20 unique ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers

One easy way to make good use of your Thanksgiving leftovers is by making a casserole with any leftovers that would go well together (so, most of them). Start with a mashed potato base, add green beans, corn, turkey, stuffing, gravy, and bake. Top with cheese or even some cranberry sauce. 

You can also wrap your Thanksgiving leftovers in a taco shell. It’s a great way to repurpose them in a unique way, and it doesn't require much effort. You can also just use your turkey and regular taco toppings. 

If you’re more of a nachos person, make a platter with your Thanksgiving leftovers. Top your chips with whatever leftovers you have, and melt some cheese. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can make homemade potato chips with whatever potatoes you didn’t mash. 

Use up your leftover dinner rolls by making some Thanksgiving sliders. Use whatever meat you served and any leftover sides in the middle. Melt a little butter and brush it on the top of your rolls to refresh them and get them golden all over again. 

Another great way to use your Thanksgiving leftovers is to make crescent roll wraps. Crescent rolls take so little time to bake that whatever sides you put in the middle won’t burn— they’ll just get to the perfect temperature. 

You could also opt for making some turkey shepherd’s pie. You’ve already got the mashed potatoes and likely some green beans and corn. You can add carrots if you’d like, or you can omit them. Simply doctor the ingredients up with some spices and you’re in business. 

Making turkey pot pie is another great way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers, especially if you have some pie crust you need to use up. It’s savory and delicious, making for a great second round of holiday food. 

If all that’s left of your turkey is the carcass, don’t just get rid of it or feed it to your dogs. Use it to make a stock. It’s a great Black Friday activity if you have the day off, and it’s something that you can freeze and use for all your winter soups. 

Grind up any leftover turkey and make some meatballs. Serve them over leftover mashed potatoes and gravy or top them with a delicious cranberry glaze. 

You can also use your leftovers to make a turkey melt. If you want just a little more Thanksgiving spirit in your meal, serve any sides you have left over. You’ll hardly know the difference between your Thanksgiving meal and next-day eats.

Any pumpkin you have left over can be used to make risotto. This elevated leftover recipe will graduate you to gourmet chef status. The only risk is that your guests will want to return for your next-day meal.

Leftovers don’t need to be reserved for entrees. You can use them for dessert, too. Use up any cranberries you have left by making cranberry scones. They’ll make for a super moist dessert you’ll almost wish you had made for the holiday. 

Sweet potatoes have so many uses. If you’re swimming in them, use them to make a sweet potato lasagna. Feel free to use your turkey for this, too. 

Soup is always a good idea when it comes to leftovers. Use up your leftover pumpkin and make a pot of chili. This is an especially good idea if you serve cinnamon rolls at your Thanksgiving dinner. Leftover turkey works in this meal, too. 

Cornbread isn’t always left over, but if it is, crumble it up for a breakfast bake on Friday or Saturday. You can also use your leftover stuffing for a breakfast bake. Either will be delicious. 

Salad lovers, use your leftover cornbread to make croutons. You can use any leftover bread for this, but you’ll be especially taken with the taste of croutons made with cornbread. Their little extra sweetness makes them perfect for fall salads. 

If you didn’t make any mac and cheese for your Thanksgiving meal (or even if you did), make some the next day with leftover butternut squash. It’s the perfect autumnal twist on a classic dish. 

If you eat ham on Thanksgiving instead of turkey, use whatever you have left over to make a delicious ham soup. You can also use your leftovers to make a ham stock, as well as ham sandwiches, sliders, tacos, or nachos. 

Who doesn’t love a good mashed potato bowl? Use your leftovers to make this dish, or cook again and make some fried chicken so you can mimic KFC's famous bowls.  

If you’ve got graham crackers you used for a pie crust, marshmallows you used for sweet potatoes, and pumpkin you used for a pie, you’re in business. You can use all of that and a bar of chocolate to make pumpkin s’mores. You don’t even have to wait until the next day to make these. You can start a fire on Thanksgiving night.