14 Genius Ways to Transform Thanksgiving Leftovers

Brussels Sprout Flatbread With Lemon and Pecorino

Don't let those roasted Brussels sprouts go to waste. This seasonal flatbread feeds a crowd, which makes it a delicious, veggie-packed option for brunch the morning after your meal.

Turkey Banh Mi

Save some leftover turkey for a delicious Vietnamese sandwich known as a bahn mi. Traditionally made with pork, this variation is a smart way to use your leftover bird. Simply sandwich inside a toasty baguette and add pickled veggies, creamy mayo, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of Sriracha.

Turkey-Pumpkin Chili

Cold weather have you craving comfort food? Here's an extra-warming way to put your leftover turkey to work. Simply swap the ground turkey with extra meat from the holiday bird—it'll pair perfectly with the beans, pumpkin, and smoked paprika.

Zucchini and Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

The morning after a heavy meal, you'll be grateful for these healthy sweet potatoes topped with black beans and fresh zucchini. Of course, you can also dress them up with sour cream, cheddar cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake With Sweet Potato Frosting

Although it tastes indulgent, this cake is packed with good-for-you ingredients. The base of the cake is filled with whole grains and fresh zucchini—both of which can be repurposed ingredients from the night before. And the rich chocolate frosting is made almost entirely from your leftover sweet potatoes. Genius? We think so.

Quick and Easy Turkey Pot Pie

You spent enough time cooking Thanksgiving dinner, so let's give you a break with a streamlined version of a classic pot pie.

While this recipe calls for rotisserie chicken, swap it out with leftover turkey. And instead of a frozen vegetable blend, use your leftover veggies. Finally, a sheet of puff pastry makes quick work of the lid (no bottom crust needed). Just make sure the filling is boiling before adding the puff pastry; that's the key to getting a fully cooked—not soggy—crust.

Pumpkin Spice Martini

If you have extra pumpkin puree and/or pumpkin pie spice after Thanksgiving, let this cocktail extend your holiday spirit.

Vanilla Bean Dutch Baby With Cranberry Relish

A puffy, golden Dutch baby is an unbelievably easy and impressive centerpiece for breakfast or brunch—and the only equipment it requires is a sturdy 12-inch skillet. (We love cast iron.) Tip: Take care to coat only the bottom of the pan with melted butter, as getting butter on the sides will prevent the batter from climbing the sides of the pan. And no peeking! Opening the oven door during baking puts your pancake at major risk of deflating. This version uses leftover cranberry relish, but your favorite jam or preserves could easily take its place.

Farro and Brussels Sprouts Salad

Here, you'll combine your leftover grains (farro's great but brown rice, quinoa, or barley also work) with crispy Brussels sprouts, sweet-tart pomegranate seeds, and ricotta salata. The result? A satisfying leftover grain salad that's as delicious as it is forgiving.

Fresh Tagliatelle With Turkey Puttanesca

Puttanesca is a lightning fast, bold sauce that is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. For a hint of spice, try adding a pinch of crushed red pepper to the sauce before adding the pasta. As fresh tomatoes aren't in season, you can opt to replace them with your favorite store-bought marinara sauce instead.

Thanksgiving Egg Rolls With Spicy Cranberry Dipping Sauce

This is a fun way to use up a variety of Thanksgiving leftovers. Here, cranberry sauce fills in for the duck sauce that's typically served with egg rolls to add tang to the dish. Any mixture of finely chopped vegetables can be used in place of the carrot and Brussels sprouts. Be creative!

Turkey and Potato Pierogies With Crispy Sage Leaves

This Polish-style dish is endlessly adaptable, and would be equally tasty made with mashed butternut squash or sweet potato in place of (or combined with) the mashed potato. Tossing the dumplings with browned butter and crispy sage leaves is simple and delicious—though, if you're after something a bit more luxurious, you could also pair them with warmed turkey gravy or a healthy dollop of creme fraiche. Look for fresh lasagna sheets in your supermarket's refrigerator section.

Thanksgiving-Style Eggs Benedict

Stuffing and mashed potatoes replace English muffins in this post-Thanksgiving version of the brunch classic. If your family serves creamed spinach for Thanksgiving, that would also be a tasty substitute for the fresh baby spinach leaves—just reheat it gently and place a dollop on top of the potato and stuffing cakes. And, if making poached eggs for a group sounds a little daunting, using fried or sunny-side up eggs would be equally delicious.

Brown Butter and Pecan Sweet Potato Muffins

These delicate, subtly sweet muffins are a great way to make use of mashed sweet potatoes from your feast. If all you have are cooked, cubed sweet potatoes, simply mash them into a smooth paste before proceeding. Tip: Brown butter lends the muffins a rich nuttiness.