
Did you survive the foodfest yesterday? Manage to escape the usual embarrassing questions? Get your much-anticipated annual replay of Uncle Lester’s "pull my finger" trick? Attempt to watch football over the buzz saw snoring of Cousin Earl, who managed to launch into a spirited commentary of the car insurance commercial before abruptly dozing off on the couch?
Has the waistband of your yoga pants asked to be put in the witness protection program?
However you spent your day, we hope it was a good one. And if you had the traditional banquet full of dishes that filled up ever available space on the dining table, chances are you’ve got more leftovers than available fridge space. But don’t worry! Just for you (well, a little bit for us, too), we’re featuring a few great recipes that can transform your leftovers into yet another special dish. In fact, they’re so good that you just might start cooking more so you can make these.
If you want to go light, we’ve got a few turkey salad dishes that won’t scare your yoga pants. Or maybe the chilly weather is calling for a hearty soup to warm you up. We’ve got that too.
Clockwise from top left: steamykitchen’s Curry Apple and Leftover Turkey Salad Sandwich (which you can pile onto lettuce cups so you can skip the bread), Turkey and Mushroom Soup from Kelly @ EvilShenanigans, and Turkey & Wild Rice Curry Salad from afarmgirlsdabbles.
A sandwich is another quick and light meal, and many of you love making sandwiches with all that good turkey. Here are some that caught our eye:
Clockwise from top left: Turkey Cranberry Sandwich from Very Culinary, Thanksgiving Monte Cristo Sandwich from familyfreshcooking, and Turkey, Brie, Pear & Cherry Chipotle Panini from cookincanuck.
Another favorite way to use up leftovers is the classic pot pie. From the usual crust topping to puff pastry or a biscuit topping, there’s just something incredibly comforting about a warm and creamy savory filling topped with pastry.
Clockwise from top left: Roasted Chicken Pot Pie from Natalie (Perrys’ Plate), “Enlighten” Autum Chicken Pot Pie from The Noshery, Hobo Bags from Cooking Ventures, and Chicken Puff Pot Pie from TootSweet.
Of course, turkey isn’t the only thing you might have in excess. Got leftover butternut squash? Turn them into pancakes. Extra sweet potatoes, carrots, and other veggies? Try a nice pureed soup with a hint of coconut and curry. Leftover stuffing? Make some amazing stuffing balls. Got leftover pie? Have it for breakfast.
Clockwise from top left: Whole Wheat Butternut Squash Pancakes from EatLiveRun, Roasted Sweet Potato & Carrot Soup with Pumpkin Seeds from Eating for England, and Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls from patiodaddio.
And there you have it! A post-holiday roundup of recipes for your leftovers. I’m telling you, leftovers never looked better. Do you have a favorite way to re-purpose the remnants of your holiday feast? Come share them with us!
Happy eating! May your table always be full and may your yoga pants never leave you.









Eleanor on Friday, November 26
I so wish we did Thanksgiving in Australia just so I can have all those yummy leftovers!1
Dakota on Friday, November 26
Nothing better the left over stuffing and gravey fo breakfast on Friday!2
Estela @ Weekly Bite on Friday, November 26
That sandwich with the cranberries is right up my alley!3
warmvanillasugar on Friday, November 26
All of these ideas are great! I love the stuffing balls recipe.4
Courtney on Friday, November 26
I plan on making a turkey pot pie soup, or at least attempting. Leftovers never last long here! :)5
georgia@pukingpastilles.com on Friday, November 26
I always eat pie for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving! Today it was cherry:) Those turkey sandwiches look absolutely divine!6
Helen on Friday, November 26
Still too full to even think of eating left overs but I will be back tomorrow for some ideas!7
Nicole Bojtos on Friday, November 26
I think I may start celebrating Thanksgiving twice a year just for the leftovers!8
janice shifflett on Friday, November 26
Uh oh--4 people and only 3 pieces of pie left! I am making some cranberry mustard with the leftover cranberry sauce and we are having hot turkey sandwiches with Meunster cheese and the cranberry mustard. Leftover mashed potatoes are being transformed into a loaded potato casserole-mashed potatoes with sour cream, bacon bits, chives and grated cheddar cheese. Now if I can just figure out how to divide up that pie...9
Kay Carrasco on Friday, November 26
I'm thinking of trying something different. I love, love, love turkey pot pie, but since I am also making a pumpkin pie I don't want two pie-crusted things at the same meal. So I thought I'd break up some leftover dressing and top the pot pie filling with that--kind of like a crumb topping on a cobbler, only savory. (Besides, I thought the dressing was a tad under-baked so this will crisp up the leftovers better.) What do y'all think? Ever tried anything like this before?10
Tabitha (FromSingletoMarried) on Friday, November 26
I was just telling my husband that I need to find some good recipes so that we can use up all of our leftover turkey! These look delicious!11
montanajo on Friday, November 26
I bought a free range turkey for the first time (and last) it was tough and not very tasty.12
Heather (Heather's Dish) on Friday, November 26
ok, is it just me or do these leftovers look almost as good if not better than the real deal! yum :)13
Richy on Saturday, November 27
Ah, the leftover turkey. Is there anything better? :)14
MOV on Saturday, November 27
uh, your leftovers are looking better than my main dinner. You're giving me a complex!! http://mothersofbrothersblog.blogspot.com MOV15
Cookin' Canuck on Saturday, November 27
So many leftovers...and so many recipes. What a great round-up, Erika! Thanks so much for including my panini.16
Tina on Saturday, November 27
My ultimate leftover turkey sandwich: Start out with 2 slices toasted hearty rye bread. Spread one piece very lightly with leftover cranberry relish. Top with 2 thin slices of provolone cheese, a nice layer of turkey, 2 slices of crispy bacon, a thin slice of red onion, 2 thin slices of avocado, and the other piece of bread. Cut in half diagonally. Awesome!17
bakedinmaine on Saturday, November 27
WoW!!! Awesome photos! Delicious looking leftovers! I'm getting hungry now...... I made a turkey panini too, using a teapot, seriously!!! http://www.bakedinmaine.com/2010/11/lisas-turkey-panini-sandwich-using-a-teapot/1208 Happy Holidays! Lisa xo18
Hannon on Saturday, November 27
I cannot believe that there are no turkey gumbo recipes on this website. When I remember my password I am adding one. Turkey gumbo is a requirement the day after Thanksgiving.19
Suzanne @ Window On The Prairie on Sunday, November 28
I make a chicken pot pie from scratch and substitute turkey for the chicken. Mmmmmm...... Suzanne20
Nichole on Sunday, November 28
I posted a leftovers recipe using PW's cornbread dressing. Check it out: http://tastykitchen.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/soups/dressing-soup/21
okieqt on Monday, November 29
Our tradition is to make Turkey Enchiladas the next day! I love these ideas though. Especially the sandwiches.22
craftyglutton on Monday, November 29
I posted a few recipes on my site and linked over to this post on my final leftover post. http://sports-glutton.com/2010/11/29/leftovers-talking-turkey-soup-and-other-recipes/23
wyogal on Monday, November 29
Great compilation of ideas!! Terrific!24
RAY CEARLEY on Tuesday, November 30
THE LEFTOVER SOUND GREAT! OUR TRADITION IS TURKEY BONE GUMBO. TAKE ALL THE MEAT OFF THE BONES AND BOIL THE BONES FOR THE BROTH. MAKE YOUR GUMBO WITH THIS AND SERVE IT OVER LEFTOVER DRESSING INSTEAD OF RICE.25
Natalie (Perrys\' Plate) on Tuesday, November 30
Thanks for adding my recipe! I actually made that pot pie the day after Thanksgiving with leftover gravy instead of drippings. :) Love the other ideas!26
mommycam on Tuesday, November 30
We make turkey soup and then, put a stuffing ball in it--like a matzo ball. Delicious!27
Laura Stark on Wednesday, December 1
Oh heck, I posted mine in the wrong spot!28
Melissa H on Wednesday, December 1
Lauren's Latest has the best Turkey a la King. :)29
Marie Nixon on Thursday, December 2
The last thing I baked was a 3 layer chocolate cake for my son's 20th birthday today.30