Creative Transformations: Repurposing Thanksgiving Leftovers with #SundaySupper

The joy of Thanksgiving is truly unmatched. The aromas of roasted turkey, savory stuffing, sweet cranberry sauce, and rich gravy fill our homes, bringing families and friends together for a feast of gratitude and abundance. Yet, once the last slice of pumpkin pie is devoured and the table cleared, a common scenario emerges: an abundance of delicious Thanksgiving leftovers. While a simple turkey sandwich is always a classic and well-loved choice, the real culinary magic happens when we transform these familiar ingredients into entirely new, exciting dishes. This spirit of innovation and delicious reinvention is precisely the inspiration behind this Sunday’s #SundaySupper event, where our talented team gathers to share their most inventive and delicious recipes for giving your post-holiday meals a spectacular second act.

Far from being a challenge, Thanksgiving leftovers present a golden opportunity for culinary creativity, helping us minimize food waste and extend the holiday spirit well beyond the main event. Embracing leftovers not only saves money and reduces waste but also challenges us to think outside the box and discover unexpected flavor combinations. From hearty breakfasts designed to kickstart your day with a comforting twist, to sophisticated main courses that elevate simple turkey into gourmet dining, and even delightful desserts and refreshing drinks, the possibilities for repurposing your holiday bounty are truly endless. Join us as we explore a delectable menu designed to give your turkey, cranberries, potatoes, and stuffing a second life, ensuring every last bit of your holiday feast is savored and enjoyed in novel ways.

We believe that cooking with leftovers should be both enjoyable and effortless, leading to dishes that are just as exciting and satisfying as the original holiday meal itself. Our dedicated #SundaySupper contributors have outdone themselves this year, crafting a comprehensive collection of recipes that are not only practical for using up common holiday ingredients but also incredibly flavorful and imaginative. Get ready to be inspired to look at your Thanksgiving bounty with fresh eyes and transform it into something truly special, turning yesterday’s feast into tomorrow’s culinary triumph.

A Sneak Peek at Our Thanksgiving Leftover Menu: Reinventing Your Holiday Feast with Flair

Prepare to be amazed by the incredible versatility of your Thanksgiving ingredients. This Sunday’s #SundaySupper menu is packed with innovative ideas across various meal categories, proving that leftovers can indeed be the star of brand-new culinary adventures. Each recipe is a testament to creativity and the desire to make the most of every delicious morsel. Let’s dive into the delicious lineup and see how our team has reimagined the post-holiday plate:

Breakfast: Start Your Day with a Taste of the Holidays

Who says Thanksgiving flavors are just for dinner? Our #SundaySupper contributors demonstrate ingenious ways to infuse the warmth, comfort, and festive spirit of the holidays into your morning routine. Transform your leftover cranberries, sweet potatoes, and even stuffing into delightful breakfast treats that will make waking up a true pleasure, offering a delicious and comforting start to any post-holiday morning.

Cranberry Muffins by The Foodie Army Wife: A wonderfully sweet and tangy start to the day, perfect for using up that extra cranberry sauce and adding a burst of fruit to your breakfast.

Leftover Stuffing Breakfast Strata by Ruffles & Truffles: A savory, comforting, and hearty dish that cleverly brings new life to your stuffing, baked with eggs and cheese for a satisfying meal.

Sweet Potato Casserole Muffins by Magnolia Days: Ingeniously transform your sweet potato casserole into individual, portable delights, ideal for on-the-go breakfasts or snacks.

Turkey & Chorizo Breakfast Hash by Brunch with Joy: A robust and flavorful hash, ideal for a hearty post-holiday breakfast that combines savory turkey with spicy chorizo.

Italian Mashed Potato Pancakes by The Weekend Gourmet: Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these pancakes offer a delicious and creative way to use up leftover mashed potatoes.

Cranberry Sauce’d Corn Bread Muffins by Rhubarb and Honey: A delightful combination of sweet and savory, these muffins are perfect for a festive breakfast or a delicious accompaniment to coffee or tea.

Main Dish: Exciting Entrées from Holiday Remnants

The star of the Thanksgiving table, turkey, along with all the delightful trimmings, offers incredible potential for new and exciting main courses. Forget boring reheated plates; these recipes elevate your leftovers into sophisticated, satisfying, and often surprising entrées. From global inspirations to comforting classics with a creative twist, these dishes ensure your holiday flavors continue to shine brightly in entirely new forms.

Leftover Pie by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner: A creative and comforting way to combine various holiday leftovers into one delicious, hearty, and easy-to-serve pie.

Thanksgiving Leftover Waffles by Foxes Love Lemons: A truly unique and fun way to repurpose your entire Thanksgiving plate, perfect for a quirky brunch or dinner.

Leftover “Shepherd’s” Pie by A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen: A hearty and warming dish, perfect for transforming shredded turkey and mashed potatoes into a comforting classic.

Stuffing Hash by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen: Crispy and flavorful, this simple yet delicious hash is a fantastic way to enjoy leftover stuffing as a substantial side or light main.

Turkey Pizza by Meal Diva: A family-friendly favorite, this recipe cleverly reinvents turkey into a fun, customizable, and always popular pizza topping.

Turkey & Caramelized Onion Risotto by kimchi MOM: A rich and savory risotto that transforms leftover turkey into an elegant and satisfying meal with deep flavors.

Turkey with Creamy Mushroom Marsala Sauce by Casa de Crews: An upscale dish that makes leftover turkey feel luxurious and brand new, coated in a luscious, savory sauce.

Moroccan Turkey Stew by What Smells So Good?: An exotic and aromatic stew that adds a unique and flavorful twist to your leftover turkey, brimming with spices.

Peruvian Cilantro & Turkey Soup by The Little Ferraro Kitchen: A vibrant and herbaceous soup, perfect for a lighter, yet incredibly flavorful meal that uses up leftover turkey broth or meat.

Turkey & Butternut Squash Stew by Cooking Chat: A comforting and nutritious stew, combining holiday flavors with a healthy twist, ideal for chilly evenings.

Turkey Kreplach Soup by Panning the Globe: A traditional Jewish dumpling soup, cleverly adapted for delicious turkey leftovers, offering warmth and comfort.

Turkey & Stuffing Crepes by Peaceful Cooking: Delicate crepes filled with savory turkey and stuffing, creating a truly elegant and sophisticated leftover solution.

Cranberry Apple Pecan Chicken Salad by NeighborFood: A refreshing and flavorful salad that can easily substitute leftover turkey for chicken, perfect for a light lunch.

Herbed Turkey over Cornbread Waffles with Cranberry Sauce by girlichef: A sophisticated and flavorful combination, elevating simple ingredients into a gourmet plate.

Creamy Peanut Gochujang Pasta by Wallflour Girl: An unexpected and spicy fusion dish that’s perfect for adding an exciting kick and international flair to your meal.

Cranberry Sweet Potato Soup by Take A Bite Out of Boca: A rich and creamy soup that beautifully captures the essence of holiday flavors in a comforting bowl.

Turkey Enchilada Pasta Bake by Curious Cuisiniere: A hearty and cheesy bake that brings a Tex-Mex flair to your leftover turkey, promising a delicious and easy weeknight dinner.

Turkey Parmesan Baked Pasta by From Gate to Plate: A comforting Italian-inspired dish that transforms turkey into a new family favorite, baked to golden perfection.

Turkey Orzo Risotto by Family Foodie: A creamy and flavorful risotto, perfect for a sophisticated yet easy weeknight meal that highlights the savory turkey.

Turkey Croquettes by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings: Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside – a classic and delicious way to enjoy leftover turkey, often served with a dipping sauce.

Side Dishes: Reinventing Your Favorite Accompaniments

Even side dishes can have a spectacular second act! From mashed potatoes to root vegetables, these recipes offer clever ways to transform your holiday sides into exciting new accompaniments or even stand-alone snacks. Discover how simple additions or new preparations can revitalize these familiar flavors, adding variety and minimizing waste.

Cheesy Mashed Potato Croquettes by Noshing with the Nolands: Irresistibly cheesy and crispy, these golden-brown croquettes are far from ordinary mashed potatoes and make a fantastic appetizer or side.

Whipped Carrots with Sriracha Butter by Healthy Delicious: A vibrant and spicy side dish that adds a delightful kick to your leftover root vegetables, transforming them with bold flavor.

Cranberry-Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower Wings by Cupcakes & Kale Chips: A unique and flavorful appetizer or side, great for using up cranberry sauce and adding an unexpected twist to vegetables.

Parmesan Mashed Cauliflower and Potatoes by Momma’s Meals: A healthier yet equally satisfying twist on traditional mashed potatoes, enriched with savory Parmesan cheese for added depth.

Cheesy Jalapeño Potato Cakes by Bobbi’s Cozy Kitchen: Spicy and cheesy, these potato cakes are a fantastic and flavorful way to upgrade leftover mashed potatoes into a zesty side dish.

Sandwiches: The Ultimate Leftover Comfort Food, Elevated

The day after Thanksgiving is practically synonymous with the leftover sandwich. But why settle for ordinary when you can elevate this classic comfort food to gourmet heights? Our contributors share creative sandwich ideas that go beyond the basic, featuring gourmet additions and exciting flavor combinations that will make your lunchtime truly special and memorable.

Cranberry & Turkey Sandwich by The Redhead Baker: A timeless combination, reimagined for peak flavor and satisfaction, proving that classics can always be improved.

Monte Cristo Sandwich by Nik Snacks: A decadent and impressive sandwich, perfect for a brunch or special lunch, featuring sweet and savory elements.

Hot Brown Turkey Sandwiches by The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch: A rich and open-faced classic, perfect for a hearty and comforting meal that warms you from the inside out.

Sprouted Grain Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Panini by Amee’s Savory Dish: A gourmet panini offering a delicious blend of textures and flavors, perfect for an elevated, quick meal.

Turkey Cranberry Flatbread by Peanut Butter and Peppers: A unique and easy-to-make option that’s great for a quick lunch, appetizer, or a creative family dinner.

Condiments & Sauces: The Secret Weapons of Leftover Reinvention

Sometimes, all it takes is a fantastic condiment or sauce to transform a simple leftover into something extraordinary. These creative recipes ensure that even the smallest amounts of leftover ingredients, or just the spirit of the holiday, can be bottled up and enjoyed in new ways, adding a punch of flavor to any dish and extending their use.

Cranberry Vinaigrette by Nosh My Way: A vibrant and tangy vinaigrette, perfect for brightening up any salad, turkey wrap, or even as a marinade.

Leftover White Wine Syrup by Food Lust People Love: An innovative way to use wine that might have been opened during the feast, creating a versatile sweet syrup for desserts or cocktails.

DIY Yellow Mustard by The Texan New Yorker: While not directly a leftover, having homemade condiments like this elevates any post-Thanksgiving sandwich or meal to a new level of freshness and flavor.

Dessert: Sweet Endings with a Holiday Twist

The sweet remnants of the holiday feast can also find new life in delightful desserts. From cranberries to pecans and other festive ingredients, these recipes demonstrate how you can extend the joy of holiday baking and indulge your sweet tooth with innovative creations, ensuring no delicious flavor goes to waste and every meal ends on a high note.

Banana Cheesecake with Pecan Graham Cracker Crust by Desserts Required: A rich and comforting cheesecake, potentially using up leftover pecans from holiday baking, offering a delightful blend of textures.

Cranberry Cream Cheese Bars by That Skinny Chick Can Bake: A delightful treat, perfect for using up extra cranberry sauce with a creamy finish, making for a festive and easy dessert.

Gluten-Free Lemon Cake by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks: A refreshing and light option, perfect after a heavy holiday meal, offering a zesty contrast to rich flavors.

Cranberry Sauce Buckle by The Wimpy Vegetarian: A rustic and delicious cake-like dessert, showcasing the tartness of cranberries beautifully in a comforting, crumbly format.

Cranberry Cake by Recipes Food and Cooking: A moist and flavorful cake, ideal for using up abundant cranberry sauce and bringing festive cheer to any gathering.

Cocktails & Drinks: Toast to Leftover Ingenuity

Even your beverages can get a holiday-inspired makeover! These creative drink recipes show how leftover fruits, especially cranberries, can be transformed into refreshing and festive cocktails and mocktails, perfect for unwinding after all the post-Thanksgiving cooking and celebrating.

Cranberry Orange Crush by The Messy Baker: A vibrant and refreshing drink, perfect for utilizing leftover cranberries and adding a citrusy zing to your day.

Cranberry Bellini by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures: An elegant and festive cocktail, ideal for a celebratory brunch or evening, adding a touch of sophistication to your leftover cranberries.

Join the #SundaySupper Community: Connect, Share, and Celebrate Food!

The #SundaySupper movement is more than just sharing recipes; it’s about building a vibrant community of food lovers who are passionate about cooking, sharing meals, and creating lasting memories around the dinner table. We believe deeply in the power of food to bring people together, whether it’s for a grand holiday feast or a creative, resourceful leftover meal. This shared passion for culinary exploration and connection extends to our dynamic online community, where home cooks and food bloggers inspire and support each other daily.

We invite you to **join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter this Sunday!** Our community is active throughout the day, sharing culinary tips, showcasing delicious creations, and discussing all things food-related from around the world. The highlight of our week is our live chat, which kicks off promptly at 7 p.m. ET. To participate, simply follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets when you join the discussion. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow food enthusiasts, discover new blogs and inspiring voices, and get even more fantastic recipe ideas to fuel your kitchen adventures.

For an even deeper dive into the world of creative cooking and community support, be sure to visit our official Sunday Supper Recipes website. There, you’ll find an extensive archive of recipes from past events, invaluable cooking tips, seasonal menu ideas, and much more, all designed to inspire your next meal. You can also explore our visually inspiring Pinterest board, packed with mouth-watering photos and direct recipe links that are perfect for meal planning, culinary inspiration, and discovering your next favorite dish.

Would you like to become an official part of the Sunday Supper Movement?

It’s incredibly easy to join our growing family of passionate home cooks and food bloggers. If you love sharing recipes, experimenting in the kitchen, and connecting with a supportive, like-minded community, we warmly welcome you! Becoming a part of the #SundaySupper team means contributing to a larger movement that celebrates food, family, and friendship. You can sign up and find out more about becoming a contributor by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement. We look forward to cooking and sharing delicious experiences with you!

By transforming your Thanksgiving leftovers into exciting new dishes, you’re not just making another meal; you’re continuing the spirit of generosity, resourcefulness, and culinary creativity that truly defines the holiday season. Embrace the challenge, enjoy the incredible flavors, and join us in celebrating delicious food and fantastic company!