Easy Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes - Happy Foods Tube (2024)

These easy Thanksgiving leftovers recipes creatively use the Thanksgiving leftovers. Transform your turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes into delicious dishes!

Easy Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes - Happy Foods Tube (1)

Don’t throw your leftovers away! Use them up in a creative way instead!

All these Thanksgiving leftovers recipes are easy to make and most of them are ready on your table in 35-minutes or less!

One of my favorite ways of using leftover mashed potatoes is to make Mashed Potato Flatbread. This is an easy recipe that anyone can make as long as your mash is not too runny, that is.

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Mashed Potato Flatbread

Having leftover mashed potatoes? Turn them into this easy mashed potato flatbread! It’s a yeast-free & oil-free side dish that everyone loves!

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Turkey Cranberry Panini is a simple recipe for a simple and more importantly quick lunch. Cut up your leftover meat, sauté some onions, mix them with cranberry sauce and assemble the sandwich altogether with cheese.

All you have to do at this stage is let the panini machine do its work! What I love about this recipe is the fact that the lunch is on my table within minutes and with a minimal effort.

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Turkey Cranberry Panini

This is an easy recipe for turkey cranberry panini. Use the leftovers from your Thanksgiving dinner to create this easy and quick grilled turkey sandwich packed with flavors!

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When I am thinking about the best Thanksgiving leftovers recipes, I cannot forget about Jalapeno Mashed Potato Croquettes. What can be better than deep fried balls of mash with a jalapeno surprise in the middle?

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Jalapeno Mashed Potato Croquettes

These jalapeño mashed potato croquettes are the perfect use for leftover mashed potatoes. Just add some cheese, jalapeños, deep fry them and enjoy!

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Now if you are one of those families that prefer mashed sweet potatoes plain rather than sweetened with some extra sugar, marshmallows or maple syrup, then all you have to do is add a little flour, egg and turn them into Sweet Potato Gnocchi. These soft pillows are also ready in no time and there in only a little effort needed.

The kneading only takes seconds (because let’s be honest here: the more you knead, the harder they get and we don’t want that) and you don’t need any special tools. Just grab a knife and you are good to go!

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Sweet Potato Gnocchi

This is an easy sweet potato gnocchi recipe. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner! Soft gnocchi pillows served with green pesto and Parmesan are hard to resist!

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Sweet Potato Pancakes is a breakfast recipe that takes some time but the final result is so worth it. Again, this recipe calls for unsweetened mashed sweet potatoes. They are sweet enough so there is no need for the extra sweetness. However, nothing can stop you from topping them with all sorts of sweet toppings.

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Chocolate Chip Sweet Potato Pancakes

Chocolate chip sweet potato pancakes are one of the weekend breakfast recipes you will immediately fall in love with! Light, fluffy and filled with chocolate!

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If you are looking for Thanksgiving leftovers recipes using Brussels sprouts, then I highly recommend this Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad with Prosciutto.

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad

A great side dish perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. This recipe combines winter produce with dry-cured ham and Feta cheese for a flavorful, winter side dish.

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Cranberry Sauce can be used in so many ways. If you still have family members staying at your place, why not make this Cranberry Bacon Cheese Ball. It’s easy and yummy!

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Loaded Cranberry Bacon Cheese Ball

This loaded cranberry bacon cheese ball will be a hit at your next party! Sweet, salty, crunchy and creamy this easy appetizer goes well with all sorts of dippers.

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Leftover Turkey Pasta is ready in 15 minutes from start to finish which makes this a great recipe for lunch or dinner. Use any turkey meat leftovers and enjoy this quick meal.

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Leftover Turkey Pasta

This is a quick recipe that uses leftover turkey meat. Red pesto, parmesan and chili flakes make this leftover turkey pasta a tasty lunch or dinner!

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Turkey Noodle Soup is an easy way to use not only meat but also bones from your turkey, in case you want to make your own stock, that is. (I love making Instant Pot Turkey Stock but if you think it’s too much of a hassle, go ahead and use store-bought version (any flavor will work well) instead. The soup will still taste delicious.

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Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup

Make this Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup with homemade turkey stock to achieve best flavors! A bowl of this soup will fill your tummy and warm you up from inside. Simple, tasty and easy to make.

Check out this recipe

Easy Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes - Happy Foods Tube (2024)

FAQs

What is made from Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

Instead, try turning your leftovers into a casserole, like our turkey divan, our chicken stuffing casserole, or our turkey pot pie; a soup, like our turkey noodle soup, our leftover turkey & wild rice soup, or our homemade turkey stock (made from your turkey carcass); or something lighter or more flavorful than before, ...

How many days after Thanksgiving can you eat leftovers? ›

The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.

How long does leftover turkey last? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

How do you deal with leftovers on Thanksgiving? ›

10 ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers (besides just reheating them)
  1. Roasted turkey and vegetable salads. ...
  2. Turkey tacos. ...
  3. Potato pancakes. ...
  4. Make a turkey pot pie. ...
  5. Turkey pizza. ...
  6. Turkey soup. ...
  7. Turkey grilled cheese. ...
  8. Turn stuffing into muffins.
Nov 23, 2023

What are 4 commonly consumed foods at Thanksgiving other than turkey? ›

Cornish game hen, goose, duck, ham, beef, salmon, and mushroom recipes make worthy centerpieces for holiday meals.

What are 3 foods that are eaten on Thanksgiving? ›

Millions of people across the United States will sit down to a traditional Thanksgiving meal, including turkey, potatoes, squash, corn, and cranberries.

Is it OK to eat 3 day old leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Can you eat cooked turkey after 5 days? ›

Cooked turkey and other leftovers can be kept in the fridge safely for about three to four days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FoodSafety.gov say. But after that time, "the risk of food poisoning goes up," the Mayo Clinic notes, pointing to the growth of bacteria in refrigerated leftovers.

Can you eat Thanksgiving leftovers cold? ›

"If you're worried about it, sure, you can heat the turkey and have a warm sandwich. But taking those steps in the preparation, cooking and storing process means you should be safe to enjoy a cold leftover turkey sandwich.”

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

Frozen Turkey

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Can you eat 7 day old turkey? ›

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for three to four days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. Turkey typically lasts up to four days in the fridge before it goes bad.

Can dogs eat turkey? ›

You may have noticed that turkey is a common ingredient in dog treats and dog food. Skinless, unseasoned white turkey meat that's been properly cooked is actually fine for dogs to consume in small amounts. Ground turkey, as long as it's plain and has no additives, is also perfectly healthy for dogs.

What are the symptoms of food poisoning on Thanksgiving Day? ›

Symptoms of food poisoning often include diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach, or nausea. Call your healthcare provider if you have severe symptoms such as: Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F. Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving.

What percentage of people prefer Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

Apparently I'm in the minority, as this poll reported that 80 percent of Americans prefer the leftover version.

How long after Thanksgiving is it safe to eat the turkey? ›

Turkey: 3-4 days.

Turkey can last up to four more months if frozen. However, keep that four-day time frame in mind. If it is frozen two days after cooking, once it is thawed out, it is only good for two more days.

What foods make great leftovers? ›

  • Meatloaf. Though meatloaf is often restricted to the weeknight dinner table, it is a powerhouse leftover. ...
  • Lasagna. Sure, there's nothing better than lasagna coming out of the oven hot with bubbling cheese. ...
  • Pulled Pork. ...
  • Beef Stew. ...
  • Chili. ...
  • Frittatas, Quiches and Tarts.

What is the day after Thanksgiving usually called? ›

According to Britannica and numerous other outlets, the term 'Black Friday' was first associated with the day after Thanksgiving in the 1960s in Philadelphia. Police used the term to describe the scene as large numbers of suburban tourists came into the city to begin their holiday shopping.

Are the leftovers the best part of Thanksgiving? ›

Out of 2,000 U.S. residents surveyed who celebrate Thanksgiving, 70% said they believe leftovers taste better than their original meal served on Thanksgiving day, according to survey results from Stasher. More than half of the same participants said their Thanksgiving holiday would be ruined if there were no leftovers.

Why are Thanksgiving leftovers better? ›

On Thanksgiving Day, there are a lot of aromas happening because there's a lot of cooking going on, but when you're heating leftovers, it's only what you're heating. And that is pretty concentrated, it's nostalgic and it takes you back to a lovely place and the food usually delivers.

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