Leftover Love: Turning Holiday Feasts into Next-Day Treats

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After the holiday festivities have wound down, your fridge might be brimming with an assortment of leftovers, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with repetitive meals. Turn that succulent turkey into a comforting turkey pot pie or a hearty turkey noodle soup, perfect for chilly evenings. The remaining roast beef can find a new home in a savory Yorkshire pudding or a rich beef pot pie. Don’t let those mashed potatoes and stuffing sit idle; repurpose them into delicious potato pancakes or innovative stuffing waffles. Even the sweet remnants of your feast, like cranberry sauce or eggnog, can be given new life in cranberry salad dressings or eggnog cheesecake bars. These leftover-inspired recipes not only help in reducing waste but also add an enjoyable twist to your post-holiday meals, making the most of every last bite of your festive spread.

A casserole dish with chicken and vegetables in it.
Turkey Rice Casserole. Photo Credit: One Hot Oven.

Turkey Pot Pies with Puff Pastry

Turkey Pot Pies with Puff Pastry on a counter.
Turkey Pot Pies with Puff Pastry. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Elevate your leftover turkey into a gourmet experience with these individual pot pies. Each pie is filled with a savory mixture of turkey, vegetables, and a rich gravy, then topped with a layer of buttery puff pastry that bakes to golden perfection. This delightful twist on the classic pot pie is both comforting and sophisticated.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Pot Pies with Puff Pastry

Leftover Roast Beef Yorkshire Pudding

Yorkshire pudding pie in a white glass dish.
Leftover Roast Beef Yorkshire Pudding. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Reimagine your leftover roast beef by incorporating it into a traditional Yorkshire pudding. This dish features succulent slices of beef enveloped in a light, airy pudding, creating a delicious harmony of flavors and textures. It’s a quintessentially British way to give your roast beef a second, glorious life.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Roast Beef Yorkshire Pudding

Turkey Stew

A bowl of turkey stew with carrots and potatoes.
Turkey Stew. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Transform your remaining turkey into a hearty and nourishing stew. Simmered with a medley of vegetables, herbs, and a rich stock, this stew is the epitome of comfort food. It’s a simple, satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out, perfect for post-holiday relaxation.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Stew

Eggnog Bundt Cake

A slice of egnog bundt cake on a plate.
Eggnog Bundt Cake. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This Eggnog Bundt Cake is a festive and creative use of leftover eggnog. The cake is moist, rich, and imbued with the classic flavors of eggnog, finished with a sweet glaze that complements its spiced, nuanced flavor. It’s a delightful dessert that captures the essence of the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Eggnog Bundt Cake

Cranberry Salad Dressing

A jar of cranberry juice next to a plate of cranberries.
Cranberry Salad Dressing. Photo Credit: Cook Eat Well.

Give a new life to leftover cranberry sauce by transforming it into a zesty salad dressing. This dressing combines the tartness of cranberries with a hint of sweetness and acidity, perfect for drizzling over mixed greens or a winter salad. It’s a refreshing and colorful way to add a burst of holiday flavor to your salads.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Salad Dressing

Squash Casserole with Stuffing

Squash casserole in a white dish with a wooden spoon.
Squash Casserole. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Merge leftover squash and stuffing to create a wholesome casserole. This dish layers creamy squash with savory stuffing, topped with cheese and baked until bubbly. It’s a comforting and tasty way to combine two holiday favorites into one delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Squash Casserole with Stuffing

Eggnog Cheesecake Bars

Eggnog Cheesecake bars one with a bite out of it.
Eggnog Cheesecake Bars. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Blend leftover eggnog with cream cheese to make these delightful cheesecake bars. They feature a creamy, eggnog-flavored filling on a crisp crust, topped with a sprinkle of nutmeg. These bars are a unique and decadent treat that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Eggnog Cheesecake Bars

Leftover Stuffing Waffles

A stuffing waffle with turkey gravy.
Leftover Stuffing Waffles. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Repurpose your stuffing into a novel brunch item by making it into waffles. This ingenious idea turns the savory flavors of stuffing into a crispy, golden waffle, perfect for serving with syrup or as a base for eggs Benedict.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Stuffing Waffles

Turkey Dumpling Soup.

A bowl of turkey dumpling soup.
Turkey Dumpling Soup.. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This comforting soup is a fantastic way to use leftover turkey. It combines tender turkey pieces with homemade dumplings in a savory broth, creating a warm and inviting dish. Each spoonful is a hug in a bowl, ideal for cold weather and cozy nights in.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Dumpling Soup.

Turkey Noodle Soup

A ladle full of turkey noodle soup.
Turkey Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska..

A timeless classic, this turkey noodle soup is a soothing and hearty way to enjoy your leftover turkey. The soup is packed with tender turkey, noodles, and vegetables, all simmered in a flavorful broth. It’s a nutritious and comforting meal that’s perfect for winding down after the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Noodle Soup

Biscuit Topped Beef Pot Pie

A biscuit topped pie in a skillet with a spoon.
Biscuit Topped Beef Pot Pie. Photo credit: Little House Big Alask.

This pot pie uses leftover beef and tops it with homemade or store-bought biscuits for a comforting and filling meal. The rich, savory filling, full of tender beef and vegetables, pairs beautifully with the golden, fluffy biscuits, creating a satisfying dish that’s sure to please.
Get the Recipe: Biscuit Topped Beef Pot Pie

Loaded Mashed Potato Pancakes

Image shows A plate of loaded mashed potato pancakes with green onions on it.
Loaded Mashed Potato Pancakes. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

ransform your leftover mashed potatoes into these scrumptious loaded pancakes. Mixed with cheese, green onions, and bacon, these pancakes fry up to a crispy exterior with a soft, flavorful interior. They’re a delicious and inventive way to enjoy mashed potatoes in a new way.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Mashed Potato Pancakes

Leftover Turkey Salad

Ingredients for a turkey salad.
Leftover Turkey Salad. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This light and healthy salad is a great way to use leftover turkey. Mix it with fresh greens, your choice of vegetables, and a tangy dressing for a refreshing meal. It’s a delightful contrast to the rich, heavy flavors of traditional holiday meals.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Salad

Turkey And Rice Casserole

A casserole dish with chicken and vegetables in it.
Turkey Rice Casserole. Photo Credit: One Hot Oven.

Combine your leftover turkey with rice, vegetables, and a creamy sauce to create this comforting casserole. Topped with breadcrumbs and baked to a golden crisp, this dish is a satisfying, all-in-one meal that’s perfect for post-holiday dinners.
Get the Recipe: Turkey And Rice Casserole

Cozy Turkey and Rice Soup

Turkey, rice, and vegetable soup in a pot.
Cozy Turkey and Rice Soup. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

This simple and hearty soup is a wonderful way to enjoy leftover turkey. The combination of tender turkey, rice, and vegetables in a savory broth makes for a comforting and fulfilling meal, ideal for chilly evenings.
Get the Recipe: Cozy Turkey and Rice Soup

Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes

Buttermilk chicken and potatoes on a plate.
Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Give your leftover chicken a delicious makeover by marinating it in buttermilk and baking it with potatoes. This method results in juicy, flavorful chicken and perfectly roasted potatoes, creating a hearty and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes

Turkey Kofta Pita Sandwich

A plate with a burrito and skewers on it.
Turkey Kofta Pita Sandwich. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Spice up your turkey leftovers by turning them into kofta meatballs. Serve these flavorful meatballs in pita bread with fresh vegetables and a yogurt sauce for a delightful twist on traditional turkey dishes.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Kofta Pita Sandwich

Quick Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes

Mashed potato breakfast pancakes topped with sauteed spinach and mushrooms and fried eggs.
Quick Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

These easy mashed potato pancakes are a fantastic way to repurpose your leftovers. They come together quickly and cook to a crispy outside with a soft, creamy center. Serve them as a side or a snack with your favorite dipping sauce.
Get the Recipe: Quick Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes

Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup

Ham and Potato soup in a gray and white bowl with a spoon.
Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This soup is a comforting and effortless way to use leftover ham. Slow-cooked with potatoes and vegetables, it’s a hearty and warming dish that’s perfect for relaxing after the holiday bustle.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup

Leftover Turkey Pizza

A pizza with spinach and turkey on a wooden board.
Leftover Turkey Pizza . Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Get creative and use your leftover turkey as a topping on homemade pizza. Combine with cheese, vegetables, and perhaps even some cranberry sauce for a unique and tasty post-holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Pizza

Turkey Pot Pie

A plate with pot pie on it and a fork.
Turkey Pot Pie. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

A classic choice for leftover turkey, this pot pie combines chunks of turkey with vegetables and a creamy gravy, all encased in a buttery, flaky crust. It’s a comforting, hearty dish that’s perfect for enjoying on a lazy post-holiday evening.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Pot Pie

Prime Rib Quesadilla

Two pieces of quesadilla stacked on top of each other.
Prime Rib Quesadilla. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Turn your prime rib leftovers into a delicious quesadilla. Filled with melted cheese and juicy prime rib, it’s a quick and easy way to enjoy a gourmet twist on a classic Mexican dish.
Get the Recipe: Prime Rib Quesadilla

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