7 Simple Ways to Transform Your Holiday Leftovers

We’re teaming up with our friends at Finish, the #1 recommended detergent in America by dishwasher brands*, to share some of our Test Kitchen's best tips for reducing mess while hosting this holiday season.

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Thanksgiving is everything the holidays should be. It’s a time to gather with my nearest and dearest, flex my cooking chops, and of course, eat the best assortment of food. But, after days of grocery shopping, prepping, cooking, and hosting, all I want to do is relax on the couch—and the only thing I want to eat is leftovers..

Sure, you could just make plate after plate mimicking your Thanksgiving dinner, but why not get creative in the kitchen? After all, after making so many tried-and-true recipes, it’s fun to experiment. Then, to make the post-holiday clean-up as low-lift as possible, I turn to Finish Ultimate, which cleans burnt-on stains, even when I skip the rinse. There are endless ways to level-up leftovers, from breakfast burritos to gyoza, but I’ve rounded up seven of my favorite recipes to get you started.

1. Turkey Pot Pie

There’s not much I love more than pot pie, and this turkey version is a perfect way to use up leftovers. If you’re feeling a bit turkeyed-out after the big day, freeze shredded turkey for when you’re in the mood again. Tossing the turkey in olive oil post-thawing ensures that it stays moist in the pot pie. To cut down on prep work, this recipe calls for puff pastry, which I’ll admit I sometimes prefer to regular ole’ pie dough. Better yet, it uses up a whopping 4 cups of turkey, which is sure to make a dent in your leftovers. With its crispy golden brown crust and hearty filling, it’s hard not to love this pot pie!

2. Curried Smoked Turkey Salad

While the tastes of Thanksgiving are wonderful, after a day or two I’m ready for a new flavor profile. Enter this curried turkey salad, which makes great use of a smoked turkey (though roasted will work just as well). This recipe relies on Patak’s Garlic Relish which is made with mixed spices like chile peppers, fenugreek, and coriander leaves. Every turkey (or chicken) salad needs some crunch, and this one comes from celery, red onion, and walnuts.

3. Thanksgiving Leftovers Breakfast “Burritos”

No matter the filling, I love a breakfast burrito. This recipe smartly uses up Thanksgiving leftovers, like stuffing, mashed potatoes, and of course, turkey. The joy of it is that you can really use whatever you have on hand. Want to add roasted Brussels sprouts? Great. A spoonful of cranberry sauce? It’ll add some nice tang. Make it your own, and relish the act of eating your leftovers in the most fun way possible.

4. Pull-Apart Thanksgiving Leftover Stuffed Bread

The days that follow Thanksgiving should be all about comfort, and these pull-apart rolls are just the recipe to do that. These buns are made out of a yeasted dough, which result in tender, fluffy buns. Before shaping the rolls, add a heaping tablespoon of your choice of Thanksgiving leftovers to the center. From sweet (or mashed!) potatoes to stuffing, turkey, and even cornbread, you can’t go wrong with filling options. It’s the perfect surprise for your family, and it keeps the joy of Thanksgiving going for days.

5. Hanetsuki Gyoza with Thanksgiving Leftovers

I’m with recipe developer Hana Asbrink on this one—there’s never a bad time for dumplings. In this recipe, Hana calls for store-bought wrappers, which cuts the prep time down significantly (a win post-Thanksgiving!). Here, Thanksgiving leftovers get a new flavor profile, thanks to scallions, ginger, and soy. Don’t get intimidated by the lacy skirt that surrounds the dumplings: With Finish Ultimate, any lingering bits in the pan will come right off. Pan-fried and dipped in a punchy soy and vinegar sauce, these gyozas are exactly what I crave after the big day.

6. Leftover Thanksgiving Shepherd's Pie

While shepherd’s pie is traditionally made with ground beef or lamb, this version turns to Thanksgiving leftovers for the meat—literally—of the dish. Here, shredded turkey and leftover veg from the night before (like roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans) get mixed with aromatics to transform the dish into something totally new. And don’t forget about those mashed potatoes! This recipe calls for mashed sweet potatoes, but regular will work just as well. After all, it’s about using up what you’ve got.

7. Micki’s Turkey, Cranberry & Cream Cheese Comfort Sandwich

One of the most popular ways to use up Thanksgiving leftovers is to make a sandwich the next day—and for good reason. All the hits from the holiday, like turkey, mashed potatoes (yes, on a sandwich), and cranberry relish get layered between nutty, whole-wheat bread. To brighten things up, just add some avocado, sprouts, and a slice of tomato.

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What's your favorite way to repurpose holiday leftovers? Tell us in the comments!

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