Healthy Thanksgiving Leftover Ideas

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These Healthy Thanksgiving Leftover Ideas transform your holiday extras into quick, creative meals that feel fresh and exciting. With less prep, no food waste, and plenty of flavor, these recipes are perfect for stretching Thanksgiving dinner into the week without eating the same plate over and over.

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Raise your hand if you've ever opened the fridge the day after Thanksgiving, stared at the mountain of containers, and wondered, "How am I going to eat all this again?" We've all been there. Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce... they're delicious, but eating the same meal five days in a row? Not so much.

That's where these Healthy Thanksgiving Leftover Ideas come to the rescue. Instead of just reheating, you'll take your leftovers and spin them into totally new meals. Most of the prep is already done. You've already cooked the turkey and roasted the veggies. Now you're just giving them a second life with less effort!

 

Healthy Leftover Turkey Recipes (Quesadillas, Soups & More)

Here's how to get creative with leftover roasted turkey breast in these delicious recipes:

Turkey Quesadillas

456 CAL 15 MIN
Turkey quesadillas with shredded turkey, black beans, peppers, and cheese cooked in flour tortillas with cilantro and salsa.

Upgrade your quesadilla game with these tasty Turkey Quesadillas stuffed with shredded or ground turkey, fajita vegetables, black beans, and cheese.

Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos

354 CAL 4 HOURS, 5 MIN
Shredded turkey tacos with red onion, cilantro, dried cranberries, and crumbled cheese on soft flour tortillas.

Slow cooker turkey tacos are the easiest way to get a flavorful and delicious dinner on the table with minimal effort. This recipe starts with juicy turkey breast slow-cooked in a zesty salsa verde, then gets an unexpected (but amazing!) twist with sweet dried cranberries and creamy queso fresco. Whether for Taco Tuesday or a cozy weeknight meal, these tacos are a total crowd-pleaser!

This easy Turkey Tortellini Soup with spinach is packed with lean ground turkey, tomatoes, white beans, spinach, and tortellini in a delicious broth. Simple to make, full of flavor, and a family favorite.

Healthy Taco Soup

306 CAL 4 HOURS, 5 MIN
Healthy taco soup with black beans, pinto beans, shredded chicken, cilantro, and cheese.

Healthy Taco Soup is packed with chicken breast, beans, corn, tomatoes, and tons of taco flavor. Cooked in the slow cooker or on the stovetop, this healthy dish will feed a crowd and couldn't be easier to make.

Mediterranean Chicken Salad with black olives, roasted red peppers, cucumbers, and feta cheese in a Greek yogurt and dill dressing is an easy and delicious spin on traditional chicken salad.

Easy White Chicken Chili

372 CAL 4 HOURS, 5 MIN
A hearty bowl of chicken chili topped with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions. A dish of green onions and fresh cilantro beside it, exuding a cozy feel.

This White Chicken Chili is everything a weeknight meal should be: easy, flavorful, and made with pantry staples. With no chopping and just one pot, it's a cozy, protein-packed dinner that's ready in under 30 minutes (or slow-simmered for maximum flavor).

Waldorf Chicken Salad is cool, creamy, and packed with crisp apples, sweet grapes, and crunchy walnuts, all tossed in a lightened-up Greek yogurt dressing. Ready in just 10 minutes, it's the perfect balance of refreshing, satisfying, and a little bit fancy without any fuss.

This Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad is creamy, crunchy, and full of flavor, yet lightened up with Greek yogurt. It's quick to make, meal-prep friendly, and perfect for sandwiches, wraps, salads, or lettuce cups.

Creative Ways to Use Leftover Thanksgiving Vegetables

Don't overlook all those delicious leftover veggies. Here are some creative ways to use your leftover vegetables.

Lemon Brussels Sprout Pasta comes together in less than 30 minutes and is packed with fresh Brussel sprouts, cannellini beans, lemon, and plenty of Parmesan cheese for an easy meatless meal.

Wild Rice Salad

324 CAL 55 MIN
Wild rice salad with acorn squash, cranberries, arugula, and a lemon dressing.

The best Wild Rice Salad with acorn squash, cranberries, fresh arugula, and a delicious lemon tahini vinaigrette. This salad is packed with fall flavors and is perfect for holiday meals.

These quick and Easy Mediterranean Bowls with chicken, quinoa, fresh vegetables, and tahini dressing are healthy and filling. Great for meal prep, lunch, and dinner.

Creative Twists for Leftover Thanksgiving Classics

Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork

343 CAL 4 HOURS, 10 MIN
Slow cooker cranberry pork roast with sliced pork and a cranberry honey sauce on a wooden plate.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork is an easy, comforting, and flavorful dish that comes out perfectly tender every time. Great for an easy weeknight meal or holiday dinner.

Turkey Pinwheels

412 CAL 10 MIN
Turkey pinwheels with cream cheese, dried cranberries, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes wrapped in a tortilla and sliced into pinwheels.

Easy Turkey Pinwheels filled with cream cheese, deli turkey, cheddar cheese, and dried cranberries are the perfect appetizer or make-ahead lunch.

These easy roasted Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos are made with the most delicious homemade taco seasoning. They are easy to make, filling, and full of flavor. No one will miss the meat in these tasty vegetarian tacos.

Chicken Quinoa Bowls are a healthy, flavorful dish that combines grilled marinated chicken breasts with steamed quinoa, fresh vegetables, and lots of toppings.

How to Prepare Leftover Turkey for Using in Recipes

Here's an easy way to prep leftover turkey to use in your favorite leftover recipes:

  1. Remove any remaining meat from the turkey carcass.
  2. If you have big chunks of meat, you can chop them up or shred them.
  3. Store leftover turkey meat in the fridge for a couple of days to use in your favorite recipes.

Pro tip: Don't throw away the turkey carcass! You can make your own turkey broth by simmering the bones in water along with spices and veggies for a few hours to make a delicious broth to use in soups and stews.

How to Reheat Thanksgiving Leftovers (Without Drying Them Out!)

Let's be honest. Nobody wants dry turkey or mushy stuffing. Here's how to reheat all your Thanksgiving favorites the right way so they taste just as good (or better!) the next day.

  • Turkey: Add a splash of broth or water, cover with foil, and reheat in the oven at 325°F until warmed through (about 20–30 minutes). For quick reheats, use the microwave with a damp paper towel over the top.
  • Stuffing: Reheat in the oven in a covered baking dish with a little broth to bring back moisture. Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes.
  • Mashed potatoes: Stir in a little milk or cream and reheat over low heat on the stovetop, or in the microwave in short bursts.
  • Roasted veggies: Toss with a tiny bit of oil and reheat on a baking sheet at 375°F for 10–15 minutes to revive that crisp edge.
  • Gravy: Reheat slowly in a saucepan over low heat, whisking frequently to prevent separation.

Healthy Meal Prep with Thanksgiving Leftovers

If your fridge is packed with containers after the big day, you're actually halfway to having your meals prepped for the week without doing any extra cooking!

  • Make lunch bowls: Layer leftover turkey or roasted veggies over quinoa, rice, or greens. Add beans, salsa, or your favorite sauce, and lunch is done!
  • Freeze portions: Got more leftovers than you can eat this week? Freeze turkey, stuffing, and even cranberry sauce in single-serving containers for easy heat-and-eat meals later.
  • Wrap and roll: Use leftover tortillas or wraps to build turkey pinwheels, quesadillas, or burritos for easy school or work lunches.
  • Soup starters: Freeze extra turkey and veggies in a zip-top bag for a head start on next week's slow cooker soup.

Other Creative Recipes That Use Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey

Here are some other creative ways to use leftover turkey:

  • Turkey enchiladas
  • Turkey sandwiches
  • Turkey casseroles
  • Turkey shepherd's pie
  • Turkey pot pie

Pro tip: If you have a recipe that uses chicken, you can swap it out with leftover turkey!

More Recipe Ideas

Frequently Asked Questions

There are so many fun ways to use leftover turkey. Here are some other creative ways to use leftover turkey:

  • Turkey enchiladas
  • Turkey sandwiches
  • Turkey casseroles
  • Turkey shepherd's pie
  • Turkey pot pie

Pro tip: If you have a recipe that uses chicken, you can swap it out with leftover turkey!

Many of these recipes, like quesadillas, taco bowls, and soups, are great for kids! You can customize toppings or flavors to suit their taste preferences.

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