Ideas for Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving Leftovers are something people either really like, or really dislike. Whether you look forward to them (like I do), or you can take ’em or leave ’em, it’s always good to find new ways to re-enjoy leftovers.

Maybe you crave more comfort food after Thanksgiving. Or, maybe you prefer something lighter, fresher, and with an entirely different flavor profile. Either way, you’ll find plenty of ideas here!

NOTE: This list is a Work In Progress! Originally published November 2020, updated November 2021, and it’ll be updated often to include new ideas!

Enjoy!

SALADS

Turkey Wild Rice Salad with Tarragon | This salad is the reason we always buy more bird than we need for Thanksgiving – it’s perfect for leftover turkey! This is an incredibly flavorful dish to that can be enjoyed any time of year. The dressing recipe is versatile as well. Try it with roasted potatoes, cauliflower, asparagus and other vegetables. It’s also great as a sandwich spread or veggie dip!

BASIC Turkey Salad | The perfect “no-recipe recipe” for leftover turkey: Chop up some turkey (make sure to include some skin for extra flavor), and mix it up with chopped pickles and mayo. Finely chopped onions are also a good addition. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve on a bed of fresh greens or spread on buttered toast topped with some fresh sprouts or microgreens.

Sweet & Spicy Curry Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Red Onions | This recipe is perfect for leftover turkey as well as chicken. Go ahead and toss in some leftover cranberries if the previous preparation works with curry! We love serving this salad with warm pita and pita chips, but it’s also good on top of a bed of greens.

CASSEROLES

You can do all kinds of things with Thanksgiving leftovers and casseroles. Toss a little bit of everything in an oven-safe pan: mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, corn and other veggies, etc. Top with some gravy or freshly grated cheese and pop the pan in the oven just long enough for everything to warm through and for the top to brown a bit!

Swiss Saurkraut Noodle Casserole with Herbs | This recipe currently uses ground beef, but it’s also great with ground, chopped or shredded turkey, chicken and pork! The tangy kraut flavor in this casserole is distinctive, but not too tart. It’s an incredibly warm and delicious comfort food dish.

SANDWICHES

BASIC Turkey Sandwich | This is the sandwich I made as a kid, and it’s still a favorite of mine today! Just grab your favorite bread and add mayo, lettuce or other greens, and pickles along with plenty of leftover turkey. That’s all there is to it, and it’s so good!

If sauces and toppings are your thing, here are a few ways to take your turkey sammies up a notch!

Creamy Raspberry Chipotle Sauce | This this sweet, spicy, smooth sauce goes with just about everything, but it’s exceptionally good with pork, chicken, turkey or fish sandwiches, sliders and tacos!

Colorful Cranberry Carrot & Red Onion Slaw | This slaw recipe includes a nicely balanced sweet, tangy sauce and lots of colors and textures that make it a win no matter how you serve it! The recipe is easily be cut in half or doubled.

Mango, Cucumber and 3-Pepper Salsa | This gorgeous salsa is light and fruity. Add it to sandwiches for a fresh twist. It’s also good on its own with tortilla chips, crackers and cheeses. Enjoy it with grilled fish and poultry, and of course, it makes a great taco topping. The ingredients are as fresh and clean as the flavors, so you don’t even have to feel guilty when you eat the whole bowl.

Chimichurri Sauce | This has a little heat that can be adjusted to suit your tastes. Mix it with mayo to make an incredible sandwich spread, or just drizzle some chimi right on the bread. It’s fresh, fabulous flavors pair wonderfully with grilled dishes. Although it’s often served with flank steak, it’s also delicious with poultry, pork, lamb and fish, and equally as good as a marinade, salad dressing and dipping sauce. You’ve just got to try it!

Giardiniera Chimichurri Sauce | This stuff is like a bouquet of beautiful colors and flavors that pairs wonderfully with a wide variety of meats and vegetables. The ingredients are fairly simple and can easily be adjusted to suit your tastes. If you like vibrant, piquant flavors, you’re going to love this!

Green Goddess Dressing | This dressing is thick and rich with lots of citrus & herb flavors – and it’s totally guilt-free. Enjoy as a dip with veggies, or as a dressing or spread on salads, tacos, sandwiches, burgers & wraps!

Fresh Cilantro Lime Yogurt Sauce | This fabulously versatile sauce is a long-running favorite recipe here on the blog!. It’s light and clean with yogurt-y tang, and goes well with fresh or grilled veggies and grilled or roasted meats. It’s great on sandwiches, tacos, burgers and kabobs, and equally delicious as a dip with tortilla chips and crackers.

Parmesan-Crusted Turkey Melts | Butter two pieces of bread on both sides. Layer with sliced or shredded turkey, tomato slices, and mayo or sauce if you like. Add fresh pea shoots – or other greens – if you like, and enjoy immediately. This also works wonderfully with chicken and tuna!

Shredded Chicken or Turkey Sandwiches | Pickled red onions are a great addition to sandwiches!

Turkey Rachael Sandwiches | Spread my Reubenesque Sauce on toasted rye or pumpernickel bread, layer with sliced or shredded turkey, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut or coleslaw, and enjoy! If you have ground turkey on hand, definitely check out my Turkey Burger Rachel Sandwich recipe!

Turkey Club Sandwiches | Stack some hearty toasted bread with herbed mayo, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion (optional), and of course, plenty of TURKEY!

Turkey & Cheddar Open Faced Sammies | This is a great way to enjoy leftover turkey, and I love my Garlic Herb Tomato Jam with this combo. To make: Spread butter on one side of some bread and toast – butter side down – in a skillet over medium-low heat. Slice up some turkey and your favorite cheddar cheese, and layer onto the toasted bread with tomato jam. Place the open-face sammies on a sheet pan and place under the broiler for a minute or so to melt the cheese and warm everything up. Garnish with some fresh herbs and squeeze a little lime juice, and Enjoy!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: The specific turkey and cheese that I used for both the open-faced sandwiches (above) and Turkey Bites (below) is incredible, and I can’t recommend the products – or the source – highly enough!

Ferndale Market Uncured Boneless Smoked Turkey Breast
Met’z Hart-Land Creamery ‘Hot Blond Cheddar’ Cheese
Both are from Grandpa Don’s Market in Rushford, MN. They sell Beef, Pork, Turkey, Fish, Dairy, Fruits & Vegetables, Coffee, and Honey from MN and WI farms. Everything is shipped right to your door, and the quality it absolutely top notch!

Turkey Bites w/ Pickles & Cherry Tomatoes | Because sometimes a small bite is all you need!

Add leftover turkey to any one of these recipes!

Sweet Potato, Apple & Corn Coconut-Curry Chowder | This beautiful chowder is hearty, but not too heavy. It’s warm and a little spicy with perfectly balanced sweet and savory flavors. It’s absolutely wonderful as-is, but it’s also great with poultry or pork added!

Asian Rice Noodle & Vegetable Stir Fry | This Asian Rice Noodle and Vegetable Stir Fry recipe is perfect for a light, meatless meal or, you can add shredded turkey, chicken, pork, or seafood. It’s also delicious as a side dish for grilled or roasted meats, and the chilled leftovers are delicious for lunch the next day!

Sesame Spaghetti Squash | This is perfect as a light meal or a shared dish for a pot luck, and tastes great both at room temp or right out of the refrigerator. Add poultry or pork for a heartier dish!

Butternut Squash & Chickpea Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing | This salad is so delicious as a side, or with poultry added to it. I assure you… You’ll love this dish year ’round!

Fresh Greens Salad | Add turkey, sliced red onions, homemade brown butter brioche croutons, and @thesaladgirl Toasted Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette for a fresh, light meal.

Smoked Salmon Pasta with Asparagus, Peas and Dill | Smoked turkey is a delicious variation on this recipe!

Pasta with Spicy Pumpkin & Smoked Gouda Sauce | *NEW RECIPE coming soon! Toss leftover turkey in with this rich pasta dish for a fabulously flavorful meal!

LEFTOVER DRESSING & STUFFING

Savory Waffles : Enjoy with a little butter and/or leftover gravy. You can also use these savory waffles for turkey sandwiches instead of bread!

LEFTOVER VEGGIES

*Breakfast Hash

*Roast leftover veggies in a pan or in the oven to heat up and then toss them with fresh herbs, a spicy seasoning, or one of the sauce recipes mentioned above!