10 Easiest Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes + 7-Day Meal Plan

Your Thanksgiving feast is over, and the fridge is packed with delicious leftovers of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and more. A common issue we all face right?

So instead of reheating the same plate why not turn the leftovers into brand-new meals? Those extra Thanksgiving appetizers, snacks, and stuffing can be made into delicious, budget-friendly meals.

With a little creativity and a few simple ingredients, you can stretch your Thanksgiving favorites into an entire week of easy, comforting dishes.

Here in this post, I am sharing some beginner-friendly Thanksgiving leftover recipe ideas without feeling like you’re eating leftovers at all.

You can cook for yourself or feed your entire family with tasty and hearty recipes like turkey sandwiches, mashed potato, veg quesadillas and many other dishes.

These easy leftover recipes will help you to waste less, save money, and keep everyone happily fed for days after your main Thanksgiving feast is over.

This guide is packed with very easy recipes anyone can make, and a 7-day meal plan to help you use everything efficiently. Hope you like this.

Leftover Thanksgiving Recipe + A 7-Day Meal Plan

7-Day Thanksgiving Leftovers Meal Plan

Here’s a simple 7-day meal plan for using all your Thanksgiving leftovers. All these dishes are quick, beginner-friendly recipes:

Day

Meal

Recipe

Monday	Lunch	Leftover Turkey Sandwich
Monday	Dinner	Creamy Veggie Pasta Bake
Tuesday	Lunch	Mashed Potato Cakes
Tuesday	Dinner	Turkey Fried Rice
Wednesday	Breakfast	Stuffing Waffles with Fried Egg
Wednesday	Dinner	Cheesy Mashed Potato Bake with Veggies
Thursday	Lunch	Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Spread
Thursday	Dinner	Leftover Veggie Quesadillas
Friday	Breakfast	Cranberry Yogurt Parfait
Friday	Dinner	Leftover Turkey Soup (mix turkey + veggies + broth)
Saturday	Lunch	Stuffing Muffin Cups
Saturday	Dinner	Mashed Potato & Veggie Casserole
Sunday	Brunch	Leftover Turkey Sandwich or Quesadilla
Sunday	Dinner	Anything leftover, mix & match!

Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich

A leftover turkey sandwich is a great for lunch and since it is creamy, tangy, and full of texture you enjoy the Thanksgiving flavors all over again.

Ingredients:

2 slices of bread (or even leftover dinner rolls)

2–3 slices of leftover turkey

1 tbsp mayonnaise

1 tbsp tomato ketchup

A few lettuce leaves or spinach

Instructions:

• Mix the mayonnaise and tomato ketchup to make a quick mayo.

• Toast the bread lightly until golden.

• Spread the mayo on both slices.

• Layer the turkey, lettuce, and any extras you like cheese, onions, pickles.

• Close the sandwich, slice in half, and relish!

Leftover Turkey Fried Rice

I love a delicious fried rice, and this particular meal can be an amazing leftover Thanksgiving dinner option for you as well. Plus, it’s the meal that will actually clear out your fridge.

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked rice (preferably day-old)	1–2 tbsp soy sauce
½–1 cup chopped leftover turkey	1-1½ tsp oil
1 egg (optional)	Salt and pepper to taste
½ cup mixed vegetables (peas, onions, carrots, corn, green beans, even frozen veggies are fine)	Cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• Heat the oil in a pan or wok. Add the egg (if using) and scramble it.

• Add the chopped vegetables and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes.

• Add the turkey and cook until warmed through.

• Stir in the rice, breaking up any clumps, and mix well.

• Add soy sauce, salt, and pepper to taste.

• Cook for another 2–3 minutes, tossing until everything is well mixed.

• Garnish and serve warm.

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Cheesy Mashed Potato Bake

The ultimate comfort meal, I’m yet to meet someone who doesn’t like some creamy, cheesy, and bubbling hot baked potato.

Ingredients:

2 cups leftover mashed potatoes

½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)

2 tbsp milk or cream

1 tbsp butter

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

• In a bowl, mix mashed potatoes with milk, butter, and half the cheese.

• Spoon the mixture into a small baking dish.

• Sprinkle the remaining cheese (and breadcrumbs if using) on top.

• Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly on top.

• Garnish with herbs and serve warm.

Crispy Mashed Potato Cakes

You’ll love this golden and crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside leftover mashed potatoes cakes. It can be such an awesome breakfast snack.

Ingredients:

1½ cups leftover mashed potatoes	1 onion, finely chopped
¼ cup shredded cheese	Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp flour or breadcrumbs to bind	Oil or butter for pan-frying

Instructions:

• In a bowl, mix mashed potatoes, cheese, onion, and flour until combined.

• Shape into small patties about the size of your palm.

• Heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.

• Cook each patty for about 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and crisp.

• Serve hot with ketchup, sour cream, or leftover gravy.

Quick tip: If your mashed potatoes are very soft, chill the mixture for 20 minutes before shaping the patties, it makes them easier to handle.

Leftover Stuffing Savory Waffles

This is the crispiest, most delicious way to revive leftover stuffing and you can top it with gravy, fried eggs, or even cranberry sauce to make a hearty breakfast.

Ingredients:

2 cups leftover stuffing

1 egg

2–3 tbsp broth, milk, or water, just enough to moisten the mix

Butter or oil for greasing the waffle iron

Instructions:

• Preheat your waffle maker for about 5 minutes and lightly grease it.

• In a bowl, mix stuffing, egg, and a little broth until everything sticks together.

• Scoop about ½ cup of the mixture onto the waffle maker and spread evenly.

• Cook until golden brown and crisp.

• Serve warm.

Quick tip: If you don’t have a waffle maker, just press the mixture into a hot skillet and cook both sides until crispy for some instant stuffing pancakes.

Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffin Cups

This stuffing muffin recipe is super easy. It’s basically “mix, scoop, bake” where you don’t need any fancy prep or equipment.

Plus, this recipe can be an amazing option for snacks, or make-ahead breakfast.

Note: You can use any leftover Thanksgiving stuffing, bread-based, cornbread, or even sausage stuffing. If it feels a bit dry, mix in a splash of broth or a whisked egg before baking so the muffins hold together nicely.

Ingredients:

2 cups leftover stuffing

1–2 eggs, depending on how dry your stuffing is

¼ cup broth or milk

Chopped turkey, cheese, or veggies (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease or line a muffin pan.

• In a bowl, mix stuffing, eggs, and broth until it clumps together slightly.

• Spoon the mixture into muffin cups and press down gently.

• Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the tops are golden and slightly crisp.

• Let them cool for 5 minutes before removing from the pan.

Cranberry Yogurt Parfait

It takes just five minutes to make this beautiful cranberry yogurt parfait. It’s sweet, fresh and also a nice break from all the savory leftovers.

Ingredients:

½ cup leftover cranberry sauce

1 cup yogurt (plain or vanilla)

¼ cup granola or crushed nuts

A drizzle of honey or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions:

• In a glass, add a spoonful of yogurt as the base.

• Layer with cranberry sauce and granola.

• Repeat the layers until the glass is full.

• Drizzle with honey or maple syrup if you like extra sweetness.

• Enjoy immediately or chill for 10-20 minutes before eating.

Quick tip: Add a handful of fresh fruit like apples or oranges to make it extra colorful and refreshing.

Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Spread

If you need like a quick lunch or a game day snack, you must try these turkey sliders. These are simply the best.

You can assemble and refrigerate them a day ahead and pop them in the oven when you want to eat.

Ingredients:

6 small slider buns or dinner rolls	2 tbsp mayonnaise or cream cheese
1 cup leftover shredded turkey	Cheese slices
¼ cup leftover cranberry sauce	Butter for brushing the tops

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

• In a small bowl, mix cranberry sauce and mayonnaise to make a spread.

• Slice the slider buns and spread the mixture on both sides.

• Layer the turkey and cheese, then replace the bun tops.

• Brush with melted butter and bake for 10 minutes until warm and slightly toasty.

• Serve warm.

Leftover Veggie Quesadillas

These cheesy and crispy veg quesadillas would be ready in minutes. You can toss in any leftover veggies, and it always tastes amazing.

For the non veg option, you can always add a few turkey bits.

Ingredients:

2 flour tortillas

½–1 cup chopped leftover veggies

¼ cup shredded cheese

1 tsp oil or butter for cooking

Instructions:

• Heat a skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it.

• Place one tortilla on the pan and sprinkle with cheese.

• Add your chopped leftover veggies evenly over the cheese.

• Top with the second tortilla and cook until the bottom is golden brown.

• Flip carefully and cook the other side for 2–3 minutes until crispy.

• Slice into wedges and serve with salsa, sour cream, or leftover cranberry sauce.

Creamy Veggie Pasta Bake

Pasta for me is the ultimate comfort dish and a great way to combine leftover Thanksgiving veggies and mashed potatoes or cheese.

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked pasta	¼ cup cheese (plus extra for topping)
1 cup mixed leftover veggies (anything from green bean casserole to roasted brussels sprouts)	1 tbsp butter
½ cup milk or cream	Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

• In a pan, melt butter and add milk or cream. Stir in cheese until melted into a simple sauce.

• Add cooked pasta and leftover veggies, stirring gently to combine.

• Transfer to a baking dish and sprinkle extra cheese on top.

• Bake for 15–20 minutes, until bubbly and golden.

• Serve warm for an easy, comforting dinner.

Quick tip: Add a spoonful of leftover mashed potatoes into the sauce for extra creaminess.

Finally, Tips for Storing Your Thanksgiving Leftovers

Keeping your leftovers fresh is simple if you follow a few basic tips this will help in preventing waste and keeping meals tasty all week.

Refrigerate promptly: Store cooked food in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking.

Use clear containers: It makes it easy to see what you have.

Label and date: This helps in tracking freshness and most cooked leftovers are good for 3–4 days in the fridge.

Freeze if needed: Turkey, casseroles, and mashed potatoes can be frozen for up to 2–3 months.

Reheat safely: Heat until steaming hot before serving.

So as you can see that with a few easy recipes and a little planning, you can turn Thanksgiving leftovers into delicious meals all week long.

This way you can enjoy the holiday flavors a little long with absolutely mouth-watering recipes like turkey sandwiches and fried rice and baked mashed potato cakes and more.

Store your leftovers safely, and you’ll be surprised how much fun it can be to reinvent your favorite dishes.

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