The day after Thanksgiving usually brings a mix of cozy relaxation and a fridge full of leftovers. While most people think about transforming leftovers into lunch or dinner, the morning after is one of the best opportunities to turn those plant-based dishes into a comforting, hearty vegan breakfast. With a little creativity, your leftovers can become flavorful scrambles, hashes, waffles, wraps, or even sweet treats that feel completely new.
If you love making the most of every part of your holiday feast, these vegan Thanksgiving leftover breakfast ideas are perfect for you. They’re simple, delicious, and surprisingly inventive—and they help cut down on food waste while starting your post-holiday day with warmth and comfort.
Before we dive in, if you’re passionate about celebrating a vegan lifestyle beyond the kitchen, The Dharma Store offers organic cotton vegan-themed shirts that make meaningful, sustainable statements.
Let’s explore how to turn your stuffed fridge into a cozy morning feast.
Why Breakfast Is the Best Way to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers
Transforming leftovers into breakfast is a fun and efficient way to continue enjoying your holiday menu. Here’s why breakfast lends itself so well to repurposing leftovers:
1. Breakfast Is More Flexible Than Dinner
You can mix sweet and savory, create scrambles from vegetables, or turn stuffing into waffles. It’s the meal with the fewest rules, making leftovers easy to adapt.
2. Many Thanksgiving Ingredients Naturally Suit Breakfast
Potatoes, squash, fruit sauces, veggies, and grains are all perfect bases for breakfast bowls, hashes, and baked goods.
3. Everything Is Quick
Most leftover-based breakfasts come together in under 20 minutes since the ingredients are already cooked.
4. It Reduces Waste
Using leftovers in the morning ensures nothing sits in the fridge too long.
5. It's Comforting
Holiday flavors pair beautifully with coffee, tea, and cozy fall mornings.
With that in mind, let’s get into the best vegan breakfast ideas built from Thanksgiving leftovers.
Savory Vegan Breakfast Ideas Using Thanksgiving Leftovers
Savory breakfasts are a natural fit for Thanksgiving leftovers. Many holiday dishes are already full of herbs, vegetables, and satisfying textures that make for hearty morning meals.
1. Leftover Stuffing Waffles
One of the most creative ways to repurpose stuffing is to turn it into waffles. Just press leftover stuffing into a waffle iron until it becomes crispy on the outside and warm on the inside.
How to Make:
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Mix leftover stuffing with a little vegetable broth or water until sticky.
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Press into a waffle iron.
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Cook until golden and crisp.
Why It Works:
It’s quick, fun, and perfect for topping with cranberry sauce, mushroom gravy, or tofu scramble.
2. Thanksgiving Leftovers Breakfast Hash
A vegan breakfast hash is one of the easiest ways to use a variety of leftovers. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, roasted vegetables, vegan sausage, and even leftover greens can come together beautifully.
How to Make:
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Chop leftover roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes.
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Add roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts, carrots, or onions.
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Sauté in a pan with garlic and seasoning until crispy.
Best Toppings:
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Avocado
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Hot sauce
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Vegan sour cream
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Fresh herbs
This dish tastes hearty and satisfying with minimal effort.
3. Tofu Scramble with Leftover Veggies
Leftover vegetables are ideal for bulking up a tofu scramble. Whether you have roasted squash, mushrooms, kale, or green beans, they blend seamlessly with a well-seasoned scramble.
How to Make:
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Crumble tofu and cook with turmeric, garlic powder, and nutritional yeast.
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Add leftover veggies and heat through.
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Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of smoked paprika.
Why You’ll Love It:
It’s high-protein, colorful, and customizable with whatever leftovers you have on hand.
4. Vegan Breakfast Burritos with Thanksgiving Filling
Breakfast burritos are a fantastic way to mix leftovers into a handheld meal. You can fill tortillas with leftover potatoes, veggies, vegan roast, beans, or stuffing.
Best Filling Options:
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Leftover roasted veggie mix
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Mashed potatoes
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Thanksgiving gravy
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Tofu scramble
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Cranberry sauce for a hint of sweetness
How to Make:
Layer fillings inside a warm tortilla, roll tightly, and toast until golden.
This is a perfect grab-and-go breakfast for the morning after a busy holiday.
5. Mashed Potato Breakfast Cakes
Leftover mashed potatoes can easily become crispy breakfast cakes. With just a bit of flour and seasonings, you can fry them into a golden treat.
How to Make:
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Mix mashed potatoes with flour or breadcrumbs.
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Form into small patties.
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Pan-fry until crispy and golden.
Serve With:
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Ketchup
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Vegan sour cream
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Mushroom gravy
It’s a comfort food breakfast using ingredients already in your fridge.
6. Cranberry-Glazed Breakfast Tofu
If you have leftover cranberry sauce, use it as a glaze for tofu. This gives a sweet-savory flavor perfect for fall mornings.
Steps:
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Pan-fry tofu slices until crisp.
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Add cranberry sauce and a splash of water.
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Simmer until thick and sticky.
Serve with potatoes or toast for a complete meal.
Sweet Vegan Breakfast Ideas from Thanksgiving Leftovers
Not all leftovers are savory—some sweet components of your Thanksgiving meal can transform into delicious morning treats as well.
7. Leftover Cranberry Sauce Pancakes
Cranberry sauce makes a fantastic pancake topping or mix-in. It adds fruity tartness and brightness.
How to Use:
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Swirl spoonfuls into pancake batter before cooking.
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Or use as a topping on freshly cooked pancakes.
Why It’s Great:
It refreshes the pancake experience and offsets sweetness with tartness.
8. Sweet Potato Breakfast Parfait
Sweet potato casserole leftovers (without marshmallows or heavy toppings) can become a creamy, vitamin-rich parfait.
How to Make:
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Layer sweet potato puree with vegan yogurt.
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Add granola, nuts, or fruit.
Flavor Boosts:
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Cinnamon
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Maple syrup
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Ginger
This turns a holiday side into a wholesome breakfast.
9. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
If you have leftover pumpkin puree (or even leftover pumpkin pie filling), you can blend it into a fall-inspired smoothie.
Ingredients:
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Pumpkin puree
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Banana
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Plant milk
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Cinnamon and nutmeg
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A touch of maple syrup
This smoothie tastes like dessert but feels nourishing.
10. Bread Pudding Made from Leftover Rolls
Leftover bread or rolls make an excellent base for vegan bread pudding. Use chopped rolls and a simple custard made from plant milk, cornstarch, and maple syrup.
How to Make:
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Tear leftover rolls into pieces.
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Pour custard mixture over them.
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Bake until golden and set.
It's a lovely, warm breakfast—especially served with leftover cranberry sauce.
Leftover Ingredient Guide: What to Turn Into Breakfast
Here’s how to make the most of specific Thanksgiving leftovers:
Mashed Potatoes
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Potato pancakes
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Hash base
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Burrito filling
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Waffle batter enhancer
Roasted Vegetables
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Tofu scramble additions
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Breakfast bowls
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Burritos
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Hash dishes
Stuffing
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Waffles
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Croquettes
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Breakfast sandwiches
Cranberry Sauce
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Pancake topping
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Smoothie sweetener
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Glaze for tofu
Sweet Potatoes
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Parfaits
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Smoothies
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Hash ingredients
Vegan Roast
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Breakfast burritos
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Savory scrambles
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Breakfast bowls
This guide makes it easier to see how you can creatively incorporate every leftover ingredient into breakfast dishes.
Tips for Reheating Leftovers for Breakfast
Certain leftovers need different reheating approaches to maintain texture:
1. Use the Pan for Crispy Results
Roasted veggies, stuffing, and potatoes crisp up better in a skillet.
2. Add Liquid to Dry Leftovers
A splash of broth works wonders on stuffing or roasted vegetables.
3. Use the Oven to Restore Crunch
Items like stuffing waffles or roasted squash reheat more evenly in the oven.
4. Blend Dry Leftovers into Smoothies or Spreads
Sweet potatoes or pumpkin puree can be transformed with just a blender.
5. Re-season as Needed
Leftovers may taste muted the next day—fresh herbs and spices revive them instantly.
A Cozy Way to Extend Your Holiday
The day after Thanksgiving is meant for comfort. It's a time to sleep in, relax, and embrace stillness after a busy holiday. Transforming your leftovers into a warm vegan breakfast enhances the cozy feeling while ensuring nothing goes to waste.
And if you want to extend your plant-based spirit beyond the kitchen, you can always find ethically made vegan apparel at The Dharma Store, a perfect match for those who celebrate compassion in every part of life.
With a little creativity and inspiration, your Thanksgiving leftovers can feel just as special as the big meal itself. Enjoy the slow morning, savor comforting flavors, and start the day with gratitude and warmth.