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Oops, you did it again — You bought that 20-pound bird to serve your crew only to find that your aunt got sick and her entire family couldn’t make it to Thanksgiving dinner. And even if your whole family does show up, you may still find yourself swimming in a sea of Thanksgiving leftovers.
Don’t stress, because we’ve rounded up 10 delicious and creative recipes to use up those leftovers, and they will not disappoint. Don’t believe us? Check out the recipes and decide for yourself.
1. Holiday Leftover Pizza
By The Healthy Epicurean
The granddaddy of all Turkey Day leftovers — holiday leftover pizza! This brilliant and vibrant recipe combines all the things you loved on the holiday into one vehicle that may just need a knife and fork. Whether you had a vegetarian, vegan or eat-all-the-things holiday menu, there’s a holiday leftover pizza that can be made with whatever your crew has on hand.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): Calories 295 | Carbs 37g | Protein 16 g | Fat 8 g | Saturated Fat 3 g | Sodium 274 mg | Fiber 1g
2. Thanksgiving Leftover Gravy Balls
By The Healthy Epicurean
Similar to holiday leftover pizza, this recipe combines all the classics from your holiday menu in one, well, ball. Thanksgiving leftover gravy balls may sound a little adventurous, but in all honesty, it’s a brilliant way to repurpose your leftovers into something that even your toddler may enjoy. Plus, thanks to the holiday turkey, it will fill you up with its 25 grams of protein, too!
Nutrition Facts (per serving): Calories 286 | Carbs 27 g | Protein 25 g | Fat 7 g | Saturated Fat 3g | Sodium 649 mg | Fiber 1 g
3. Healthy Turkey Tetrazzini
By Shaw Simple Swaps
A classic pasta dish gets an upgrade with a lightened up version that’s big on flavor. Healthy turkey Tetrazzini packs 22 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber to fill you up before hitting those Black Friday deals.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): Calories 246 | Carbs 24 g | Protein 22 g | Fat 7 g | Saturated Fat 3 g | Sodium 315 mg | Fiber 5 g
4. Turkey BLT Lettuce Cups
By Nutrition to Fit
If you’re looking for a simple hand-held option that you can enjoy on the go, then these creative turkey BLT lettuce cups are just what you need. Not only do they fit a gluten-free and low-carb lifestyle, if that’s what you’re looking for, but they’re also easily customizable and can be folded into a whole-grain wrap for a hearty hand-held option that my fellow carb lovers can enjoy, too!
Nutrition Facts (per serving): Calories 139 | Carbs 3 g | Protein 12 g | Fat 9 g | Saturated Fat 2 g | Sodium 132 mg | Fiber 1 g
5. Leftover Turkey Mushroom Meatballs
By Snacking in Sneakers
Perfectly portioned and great on their own or on a sandwich, these leftover turkey mushroom meatballs are easy to make and very filling with 22 grams of protein. Mushrooms add a little extra vegetable into your diet to help balance out the carb coma you may have self-induced with all the delicious sides of the holiday!
Nutrition Facts (per serving): Calories 234 | Carbs 16 g | Protein 22 g | Fat 9 g | Saturated Fat 2 g | Sodium 515 mg | Fiber 4 g
6. Leftover Stuffing Waffles
By The Healthy Epicurean
Sweet waffles, step aside! These savory leftover stuffing waffles are a great addition to your post-Turkey Day breakfast menu that will really wow any guests you have. Top with a fried egg to pump up the protein and leave your entire crew satiated and satisfied.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): Calories 369 | Carbs 29 g | Protein 27 g | Fat 15 g | Saturated Fat 4 g | Sodium 1,072 mg | Fiber 2 g
7. Mashed Potato Patties
By Nutrition to Fit
These right-size patties are a great and creative way to use up your holiday taters! Take those mashed potatoes and portion into patties and pan- or air-fry to get just the right crispness. They taste great on their own but even better when paired with eggs for breakfast or cranberry sauce and leftover turkey.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): Calories 51 | Carbs 2 g | Protein 2 g | Fat 3 g | Saturated Fat 1 g | Sodium 130 mg | Fiber 0 g
8. Sweet Potato Pie Parfaits
By Shaw Simple Swaps
The easiest way to use up that leftover sweet potato casserole is to make sweet potato pie parfaits. These cute little beauties are perfectly portioned with your yogurt of choice to create a fun little treat you can enjoy morning, noon or night.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): Calories 124 | Carbs 9 g | Protein 8 g | Fat 7 g | Saturated Fat 1 g | Sodium 219 mg | Fiber 4 g
9. Sweet Potato Pancakes
By Shaw Simple Swaps
For a fun twist on your traditional buttermilk pancakes, try mixing that leftover sweet potato casserole puree with whole-grain flour and a few other ingredients to make a slightly sweet but nutrient-packed pancake your entire crew will enjoy. With 5 grams of fiber, it’s a great way to start your day!
Nutrition Facts (per serving): Calories 236 | Carbs 33 g | Protein 8 g | Fat 9 g | Saturated Fat 1 g | Sodium 172 mg | Fiber 5 g
10. Maple Pecan Overnight Oats With Cranberry Sauce
By Veg Girl RD
Nothing screams the holiday season like a comforting bowl of warm oats. This recipe brings up all the feels of fall while nestling in a little of that leftover cranberry sauce. Not only does it pack 6 grams of fiber, but it’s also a carbohydrate-rich meal, meaning it’ll fuel you up and give you the energy you need to tackle whatever the day has in store for you.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): Calories 346 | Carbs 63 g | Protein 6 g | Fat 8 g | Sodium 58 mg | Fiber 6 g