After all the planning, shopping and cooking that goes into Thanksgiving dinner, I like knowing the leftovers have somewhere to go. Opening the fridge the next morning can feel rather lovely—until you realise there are six containers competing for space and nobody wants exactly the same plate again.
A turkey sandwich certainly has its place, but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy what’s left. A fresh salad might appeal after a rich dinner, while a warm bowl of soup sounds perfect for a quiet evening at home.
This collection includes sweet and savoury inspiration, along with a simple way to send guests home with something delicious. Choose what suits your leftovers rather than buying another trolley of ingredients.
1. Sweet Potato Pound Cake
Leftover sweet potatoes can have a second life at teatime. Country Living’s sweet potato pound cake uses mashed sweet potatoes in a spiced loaf with a pecan topping.
Check the recipe before using a heavily seasoned or marshmallow-topped casserole, as its flavour and sweetness may differ from the potatoes called for.
2. Turkey and Vegetable Soup
Soup is the idea I’d choose when I want something comforting without another elaborate dinner.
The original collection featured a Yucatan-style turkey and vegetable soup, but that recipe link no longer leads to the dish. Keep the idea on your list and choose a complete soup recipe written for cooked turkey.
A bowl, a spoon and a little bread on the side are quite enough fuss for the day after hosting.
3. Turkey Cobb Salad
For a fresh change, try Martha Stewart’s turkey Cobb salad.
I’d choose this for lunch when I’m ready to put away the roasting dishes and enjoy something colourful.
4. A Flexible Casserole
A casserole is appealing when there are several vegetables to use up. Midwest Living’s catchall casserole offers a flexible combination of meat, vegetables, rice and a stuffing-mix topping.
This is an alternative to the original BHG link. Read its preparation carefully: it starts with uncooked meat, so it isn’t a direct set of instructions for leftover roast turkey.
5. Turkey Empanadas
Bon Appétit’s turkey empanadas bring turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and stuffing together inside puff pastry, with cranberry sauce alongside.
This is the option I’d bookmark when there are small portions of several dishes left. Those golden pastry parcels feel like a new meal.
For another pastry idea, visit our Thanksgiving leftover hand pies feature.
6. Turkey Piccata Pasta
Lemon and capers offer a welcome change of flavour after a traditional holiday dinner.
The original Ladies’ Home Journal link is unavailable. An alternative is turkey piccata pasta from Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen, which uses leftover roasted turkey.
I’d put this on the list for anyone who would happily eat pasta every night.
7. Turkey Croquettes
Martha Stewart’s turkey croquettes offer another way to use cooked turkey.
I like the idea of serving these on a favourite plate with a simple side salad.
8. Wine-Poached Pears
Leftovers aren’t always about the turkey. If there’s suitable wine remaining, a fruit dessert could be a lovely way to use it.
The original Real Simple link is unavailable, but The Old Farmer’s Almanac has a wine-poached pears recipe to explore instead.
This is the sort of dessert I’d save for a quieter evening when there’s time to sit down and enjoy it.
9. Send Guests Home with a Little of the Feast
One of my favourite leftover ideas doesn’t require another recipe at all: share the food.
Have clean, food-safe containers ready before guests arrive. Pack separate portions, label them with the contents and cooking date, and keep them chilled until departure. A ribbon around the outside adds a thoughtful touch, but a secure lid matters most.
Plan for the Food You’ll Actually Eat
Before choosing another dish, decide what you want tomorrow and what should go into the freezer.
Follow the USDA’s guidance for handling leftovers: refrigerate perishable food within two hours, or one hour in temperatures above 32°C. Use shallow containers, eat refrigerated leftovers within three to four days, and reheat them to 74°C. Making a new dish doesn’t restart the storage clock.
For more inspiration, browse our Thanksgiving leftovers ideas.
There’s no need to turn every container into a project. Pick one meal you’re looking forward to, freeze what you can’t use promptly, and enjoy having a little of the cooking already done.
1. Sweet potato pound cake from Country Living.
2. Yucatan-style turkey and vegetable soup from BHG.
3. Turkey Cobb salad from Martha.
4. Catchall casserole from BHG.
5. Turkey empanadas from Bon Appetit.
6. Turkey piccata pasta from Ladies Home Journal.
7. Turkey croquettes from Martha.
8. Poached pears with leftover wine from Real Simple.
9. Or, eliminate leftovers with this clever packaging for guests at Southern Living.
