After the Thanksgiving feast, chances are good you’ve got a fridge full of the real treat: leftovers! While they’re easy to enjoy as lunch or dinner (or snacks), we’re actually big fans of revamping leftovers into breakfast (think: hearty omelets stuffed with turkey and cheese, or grab-and-go breakfast bars studded with cranberries). From savory to sweet, here are 10 versatile ways to work Thanksgiving leftovers into your morning meal.
1. Scoop leftover pumpkin puree into oatmeal or pancakes.
With oatmeal, just fold a spoonful right into your bowl. (Or, if you have an entire extra can of pumpkin, toss it into this big-batch slow cooker version.) The batter behind these fluffy and festive pumpkin pancakes also packs a cup of leftover purée.
2. Top day-old stuffing with eggs for an easy breakfast hash.
The fastest way to turn something into breakfast? Crown it with fried eggs. Reheat (and re-crisp!) the stuffing on the stovetop, then use that same pan to fry up a batch of perfectly runny eggs.
3. Or make a hash using leftover greens as the base.
We also love eggs over leftover Brussels sprouts and bacon—especially in this version, which cooks everything on a sheet pan for maximum ease.
4. Swirl cranberry sauce into Greek yogurt for quick parfaits.
If you’re looking for a lighter day-after-Thanksgiving option, these refreshing and slightly tart parfaits are ideal. Start with Greek yogurt and cranberry sauce, then toss in granola and chia seeds for more protein and fiber.
5. Make savory waffles out of mashed potatoes, cheddar, and panko breadcrumbs.
Who knew mashed potatoes could have such a delicious second life? Just mix everything together with some eggs, milk, and spices, then run it through a waffle maker.
6. Or turn leftover mash into crispy potato cakes.
If you don’t feel like breaking out the waffle-maker, try this slightly more streamlined version. Top with smoked salmon and a poached egg for an extra-savory treat.
7. Shred turkey and tuck it into easy, cheesy omelets.
Serve them with a side of bacon and fresh greens and you’ve got a fast, satisfying breakfast.
8. Fold cranberry sauce into oatmeal bars.
These bake up in just about half an hour—and can pull double duty as both breakfast or a grab-and-go snack later in the day.
9. Sneak sweet potatoes into pancakes.
There’s a cup of mashed sweet potatoes in the batter, but you can’t really taste them outright in the final product. So if you’re looking for a more low-key way to use up leftovers—or if you just want to sneak extra veggies into breakfast—try these.
10. Make a frittata with turkey and sweet potatoes—or just about anything else.
We’ve written before about how frittatas are one of our favorite ways to use up any leftover meat or vegetables in our fridge, and that’s especially true on the morning after Thanksgiving. Toss in turkey or ham, sweet potatoes, or spinach—and know that you can’t go wrong.
