Let’s begin with some facts — cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, turkey — and basically all things Thanksgiving food — taste even better on their second day!
If you’re thinking of the good old turkey sando, then we’d like to point you in the direction of these unexpected renditions of Thanksgiving leftovers we’re biased towards. Easy to whip up and versatile in their cuisine, these recipes curated by our favorite Instagram chefs will ensure that Thanksgiving fun doesn’t end on November 26th!
So, keep reading for some unique ideas to repurpose those leftovers with a whole lot of love.
Mashed Potatoes on Toast by @lilybubbletea
Put those leftover mashed potatoes to good use with this hearty breakfast recipe by Lily Morello. All you’ll need is some garlic-infused mashed potatoes, half-boiled eggs, garnished with tons of micro-greens on sourdough toast. Just the pick-me-up breakfast you could use before you hit those Black Friday sales.
Mashed Potatoes Pancakes by @justataste
Another ingenious way to use those mashed potatoes? Fry them up! We’re salivating thinking about these golden-brown mashed potato pancakes topped with a generous dollop of sour cream. Find the full recipe on Kelly Senyei’s blog.
Turkey Soup by @saltandlavendar
If you’re exhausted from all that Thanksgiving cooking, we recommend Natasha Bull’s turkey soup that’s all sorts of comforting and wholesome. Once you cook up a simple roux, this soup is incredibly simple to put together. Get the full recipe here.
Leftover Turkey Nachos by @oliviascuisine
Here’s an out-of-the-ordinary way to make the most of your leftovers. Grab a bag of tortilla chips and knock yourself out by throwing in that gravy, turkey, cranberry sauce and tons of other vibrant ingredients mentioned in Olivia Mesquita’s Instagram post. Just look at how gorgeous and colorful those nachos look!
Leftover Stuffing Waffles by @paperclipsandconfetti
Brunch is always a good idea and one with a Thanksgiving twist is an even better one! Lindsay Satmary’s recipe is as easy as it gets — just add stuffing to your waffle maker, throw in mashed potatoes and rehash that turkey by slicing finely to add levels of flavor. Drizzle gravy on top and brunch is served!
Fall Cranberry Sangria by Lauren Grant-Vose
This bright cocktail might be the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving leftovers brunch! Repurpose leftover cranberry sauce to stir up this irresistible sangria perfected by Lauren Grant Vose. The dash of cinnamon makes it the ideal warm and fuzzy drink for the holidays.
Turkey Crispy Tacos by @mexicoinmykitchen
More out-of-the-box Thanksgiving leftover surprises come in the form of these crispy tacos by Mely Martinez! As it turns out, tacos and turkey are a match made in heaven and we’ve just been made privy to this critical piece of information. This inventive recipe is sure to keep the Thanksgiving vibe flowing through Day 2 and the weekend as well.
Leftover Turkey Salad by Lacey Baier
Craving a light meal to reset post-Thanksgiving? Lacey Baier’s turkey salad, (which, may we add, looks beautifully fresh for leftovers) will sort you out! We’re loving the Buddha bowl-esque plating and the promise of zesty flavors!
We hope these mouthwatering dishes see you through Thanksgiving weekend and help you hold on to the joy of the holiday for a tad bit longer.
Missed our DIY, affordable Thanksgiving tablescape ideas? Be sure to check them out here.