10 Creative Recipes to Reinvent Your Thanksgiving Leftovers

Are you staring at a fridge full of Thanksgiving leftovers and wondering how to make the most of them? Look no further! We’ve got 10 delicious and innovative recipes that will transform your holiday extras into mouthwatering meals. Say goodbye to boring leftover sandwiches and hello to culinary creativity!

1. Turkey and Cranberry Quesadillas

Turn your leftover turkey and cranberry sauce into a zesty Mexican-inspired treat.

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey, shredded
• Cranberry sauce
• Shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
• Flour tortillas
• Butter for grilling

Instructions:

1. Spread cranberry sauce on one half of a tortilla.
2. Top with shredded turkey and cheese.
3. Fold the tortilla in half.
4. Grill in a buttered skillet until golden and crispy on both sides.

Storage Tip: Assemble quesadillas and store uncooked in the fridge for up to 2 days.

2. Stuffing-Crusted Chicken or Turkey Pot Pie

Give your leftover stuffing a new lease on life as a crispy pot pie topping.

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey or chicken, diced
• Mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
• Gravy or cream of chicken soup
• Leftover stuffing

Instructions:

1. Mix diced turkey, vegetables, and gravy in a baking dish.
2. Top with a layer of stuffing.
3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) until bubbly and the stuffing is crispy.

Storage Tip: Assemble the pot pie and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking.

3. Mashed Potato Croquettes

Transform leftover mashed potatoes into crispy, cheesy bites.

Ingredients:

• Leftover mashed potatoes
• Shredded cheese
• Chopped herbs (chives, parsley)
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg for binding

Instructions:

1. Mix mashed potatoes with cheese and herbs.
2. Form into small patties or balls.
3. Dip in egg, then coat with breadcrumbs.
4. Fry until golden brown.

Storage Tip: Form croquettes and store uncooked in the fridge for up to 2 days.

4. Thanksgiving Leftover Breakfast Hash

Start your day with a hearty breakfast that uses up various leftovers.

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey, diced
• Leftover roasted vegetables, chopped
• Leftover stuffing
• Eggs

Instructions:

1. Sauté turkey and vegetables in a skillet until crispy.
2. Add stuffing and cook until heated through.
3. Create wells in the hash and crack eggs into them.
4. Cover and cook until eggs are set.

Storage Tip: Pre-chop ingredients and store separately for quick assembly.

5. Cranberry Sauce Muffins

Use leftover cranberry sauce to make delicious breakfast muffins.

Ingredients:

• Leftover cranberry sauce
• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Eggs
• Milk
• Vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl, wet in another.
2. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
3. Fold in cranberry sauce.
4. Bake in muffin tins at 375°F (190°C) for 18-20 minutes.

Storage Tip: Muffins can be frozen for up to 3 months.

6. Turkey and Sweet Potato Curry

Give your leftovers an international twist with this warming curry.

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey, diced
• Leftover sweet potato, cubed
• Onion, diced
• Curry powder
• Coconut milk
• Chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion, add curry powder.
2. Add coconut milk and broth, simmer.
3. Add turkey and sweet potato, heat through.
4. Serve over rice.

Storage Tip: Curry can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for 2 months.

7. Thanksgiving Leftover Shepherd’s Pie

Layer all your leftovers into a comforting casserole.

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey, shredded
• Leftover vegetables
• Gravy
• Leftover mashed potatoes

Instructions:

1. Mix turkey, vegetables, and gravy in a baking dish.
2. Top with a layer of mashed potatoes.
3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) until heated through and potatoes are golden.

Storage Tip: Assemble and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking.

8. Cranberry Sauce Smoothie

Start your day with a refreshing and healthy smoothie.

Ingredients:

• Leftover cranberry sauce
• Banana
• Greek yogurt
• Almond milk
• Honey (optional)

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
2. Adjust sweetness with honey if needed.

Storage Tip: Prep smoothie packs and freeze for up to 3 months.

9. Turkey and Stuffing Waffles

Transform stuffing into a crispy waffle base for a unique breakfast.

Ingredients:

• Leftover stuffing
• Eggs
• Leftover turkey, shredded
• Gravy for serving

Instructions:

1. Mix stuffing with beaten eggs.
2. Press into a waffle iron and cook until crispy.
3. Top with shredded turkey and warm gravy.

Storage Tip: Cooked waffles can be frozen for up to 1 month.

10. Thanksgiving Leftover Stromboli

Roll all your favorites into one delicious package.

Ingredients:

• Pizza dough
• Leftover turkey, sliced
• Leftover cranberry sauce
• Leftover stuffing
• Cheese slices

Instructions:

1. Roll out pizza dough.
2. Layer turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and cheese.
3. Roll up and seal edges.
4. Bake at 400°F (200°C) until golden brown.

Storage Tip: Assemble and refrigerate for up to 1 day before baking.

Remember, proper storage is key to enjoying your leftovers safely. Always refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking and consume within 3-4 days. When in doubt, throw it out!

With these creative recipes, you’ll be looking forward to Thanksgiving leftovers as much as the main event. Enjoy your post-holiday feasting!