Last week, I did a recipe roundup of skinny Thanksgiving sides & sweets. Since we covered the heavy hitters, we’re ready to talk leftovers. My favorite way to eat leftovers is setting up the traditional plate all over again, but going heavy on the protein and veggie sides and lighter on the high-calorie treats like candied sweets and stuffing. But if you’re drowning in gravy (yumm) and swimming in cranberry sauce (yesss), then you might need some more creative ways to use your leftovers so you don’t bore your lovely little taste buds. I’ve gotcha.
If you’re cooking Thanksgiving, you’ll wind up with the most leftovers (lucky you!), and if you’re nice, you’ll send your guests home with goodie bags. Should you want to show off your impeccable hospitality, fancy-up your leftover containers with the free, printable stickers I included at the end of the post.
Skinny Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
Breakfast, Breads & Muffins:
1. Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfaits – The Law Student’s Wife
2. Leftover Cranberry Sauce Bread – Oh My Veggies
3. Cranberry Sauce Pancakes (gluten free) – The Roasted Root
4. Thanksgiving Leftovers Breakfast Casserole – Teaspoon of Spice
5. Morning-After Cranberry Sauce Muffins – Serious Eats
6. Whole Grain Sweet Potato Muffins – Three Clever Sisters for Food52
7. Whole Wheat Sweet Potato Banana Muffins – Running to the Kitchen
Sides, Salads & Soups:
8. Turkey and Wild Rice Salad – The Scramble
9. Thanksgiving Leftovers Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette – The Roasted Root
10. Turkey Hash Patties – Oprah.com
11. Leftover Turkey, Farro and Cranberries – Reluctant Entertainer
12. Baked Turkey Croquettes – Skinnytaste
13. On-The-Go: Save Time with Thanksgiving Leftovers – American Diabetes Association
14. Day-After Turkey Soup – Food Network
15. Mom’s Turkey Soup – Simply Recipes
16. Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup – Skinnytaste
17. Turkey Pot Pie Soup – Skinnytaste
Main Courses:
18. Sweet Potato, Monterey Jack & Manchego Enchiladas – Yeah…immaeatthat
19. Turkey Wild Rice Casserole – Meal Makeover Moms
20. Healthified Turkey Cuban Sandwich – The Skinny Fork
21. Turkey and Cranberry Quesadillas – Closet Cooking
22. Thanksgiving Leftovers Quiche – Yeah…immaeatthat
23. Turkey and Cranberry Panini – Following in my Shoes
24. {Thanksgiving Leftovers}Whole Grain Quiche – The Nutritious Kitchen
25. Turkey Shepherd’s Pot Pie – Weelicious
26. Turkey Pot Pie with Sweet Potato Biscuits – Back to Her Roots
27. Crispy Turkey Crostadas – EatingWell
FREE Printable Leftover Stickers & Bags!
Thanksgiving Leftover Labels – Oh Happy Day
Thanksgiving Day Leftover Printables – Pizzazzerie
Tell me, what’s your favorite way to eat Thanksgiving leftovers? Excited to try any of these creative recipes?
xx Caroline
Julia says
This is such a great roundup! I love the idea of re-purposing leftovers and all of these recipes look so delicious! Thanks so much for featuring my salad and pancakes!! xo
Caroline Kaufman Nutrition says
Oh thank you Julia! I love your recipes and photos! And the bacon wrapped roasted pears with goat cheese and honey sound amazing too…So glad I found your blog and looking forward to sharing more of your great recipes.
Meme @ Living Well Kitchen says
Lots of great recipe ideas!! That turkey and rice casserole from Meal Makeover Moms looks yummy 🙂
Caroline Kaufman Nutrition says
Thank you Meme!! Let me know if you make any! I agree – love that casserole. And I also love how SIMPLE casseroles are to make…especially after doing a lot of holiday cooking 🙂