares.
Save this as inspiration for a stuffing waffle recipe. I’d keep the cranberry sauce right on top, just like this.
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cheese-covered turkey enchiladas
These turkey enchiladas may just be one of my favorite dinner ideas here. The rolled tortillas sit beneath a blanket of melted cheese with chopped green onions scattered over it.
If you want a break from cranberry sauce and stuffing, this is a good direction to explore.
golden savory pancakes
Look at those browned little pancakes! I love the uneven edges and the green onion scattered across the platter.
For a leftover-inspired version, look for a mashed potato pancake recipe. Serve yours with a spoonful of sour cream if you want something extra on the side.
loaded hash with fried eggs
The breakfast fans are going to love this! Fried eggs sit over browned potatoes, pieces of poultry, peppers and shredded cheese.
There’s plenty of green onion on top too.
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Try a turkey-and-potato hash if you want to take your leftovers in a brunch direction. Those bright egg yolks make this one especially tempting.
cranberry and stuffing sliders
How cute is this little slider? Not gonna lie, that thick layer of cranberry sauce is my favorite part.
You can see turkey and stuffing tucked beneath the glossy, seed-speckled bun.
Keep this combination in mind if you have dinner rolls left over too.
golden rolls with gravy dip
If you are looking for something a little more playful, then this one is for you. These golden rolls have blistered wrappers with turkey, red sauce and pale filling showing at the cut ends.
A Thanksgiving-style egg roll recipe would be a fun way to try the idea. Don’t forget a little bowl of gravy for dipping.
loaded quesadilla wedges
This is another way to tuck several leftovers into one bite. The browned tortilla wedges show pieces of poultry, chunky stuffing and a ribbon of red sauce inside.
I’d borrow this combination for Thanksgiving quesadillas. Cut them into wedges and put the gravy beside them rather than over the top.
cheesy potato and egg skillet
I love this potato skillet with the eggs nestled right into it. The browned potato chunks, mushroom slices and melted cheese give you plenty to look forward to.
Have leftover roasted potatoes? Use this as inspiration for a breakfast skillet instead of another side dish.
colorful fried rice
Don’t want another cheesy bake? No problem! This rice dish has peas, red pepper pieces, egg and pale chunks of poultry throughout.
Leftover turkey could take the place of the poultry in your favorite fried rice recipe. I’d keep the green onions for that colorful finish.
cranberry and greens pizza
This pizza may just be the prettiest idea on the list. I love the deep red cranberries and leafy greens over the melted cheese, especially beside that puffy golden crust.
For your own leftover-inspired version, try small spoonfuls of cranberry sauce as a topping. You don’t have to make turkey the star of every meal.
golden-topped pasta bake
Who else would choose the corner piece? This pasta bake has a browned crumb topping with long noodles, peas and mushroom slices underneath.
A turkey tetrazzini-style recipe would be a lovely way to use leftover poultry here. That golden top is the detail I’d want to keep.
cheesy stuffed peppers
These colorful stuffed peppers are so pretty together. Red, yellow and green peppers hold a chunky filling beneath melted white cheese and little green leaves.
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You could use this idea for a turkey-and-rice filling. The exact filling isn’t clear from the picture, so treat that as your own variation.
mashed potato and gravy bowls
Don’t want to turn your leftovers into something completely different? No problem there!
This bowl keeps things simple with mashed potatoes, shredded poultry and plenty of gravy.
I’d choose this one when the potatoes are the part of Thanksgiving dinner you most want again.
glazed sweet potato muffins
Now for something sweet! These sweet potato muffins have tall, crumbly tops with chopped nuts and white glaze drizzled over them.
If you have plain cooked sweet potato left, look for a muffin recipe that uses it. I love the generous topping on this one.
turkey chili with toppings
This turkey chili is another lovely way to change things up. The bowl has visible beans, corn and turkey pieces with shredded cheese and chopped greens on top.
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There’s a white dollop in the center too. For your bowl, a spoonful of sour cream would be a nice option.
pie-topped dessert shake
Last but definitely not least, we have this thick dessert drink with a piece of pie tucked into the top. I love the white topping and golden drizzle!
For a leftover-pie version, look for a pie milkshake recipe that suits the slice you have. Save a little piece for the top if you want to follow this presentation.
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And as you know, I seriously love hearing from you - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, feel free to share it here in the comments or send me a message. I'm always excited to connect with y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Luna