Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and delicious food — but every year, it also tends to be a time for over-the-top amounts of food, and honestly, more leftovers than we know what to do with. But instead of letting all that extra food go to waste, I make a point of transforming it into creative, tasty leftovers. Not only does this save me money, it’s also a step towards reducing food waste, which is a big problem we can all help solve.
One reason I like to use up Thanksgiving leftovers is simply to make my budget go further. Food costs add up, especially during the holidays when we’re likely to splurge on ingredients we wouldn’t usually buy. Cooking from scratch for Thanksgiving isn’t cheap, so why let that food sit in the fridge only to be tossed out later? I know I’d be kicking myself if I spent all that time and money cooking a big Thanksgiving meal only to watch half of it go in the trash. By turning Thanksgiving leftovers into new meals, I save myself from spending more money on food for the next few days, if not a full week.
For example, with leftover turkey, I can make sandwiches, turkey pot pies, or even a comforting turkey soup. Mashed potatoes and stuffing can become delicious breakfast hash when I mix in a few eggs, and cranberries make an amazing spread on toast. Even if the leftover dishes don’t sound super exciting right after the holiday, with a bit of creativity, they can feel like entirely new meals. By using the leftovers in different ways, I’m saving on grocery costs and making Thanksgiving work for me long after the holiday itself.
Beyond the cost savings, I’m also trying to reduce food waste. In the U.S., about 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, and the holidays are an especially big contributor. Every year, Americans throw out millions of pounds of Thanksgiving food — something that could have been avoided with a bit of planning and effort. By transforming leftovers, I’m helping keep food out of landfills, where it would otherwise break down and produce harmful greenhouse gases. It may seem like a small act, but when enough people are mindful of food waste, it makes a meaningful difference.
Making a point to repurpose Thanksgiving leftovers also means that I get to practice creativity in the kitchen. Leftovers push me to think outside the box and find new ways to enjoy old favorites. I experiment with recipes I’d never thought to try, like cranberry vinaigrette on a salad or mashed potato pancakes, and it’s a great way to keep the holiday spirit alive without the meal feeling redundant. Honestly, it’s fun to see how many different ways I can use one meal, and it gives me an excuse to try new things I wouldn’t usually make.
So, instead of tossing that extra stuffing or letting the turkey dry out in the fridge, I challenge myself — and now, I’m challenging you — to make the most out of every bit of Thanksgiving food. It’s a simple way to save money, minimize waste, and even find a little extra enjoyment in leftovers.
