52 Ideas For Thanksgiving Leftovers That Go Beyond Simple Sandwiches

Preparing these potato skins is simple, and since you've already done the bulk of the Thanksgiving cooking—or received a generous takeout container of leftovers—all you need for this recipe is a few additional pantry staples: potatoes and cheddar cheese.

Get the Thanksgiving Potato Skins recipe.

People love the heralded Thanksgiving sandwich, but there’s something about using a tortilla (see our Thanksgiving Crunchwrap) that takes Turkey Day leftovers to a whole new level. Especially when you top that with turkey that has been made brand-new in a pseudo-mole sauce spiked with gravy, chipotle chiles, and dark chocolate.

Get the Thanksgiving Leftover Tacos recipe.

We've perfected the classic Thanksgiving sandwich, and have created our fair share of creative leftover variations (Thanksgiving crunchwrap and Thanksgiving leftover tacos, we're looking at you), but this cozy casserole just might be our new go-to way to enjoy the holiday leftovers.

Get the Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole recipe.

There are two types of Thanksgiving leftover lovers: those that just want to eat Thanksgiving dinner all over again, and those that love to reinvent them into something fresh and new. Whichever camp you fall in, this Cobb salad is for you. Thanksgiving superstars turkey, sweet potatoes, pecans, and cranberries meet Cobb salad stalwarts bacon, blue cheese, and hard-boiled eggs for a fresh take on leftovers that still hits those holiday dinner notes.

Get the Thanksgiving Cobb Salad recipe.

This herby, savory-sweet dish is basically Thanksgiving in meatball form. With a sweet and tangy glaze made with cranberry sauce and thyme- and sage-speckled turkey meatballs, all you need is a scoop of fluffy mashed potatoes for cozy, autumnal bliss that makes those leftovers really sparkle.

Get the Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs recipe.

Since Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday that screams cheese, we’ve made it our mission to focus on incorporating it into our leftovers, like in this sandwich that features rustic slices of artisan bread, tangy cranberry sauce, creamy buttery brie, and a mound of garlicky leftover turkey. 😍Get the Cranberry Brie Turkey Melts recipe.

Some people love a classic homemade turkey stuffing, while others prefer a cornbread stuffing, sausage or oyster stuffing, or a vegetarian cranberry stuffing. The only thing better than any of these stuffing recipes? MORE. STUFFING. Enter a bite-sized, stuffing-centered appetizer with a tangy, three-ingredient dipping sauce. Not just for Thanksgiving, these savory bites are perfect for any fall or winter gathering.

Get the Sausage Stuffing Bites With Cranberry Sauce recipe.

Our cranberry whipped feta dip rocked the Internet last year, so we’re coming back with a cranberry-topped whipped cream cheese spread—it's so luxurious, it's almost unreal. There are two easy parts to make this dip pop: the tangy sweet cranberry sauce finished with brandy, and a lemony whipped cream cheese layer.

Get the Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread recipe.

Leftovers have never been so exciting now that you can stuff all those potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce in a crispy, crunchy egg roll wrapper. Serve these with gravy for one of the most ingenious uses for leftovers EVER.

Get the Thanksgiving Egg Rolls recipe.

This sangria upgrade is literally a little bit of this, a little bit of that with a top off of everyone's favorite soda—an ice cold Coca-Cola. The kalimotxo took the interweb by storm earlier this year, giving “sophisticated sangria” vibes as a composed cocktail. For this punch, grab that red wine you haven't finished and some Coca-Cola, and get ready for a crowd-pleaser.

Get the Kalimotxo Cola Punch recipe.

These sliders are a great way to repurpose those Thanksgiving leftovers or use deli-style, oven-roasted turkey. It’s a tasty pairing using whole berry cranberry sauce, which is nicely offset by the creaminess of mild cheddar and the more distinct flavor of gouda. Safe to say, it’s a real GOUDA idea to make these sliders for out-of-town guests visiting for Thanksgiving or the holidays.

Get the Cranberry Turkey Sliders recipe.

Thanksgiving leftovers aren't regular leftovers, they're *cool* leftovers. Stuffed inside a crescent roll (well, basically a giant crescent roll) they're EVERYTHING.

Get the Thanksgiving Ring recipe.

Tired of the same ol' leftover Thanksgiving sandwich? This crunchwrap is the perfect way to shake things up. Don't have all the leftover ingredients? No worries! Just use what you've got. Pretty much everything short of pumpkin pie will work just fine. 😎

Get the Thanksgiving Crunchwrap recipe.

You better brie-lieve you’re gonna love this sweet and cheesy grilled cheese sandwich. The combination of the tart cranberries paired with the luxuriously smooth, creamy-textured brie cheese sandwiched together with the buttery and crunchy bread will send your taste buds soaring. It’s the quintessential cozy comfort food served with a side of warming soup, and is the perfect way to use up any of those cranberry sauce leftovers.

Get the Cranberry Brie Grilled Cheese recipe.

Potato croquettes are one of the most popular Spanish tapas (or small plates)—They’re a fantastic way to give day-old mashed potatoes a new life, and are the perfect bite-size appetizer for when you want something more exciting than potato chips that will still hit those same comfort food notes.

Get the Potato Croquettes recipe.

Chicken noodle soup is obviously our go-to. It's simple and fast and just so darn comforting. Turkey noodle soup is everything you love about the classic, with the addition of some leftover turkey. Honestly, this soup is reason enough to go out and buy yourself a turkey breast or two the rest of the year.

Get the Turkey Noodle Soup recipe.

Rule #1 for the day after Thanksgiving: NO COOKING. Seriously, with all of that leftover pickle-brined turkey and creamy mashed potatoes, it would be a crime not to make this sandwich.

Get the Perfect Thanksgiving Sandwich recipe.

We'll always love a leftover sandwich, but sometimes after the big day, we could use something a little lighter. Enter: this perfect salad. Leftover stuffing gets turned into irresistible croutons, and a vinaigrette is made from any remaining cranberry sauce. Feel free to add any leftover veggies from Thanksgiving too.

Get the Thanksgiving Leftover Salad recipe.

Making turkey salad is just as quick and easy as making chicken salad, tuna salad, or egg salad. And just like all those other salads, you can always add your favorite mix-ins to make this fit your taste. Just don't skip the not-so-secret ingredient that makes this exceptional: celery salt!

Get the Turkey Salad recipe.

Before you throw out those bones, make yourself some turkey stock! It'll come in handy the next time you want turkey noodle soup.

Get the Turkey Broth recipe.