Repurpose Holiday Dinners Like a Hero

Jenny deRemer

Dec 09, 2025

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Holiday leftovers don’t have to mean reheated turkey and mashed potatoes on repeat. With these recipes to use Christmas extras, you can transform what’s in your fridge into fresh, festive dishes that feel completely new. It’s a clever way to reduce waste while keeping everyone excited about the post-holiday spread. From sides to mains, these ideas turn every leftover bite into something worthy of the season. Say goodbye to boring plates and hello to Christmas meals that are even better the second time around.

Table of Contents

Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

A freshly baked shepherd's pie in a round green dish on a wooden table. The top is covered with golden-brown mashed potatoes, sprinkled with herbs. A plaid napkin and a Guinness beer bottle are nearby, adding to the cozy setting.
Image Credit: xoxoBella

Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie takes all your Thanksgiving leftovers and turns them into comfort food magic. The turkey, mashed potatoes, and savory Guinness gravy bake together for a meal that’s both hearty and satisfying. A perfect dish when you need recipes to use Thanksgiving extras in a way that feels fresh.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes

Two plates of breakfast featuring sunny-side-up eggs on a bed of sautéed kale and mushrooms. Garnished with sliced green onions, the dishes are set on a light gray cloth, with a fork on a wooden plank nearby.
Image Credit: fANNEtastic food

Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes turn your leftover mashed potatoes into crispy, golden delights. These pancakes are light on the inside and crispy on the outside, making them a quick breakfast or side dish. If you’re looking for recipes to use Thanksgiving extras, these pancakes are a fun and creative option.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes

Leftover Turkey Fried Rice

A bowl of chicken fried rice filled with diced chicken, peas, carrots, corn, and green onions. A spoon rests on the side of the bowl, which is placed on a wooden plate. Fresh scallions and a small dish of sesame seeds are nearby.
Image Credit: xoxoBella

Leftover Turkey Fried Rice gives your turkey leftovers a new life with a sizzle. This one-pan dish combines tender turkey with seasoned rice and veggies for a fast, flavorful meal that’s perfect for repurposing your Thanksgiving extras.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Fried Rice

Turkey Rice Casserole

A baked casserole in a blue dish, topped with golden breadcrumbs and garnished with parsley. A serving spoon rests inside, revealing a portion of creamy filling with peas. A small serving is placed on a beige plate nearby.
Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie

Turkey Rice Casserole mixes leftover turkey and rice into a creamy, comforting bake that’s as cozy as it is easy. This dish proves that recipes to use Thanksgiving extras don’t need to be complicated to feel indulgent.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Rice Casserole

Leftover Turkey Potato Hash

A close-up of a spoon scooping up a portion of a flavorful dish with sliced potatoes, diced chicken, red bell peppers, melted cheese, and chopped green onions. The background features more of the colorful and hearty dish.
Image Credit: Noshing With The Nolands

Leftover Turkey Potato Hash brings sautéed potatoes and turkey together in a skillet for a meal that’s quick, simple, and full of flavor. Perfect for using up your Thanksgiving extras without any extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Potato Hash

Leftover Turkey Casserole

A close-up of a spoon scooping a portion of shepherd's pie from a baking dish. The pie has a layer of mashed potatoes on top and a filling of meat and vegetables underneath. The dish is lightly browned on the surface.
Image Credit: Noshing With The Nolands

Leftover Turkey Casserole layers turkey, stuffing, and gravy into a creamy bake that transforms leftovers into something special. This dish is a great example of recipes to use Thanksgiving extras without anyone feeling like they’re just eating “leftovers.”
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Casserole

Turkey and Noodles Tetrazzini

A baked casserole in an oval dish on a marble surface, topped with golden breadcrumbs and chopped herbs. A yellow and white striped towel is partially visible underneath the dish.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Turkey and Noodles Tetrazzini combines creamy cheese sauce and tender turkey with pasta for a cozy, comfort-filled dish. Perfect for those who need recipes to use Thanksgiving extras but want something a little more indulgent.
Get the Recipe: Turkey and Noodles Tetrazzini

Leftover Turkey Casserole

A bowl of creamy rotini pasta mixed with diced vegetables and topped with crumbled cheese. A fork is placed on the side of the dish. There are additional ingredients visible in the background.
Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie

Leftover Turkey Casserole takes turkey, veggies, and gravy, then adds a crispy breadcrumb topping for a comforting meal that’s perfect for busy days. It’s an easy go-to when you need recipes to use Thanksgiving extras and make something everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Casserole

Cranberry Turkey Wraps

Close-up of sliced spinach wraps filled with chicken, cream cheese, dried cranberries, and lettuce, served on a decorative beige plate. A few cranberries are scattered on the plate.
Image Credit: Recipes from Leftovers.

Cranberry Turkey Wraps wrap turkey and tangy cranberry sauce into a quick, handheld meal that’s both fresh and satisfying. These wraps are a creative way to use your Thanksgiving extras without repeating the same old leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Turkey Wraps

Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich

A hearty sandwich on toasted bread filled with turkey slices, cheese, arugula, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, served with a side of potato chips. A small bowl of gravy and a glass of red drink are in the background.
Image Credit: xoxoBella

Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich piles turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce into a messy yet delicious handheld feast. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy your Thanksgiving extras in a way that feels like a treat, not a repeat.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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