How To Turn Your Thanksgiving Leftovers Into A New Dish.

After the grand feast of Thanksgiving, there’s always that little moment where we look at the leftovers in the fridge and wonder, “What now?” Sure, you could just reheat everything and call it a day—but why settle for reheating when you can reinvent your leftovers into something new and exciting? These four leftover Thanksgiving recipes will make your fridge the most delicious place to be in the days following the holiday.

From savory casseroles to indulgent sandwiches, these ideas will take your leftover turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pies to a whole new level. Let’s dive into these creative ways to reuse your leftovers—because the best part of Thanksgiving just might be what comes after!

1. Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili

This hearty turkey and sweet potato chili is a great way to use up leftover turkey and incorporate those sweet potatoes you had on the dinner table. The combination of savory turkey, slightly sweet potatoes, and a hint of spice creates the ultimate cozy meal for cold weather days.

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey (shredded)
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1-2 cups chicken or vegetable broth (depending on your desired consistency)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro or green onions, for garnish

Directions:

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat until softened (about 5 minutes).
2. Add the diced sweet potato and cook for another 5-7 minutes, allowing it to soften a bit.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and salt/pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add the shredded turkey, diced tomatoes, beans, and chicken broth. Stir everything together, bringing the chili to a simmer.
5. Let the chili cook for 25-30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and the flavors meld.
6. Adjust seasoning to taste, then serve with fresh cilantro or green onions on top.

This chili is comforting, slightly sweet, and full of flavor—a perfect way to repurpose both turkey and sweet potatoes!

2. Leftover Stuffing Waffles

Yes, you read that right—stuffing waffles. If you have extra stuffing lying around, give it a makeover by turning it into crispy, golden waffles. These savory waffles are the perfect base for everything from turkey and gravy to a fried egg.

Ingredients:

• Leftover stuffing (about 2 cups)
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk (or broth)
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese
• Butter or oil for the waffle iron

Directions:

1. Preheat your waffle iron and grease it with butter or oil.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Add the leftover stuffing and mix until it’s coated and sticks together. If you want a bit of cheesy goodness, fold in some shredded cheese.
3. Spoon the stuffing mixture onto the waffle iron and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions, typically about 3-5 minutes, until golden and crispy.
4. Serve the waffles as a side dish or top them with leftover turkey, gravy, or even a fried egg for an indulgent breakfast.

These stuffing waffles are crunchy, savory, and oh-so-satisfying. You’ll love how they transform leftover stuffing into a fun, easy meal.

Join the List

Join my mailing list.
Subscribe today!

First and Last Name

Email *

Send me Emails

3. Mashed Potato Croquettes

Transform your leftover mashed potatoes into crispy, golden croquettes that are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. These little bites are perfect as an appetizer, snack, or side dish!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (plus more for coating)
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine the leftover mashed potatoes, egg, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until smooth.
2. Scoop out a tablespoon of the mashed potato mixture and shape it into a small ball or oval.
3. Roll the croquettes in additional breadcrumbs to coat them evenly.
4. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the croquettes in batches, turning them until they’re golden brown on all sides (about 3-4 minutes per batch).
5. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels. Serve warm with a dipping sauce of your choice, like sour cream or marinara.

These crispy mashed potato croquettes are a perfect way to give your leftover mashed potatoes a new, crunchy life. They’re a hit every time!

4. Pumpkin Pie Trifle

Ingredients:

• 2-3 slices of leftover pumpkin pie (or 2 cups of pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup crushed graham crackers (or digestive biscuits)
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional, for added crunch)
• Ground cinnamon, for garnish
• 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional, for drizzling)

Instructions:

1. In a chilled mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract using an electric mixer. Beat until soft peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to over-whip—this should be fluffy but still spreadable.
2. Take the leftover pumpkin pie and cut it into small cubes, discarding any crust. If you only have pumpkin pie filling leftover, simply scoop it into a bowl and set aside.
3. In a large glass trifle dish (or individual serving glasses), start by adding a layer of the pumpkin pie cubes at the bottom. You want to create a nice, even base layer that will soak up all the delicious flavors.
4. Spoon a generous layer of whipped cream on top of the pumpkin pie cubes. Spread it out evenly to create a nice, fluffy layer.
5. Sprinkle a thin layer of crushed graham crackers and chopped pecans over the whipped cream. This gives a little texture and a hint of crunch, mimicking the traditional graham cracker crust.
6. Repeat the layers of pumpkin pie, whipped cream, and graham crackers/pecans until you reach the top of the trifle dish. Finish with a final layer of whipped cream on top.
7. Dust the top with a little ground cinnamon and drizzle with maple syrup for a sweet finishing touch. If you like, top with a few extra chopped pecans or a small dollop of whipped cream for a bit more flair.
8. Refrigerate the trifle for at least an hour before serving. This will help the flavors meld together, and the layers will set nicely. If you’re in a rush, you can enjoy it right away—though chilling always makes it even better.

Join the List

Join my mailing list.
Subscribe today!

First and Last Name

Email *

Send me Emails

There you have it—4 creative ways to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers in a way that’s anything but boring. From turkey chili to crispy mashed potato croquettes, these recipes will have you looking forward to your leftovers just as much as the big feast itself. So, next time you open the fridge and see those leftovers staring back at you, just know you’ve got a whole new world of delicious possibilities waiting!

Happy leftover cooking, and may your post-Thanksgiving meals be as amazing as the holiday itself!

As Always, Keep Cooking!