7 Thanksgiving leftover recipes
The best part of Thanksgiving might be the day after. These recipes turn leftover turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing into something new in 20 minutes or less.
Updated October 2026 · ranked by popularity
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1. Leftover stuffing waffles
Day-after stuffing pressed in a waffle iron until crisp and golden, then topped with turkey, gravy and cranberry sauce. The best Thanksgiving leftover breakfast.
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2. Cranberry brie bites
Crisp mini phyllo cups filled with melty brie, tangy cranberry sauce and toasted pecans, baked straight from the freezer. An easy holiday party appetizer.
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3. Leftover turkey noodle soup
Leftover roast turkey and tender egg noodles in a hot thyme-scented broth with carrots, celery and onion. The easiest way to use up the bird, in 19 minutes.
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4. Leftover ham and cheese sliders
Sweet Hawaiian rolls stuffed with leftover holiday ham and Swiss, brushed with a buttery poppy seed and Dijon glaze and baked until melty and golden.
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5. Thanksgiving leftover sandwich
Leftover turkey, crisp pan-fried stuffing and tart cranberry sauce stacked on toasted bread, with an optional gravy-dipped middle slice of bread.
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6. Turkey cranberry panini
Leftover roast turkey, tangy cranberry sauce and melty brie pressed in buttery sourdough until golden and crisp. A cozy use for holiday leftovers.
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7. Cranberry pecan kale salad
Massaged kale with crisp apple, dried cranberries, toasted pecans and feta in a tangy maple cider vinaigrette. Hearty for lunch, festive for a feast.
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Leftover turkey keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Reheat leftovers until steaming hot, and freeze anything you will not use by then.