Use Your Thanksgiving Leftovers With These 8 Delicious Ideas

Use Your Thanksgiving Leftovers With These 8 Delicious Ideas

Dan Kobialka

Dan KobialkaNov 23, 20173 min read

Thanksgiving is over, which means leftovers galore likely are taking up space in your refrigerator. But there is no need to worry about finding ways to incorporate Thanksgiving leftovers into meals. In fact, you can use Thanksgiving leftovers to craft many wonderful dishes, including:

 1. Omelettes

Leftover turkey generally is a great addition to any type of omelette. Or, for those who want to be a bit more daring, it may be worthwhile to use cranberry sauce or gravy to transform an ordinary omelette into an unforgettable meal.  

 2. Sandwiches

For those who want to make a delicious meal out of Thanksgiving leftovers but don't want to do a lot of work, a sandwich is ideal. With two slices of your favorite type of bread, leftover turkey, cheese, mayonnaise and assorted vegetables, you'll be able to craft a hunger-satisfying sandwich. You also can substitute bread with a wrap to make an exceptional turkey wrap.

 3. Soup

Turkey noodle soup is perfect for those who want a warm post-Thanksgiving meal. Simply add leftover turkey, veggies and egg noodles to a few cups of turkey broth, and you're good to go.

Additionally, if you saved the Thanksgiving turkey carcass, you can boil the bones with celery, carrots and onion and cook it down to your own turkey bone broth. 

4. Chili

Turkey chili usually is easy to prepare, particularly for those who have plenty of leftover turkey at their disposal. Shred your leftover turkey and add it to your favorite chili recipe. Of course, don't be afraid to incorporate extra spices to pep up your turkey chili, either.

5. Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's pie is a traditional dinnertime dish that features all of the Thanksgiving favorites – turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables and gravy. Pop the aforementioned ingredients into a casserole dish and bake the mixture in the oven at 350°F for about 30 to 45 minutes. Then, you can enjoy a one-of-a-kind Shepherd's pie.

6. Milkshakes

If you're lucky enough to have leftover pie after Thanksgiving, you can transform this amazing dessert into a supreme milkshake. Mix a piece of pie with milk, ice cream and some of your favorite ice cream toppings in a blender, and you can create a milkshake masterpiece in no time at all.

7. Salad

If you are concerned about packing on pounds during the holiday season, you may want to include salads in your diet. To take the first step to accomplish this goal, you can use slices of Thanksgiving turkey in your salad of choice. That way, you can eat healthy and ensure none of your Thanksgiving turkey goes to waste.

8. Casserole

With a can of cream of mushroom soup and Thanksgiving turkey and vegetables, you can whip up a terrific casserole. Be creative with your ingredients, and you can make a casserole that will help you continue your Thanksgiving celebration in the days following the holiday.

Get the most out of your Thanksgiving leftovers – include your Thanksgiving leftovers in the aforementioned dishes, and you can treat yourself to a wide range of superb meals.