23 Ways to Make Your Thanksgiving Leftovers Even Better on Day Two

Thanksgiving leftovers go from really exciting—that first sandwich cannot be beat—to pretty tiring pretty fast. But if you think of your leftovers as ingredients instead of making yourself the same plate for several days in a row, the world opens up to you. Stuffing can be crisped up into croutons, mashed sweet potatoes can go into pancakes, and extra cranberry sauce can jazz up a snacking cake. Below you’ll find a few of our favorite recipes using Thanksgiving leftovers—scroll down to use up whatever is filling your fridge.
Christopher Testani, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich1/23Stuffing Hash
The best recipes for Thanksgiving leftovers bring out the strengths of the original dish. Stuffing’s crispy top goes even crispier in this hearty hash.
Photo & Food Styling by Kendra Vaculin2/23Cranberry-Orange Snacking Cake
Assuming you ate the last few pieces of pie for a post-Thanksgiving breakfast, you’re going to need another seasonal sweet to get through the weekend. This easy cake makes use of any lingering cranberry sauce.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich3/23Taiwanese Turkey Rice
If you only have enough turkey leftovers to make one new dish, let it be this one. And don’t miss this history piece about this Taiwanese specialty.
Photo by Lara Ferroni4/23Turkey Gumbo
This gumbo is worthy of a day-after Thanksgiving party. Just take your time when making the roux.
Photo by Elizabeth Cecil5/23Winter Panzanella With Stuffing Croutons
Leftover stuffing makes the most flavorful croutons ever. Just pair them with bitter chicories and sweet-tart apples for a satisfying salad that brings a little freshness back into your life.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Anna Hampton6/23Turkey Tetrazzini
Toss leftover turkey and peas (or green beans! or brussels sprouts!) with spaghetti and creamy mushrooms for this classic day-after-Thanksgiving baked pasta.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog7/23Butternut Squash Sandwich With Cheddar Cheese and Pickled Red Onion
Stuff leftover roasted butternut squash plus rich white cheddar, tangy pickled red onions, and zesty Dijonnaise into leftover rolls for a sandwich that tastes like autumn.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano and Stevie Stewart8/23Chilaquiles Rojos
For the ultimate comfort food breakfast, shred your leftover turkey to add to chilaquiles. If you don’t have the energy to make your own tortilla chips, you can use sturdy ones from a store or restaurant.
Photo by Elizabeth Cecil9/23Mashed Potato Skordalia
Traditional Greek skordalia is mostly garlic and olive oil with some potato or nuts added to thicken it. We flipped the ratio in this recipe: more potato, less garlic. Serve as a dip, or thin out with lemon juice and olive oil and use as a sauce for fish.
Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott10/23Gravy Mayo
You might think you have the leftovers sandwich down. But your condiment game could be improved if you’ve never tried gravy mayo.
Christopher Testani, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich11/23Mashed Potato Croquettes
Combine cold mashed potatoes, egg, and Parmesan in these luxurious bites that get even better with a little crème fraîche or sour cream on the side.
Photo by Elizabeth Cecil12/23Spicy Cabbage Salad With Turkey and Peanuts
After a day of power-eating, all we want is this palate cleanser. It has tons of spice, zing, freshness—and vegetables that still have some crunch.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Maya Rossi13/23Turkey Pot Pie
Don’t worry, we’re not telling you to make pie dough after Thanksgiving. Store-bought pie crust works just fine in this cozy recipe.
Photo by Elizabeth Cecil14/23Croque Madame With Cranberry-Mustard Relish
You know how the cheese sometimes oozes out of a grilled cheese while it’s cooking and gets all brown and crunchy when it hits the skillet? Well, this open-face sandwich recipe is dedicated to making that happen on purpose.

Wilder Davies



Megan Wahn

Emily Farris

Emily Farris

Zoë Sessums
