9 Nutritious Meals to Make with Thanksgiving Leftovers

Now that Thanksgiving Day is in the books, you might be wondering what the heck to do with all of those Thanksgiving leftovers in your fridge. Whether you were the host or a guest, chances are you ended up with at least some remnants from the biggest food holiday of the year.  If you were a guest—lucky you—maybe you took home some of mom’s famous stuffing or shaved turkey for making sandwiches. If you were brave enough to host this year, you were likely left with whatever you couldn’t convince your guests to take home. Either way, if you’ve got Tupperware and baggies of food taking up precious real estate in the fridge, you don’t want any of it to go to waste.  If you’re looking for creative and healthy ways to use up what’s left of Thanksgiving dinner, we’ve got a few healthy recipes to help you clean out your fridge and turn those random leftovers into savory meals.  Soup’s On! Soup dishes are always great during the colder months, but they’re especially perfect for when you really don’t want to think about cooking anymore. The day after Thanksgiving (and for several days after that), you might just not feel like putting a lot of effort into cooking. We feel you and soups are the perfect solution. Got leftover carrots, celery and onions? You’re well on your way to making this Creamy Mushroom And Farro Soup, a perfect recipe for lunch or dinner to use up some of the extra veggies in your fridge. Farro is high in protein and fiber, and carrots contain the beneficial carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, which are shown to protect healthy cells in the eyes. You can also add in some leftover turkey and any other vegetables you have around. White Bean Soup with Spicy Sausage is a great way to use all that leftover butternut squash. And the best part? This hearty soup is easy to prepare and provides an excellent source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. If you love chili, you’ll fall hard for this Salsa Chili. It’s a perfect way to use up some of that leftover turkey. Just grind it up, add some kidney beans and cashews, a bit of salsa, a few spices, and voila!  You’ve got yourself a healthy bowl that’s also full of flavor. Brunch, Anyone?  While you may not feel like having a huge breakfast after practically eating yourself into a food coma, it’s important to get in your protein, just like any other day. Whether you eat first thing in the morning or decide to do brunch on Friday, these leftover recipes will hit the spot. The best thing about this Simple Frittata is how flexible the ingredients are. It’s really up to you what to include. So, grab whatever roasted or fresh veggies you have in the fridge, add in some protein and cheese, and you’re golden.  Still have a house full of guests and not sure what to feed them? This super-healthy Sweet Potato Zucchini Bread will not disappoint. Plus, it’s dairy-free, gluten-free and vegetarian, so it’s perfect for anyone with food allergies or intolerances looking for breakfast options besides eggs.  Sweet Potatoes, FTW!  There are so many things you can make with leftover sweet potatoes, it’s almost impossible to run out of recipe ideas. Here are just a couple of our favorite side dishes to try with this uber tuber. Buying too many sweet potatoes isn’t such a bad thing when you can turn them into these nutrient-dense Baked Sweet Potato Fries. They’re sure to be a new favorite. Remember to leave the skin on, as that’s where you’ll get most of the nutrients from. If you’re looking for something a little heartier that also has a ton of protein, try this Sweet Potato and Sausage Bake, made with chicken sausage. It’s a quick, easy, and delicious way to use your leftover spuds.  Leftover Favorites We all have our favorite leftover recipes, but these two are always a big hit. They’re easy to make, and when you add in veggies and play with the ingredients a bit, the result is actually pretty healthy.  First up: Thanksgiving Leftover Pizza. Swap out tomato sauce for cranberry, add whatever leftovers you’ve got for toppings, and you’ve got yourself a meal. Easy, healthy, delicious, and creative. Another fun option? A healthy twist on the classic grilled cheese.  We totally get that Turkey Grilled Cheese might not sound like the healthiest thing to make with your leftovers, but it can be. Take it easy on the cheese, swap out white bread with sprouted grain, sourdough, or rye, add in tomatoes and pesto for veggies, and, of course, pile on some turkey for protein. Now you’ve got an easy-to-make, balanced meal that everyone will love. Eating leftovers will not only clear your overcrowded fridge, but it’s also a great way to have a more sustainable holiday, while also experimenting with some fun new recipes while you’re at it. We hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving and get to try out some different ways to use your leftovers. (Image: Shutterstock)

7 Soup Recipes Perfect for Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving means three things: family, gratitude, and leftovers—lots and lots of leftovers. Good thing soups are ideal for using up whatever you have on hand. With a tasty stock, seasonings, and just about any meat, veggies, legumes, and grains, you can create a satisfying and nutritious meal. Just throw all the ingredients together and let the stovetop do the work for you. No precise measurements and stressing required. When Thanksgiving is over and you’re staring at a fridge filled with turkey and a collection of side dishes, then give these recipes a try. Packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, these soups are the ultimate healthy cold-weather food. RELATED: 3 Healthy Things to Do After a Big Meal Farro and Mushroom Soup Introducing farro: The protein- and fiber-packed ancient grain with a dense chewy texture perfect for a hearty weeknight soup. Combine this nutritious grain with vitamin D-rich mushrooms and leftover stuffing ingredients like carrots, onions, celery, and thyme for a satisfying and healthy meal. Want an extra boost of fiber and flavor? Add some of your leftover veggie sides, too. Easy Soup Dinner Need a break from cooking after the holiday? Enter this simple soup dinner for the fastest and easiest healthy meal. Start with a filling can of soup like lentil or black bean that provides fiber and protein. Then, add some onion, a little cheddar cheese, Greek yogurt, and whatever Thanksgiving veggies you have on hand. This recipe also calls for Canadian bacon, which is perfect if you have extra ham from the big day.  Turkey Pho Pho fans—you’ll want to try this one. This soup recipe from Food52 swaps traditional beef for turkey, which is simmered in a delicious broth made with warming spices like coriander, cloves, star anise, and cinnamon. Add powerhouse kale, digestion-soothing ginger, and veggies of your choice for a nutritious post-Turkey Day meal.  Salsa Chili Chili: The ultimate comfort food that’s also super good for you. What more could you ask for? Grind up your leftover turkey and combine with kidney beans for a protein-packed dinner. This chili also adds cashews for a boost of vitamins and minerals like cold-fighting zinc. Did we mention it takes less than 10 minutes to make? Homemade Chicken Soup Okay, chicken might be in the title, but this classic would be just as delicious with leftover turkey. In addition to the soul-soothing flavors of onion, garlic, and celery, this recipe includes common Thanksgiving foods like kale and sweet potatoes, which provide a healthy dose of skin-boosting vitamins A and C. Turkey Vegetable Soup with Stuffing Dumplings Your leftover stuffing just got a major makeover in this Food Network recipe. Stuffing-turned-dumplings are combined with leftover turkey, carrots, celery, onions, and garlic for a Thanksgiving meal reimagined.  White Bean Soup with Spicy Chorizo Do you have any leftover butternut squash? Then you’ll want to make this hearty and satisfying soup. Cannellini beans pack tons of protein, gut-friendly fiber, and essential B vitamins, while butternut squash, kale, and garlic bring in the antioxidants. The recipe also calls for spicy chicken sausage, but feel free to swap this with extra turkey.