13 Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes That Go Beyond Turkey Sandwiches

Salmon-and-Mashed-Potato Croquettes

Craving a break from turkey? Whip up these crispy salmon-and-mashed-potato croquettes. But don't worry—you won't need to cook yet another protein in the oven. The recipe calls for canned or smoked salmon, making it an excellent time-saving dish.

Mini Pastry

We're not going to sugarcoat it: Thanksgiving baking can be labor-intensive. To sweeten the deal, here's a reward for the pastry chef after that long day in the kitchen that's so easy you don't need a recipe: Turn the scraps of excess dough from your piecrust into a mini cookie-like dessert. Here's how.

First, preheat oven to 375°F. Then on a parchment-lined baking sheet, pat pie-dough scraps together into an approximately five-inch circle. Brush it lightly with heavy cream; sprinkle with coarse sanding sugar. Bake until golden and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. Top with fresh fruit, such as sliced pears and raspberries, and a dollop of whipped cream. Whether you share this confection with your sous-chefs is entirely up to you.

Thanksgiving-Leftovers Pie

A galette unlike any other you've tried, this free-form pie uses pâte brisée dough to hold a thick turkey-and-potato filling, topped with cranberry sauce and baked till golden.

Creamy Leftover-Turkey-and-Rice Soup

Put a light, fresh spin on Thursday's leftovers with a speedy riff on avgolemono, the classic Greek chicken soup. Egg yolks (they're the "avgo") add creaminess to simmering stock while lemon juice (the "lemono") brightens the flavor, and cooked rice and shredded meat fill out every spoonful. If you have other prepared vegetables on hand, like sautéed greens or broccoli rabe, throw them in, too. The result is satisfyingly hearty, but not so much so that you'll conk out on the couch again.

Potato Croquettes

Leftover mashed potatoes are brightened with fresh parsley, smothered in breadcrumbs, and then fried until crunchy and golden in this crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Turkey Cobb Salad

The recipe calls for store-bought roasted turkey, but this is a perfect use for leftover turkey, post-Thanksgiving. It will be a light and welcome alternative the day after the big meal.

Turkey Monte Cristo

Switch out the usual ham for leftover turkey in this French toast-grilled cheese hybrid. Cranberry sauce adds just the right amount of sweetness.

Turkey-Salad Sandwich

Sweet, savory, fresh, crunchy—this day-after sandwich has a lot going for it. Leftover turkey teams up with celery, green apple, golden raisins, cucumber, and watercress. A lemony mayonnaise ties all the flavors together.

Savory Turkey Pocket Pies

A flaky cream cheese dough holds a tasty cheesy filling that can be made with leftover cooked turkey, instead of the chicken that's called for. These can be made ahead and frozen for future quick meals.

Quick Turkey Tetrazzini

Trust us, no one will be able to resist this creamy noodle casserole studded with turkey, mushrooms, and peas.

Turkey, Cheddar, and Green-Apple Sandwich

A great combination of flavors, the green apple tempers the sharp Cheddar, and the leftover cooked turkey adds heft and protein.

Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake

Turn a classic savory side dish into a fabulous dessert; homemade vanilla cheesecake topped with swirls of cranberry sauce is a dreamy dessert for the weekend after the big feast (once all the pie has been eaten!).

Turkey Croquettes

These croquettes use leftover turkey and mashed potatoes, and are served with cranberry sauce on the side. A layer of breadcrumbs on the outside gives a crispy shell when fried.