10 Creative Recipes for Your Thanksgiving Leftovers

The most anticipated food-fest of the year typically entails hours of prepping in the kitchen beforehand. But the good news is, all that hard work is not quickly forgotten. One of the best things about Thanksgiving is having leftovers to nibble on for days. And we're not talking about boring turkey sandwiches. Check out these simple, creative recipes that make excellent use of the main event's extras—from cheddar-ale soup and potato cakes to turkey tacos and cranberry waffles (yum).

Try this recipe: Cranberry Waffles

The perfect day-after-Thanksgiving breakfast: This sweet upgrade to the Belgian waffle (or plain old boxed mix) will help you get rid of all that surplus cranberry sauce.

Ingredients: Flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, whole milk, butter, cranberry sauce, vanilla extract, maple syrup

Try this recipe: Turkey Tacos

These tacos satisfy your Mexican food craving with a twist. Swapping turkey for beef adds lean protein, and will help you fill up without feeling too full. Don’t forget the avocados!

Ingredients: Lemon juice, orange juice, ground cumin, hot chili powder, garlic, cilantro, fat-free sour cream, turkey breast, flour tortillas, black beans, salsa, lettuce, 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese, avocado

Calories: 434

Try this recipe: Potato Cakes 

Transform plain mashed potatoes into potato patties, which make a fun alternative to bread or rice. These cakes take 10 minutes to make, and go great with salmon, poached eggs, or grilled veggies.

Ingredients: Mashed potatoes, onion, pepper, matzo meal

Calories: 80

Try this recipe: Turkey-Broccoli Bake

A great way to use those mounds of leftover meat, this low-sodium and low-fat turkey broccoli bake serves up to six people. 

Ingredients: Broccoli, turkey, unsalted butter, onion, mushrooms, all-purpose flour, low-sodium turkey broth, dry sherry, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, almonds

Calories: 320

Try this recipe: Ham and Swiss Bread Pudding 

Pair leftover Hawaiian dinner rolls with chopped ham and Swiss cheese for this hearty dessert. Packed with protein and calcium, it's the perfect mixture of sweet and salty.

Ingredients: Green onions, ham, garlic, Hawaiian bread rolls, fat-free milk, egg substitute, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, nutmeg, Swiss cheese

Calories: 353

Try this recipe: Curried Turkey Salad

If you want to ease off the comfort food and back onto your regular diet, start with this zesty turkey salad.

Ingredients: Plain low-fat yogurt, lime juice, curry powder, ground red pepper, kosher salt, turkey, red bell pepper, Thai basil, carrots, mixed salad greens

Calories: 376

Try this recipe: Cheddar-Ale Soup

Pour leftover brew from your Thanksgiving celebration into this savory, creamy soup, which is surprisingly low in fat and sodium, and packed with calcium.

Ingredients: Olive oil, yellow onion, garlic, carrots, celery, all-purpose flour, low-sodium chicken broth, 1% milk, pale ale, 50% reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, whole-wheat bread

Calories: 277

Try this recipe: Tangy BBQ Sandwich

Spice up a classic turkey sammy with your favorite barbeque sauce and pickles. Use a multi-grain bun (better for your heart and digestive health); and if you prefer sweet over tangy, swap cranberry sauce for BBQ sauce.

Ingredients: Unsalted butter, onion, kosher salt, cider vinegar, barbecue sauce, water, turkey, ground black pepper, kaiser rolls or hamburger buns, dill pickles

Calories: 370

Try this recipe: Pumpkin-Pie Pudding 

Got leftover canned pumpkin—but already enjoyed more pie than you care to think about? This simple gluten-free pudding will satisfy your sweet tooth without all the extra calories and fat. Bonus: it only takes 30 minutes to make.

Ingredients: 2% reduced-fat milk, dark brown sugar, cornstarch, eggs, canned pumpkin, salt, pumpkin-pie spice

Calories: 168

Try this recipe: Pumpkin Dip

If you have extra pumpkin and apples on your hands, use them in this simple vegetarian treat. The delicious dip, sweetened with maple syrup, makes the perfect post-holiday snack.

Ingredients: 1/3-less-fat-cream cheese, brown sugar, canned pumpkin, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, apple slices

Calories: 107