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61 Thanksgiving Leftover Ideas That'll Make Your Mouth Water

Updated on October 12, 2023

Give your Turkey Day extras new life by turning them into soups, pot pies, sandwiches, waffles and more.

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Photo: Matt Armendariz ©

What to Do with Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving dinner is one of the most highly anticipated meals of the year. Make the most of all that hard work and planning by transforming your leftover turkey and sides (we're talking stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn and more) into delicious next-day dishes—that are just as good as the originals. As long as you store your Thanksgiving leftovers properly after your feast you’ll have them available in the coming days for whatever you're cooking up. We’re not only talking about a batch of turkey soup (with homemade turkey broth, of course!) or your go-to sandwich (although we’d gladly gobble either of those up, too). With these recipes you’ve also got creative options like savory waffles made with extra stuffing, pizza topped with creamy mashed potatoes, turkey shepherd’s pies—and so much more.

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Leftover Mashed Potato Pizza

There's no need for tomato sauce on this pizza. It uses leftover mashed potatoes instead and is topped with Mozzarella, bacon, leek, garlic and basil.

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Leftover Stuffing Waffles

Use up a whole lot of leftovers by cooking a stuffing-based batter in a waffle iron and topping the waffle with mashed potatoes, gravy and a dollop of cranberry sauce.

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Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Reubens

Leftover turkey and stuffing find their way into a classic Reuben along with sauerkraut, Russian dressing and Swiss cheese.

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