Reducing Thanksgiving Leftover Waste

In Western Pennsylvania, the leaves have fallen off of the trees and there’s a chilly bite in the air. It’s November, which means Thanksgiving time is here! When you think of Thanksgiving, you think of the food – turkey, potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy, some type of casserole and turkey, and turkey, and turkey, and just when you think it’s gone? More turkey! Thanksgiving leftovers are one of the best parts of the holiday – until they’re not. How many days in a row can you eat leftover Thanksgiving dinner before you throw your plate out of the nearest window? We don’t want to find out, which is why we compiled this helpful list of other yummy meals to utilize those precious, abundant turkey day leftovers. 

Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole: 

If you aren’t too sick of Thanksgiving dinner, you can create a Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole that recreates all of the deliciousness of Thanksgiving dinner in the convenience of a single dish! 

Leftover Turkey 

Although it is widely agreed upon that the sides are what people look forward to most, it’s hard to disagree that on Thanksgiving, the turkey is the real star of the show. Turkeys can be tricky because they often weigh in the double digits and are easily the most common Thanksgiving leftover. The mounds of leftover turkey don’t need to be wasted though! Cooked turkey can last in the fridge for 4 days and in the freezer for around 4 months. Here are some options to stretch the classic turkey a little further. 

1. If bland turkey isn’t your jam but southwestern flavors are, try this hearty Weeknight Turkey Tortilla Soup. This is also a great use of leftover corn! 

2. Pot pie without all the fickleness of the perfect crust? Count us in! Creamy Turkey Soup is reminiscent of the inside of a pot pie. This recipe can also use any of your plain leftover vegetables from Thanksgiving. 

3. If you have a little leftover jelled (or homemade) cranberry sauce or turkey gravy, this could be a recipe to try out!  You can send your holiday weekend guests on their way with warm Turkey Dinner Muffins for the drive home. 

4. If you prefer the convenience of a sandwich, the Turkey Melt Sandwich is a great option. 

Leftover Mashed Potatoes 

Mashed potatoes are one of the most versatile components of Thanksgiving dinner! At first glance, they may seem like a one-trick-pony, but leftover mashed potatoes can lead down so many paths. Keep in mind that mashed potatoes can last in the fridge for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to a year. 

1. If you are planning on being up early to shop the Black Friday deals, you can make Mashed Potato Egg Casserole in the morning. 

2. You can try making KFC Copycat Mashed Potato Bowls by airfrying or baking popcorn chicken and adding a little shredded cheese, leftover gravy and your leftover corn. If you didn’t have leftover corn from turkey day, a bag (or can) of sweet corn should do the trick. 

3. If you love all things potato and all things soup, you’ve got to try Mashed Potato Soup. 

4. Or the most common way to reuse leftover mashed potatoes is by making Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes (with or without Cheese). 

Leftover Corn 

Corn is one of those sides that can seem like a waste if you don’t use it all with dinner, but it can be used in a couple of different ways. Depending on the type of corn (canned, frozen, cob), cooked corn can last in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you haven’t been able to use the corn up in the Weeknight Turkey Tortilla Soup or KFC Copycat Mashed Potato Bowls, try these!  

1. For a soup option, creamy, hearty Corn Chowder can utilize your leftover corn in a fresh way. 

2. If you ever get a hankering for southern classic cornbread, try this Cornbread recipe with leftover corn! 

3. If you like cornbread but want it in a more compact way, Cornbread Muffins are a great option. 

Leftover Cranberry Sauce 

No matter how much we love it, we can’t deny that leftover cranberry sauce is almost inevitable. Don’t overlook your abundant leftover cranberry sauce! Whether you have sweet or tart cranberry sauce, this underrated side dish can be used in so many ways!  

1. In this Cranberry BBQ Chicken recipe, the cranberry sauce is used as a marinade and garnish of sorts. Let this sweet and savory chicken take center stage at your dinner table later in the week. 

2. For a delicious dessert option, try Apple Crisp with Cranberry Sauce with a nice side of vanilla ice cream. 

3. If you’re looking for an appetizer for Thanksgiving weekend guests (or even a Friendsgiving), try Cranberry Meatballs.  

4. If smoothies are your thing, you can use your leftover cranberry sauce to make Cranberry-Banana Smoothies! You can use cranberry sauce in your other smoothie recipes as well if bananas aren’t your favorite. 

Leftover Green Beans 

Green beans are a pretty common side with Thanksgiving dinner, and their versatility gives us two main side options created from them: Green bean casserole and regular cooked green beans. Green bean casserole can last in the fridge for 4 days, but it is not recommended to freeze. Regular cooked green beans can also last in the fridge for 4 days, but they can last in the freezer for up to 8 months. Whether you have leftover casserole or regular green beans, you have some options when it comes to transforming them into new dishes.

1. If you have leftover green bean casserole, you can turn it into a delicious Leftover Green Bean Casserole Pot Pie. 

2. If you’re looking for a soup option, this Leftover Green Bean Casserole Soup recipe from Campbell’s takes the cake! 

3. If you want green beans as a side but need more than the plain beans, try Cheesy Green Beans Au Gratin Bake. 

As you enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner, keep these recipes in mind for the couple days after to make the most out of your leftovers. Although these recipes are just a start, we hope it helps you to consider new ways to use your Thanksgiving leftovers without sending them out in the trash next garbage day!