Makeovers for Thanksgiving Leftovers

We're not saying you have to give up the beloved leftover turkey sandwich, but why not explore a few new ways to enjoy your Thanksgiving leftovers? These recipes give the actual turkey day feast a run for its money.

After-Thanksgiving Pizza

Photo: Iain Bagwell

After-Thanksgiving Pizza

It's easy to whip up a pizza out of leftovers. Whether you have turkey, sausage, shrimp, or veggies, you can use one of these easy recipes for a quick After-Thanksgiving Pizza.

Tortilla Turkey Soup

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Tortilla Turkey Soup

Try leftover turkey in soup for a change. This Mexican-inspired turkey soup has crunchy tortilla strips, creamy avocado, and fresh cilantro.

 

Turkey Salad with Cranberry Dressing

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Turkey Salad with Cranberry Dressing

Leftover dinner rolls make perfect croutons, and cranberry sauce can easily be turned into a dressing for this filling turkey salad.

Ham-and-Vegetable Cobbler

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Ham-and-Vegetable Cobbler

Pretty much anything goes in this catch-all cobbler. We made ours with ham, sweet peas, mushrooms, carrots, and a flaky piecrust. Feel free to add other veggies, or try turkey instead.

Dinner Mac and Cheese

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Dinner Mac and Cheese

Make a hearty mac and cheese by adding your leftover ham, veggies, and even crackers.

Turkey Tostadas with Spicy Cranberry-Chipotle Sauce

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Turkey Tostadas with Spicy Cranberry-Chipotle Sauce

Transform your leftover Thanksgiving turkey into a fiesta of a meal with these tostadas. A few add-ins kick up the spice of your cranberry sauce to round out the Tex-Mex combination of veggies, turkey, and cheese.

Savory Hand Pies

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Savory Hand Pies

There's no need to make a post-Thanksgiving grocery run for this meal. Use up not just turkey but also mashed potatoes, green beans, pie crust dough, and gravy in these tasty small pies.

Harvest Pizza

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Harvest Pizza

Leftover sweet potatoes are the sauce of this turkey pizza. It's far from Thanksgiving dinner in a different form, though; shiitake mushrooms, red onion, cheese, and Italian spices ensure a distinctly delicious flavor.

Loaded Potato Soup

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Loaded Potato Soup

Give your mashed potatoes new life in this soup. It's filled with the flavors of thyme, garlic, green onions, and ham and topped with leftover dinner rolls and cheese.

Thanksgiving Salad

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Thanksgiving Salad

Freshen up your turkey meal with this simple salad. Cornbread dressing becomes flavorful croutons; toss them with greens, an oil-and-vinegar dressing, turkey, and cranberry sauce for a delightful light meal.

Turkey Tetrazzini Casserole Recipes

Photo: Tina Cornett / Styling Buffy Hargett

Turkey Tetrazzini

Make this rich and creamy casserole with leftover turkey, and either eat it that night or freeze it for a busier day. Mushroom soup and a jar of Alfredo sauce jump-start the recipe, and crushed seasoned croutons form a flavorful topping.

Easy Turkey Recipes: Turkey, Bacon, and Havarti Sandwich

Turkey, Bacon, and Havarti Sandwich

Stack leftover sliced turkey with cheese and other toppings on a fresh sourdough loaf to make four sandwiches in one. You can substitute whatever you have on hand, including Muenster or Swiss cheese for Havarti and cranberry sauce in place of bell peppers and vinaigrette.

Thanksgiving Menus: Fiesta Turkey Soup With Green Chili Biscuits Recipes

Fiesta Turkey Soup

Fiesta Turkey Soup is an easy and budget-friendly recipe that makes good use of leftover cooked turkey or chicken. Serve with your favorite cornbread recipe or Green Chile Biscuits.

Smoked Turkey-Blue Cheese Open-Faced Sandwiches

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Smoked Turkey-Blue Cheese Open-Faced Sandwiches

If you have leftover smoked turkey, hold the mayo! This is still your iconic day-after sandwich, but with a better spread (fig paste!) and toasted ciabatta.

Open-Faced Sweet Potato-Mushroom Sandwiches

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Open-Faced Sweet Potato-Mushroom Sandwiches

You'll be amazed when you bite into this mixture of sweet and savory. Of course, like in all great sandwiches, there's bacon involved, too.

Turkey-and-Spinach Wraps with Cranberry-Walnut-Cream Cheese Spread

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Turkey-and-Spinach Wraps with Cranberry-Walnut-Cream Cheese Spread

A pound of leftover roasted turkey and you can create this sampler of all the time-honored Thanksgiving favorites.

Green Bean Casserole Sandwich

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Green Bean Casserole Sandwich

Traditional green bean casserole can still be salvaged with some toasted pumpernickel bread and melted parmesan cheese.

Ham Waldorf Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Ham Waldorf Salad

If you find yourself with leftover baked ham, turn it into this flavorful pita salad! The range of ingredients - from honey mustard to diced apples - will leave your tastebuds happy.

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