The Second Feast: 25 Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes for Turkey, Stuffing and Every Last Side

How long are Thanksgiving leftovers safe to eat?

FoodSafety.gov says cooked meat and poultry leftovers generally keep for three to four days at 40°F or below. That clock starts when the Thanksgiving meal is refrigerated. Turning turkey or side dishes into a new recipe does not restart it. Freeze food you will not use in time, cool large quantities in shallow containers and reheat cooked leftover dishes to 165°F. ^[2]

The recipes below deliberately move beyond a reheated holiday plate. Food Network’s updated leftovers collection documents the broad range of dishes cooks make from turkey and sides, including casseroles, pizza, hand pies, croquettes and internationally influenced meals. Every linked recipe here supplies exact quantities, yield, timing, numbered directions, substitutions and storage guidance. ^[1]

Turkey casseroles, soup and curry

1. Layered Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, vegetables and mashed potatoes become a bubbling, golden-topped casserole that uses several holiday containers at once. ^[3]

2. Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie With Mashed Potatoes. A savory turkey-and-vegetable filling sits beneath crisp-edged mashed potatoes in an easy post-Thanksgiving dinner. ^[4]

3. Creamy Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini. Roast turkey, mushrooms and spaghetti bake in a light Parmesan sauce beneath a crisp breadcrumb topping. ^[5]

4. Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup. Leftover turkey turns into a hearty wild-rice soup with vegetables, herbs and a restrained amount of cream. ^[6]

5. 20-Minute Coconut Turkey Curry. Cooked turkey and roasted vegetables take on a new identity in a quick coconut curry served with rice or flatbread. ^[7]

Sliders, spring rolls, quesadillas, hand pies and pizza

6. Baked Turkey-Cranberry Sliders. Soft rolls layered with turkey, cranberry sauce and cheese bake under a savory butter glaze for an easy crowd meal. ^[8]

7. Crispy Turkey and Stuffing Spring Rolls. Turkey, stuffing and vegetables roll into crisp wrappers with a sharp cranberry-mustard dipping sauce. ^[9]

8. Turkey Quesadillas With Cranberry Salsa. Crisp quesadillas pair leftover turkey and melted cheese with a bright cranberry-lime salsa. ^[10]

9. Turkey and Stuffing Hand Pies. Flaky pastry pockets hold turkey, stuffing and gravy, with cranberry sauce served alongside for dipping. ^[11]

10. Thanksgiving Leftover Pizza With Gravy and Cranberry Drizzle. Pizza dough carries gravy, turkey, roasted vegetables, cheese and a cranberry finish in a distinctly post-holiday dinner. ^[12]

New uses for stuffing and mashed potatoes

11. Crispy Stuffing-Stuffed Mushrooms. Leftover stuffing gains browned edges inside juicy mushroom caps, finished with Parmesan and herbs. ^[13]

12. Thanksgiving Stuffing Breakfast Strata. Stuffing replaces bread in an overnight-style egg bake with turkey, spinach and cheddar. ^[14]

13. Crispy Stuffing Bites With Cranberry Dip. Small baked stuffing bites turn crisp outside while staying tender inside, with cranberry mustard for dipping. ^[15]

14. Cheesy Mashed-Potato Croquettes. Cold mashed potatoes become crisp panko-coated croquettes with a molten cheddar center. ^[16]

15. Leftover Mashed-Potato Gnocchi With Brown Butter and Sage. Cold mashed potatoes form tender quick gnocchi finished in nutty brown butter and crisp sage. ^[17]

Sweet-potato and cranberry leftovers

16. Flaky Leftover Sweet-Potato Biscuits. Mashed sweet potatoes add color and tenderness to tall biscuits suited to breakfast or turkey sandwiches. ^[18]

17. Roasted Sweet-Potato Hummus From Thanksgiving Leftovers. Mashed sweet potatoes blend with chickpeas, tahini and lemon into a savory dip for vegetables or pita. ^[19]

18. Smoky Cranberry Barbecue Sauce. Leftover cranberry sauce becomes a tangy barbecue glaze for turkey, meatballs, roasted vegetables or sandwiches. ^[20]

19. Cranberry-Swirl Cheesecake Bars. Tart leftover cranberry sauce ribbons through creamy cheesecake bars over a crisp graham crust. ^[21]

20. Cranberry-Orange Breakfast Parfaits. Cranberry sauce, orange-scented yogurt and toasted oat crumble layer into a five-minute post-holiday breakfast. ^[22]

Breakfast hash, fried rice, stock, soup and nachos

21. Crispy Turkey and Potato Breakfast Hash. Turkey, roasted potatoes and vegetables crisp in one skillet before eggs are cooked directly on top. ^[23]

22. Leftover Turkey Fried Rice. Cold rice, turkey, vegetables and eggs come together quickly in a hot skillet with ginger and soy. ^[24]

23. Rich Turkey Stock From the Thanksgiving Carcass. The turkey frame, aromatic vegetables and herbs simmer into a flexible stock for soups, gravy and freezer meals. ^[25]

24. Smoky Leftover Turkey Tortilla Soup. Turkey, tomatoes, black beans and corn simmer in a chile-spiced broth topped with crisp tortilla strips. ^[26]

25. Loaded Thanksgiving Leftover Nachos. Tortilla chips carry turkey, stuffing, roasted vegetables and cheese, finished with cranberry-jalapeño relish. ^[27]