Everyone knows that one of the best parts of the Thanksgiving holiday is the leftovers. Turkey sandwiches are great, but why stop there? There are so many creative ways to reinvent your leftovers, especially when it comes to sides like mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce or corn.
One of our favorites, though, is stuffing. It comes in handy for everything from topping casseroles to making these savory waffles. Stuffing is at its best when it’s crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, so a waffle iron is the perfect way to prepare it.
In this recipe, a stuffing-based batter gets pressed into a waffle iron and topped with leftover mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.
It’s a fun take on a breakfast classic that you’ll be craving all the way ‘til next Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Stuffing Waffles
Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Reubens
This classic sandwich is made even tastier with the addition of flavor-packed stuffing and leftover turkey. The traditional Thanksgiving flavors get revamped with the addition of sauerkraut, Russian dressing and Swiss cheese, which is a fantastic way to add some bright, zippy flavor. Pile all the ingredients high on toasty rye bread and serve.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Reubens
Second Day Fried Stuffing Bites with Cranberry Sauce Pesto
These leftover stuffing bites are so easy to make, they take less than 15 minutes to come together. Simply cut your leftover stuffing into cubes (or roll into balls) then dredge in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Drop into hot oil and fry until crispy and golden on the outside. Serve with homemade cranberry sauce pesto for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Second Day Fried Stuffing Bites with Cranberry Sauce Pesto
Turkey and Stuffing Quiche
Before making more food for post-Thanksgiving brunch, consider what ingredients you can repurpose from the night before. In this recipe, leftover stuffing and cubes of turkey dot the cheesy eggs. Sharp cheddar is the perfect way to balance the rich, creamy eggs and stuffing.
Get the Recipe: Turkey and Stuffing Quiche
Thanksgiving Pizza
The great thing about Thanksgiving leftovers is that they’re so versatile, there’s no shortage of ways to use them. One of our favorites is a Thanksgiving pizza. Store-bought dough gets piled high with mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted turkey, gravy and chunky cranberry sauce. It’s a fun and fresh way to enjoy leftovers in a style that kids and adults alike will love.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Pizza
Thanksgiving Leftover Hotdish
If you have guests staying the weekend after Thanksgiving, you’ll want to repurpose your leftovers into a meal that looks just as good as it did the day before. This hearty casserole is an easy way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers in a way that can serve a crowd. Piled high into a casserole dish, it’s like a second Thanksgiving dinner that’s perfect for serving the whole family all over again.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Leftover Hotdish
Turkey Vegetable Soup with Stuffing Dumplings
There’s no better way to empty that overstuffed post-Thanksgiving refrigerator than tossing all of the ingredients into a hearty soup. In fact, you can even use the turkey bones to make a fully-flavored homemade stock. In this recipe, leftover stuffing dumplings shine as the star of the show.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Vegetable Soup with Stuffing Dumplings
Leftover Thanksgiving Pull-Apart Sliders
If you have family that stays with you throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, you know that your hosting duties don’t end on Thursday. If you’re searching for a way to keep your family fed on Friday and Saturday too, let these easy sliders do the work for you. Simply toast the slider buns and pile them high with all the fixins. Let your guests pull each slider apart for an easy party hit that’s guaranteed to impress.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Thanksgiving Pull-Apart Sliders
Thanksgiving Leftovers Hand Pies
Getting tired of leftover turkey sandwiches? Try a hand pie! Stuffed full of our favorite Thanksgiving leftovers, these savory hand pies are a welcome twist on the usual day-after sandwiches. Serve with cranberry sauce and gravy for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Leftovers Hand Pies
Leftover Stuffing Croquettes
Everything tastes better when it’s stuffed with cheese and fried, and leftover stuffing is no different. This fun and flavorful appetizer is a great way to use up your leftovers. Each bite is a perfect warm crispy bite of stuffing with a cheesy surprise in the middle!
Get the Recipe: Leftover Stuffing Croquettes
Waffled Leftover Thanksgiving Brunch
Invite friends and family back over to re-celebrate the holidays with this unique brunch made from leftovers. The stuffing works perfectly in waffle form because it gets golden and crispy on the outside while remaining tender and chewy on the inside. Top off the whole dish with all the leftover trimmings like mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy.
Get the Recipe: Waffled Leftover Thanksgiving Brunch
