These easy Thanksgiving leftovers recipes turn the turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls and even the last slice of pie into new meals. Grandma stuck to the old-fashioned holiday classics, and so does this list: pot pies, casseroles, soups and hot sandwiches.
Still planning the big meal? Start with my roast turkey recipe, my honey roast ham and these classic Thanksgiving side dish recipes. Then come back here for what to make with Thanksgiving leftovers all weekend.
Easy Thanksgiving Leftover Ideas for Turkey and Ham Dinners
Leftover turkey and ham make the easiest weeknight dinners. If you love a good bake, my retro casserole recipes have even more ideas.
1
Grandma's Traditional Chicken Pie Recipe (With Pie Crust)
My chicken pot pie has a flaky double crust and a creamy vegetable filling. The recipe says leftover roasted chicken works, so diced leftover turkey is an easy swap.
Check out this recipe
2
Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
Turkey tetrazzini mixes spaghetti, turkey and broccoli in a cheesy from-scratch sauce. It makes 16 servings, so it is a good one for a houseful of company.
Check out this recipe
3
Leftover Turkey Casserole
This casserole layers leftover turkey, stuffing and gravy under a puffy mashed potato topping. The potatoes are made fresh with butter, Parmesan and eggs.
Check out this recipe
4
Simple Shepherd's Pie With Turkey (Using Leftovers)
Turkey shepherd's pie uses up the turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy in one dish. Carrots, celery and onions go in the filling, and it is ready in about 42 minutes.
Check out this recipe
5
Turkey Divan
Turkey divan bakes broccoli and turkey in a creamy gravy sauce with Gruyère and Parmesan. Panko and sliced almonds go on top for crunch.
Check out this recipe
6
This Creamy Turkey Dinner Makes Leftovers Feel New
Turkey a la king is a creamy, old-fashioned skillet dinner with mushrooms, peas and pimentos. It takes about 23 minutes and uses 3 cups of cooked turkey.
Check out this recipe
7
Leftover Turkey Enchiladas
This enchilada casserole layers turkey with corn tortillas, green chiles, Monterey Jack and enchilada sauce. It is a nice change from all the gravy and is ready in 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe
8
Turkey Croquettes
Turkey croquettes mix chopped turkey and mashed potatoes with sharp white cheddar, sage and thyme. They get a panko and Parmesan coating and are fried until golden.
Check out this recipe
9
Family Favorite Turkey and Dumplings Soup Using Leftover Turkey Meat!
Turkey and dumplings is a cozy pot of turkey, vegetables and soft flour dumplings in a creamy broth. The recipe also shows how to make stock from the turkey carcass.
Check out this recipe
10
Cheesy Turkey Noodle Casserole
This cheesy noodle casserole bakes egg noodles, cooked turkey, cheddar and sour cream with onion, celery and carrots. The recipe says leftover Thanksgiving turkey works well.
Check out this recipe
11
Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Scalloped potatoes and ham is a classic way to use up holiday ham. Yukon Gold potatoes bake in a white cheddar sauce with onion, garlic and fresh thyme.
Check out this recipe
Thanksgiving Leftovers Soups to Warm You Up
A pot of soup is the best use for a turkey carcass or a ham bone. For more, see my crock pot soups.
12
Old Fashioned Slow Cooker Lentil and Ham Soup
My slow cooker lentil and ham soup was made for leftover ham, with a full pound of diced cooked ham. It cooks low and slow in the crock pot while you rest up from the holiday.
Check out this recipe
13
Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup - Simply Scratch
Leftover turkey noodle soup simmers turkey stock, turkey and egg noodles with carrots, celery, sage and thyme. It is ready in about 35 minutes.
Check out this recipe
14
Ham Bone Soup Recipe
Ham bone soup simmers the leftover ham bone with white kidney beans, carrots and celery for a rich, hearty broth. Plan on a little over 2 hours, mostly hands off.
Check out this recipe
15
Leftover Mashed Potato Soup
This soup starts with 4 cups of leftover mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese. Top it with bacon, sour cream and green onions like a loaded baked potato.
Check out this recipe
16
Hearty Leftover Turkey Chili
Leftover turkey goes into a slow-simmered chili with kidney beans, fire-roasted tomatoes and peppers. It is a good change of pace after a weekend of turkey and gravy.
Check out this recipe
17
Creamy Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup
Creamy turkey wild rice soup comes together in about 25 minutes. Wild rice, carrots, celery and half-and-half make it thick and cozy.
Check out this recipe
Leftover Turkey Sandwiches and Easy Lunches
Turkey sandwiches might be the best part of the whole holiday. My grandma's best sandwich recipes have more lunch ideas.
18
Creamed Turkey Sandwich (Deli or Leftover Turkey) - Restless Chipotle
An open-faced hot turkey sandwich is pure diner comfort: turkey and gravy over bread. The recipe says leftover turkey works in place of deli turkey.
Check out this recipe
19
Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich | Mantitlement
The Kentucky hot brown is an open-faced turkey sandwich topped with a cheesy Mornay sauce, bacon and tomato. It is ready in about 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe
20
Got Leftovers? Make this Easy Turkey Salad!
Turkey salad is just chopped leftover turkey, mayonnaise, celery and green onions. Serve it on bread, crackers or lettuce cups.
Check out this recipe
21
Turkey Cranberry Sliders
These sliders put turkey, cranberry sauce and provolone on Hawaiian rolls. A honey Dijon butter and everything bagel seasoning go on top before baking.
Check out this recipe
22
Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich
This is the big leftover sandwich: turkey, stuffing, Brussels sprouts and gravy, with cranberry sauce stirred into the mayo. It uses almost everything in the fridge.
Check out this recipe
23
Turkey Monte Cristo
A turkey Monte Cristo is dipped in egg and fried in butter, then dusted with powdered sugar. Swiss cheese and cranberry sauce go inside with the turkey.
Check out this recipe
24
Old Fashioned Ham Salad
Old fashioned ham salad mixes chopped ham with mayo, Dijon mustard and sweet pickle relish. It takes about 8 minutes and makes a quick lunch on crackers or bread.
Check out this recipe
25
Cranberry Turkey Pinwheels
These pinwheels roll turkey, cranberry sauce, cream cheese, pecans and spinach in a wrap. The recipe tips say leftover turkey and cranberry sauce work in place of deli turkey.
Check out this recipe
What to Make with Thanksgiving Leftovers: Sides, Breakfast and Sweets
Don't toss the extra potatoes, stuffing or cranberry sauce. These easy Thanksgiving leftover ideas turn them into breakfast, snacks and dessert.
26
Mashed Potato Pancakes
Mashed potato pancakes mix leftover mashed potatoes with cheddar, scallions and a panko coating, then pan-fry them. The recipe says cold leftover mashed potatoes hold together best.
Check out this recipe
27
Leftover Stuffing Waffles
Stuffing waffles press leftover stuffing, eggs and broth in the waffle iron. Serve them with the leftover cranberry sauce and gravy.
Check out this recipe
28
Thanksgiving Leftovers Breakfast Casserole
This breakfast casserole bakes leftover turkey and stuffing with 12 eggs and Swiss cheese. It makes 15 servings, so it feeds a crowd the morning after.
Check out this recipe
29
My Favorite Turkey Hash
Turkey hash fries potatoes, turkey and onion in olive oil and butter until crisp. It is ready in about 20 minutes, and any leftover vegetables can go in too.
Check out this recipe
30
Sweet Potato Biscuits
Sweet potato biscuits are a tender way to use up cooked sweet potatoes. The recipe works with roasted sweet potato or canned puree.
Check out this recipe
31
Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins
These muffins swirl leftover cranberry sauce between two layers of batter with orange zest and cinnamon. The batch makes 6 muffins.
Check out this recipe
32
Cranberry Coffee Cake
Cranberry coffee cake layers a cup of leftover cranberry sauce into a buttermilk cake. White chocolate and toasted almonds go on top.
Check out this recipe
33
Leftover Holiday Dinner Roll & Cranberry Bread Pudding
This bread pudding uses 10 to 12 leftover dinner rolls with fresh cranberries and nuts. The recipe says day-old rolls work best.
Check out this recipe
34
Leftover Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Milkshake
Yes, you can blend the last slice of pumpkin pie into a milkshake. It is just pie, milk and vanilla ice cream, topped with whipped cream.
Check out this recipe
Thanksgiving Leftovers FAQs
How long do Thanksgiving leftovers last?
Leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator or 3 to 4 months in the freezer, according to the USDA. Refrigerate them within 2 hours of cooking, and reheat to 165°F.
What can I make with leftover turkey?
Pot pie, tetrazzini, turkey and dumplings, soup and sandwiches are the easiest. Most of the recipes above use 2 to 3 cups of chopped turkey.
What can I make with leftover stuffing?
Try stuffing waffles, stuffing muffins or a breakfast casserole. Stuffing also goes right into the turkey and stuffing casserole above.
What can I make with leftover mashed potatoes?
Mashed potato soup, mashed potato pancakes, turkey croquettes and shepherd's pie all start with leftover mashed potatoes.
More Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Recipes
- Turkey for a smaller crowd: Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
- Old Fashioned Stuffing Recipe - the classic bread stuffing
- Creamy and buttery: Old Fashioned Mashed Potatoes
- Turkey Gravy from Drippings - for the leftovers, too
- Soft dinner rolls: Old Fashioned Yeast Rolls
- 5-Minute Cranberry Fluff Salad - a sweet, retro side
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