13 Easy Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes That Make Dinner Feel Brand New

If your fridge is full of Thanksgiving leftovers, you’ve got plenty of easy leftover recipe options. Instead of another repeat plate, these easy Thanksgiving leftover recipes turn turkey, ham, and even extra sides into cozy soups, cheesy bakes, fun pizzas, and more.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes

A lot of these recipes start as chicken recipes, so you can just swap in leftover turkey and keep dinner simple. You can also use leftover stuffing, potatoes, and even green bean casserole in a few of these, don’t let those go to waste!

1. Thanksgiving Leftovers Pizza

Oval pizza topped with orange squash pieces, green beans, turkey, pecans and cheese, on foil. — Image Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

Thanksgiving leftovers pizza is such a fun way to clear out the fridge. Brush the crust with herbed olive oil, then add bits of turkey or ham, a few dollops of stuffing, and even small scoops of green bean casserole. A little cranberry sauce on top brings the sweet-tangy pop. It feels a tiny bit fancy but is still super easy, and it turns all those leftovers into something everyone actually wants to eat. CLICK HERE FOR THE HOLIDAY LEFTOVERS PIZZA RECIPE

2. Corn Chowder (Use Turkey!)

A wide view of chicken corn chowder in a bowl being scooped by a spoon. — Image Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

Chicken and corn chowder makes an easy next-day dinner, and it works perfectly with leftover turkey too. Simply swap the chicken for turkey, add your corn and veggies, and let everything simmer until creamy. Ham works here as well if that’s what’s left in the fridge. CLICK HERE FOR THE CREAMY CORN CHOWDER RECIPE

3. Cranberry Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

Cranberry vinaigrette dressing on a table with salad and other salad topping ingredients. — Image Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

Use that leftover cranberry sauce to make a quick cranberry vinaigrette for salads. Blend it with oil and vinegar until smooth, then drizzle over greens. The tangy-sweet dressing pairs really nicely with leftover turkey or ham, so you can toss that right on the salad too. CLICK HERE FOR CRANBERRY VINAIGRETTE RECIPE

4. Easy Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup (Use Turkey!)

Wide view of inside a slow cooker close up full of chicken noodle soup with big chicken pieces, egg noodles, carrots, peas and corn. — Image Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

Turn leftover turkey into an easy slow cooker noodle soup. Just swap the chicken for cooked turkey, add broth, veggies, and seasonings, then let the crockpot do the work. Stir in the noodles near the end and you’ve got a cozy, hands-off way to use those Thanksgiving leftovers. CLICK HERE FOR THE CROCK POT CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP RECIPE

5. One Pot Creamy Chicken & Rice (Use Turkey!)

Wide view of creamy chicken and rice in the pan from overhead with a wooden spoon stirring. — Image Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

Use leftover turkey in place of chicken and you’ve got a cozy one-pot turkey and rice dinner. The rice cooks right in a creamy, savory sauce, so everything ends up tender and comforting with very little effort. It’s an easy weeknight way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers without feeling like you’re eating the same plate again. CLICK HERE FOR THE CREAMY CHICKEN & RICE RECIPE

6. Creamy Cheesy Calzone

Wide view of chicken, cheese and spinach calzones cut in half to see the filling stacked on a plate. — Image Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

Use leftover turkey or ham in place of the chicken to make these cheesy calzones. Tuck the meat with sauce and melty cheese inside the dough, bake until golden, and dinner’s suddenly a fun handheld instead of another leftovers plate. Kids especially love these. CLICK HERE FOR THE CHEESY CHICKEN CALZONE RECIPE

7. Tortilla Soup (Use Turkey!)

A bowl of chicken tortilla soup topped with shredded cheese, tortilla strips, avocado, lime wedge, and a dollop of sour cream, with a spoon inside with other bowls of ingredients on the counter nearby. — Image Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

Turn leftover turkey into a cozy tortilla soup by swapping it in for the chicken. Add it to the pot with beans, veggies, and broth, then load it up with tortilla strips, cheese, and avocado on top. It’s a simple way to use what’s in the fridge and still feel like you’re getting a fresh new meal. CLICK HERE FOR THE CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP RECIPE

8. Quick Fried Rice

A pan filled with fried rice with a wooden spoon scooping it full of egg, peas, carrots and other vegetables. — Image Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

Leftover turkey or ham works perfectly in fried rice. It cooks fast, you can toss in whatever veggies you’ve got hanging around, and the soy sauce brings everything together. Great for that “I need something easy” night after the holiday. CLICK HERE FOR THE QUICK FRIED RICE RECIPE

9. Ham & Cheese Pinwheels

Wide view close-up of ham and cheese pinwheel rolls topped with sesame and poppy seeds close up in the pan. — Image Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

Use leftover ham to make these simple ham and cheese pinwheels. Just layer the ham and cheese in a tortilla, roll it tight, and cut into little spirals. They’re great for lunches, snacks, or setting out for grazing when everyone’s still in holiday mode. CLICK HERE FOR THE HAM PINWHEELS RECIPE

10. Creamy Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili (Use Turkey!)

Overhead wide view of creamy chicken chilli soup with corn in a slow cooker from above with a ladle close up. — Image Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

Turn leftover Thanksgiving turkey into a cozy slow cooker white chili. Just swap the chicken for turkey, add beans and spices, and let it simmer until creamy and comforting. Finish with cheese on top and dinner basically makes itself. CLICK HERE FOR THE SLOW COOKER WHITE CHICKEN CHILI RECIPE

11. Crock Pot Potato Soup Recipe With Ham

Wide view of the top of a bowl filled with potato soup and topped with bacon — Image Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

This creamy potato soup is the perfect place for leftover ham to land. It’s warm, hearty, and filled with soft potatoes and savory ham, and it reheats really well for easy lunches after the holiday. CLICK HERE FOR THE CROCK POT POTATO SOUP RECIP E

12. Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders (Use Turkey!)

Three chicken bacon ranch sliders gooey on a aluminum foil lined pan from the side. — Image Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

Turn leftover turkey into chicken bacon ranch sliders by swapping it in for the chicken. The turkey soaks up the ranch, the bacon adds crunch, and the cheese ties it all together. They’re bite-sized, easy, and disappear fast. CLICK HERE FOR THE CHICKEN BACON RANCH SLIDERS RECIPE

13. Cavatappi Mac and Cheese with Ham

A wide view of a casserole dish with baked cavatappi macaroni and cheese mixed with ham, partially scooped out to reveal the creamy interior texture. — Image Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

This creamy cavatappi mac and cheese becomes even better with leftover ham stirred in. It’s cheesy, comforting, and the kind of “use up the leftovers” meal no one complains about. CLICK HERE FOR THE MAC AND CHEESE WITH HAM RECIPE

If you need even more ideas, check out my full collection of chicken recipes or browse all my easy 30 minute dinners.