Thanksgiving Leftovers: 6 Recipes To Repurpose Your Scraps - Home & Texture
cooking Repurposing Thanksgiving Leftovers

Here are 6 Delicious Recipes for Repurposing Thanksgiving Leftovers

November 24, 2023 at 2:01 AM PST

Quiet as it’s kept, Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t end when everyone leaves. Instead, many people find themselves eating Thanksgiving leftovers days and even weeks after the holiday ends. After awhile, though, eating the same ol’ turkey and stuffing just doesn’t hit the way it did at Thanksgiving dinner. Then, after the second, third, or even fourth day, eating leftovers can quickly start to become boring.

Luckily, there are TONS of recipes that you can use to repurpose your Thanksgiving leftovers. So not only do you save money on buying takeout, you can also learn a new recipe or two that you might not have tried otherwise. For ideas on what to do with the rest of the food you’ve packed away, here are six recipes for repurposing Thanksgiving leftovers:

Photo credit: The Pioneer Woman

Ultimate Winter Salad

If you’re craving something light and refreshing after a heavy Thanksgiving dinner, this Ultimate Winter Salad is the recipe for you. It’s chock full of brussel sprouts, butternut squash, and other roasted root veggies you might’ve served as a Thanksgiving side. But instead of pairing them with a plate of mac and cheese or mashed potatoes, they’re nestled atop a bed of kale for a crispy, crunchy salad that’s perfect when you don’t want to overstuff yourself.

Photo credit: The Food Network

Turkey Vegetable Soup with Stuffing Dumplings

For a hot, hearty dish on a chilly winter day, this Turkey Vegetable Soup with Stuffing Dumplings recipe is the way to go. Instead of tossing your leftover stuffing, use it to make dumplings for this quick and easy soup!

The best part about this soup is its rich and flavorful homemade broth made from leftover turkey bones. For added flavor, toss in a few herbs and aromatics. Then, add in your veggies, turkey meat, and stuffing dumplings for a beautiful soup that ‘s both comforting and satisfying.

Photo credit: Taste of Home

Turkey Lattice Pie

If you have way too much leftover turkey, try this Turkey Lattice Pie recipe from Taste of Home. It’s a super comforting dish made with turkey, broccoli, and cheese. And when topped with a buttery, flaky crust, you have a homey and delicious savory pie that easily beats a turkey sandwich.

Photo credit: The Food Network

Potato Cakes with Fried Eggs and Turkey-Red Pepper Hash

Nothing beats a hot breakfast with loved ones the morning after Thanksgiving. And this recipe for Potato Cakes with Fried Eggs and Turkey-Red Pepper Hash is the perfect complement!

You can make use of your leftover mashed potatoes by frying them up into patties and serving them alongside a fried egg or two. Then, top that off with a heaping spoonful of turkey-red pepper hash made with leftover turkey and veggies, and there you have it! — a scrumptious way to start your morning.

Photo credit: New York Times Cooking

Turkey Pho

A twist on the classic Vietnamese soup, this Turkey Pho recipe is just what you need for those cozy nights at home. Typically, pho is made with thinly sliced beef, but this recipe calls for turkey for leaner, healthier take on comfort foods.

But just like traditional pho, you can add all your favorite fresh toppings — cilantro, basil, sliced jalapenos. Or, if you want to repurpose even more leftovers, throw in a few chopped, roasted veggies for a homey, comforting feel.

Photo credit: The Food Network

Giada’s Turkey Bolognese

If Italian food is your jam, this Turkey Bolognese recipe from Giada De Laurentiis will definitely hit the spot. Think of it as your average homemade bolognese, but better! It uses turkey instead of ground beef or pork, making it a healthier alternative to the classic. And if you add a nice side salad or hot garlic bread to the mix, you have the perfect cozy, post-Thanksgiving meal.




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