We all love Thanksgiving meals with friends and family, but the leftovers can sometimes feel overwhelming. The break from cooking might be appreciated, but not so much eating the same foods for three days straight—or worse yet, wasting the dishes we spent so long preparing. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to turn Thanksgiving leftovers into something entirely new and exciting.

And parents, don’t forget that kids love getting involved in the kitchen—espeically when it’s something unique like watching boring leftovers turn into tasty treats. Plus, leftover transformations are the perfect way to teach little ones about food waste and how to avoid it. Children of all ages can sort ingredients, fill measuring cups (or use Ahimsa cups or containers as a guide for measuring!), and put food on plates for family members. They’ll stay entertained while you cook, and they’ll learn a few lessons about cooking and sustainability along the way.

Ready to get started? Let’s jump in! Here are our go-to ways to give leftover turkey, sides, and desserts a tasty second life.

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Before turning your Thanksgiving leftovers into new dishes, consider these important food safety tips:

• Know your timeline: Leftovers last about 3–4 days in the fridge, so plan to enjoy them soon.

• Freeze smart: If you know you won’t eat your leftovers within the refrigerator timeline, consider freezing them. Turkey, gravy, and most sides stay good for up to three months when frozen. For best results, store each item separately to preserve flavor and texture.

• Prep for easy meals: Pack leftovers into single-mewal containers for easy, grab-and-go lunches or quick weeknight dinners.

Stay organized to reduce waste: Label each container with its contents and the date it was cooked. Stack your containers in the fridge or freezer so nothing gets forgotten.

Are you feeling like you can’t fathom another bite of dried-out leftover turkey? You’ve come to the right place — we’re full of ideas to bring that main dish back to delicious.

Shred your leftover turkey, add some seasoning, and toss it in the skillet to give it a whole new vibe. Add some peppers and onions if you have them, and you’ll be able to level up from tacos all the way to fajitas. Serve with sides you have in your kitchen—tortillas, cheese, guacamole, salsa, rice, or beans. Pro tip: Leave everything on the side for the kids. That way, they can choose their favorite toppings and have some extra fun with a dinner-time assembly line.

Want to switch things up even more? Leftover turkey can feel completely new when added to homemade soup. Try creative twists like turkey chili, pozole, or pot pie stew—or use any soup recipe you love by swapping in turkey for the main protein. As a bonus, you can freeze portions of your soup for the busy winter days ahead (who wouldn’t want a break from cooking while the kids are home for break?).

For something a little lighter, chop up turkey and mix it with some mayo or Greek yogurt, then toss in celery and dried cranberries. This turkey salad is perfect in sandwiches or thrown over some greens for a quick, easy lunch. It’s a nice break from all the heavier holiday food, and the cranberries add a little festive sweetness without being too much.

A minute or two in the microwave brings mashed potatoes right back to life. But if you’re getting tired of this traditional side, you can easily turn it into something more exciting.

Got a waffle maker collecting dust? Let’s put it to good use. Mix your leftover mashed potatoes with a beaten egg, a little shredded cheese, and a spoonful of flour. Scoop the mix into your waffle iron and cook until it’s crisp and golden. Eat them plain or top with shredded turkey and gravy. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner—you get to choose the time of day these sound best to eat.

This is about the easiest Thanksgiving leftover creation, and it’s a classic. Layer mashed potatoes, leftover stuffing, turkey, and gravy in a microwavable bowl. Heat it up and serve your family a mini Thanksgiving meal. Got leftover veggies laying around? They’d be perfect to add for rounding out this dish. 

Grab a muffin tin and turn your leftover mashed potatoes into mini comfort cups. Stir some chopped turkey and shredded cheese into your mashed potatoes. If you have them on hand, you could even add more toppings, like green onions or crumbles of bacon. Scoop all ingredients into your muffin tin, sprinkle a little more cheese on top, and bake until golden. These are perfect for quick snacks or easy Thanksgiving leftover sides.

Stuffing is a Thanksgiving star, but it can totally continue to shine after the holiday ends. Here are our favorite ways to bring this side back to the table.

Mix stuffing with beaten eggs, a splash of milk, turkey chunks, and leftover veggies. Add the mixture to a muffin tin and bake until each cup is golden on top. These quick, grab-and-go breakfast bites are filling, savory, and easy to bring with you wherever you go on those busy, post-holiday mornings.

Take a few bell peppers, slice them in half, and fill them with leftover stuffing. Top with cheese and bake until the peppers are soft. The stuffing should be warm all the way through and a bit crispy on top. These tasty sides can help you use up leftovers while also boosting your family’s veggie intake for the day.

Toss your stuffing in a skillet with chopped potatoes, onions, and any other leftover veggies you have lying around. Want to make this a main dish? Add an egg on top or mix in leftover turkey for extra protein. It’s hearty, flavorful, and good to enjoy at any time of day.

Just because Thanksgiving is over doesn’t mean it’s time to say goodbye to desserts. Turn the last bits of your holiday indulgences into something tasty with these creative twists.

Spread a thin layer of yogurt on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Swirl in your leftover cranberry sauce. Top with chocolate chips, fruit, nuts, or granola. Place the whole tray in the freezer until the bark is solid. Then, break into pieces and serve as a tangy, grab-and-go snack.

Top your bowl of ice cream with crumbles of leftover pie—crust, filling, and maybe even a little whipped cream on top. This dessert gives the ice cream sundae a fun new twist, and it’s a great way to evenly distribute that coveted last piece of pie.

For a heartier snack, consider mixing leftover cranberry sauce into your favorite oatmeal bar recipe. The tart fruit can replace the chocolate chips or other extras you usually add. The kids will love this fresh twist on their favorite after-school or on-the-go snack. 

Kids love getting involved in the kitchen. When your little helpers join you in reviving leftovers, they’ll be building skills like independence and confidence, as well as boosting their skills in math, reading, science, and more. You may even be able to sneak in a lesson or two on food waste as you eat what you have at home, even if you’re tired of it in its original form. 

Here are a few jobs your kids are sure to enjoy:

• Assign easy jobs like mashing potatoes or stirring soup. 

• Have kids help you measure ingredients and pour them into the pot, pan, or dish.

• Provide scoops and have them help serve each family member’s food.

• While you take on the trickier tasks, ask your kids to help you set the table with plates, bowls, cups, and silverware.

These jobs feel meaningful for little minds, and they help keep the kids occupied while you prep meals. Plus, it’s a great way to spend time as a family. 

Do your kids want to tackle dinner entirely on their own? One of our favorite hacks is the "leftover buffet." Simply lay out the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and whatever else is left from your Thanksgiving gathering, and have them fill their plates on their own.

Thanksgiving leftovers aren’t forever. For the rest of the year, my Mealtime Guides can help your family make healthy, sustainable choices at every meal. They’re filled with easy-to-implement advice on age-appropriate portion sizes, balanced meals, and ways to boost fruit and veggie intake for kids and grown-ups alike.

With tips tailored to each age group, the Mealtime Guides help you plan meals that make the most of what you have, while teaching kids to appreciate both good food and a healthy planet.

Thanksgiving leftovers don’t have to be boring. With a bit of creativity and thoughtful planning, they can serve as a fun learning opportunity for kids in the kitchen. Take an idea from this list or come up with your own creative concoction. No matter what you make, it’ll bring a new life to the leftovers that would otherwise go bad in the back of your refrigerator. 

Above all else, we recommend including your children in these fun, Thanksgiving leftover adventures. Let them build important skills and meaningful family memories. As a mother and a pediatrician, I understand the importance of family time, and how the simple things that surround the holidays—like cooking with leftovers—just might turn into the memory that lasts a lifetime.

Looking for more ways to be sustainable at mealtime? If you’re interested in getting a longer lifetime out of your dishware, check out our stainless steel dishware, like the Mindful Mealtime set. You might just find something you and your family will use and enjoy for years to come.