After all that prep of your big Turkey Day meal, one of the best things you can do is make sure nothing goes to waste. With a little creativity, you can stretch your Thanksgiving bounty into great meals, reduce your grocery bill, and even give back to your community this holiday season. Here are some smart leftover strategies – and three easy recipes to keep things tasty, simple, and budget-friendly.

Why it matters

• Food waste adds up. When we let leftovers go unused or toss items we bought, we also waste the money and time that went into them.
• Stretching your leftovers means you buy less at your next grocery run – helping you save, which aligns with smart budgeting and good financial habits.
• You can also turn leftovers into an opportunity to give back – many food pantries and charities accept unopened, unexpired non-perishable items so others don’t go hungry.
  • *Note: All First Financial branch locations are collecting these exact items for Fulfill in our holiday season food drive through Friday, 12/12. Help us help those in need within our local community this holiday season!
• Budget-friendly meal planning is a winner all around. You can use affordable food dishes to feed a crowd or repurpose your leftovers.

Easy recipes using common Thanksgiving leftovers

Here are three simple ideas you can use in the days following Thanksgiving. Each uses typical leftovers like turkey, stuffing, vegetables, even mashed potatoes – and gives them new life.

1. Turkey and stuffing skillet hash

• Chop leftover turkey and stuffing into bite-sized pieces.
• Sauté both in a skillet with a little oil or butter, add in any leftover vegetables (e.g., roasted carrots or green beans) and a handful of shredded cheese if you have it.
• Crack an egg or two on top and cover until the egg sets.
• This gives you a hearty breakfast or brunch that uses what you already have (turkey + stuffing) and eliminates the need to buy separate hash browns or breakfast sausage.
• Tip: If you have extra gravy, drizzle a little over the top. If you don’t use all the stuffing, you can even freeze portions in single-serve containers for later.
• Recipe inspired by James Beard’s Turkey-and-Stuffing Hash

2. Turkey and vegetable soup with mashed potato dumplings

• You can use the turkey carcass to make a simple bone broth (or heat up some leftover turkey stock).
• Add chopped leftover turkey, diced carrots/green beans/leftover roasted vegetables, a cup of leftover stuffing broken into small pieces, and warm through.
• For a twist: Mix a small scoop of leftover mashed potatoes with an egg and flour (or bread crumbs) to form little dumplings or “gnocchi-style” bites. Drop them into the simmering soup until cooked.
• This transforms leftovers into a comforting meal and you’ll be less likely to go buy expensive take-out.
• Recipe inspired by the “Spend with Pennies” Blog

3. Leftover cranberry turkey wrap or sandwich

• Use leftover slices of turkey and a smear of cranberry sauce and stuffing inside a tortilla, large lettuce leaf, or whole-grain wrap.
• You can also add shredded lettuce or leftover roasted vegetables from the holiday table.
• Roll up your wrap and lunch is done. Easy, portable, and uses up more in the fridge!
• If you have leftover sweet potatoes or roasted root veggies, you can add them in too.
• Bonus: If you already picked up a multi-pack of wraps or a loaf of bread, you’re getting more value out of what you bought.
• Recipe inspired by the Kitchen Concoctions Blog

Smart tips for leftover management and your budget

• Label and date your leftovers: Put the date on your containers so you use the oldest items first.
• Portion and freeze: If you think you won’t use everything within a few days, freeze portions and mark them for post-holiday meal nights.
• Plan your next grocery list around what you already have: Before buying new items, take stock of leftover turkey, stuffing, and vegetables. Build 1-2 meals around what’s in your fridge.
• Donate what you won’t use: If you have unopened non-perishables find a local food pantry and drop them off. This helps your community and frees up space for items you will use.
• Use leftovers to reduce your next shopping bill: If you plan ahead a little, you may be able to skip a meal out or purchase fewer items at the store because you’re “recycling” ingredients. This small savings can really add up.
• Think of repurposing as part of your holiday budget: Just like you planned for the turkey and sides, plan for what happens after. This mindset helps you treat leftovers not just as an after-thought, but as part of the full financial plan for your holiday budget.

Tying it all to affordability and financial wellness

At First Financial, we believe that good money habits aren’t just about how much you make, but how you can use what you already have and also avoid unnecessary waste. The holidays can put extra pressure on your budget – more food, more guests, more chances to overbuy. But by being deliberate and resourceful, you can hold that budget steady. When you repurpose your leftovers, you’re effectively getting more meals from the same budget. That’s smart financial sense and it aligns with our commitment to help you achieve financial stability, even when the calendar says “holiday.”

When we make mindful choices, from leftovers to long-term planning – we can only reap the benefits. Get in touch with us if you have budgeting or financial planning questions, and subscribe to our First Scoop Blog to explore resources that will support your financial wellness year-round.