This is the leftovers desk for the Thanksgiving guide: how to pack leftover turkey and sides, how long they last in the fridge or freezer, how to reheat them, and what to cook next. The safety rules are consistent across these pages. USDA leftover guidance is to refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours of serving, or within 1 hour if the room is above 90°F; to use cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days, or freeze them for quality within a few months; and to reheat leftover turkey, stuffing, and mixed dishes to 165°F. Gravy, soups, and sauces should come to a rolling boil. For mains that are not leftover-focused, see Thanksgiving mains, diets and leftovers.
Storage, timing, and food safety
- How to store Thanksgiving leftovers
- How long Thanksgiving leftovers last
- How long leftovers last in the freezer
- Can you freeze leftover gravy and Thanksgiving sides?
- Can you refreeze leftover turkey?
- Can you leave turkey out overnight?
- How to tell if leftover turkey has gone bad
- How to pack leftovers for guests to take home
- How to travel with Thanksgiving leftovers
- Why freezer burn happens
Start with packing and the 3 to 4 day refrigerator window, then use the freezer pages if you will not eat everything in time. The leftover spoilage guide is for cooked turkey; the raw-bird page is separate.
Reheating
- How to reheat leftover turkey
- How to reheat leftover mashed potatoes
- How to reheat leftover stuffing
- How to reheat leftover gravy
Leftover turkey recipes
- What to do with leftover turkey
- How to make a leftover turkey sandwich
- How to make leftover turkey salad
- How to make leftover turkey tacos
- How to make leftover turkey quesadillas
- How to make leftover turkey sliders
- How to make leftover turkey hash
- How to make leftover turkey fried rice
- How to make leftover turkey enchiladas
- How to make turkey pot pie with leftovers
- How to make turkey tetrazzini
- How to make turkey noodle soup
- How to make turkey and dumplings
- How to make turkey chili
- How to make turkey a la king
- How to make leftover turkey mac and cheese
- How to make leftover turkey croquettes
- How to make turkey stock from the carcass
Sides, pie, ham, and rolls
- What to do with leftover mashed potatoes
- What to do with leftover stuffing
- How to make a leftover stuffing breakfast casserole
- What to do with leftover cranberry sauce
- What to do with leftover green bean casserole
- What to do with leftover sweet potato casserole
- How long does pumpkin pie last?
- Can you freeze pumpkin pie?
- What to do with leftover pumpkin pie
- What to do with leftover ham
- What to do with leftover dinner rolls
- How to make bread pudding from leftover rolls
If you are also planning a weekend meal with friends, the Friendsgiving guide links hosting pages that often produce their own leftovers. Come back to this hub when it is time to pack the fridge.
Helpful kitchen tools
- Stasher Silicone Reusable Food Storage Bags, 4-Pack — Reusable bags are useful for freezing leftover turkey in meal-size portions.
- Pyrex Deep 9×13-Inch Glass Baking Dish with Lid — A lidded 9×13 is the everyday dish for reheating leftover casseroles.
- TempPro TP19H 1-Second Digital Meat Thermometer — A thermometer is the tool that confirms leftovers have reached 165°F.
- OXO Good Grips POP Container, 4.4 qt — A tight container helps leftover rolls last long enough for sandwiches or croutons.
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Frequently asked questions
How long do Thanksgiving leftovers last?
USDA says to use refrigerated leftovers within 3 to 4 days, and to refrigerate them within 2 hours of serving, or within 1 hour if the room is above 90°F.
What temperature should leftover turkey reach when I reheat it?
Reheat leftover turkey, stuffing, and mixed dishes to 165°F. Bring leftover gravy to a rolling boil.
Where should I start if I have a lot of leftover turkey?
Confirm it was stored safely, then use the leftover turkey overview and pick a specific recipe from the list above.