Food waste is a huge problem and Thanksgiving leftovers can contribute to this issue. Using your Thanksgiving leftovers in unique ways can help reduce this problem.
Americans throw away around 200 million pounds of edible turkey meat at Thanksgiving, that’s about 35 percent of edible turkey meat. That’s around $282 million worth of meat! And think of all the sides that are wasted as well.
Considering the history of Thanksgiving and how starvation and lack of food played such a big role, it’s almost ironic how many Thanksgiving leftovers we now waste.
Reducing food waste is something I’m always working on. I feel such guilt when I waste food considering the resources and money needed for that food, plus knowing so many are going hungry.
We spend a lot of money on Thanksgiving and soon Christmas will be here, this isn’t a time to be wasteful. When you use Thanksgiving leftovers wisely you can end up saving a lot of money on groceries after the holiday.
Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting you eat the same meal for days. There are great ways to use your Thanksgiving leftovers in new and delicious ways.
Leftover Turkey
Turkey Pesto Panini from Damn Delicious
Savory Crepes with Turkey and Stuffing from Butter with a Side of Bread
Turkey Pizza from Baked By Rachel
Cheesy Turkey Pot Pie from Retro Housewife Goes Green
Turkey Pho from Cook the Story
Turkey-Cranberry Monte Cristo Sandwiches from Noble Pig
Turkey Enchiladas from Creme de la Crumb
Turkey and Mashed Potato Empanadas from Hello Natural
Crockpot Turkey Chili from Passion for Saving
Light Turkey & Corn Chowder from Cookin’ Canuck
Leftover Mashed Potatoes
Homemade Gnocchi from The Art of Doing Stuff
Mashed Potato Puffs from Cinnamon-Spice & Everything Nice
Cheesy Mashed Potato Pancakes from Just a Taste
Mashed Potato Soup from Katie’s Cucina
Mom’s Potato Rolls from Lauren’s Latest
Fried Mashed Potatoes from Mantitlement
Skillet Shepherd’s Pie from Five Heart Home
Loaded Mashed Potato Bake from Foxes Love Lemons
Spudnut Cinnamon Rolls from Little Dairy on the Prairie
Pierogi Lasagna Rolls from Table for Seven
Leftover Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potato Pancakes from Serious Eats
Sweet Potato Biscuits from Home Cooking Memories
Shepherd’s Pie with Whipped Sweet Potatoes from The Lemon Bowl
Cinnamon and Spice Sweet Potato Bread from Averie Cooks
Sweet Potato Spudnuts from Spoon Fork Bacon
Sweet Potato Waffles from Brooklyn Supper
Sweet Potato Quinoa Patties from A House in the Hills
Sweet Potato Croquettes from White on Rice Couple
Cranberry Sweet Potato Muffins from Taste of Home
Sweet Potato Rolls from Nums the Word
Leftover Stuffing/Dressing
Mashed Potato & Stuffing Patties from Pocket Change Gourmet
Stuffin’ Muffins from Budget Bytes
Cheesy Stuffed Mushrooms from 365ish Days of Pinterest
Stuffing Waffles from Just a Taste
Turkey and Stuffing Pie from The Chew
Turkey and Stuffing Turnovers from A Family Feast
Stuffing and Chorizo Egg Cups from Uni Homemaker
Stuffing Frittata from My Last Bite
Turkey, Stuffing, and Cranberry Sausage Rolls from Culinary Ginger
Stuffing Croquettes from Carla Hall
Leftover Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry Cream Cheese Danish from Retro Housewife Goes Green
Cranberry Salsa from Eat, Drink, and Save Money
Cranberry Sauce Bread from Oh My Veggies
Cranberry Bread Pudding with Honey Whiskey Maple Sauce from Will Cook for Smiles
French Toast Stuffed with Cranberry Cream Cheese from Alaska from Scratch
Cranberry Thumbprint Cookies with Almond Glaze from Lovely Little Kitchen
Cranberry Sauce and Apple Crisp from Just a Taste
Cranberry Pecan Crusted Salmon from Peas and Crayons
Cranberry Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower Wings from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
BBQ Cranberry Chicken from Life Tastes Good
Cranberry Sauce Grilled Cheese from Apple a Day
With all of these great recipes, it will be easy to avoid food waste this Thanksgiving. You can find even more by search Pinterest. There are no good reasons to waste food and money.
Being organized is also a great way to avoid waste. Use my Thanksgiving planner to help you stay organized this year.
Totally pinning this! Always looking for ways to reduce holiday food waste. Some of these potato recipes look delicious!
Mashed potato soup? Wow. These are fantastic recipes. Sharing as well.
Wow, stuffing waffles! So many of these recipes look AMAZING.
Thanks for featuring my cranberry salsa! These are all amazing ideas.