Ideas for Thanksgiving Leftovers

November 29, 2013

One of our favorite things about Thanksgiving is the abundance of leftovers. Here are 16 recipes to inspire you to turn your leftover turkey, cranberries, veggies, and more into dishes even more delicious than the originals.

Bel-Air club sandwich

Bel-Air Club Sandwich

A turkey sandwich is the iconic Thanksgiving leftovers meal. Here, we switch out the gravy for herb aioli, and add in tomato, Gruyere, and bacon. Get the recipe for the Bel-Air Club Sandwich »Ingalls Photography
Caribbean Pumpkin Soup

Caribbean Pumpkin Soup

Roast or sauté extra squash over the weekend (butternut or calabaza are perfect) to make quick weeknight work of this garlicky, spicy pumpkin soup.Penny De Los Santos
Apple and Cranberry Upside-Down Cakes

Apple and Cranberry Upside-Down Cakes

If you find yourself with a surplus of fresh cranberries, these elegant cakes are the perfect solution. They can be cooked in individual miniature pans, or in a single skillet for convenience.Khushbu Shah
Pumpkin Bread (Fein Tau Weiyema)

Pumpkin Bread (Fein Tau Weiyema)

A dense, pudding-like pumpkin bread makes a rich and satisfying dessert. Use leftover butternut, acorn, or pumpkin squash purée.Penny De Los Santos
Apple Cider Levain Loaf

Apple Cider Levain Loaf

This flavorful, naturally leavened white bread is a great use of apple cider and dried cranberries, so you can enjoy Thanksgiving's flavors long after the holiday is done.Todd Coleman
Pumpkin Pecan Gingersnap Ice Cream

Pumpkin Pecan Gingersnap Ice Cream

Use up leftover pumpkin or squash puree in a sweet, spiced ice cream.Anna Stockwell
Monte Cristo

Monte Cristo

People have strong opinions about the Monte Cristo sandwich, a double-decker of Swiss cheese, ham, and chicken or turkey, battered, fried, and dusted with confectioners' sugar, served with jelly on the side. Some consider it a marvel; others, an absurdity. Try it with cranberry sauce!Todd Coleman
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Arugula forms a peppery base of this squash salad and spiced sweet pecans add a layer of crunch.Anna Stockwell
Seasonal Squash Tart

Seasonal Squash Tart

Get creative with the topping for this tart, which will help to really stretch leftover squash and other vegetables. Store-bought puff pastry makes a simple dish even simpler. Get the recipe for Seasonal Squash Tart »Anna Stockwell
Collards with Smoked Turkey Wings

Collards with Smoked Turkey Wings

Regular turkey wings are a fine substitute for smoked in this recipe for hearty collard greens. See the recipe for Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey Wings »Andre Barnaowski
Elena Ruz

Elena Ruz

Commonly served during merienda (afternoon tea) in Cuba, this sandwich of turkey, jam, and cream cheese on a roll is sweet and savory all in one. Try substituting leftover cranberry sauce for the strawberry jam.Todd Coleman
Bubble and Squeak

Bubble and Squeak

A hearty vegetable hash couldn't be more perfect for using up Thanksgiving leftovers, including mashed potatoes.Todd Coleman
Todd's Turkey Hash

Todd's Turkey Hash

This hearty breakfast dish is perfect for the morning after Thanksgiving. It uses up leftover cooked turkey as well as Thanksgiving pantry ingredients you may not have used up the day before, like cream, stock (feel free to use turkey stock in place of chicken), and herbs. Get the recipe for Todd's Turkey Hash »Saveur
Hot Brown

Hot Brown

Hot, rich, and delicious, this is a decadent way to use up leftover turkey and relieve all the comfort of Thanksgiving dinner. Get the recipe for Hot Brown »James Baigrie
Dominican pumpkin soup

Dominican Cream of Pumpkin Soup

We love putting pumpkin in our Thanksgiving pie, but after Thanksgiving, we want the leftovers in this silky pumpkin soup. Get the recipe for Dominican Cream of Pumpkin Soup »Farideh Sadeghin
Squash bread pudding with rum sauce

Squash Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce

Use up leftover bread and butternut squash--or pumpkin or sweet potato, if that's what you have--for this rich spiced bread pudding. Get the recipe for Squash Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce »Landon Nordeman

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