Healthy(ish) and Creative Ways to Reuse Thanksgiving Leftovers

Last week, we explored how to celebrate Thanksgiving sustainably. Continuing with our theme of reducing waste, let’s dive into the delicious world of leftovers! The feast might be over, but the flavors can live on in creative and healthful ways. Whether you’re looking to reinvent that turkey or give a new life to side dishes, these hand-picked recipes will inspire you to view your leftovers as ingredients for new culinary adventures.

1. Cranberry Turkey Salad

Refresh your palate with a cranberry turkey salad that blends tangy cranberries with lean turkey. This salad is perfect for a post-Thanksgiving lunch and can be served over a bed of greens or stuffed into a sprouted whole wheat pita for a gut-friendly twist.

2. Leftover Veggie Frittata

Transform your leftover roasted vegetables into a delightful morning treat with a veggie frittata. This protein-rich breakfast is a fantastic way to start your day and ensures that fewer veggies go to waste.

Recipe Inspiration: Kara Lyndon’s Thanksgiving Leftover Breakfast Frittata offers a fantastic blueprint for incorporating any vegetables you have on hand. Her recipe calls for Brussels sprouts and butternut squash, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand with complimentary flavors. Experimenting is half the fun!

3. Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

Yes, even pumpkin pie can be repurposed! All you need is a blender, milk (dairy or non-dairy), vanilla ice cream, pumpkin pie spice, and leftover pumpkin pie. Get creative with toppings for an extra-special post-Thanksgiving dessert.

Recipe Inspiration: Brooklyn Farm Girl’s Leftover Pumpkin Pie Milkshake recipe gives all the creative inspo needed (not that we need much convincing this is a good idea).

4. Turkey and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Give your leftover turkey and dressing an utterly new twist by using it as a filling for stuffed peppers. Mix it with quinoa, some chopped veggies, and a sprinkle of cheese for a nourishing meal.

Recipe Inspiration: Bless Her Heart Y’all’s Turkey and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers offer a creative way to use leftovers with all-new flavors.

5. Sweet Potato Pancakes

Turn your leftover sweet potatoes into delicious morning pancakes. Mix mashed sweet potatoes with whole wheat flour, maple syrup, a touch of cinnamon, and eggs to create a hearty, nutritious, and comforting breakfast. They also encourage using odds and ends, such as leftover cranberries or nuts, as mix-ins. Top with your favorites like bananas, or drizzle almond butter for an indulgent delight.

Recipe Inspiration: Feel Good Foodie’s Sweet Potato Pancakes provides a simple yet delicious way to repurpose your sweet potatoes.

6. Turkey Bone Broth

Make the most of your turkey bones by simmering them into a nutrient-rich bone broth. This broth can serve as a base for soups and stews or can be sipped on its own for a dose of comfort and healthy amino acids.

Recipe Inspiration: The Kitchn's Turkey Stock recipe guides you through the steps to extract every bit of flavor and nutrition from your turkey remains.

7. Leftover Turkey Pot Pie

You’ll be several steps ahead in your pot pie endeavors after Thanksgiving. This classic recipe that screams comfort food is a wonderful way to put your leftovers to good use. You can forego the crust and add more broth for a pot pie soup instead or freeze portions of the pot pie for periodic reminders of your celebrations.

Recipe Inspiration: Allrecipe’s Dad’s Leftover Turkey Pot Pie is a simple, whole-food recipe that can be easily customized to your dietary preferences.

8. Green Bean Casserole Pizza

Innovatively use your green bean casserole by spreading it on naan bread or your favorite sourdough crust, top with mozzarella, and bake until the cheese is bubbly. This fun twist on pizza night brings a whole new life to a classic side dish.

Recipe Inspiration: Tastes of Lizzie T’s Green Bean Casserole Pizza turns a traditional side into a crowd-pleasing main.

9. Turkey Shawarma With Crunchy Vegetables

This “saucy little sandwich” elevates your leftovers into an international, flavor-filled delight. Our only recommendation? Swap olive oil for vegetable oil and use Ezekial sprouted pita pockets if you can find them at your local co-op for an easier-to-digest meal.

Recipe Inspiration: Epicurious’ Turkey Shawarma With Crunchy Vegetables offers a creative way to use your protein leftovers in a completely different way.

10. Turkey, Sweet Potato, and Black Bean Soup

After a day of indulgence, a light(ish) yet nourishing soup can be the perfect follow-up. Use your leftover turkey and sweet potatoes to whip up a comforting bowl of turkey and sweet potato soup. This dish not only packs a nutritional punch but also helps clear out your fridge. Bonus points for using your Cup Cubes to freeze any soup leftovers.

Recipe Inspiration: Check out the Turkey, Sweet Potato, and Black Bean Soup recipe by Kalyn’s Kitchen for a step-by-step guide on turning your remnants into a warming meal.

BONUS RECIPE: Harvest Turkey Noodle Soup from Thanksgiving Leftovers

After a day of indulgence, what’s better than a comforting bowl of homemade Turkey Noodle Soup? This recipe uses the turkey carcass for a rich broth and the remaining turkey meat to make a nourishing meal that warms you from the inside out. It’s perfect for cozy evenings and provides a delightful way to make use of every bit of your Thanksgiving turkey.

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey bones
• 1 cup leftover turkey meat, shredded or chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups water or as needed to cover the carcass
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups egg noodles
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Broth:
• Place the turkey carcass in a large pot and cover it with water. Add a bay leaf, thyme, and some salt for flavoring. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 1 to 2 hours to extract all the flavors from the bones. Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve, discard the solids, and return the broth to the pot.
2. Sauté the Vegetables:
• In a separate pan, heat a drizzle of oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and onions are translucent.
3. Combine Ingredients:
• Add the sautéed vegetables to the pot with the broth. Bring to a simmer.
4. Add Noodles and Turkey:
• Add the egg noodles and chopped turkey meat to the pot. Continue to simmer until the noodles are cooked and the turkey is heated through, about 10 minutes.
5. Season and Serve:
• Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving to add a burst of freshness.

Recipe Inspiration:

This Turkey Noodle Soup recipe is inspired by my dad who always made turkey noodle soup the day after Thanksgiving and froze the leftovers for us to enjoy long after. It’s not only a practical solution to reduce food waste but also a comforting dish that your family will love during the chilly days following the holiday.

Embrace the opportunity to transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into nourishing, innovative meals that delight the palate and respect the planet. Each of these recipes not only offers a chance to minimize waste but also encourages us to view our resources through a lens of sustainability and creativity. By choosing to repurpose our holiday abundance, we take meaningful steps towards a healthier lifestyle and a healthier world. Let these culinary adventures inspire you to incorporate sustainability into every meal, reinforcing the idea that small changes can make a profound impact. Join us in celebrating a lifestyle that cherishes resourcefulness and cultivates joy in every dish.