Home Vegan Post Vegan Thanksgiving Breakfast Ideas for the Morning After

Vegan Thanksgiving Breakfast Ideas for the Morning After


The morning after Thanksgiving is often slow, cozy, and in need of comforting food — but ideally without starting completely from scratch. That’s why vegan Thanksgiving breakfast ideas for leftovers are the perfect solution. Instead of reheating the same dishes, you can turn your fridge full of plant-based holiday favorites into creative, delicious breakfast recipes that feel new and exciting.

Leftover stuffing, roasted vegetables, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and even vegan roasts can become hearty scrambles, savory waffles, sweet pastries, hashes, and breakfast bowls. With just a few additional pantry staples, you can make your post-holiday breakfast feel intentional and satisfying, helping you ease into the day after a festive feast.

Below, you’ll find creative vegan breakfast ideas specifically designed to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers, plus preparation tips, flavor combinations, reheating guidelines, and serving suggestions to help you transform the morning after into its own celebration. And if you're embracing plant-based living this holiday season, The Dharma Store offers vegan-themed t-shirts made from organic cotton — perfect for lounging through a cozy holiday weekend.

Why Leftovers Make the Best Vegan Breakfasts

1. They’re already full of flavor.

Thanksgiving dishes are seasoned with herbs, spices, and aromatics, which makes them ideal for remixing into flavorful breakfasts without extra effort.

2. They save time.

With most of the components cooked the night before, you only need quick assembly or light reheating.

3. They reduce waste.

Repurposing your leftovers into new meals helps cut down on unused food.

4. They create comfort without heaviness.

Lightly transforming leftovers into savory or sweet breakfasts brings warmth and satisfaction without feeling like another huge feast.

5. They’re easy to customize.

Whether you prefer sweet morning dishes, savory scrambles, protein-packed bowls, or crunchy waffles, leftovers adapt effortlessly.

Vegan Thanksgiving Breakfast Ideas for Leftovers

Below are the best ways to turn yesterday’s meal into a satisfying holiday-weekend breakfast. Each idea is naturally vegan and designed to be simple, practical, and crowd-friendly.

1. Stuffing Waffles (Crispy & Savory)

Stuffing waffles are a classic day-after-Thanksgiving hack — the waffle iron transforms stuffing into a crispy, golden breakfast base.

How to Make

  1. Combine leftover stuffing with a splash of vegetable broth to rehydrate it slightly.

  2. Preheat a waffle iron and lightly oil it.

  3. Pack stuffing tightly into the waffle iron and cook until crispy.

  4. Serve with vegan gravy, a dollop of cranberry sauce, or sautéed vegetables.

Why It Works

The herbs in stuffing pair perfectly with savory breakfast toppings and make an impressive (yet easy) morning dish.

2. Thanksgiving Leftover Hash (Colorful & Hearty)

A hash is one of the easiest ways to use up roasted vegetables, vegan roast pieces, potatoes, and greens.

Ingredients You Can Use

  • Leftover Brussels sprouts

  • Roasted carrots

  • Sweet potatoes

  • Mashed potatoes

  • Cranberry sauce (for drizzling)

  • Chopped vegan turkey-style roast

  • Fresh or leftover herbs

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a skillet.

  2. Add chopped leftovers and press lightly to create crispy edges.

  3. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.

  4. Top with fresh herbs and optional hot sauce.

Serving Tip

Add a side of toast or avocado for extra richness.

3. Cranberry Oat Breakfast Bars

Turn leftover cranberry sauce into cozy breakfast bars that feel both fresh and festive.

How to Make

  1. Mix oats, maple syrup, almond flour, and melted coconut oil.

  2. Press half into a baking dish.

  3. Spread a layer of cranberry sauce in the middle.

  4. Add remaining oat mixture on top and bake until golden.

Why It’s Great

These bars are portable and can also be eaten as a snack throughout the weekend.

4. Mashed Potato Pancakes (Crispy & Comforting)

Leftover mashed potatoes make delicious savory breakfast pancakes — crisp on the outside and soft inside.

Ingredients

  • Mashed potatoes

  • Flour or gluten-free blend

  • Green onions

  • Salt, pepper, garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Mix mashed potatoes with just enough flour to form a dough-like consistency.

  2. Shape into patties.

  3. Pan fry in oil until golden brown on both sides.

Flavor Boost

Serve with vegan sour cream, leftover gravy, or sautéed mushrooms.

5. Sweet Pumpkin Oatmeal (Cozy & Creamy)

If you have leftover pumpkin puree from pie or side dishes, transform it into a breakfast bowl.

How to Make

  1. Heat oats with almond milk on the stove.

  2. Add pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup.

  3. Top with toasted pecans or leftover crumble from desserts.

Why It’s Perfect

Warm, nostalgic spices make this breakfast feel like a continuation of Thanksgiving flavors.

6. Vegan Breakfast Sandwich Using Leftover Roasts

Use leftover vegan roasts or tofu cutlets to build a decadent breakfast sandwich.

How to Build It

  • Toasted English muffin or bagel

  • Sliced leftover vegan roast

  • Cranberry sauce spread

  • Baby spinach

  • Pan-fried tofu or leftover stuffing patty

Optional Add-Ons

Avocado, herbs, mustard, or sautéed mushrooms.

7. Leftover Veggie Frittata (Chickpea-Based, Egg-Free)

A chickpea flour frittata is the perfect vessel for leftover vegetables.

Ingredients

  • Chickpea flour

  • Water

  • Olive oil

  • Leftover vegetables

  • Salt, pepper, turmeric

Instructions

  1. Make batter with chickpea flour and water.

  2. Add chopped leftover veggies.

  3. Pour into a baking dish or skillet.

  4. Bake until firm and golden.

Serving Idea

Pair with a side salad or toast.

8. Vegan French Toast Casserole with Leftover Bread Rolls

Extra dinner rolls or bread can be repurposed into a comforting breakfast casserole.

Steps

  1. Tear leftover rolls into chunks.

  2. Mix almond milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, and ground flax.

  3. Pour mixture over the bread.

  4. Bake until golden and set.

Top With

Cranberry sauce
Pecans
Powdered sugar
Maple syrup

9. Thanksgiving Breakfast Bowls (Customizable & Nourishing)

A breakfast bowl is a simple, nutritious way to combine multiple leftovers in one dish.

Components

  • Base: quinoa, farro, or rice

  • Protein: leftover lentils, roasted chickpeas, or vegan roast

  • Veggies: roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots, squash

  • Sauce: leftover gravy, tahini, or cranberry drizzle

Why Bowls Work

They’re flexible and ensure no leftovers go to waste.

10. Leftover Pie Milkshake (Dessert-for-Breakfast Fun)

For a treat-style breakfast, a leftover slice of vegan pie (pumpkin or sweet potato works best) can be turned into a dairy-free milkshake.

How to Make

  1. Blend leftover pie slice with almond milk and ice.

  2. Add cinnamon or vanilla for extra warmth.

  3. Serve with whipped coconut cream, if desired.

Why It’s Popular

It’s indulgent but still uses leftovers creatively.

Tips for Using Thanksgiving Leftovers in Vegan Breakfasts

1. Re-season leftovers for breakfast

Adding spices like turmeric, smoked paprika, cinnamon, or fresh herbs makes dishes feel fresh and distinct from the holiday dinner.

2. Crisp everything

Whether in a skillet or oven, crisping leftovers gives new texture and flavor.

3. Balance sweet and savory

Pair cranberry sauce with savory elements; pair stuffing with something mildly sweet like maple drizzle.

4. Keep components separate until assembly

This prevents soggy dishes and allows for easier reheating.

5. Don’t overcomplicate it

Leftovers shine best when you enhance them lightly, not rebuild them entirely.

Make-Ahead Breakfast Ideas Using Your Leftovers

If you want a low-effort morning after Thanksgiving, assemble these dishes the night before:

Cranberry Oat Bars

Bake and refrigerate overnight.

French Toast Casserole

Assemble the dish, refrigerate, and bake the next morning.

Pumpkin Oatmeal

Make a large batch and reheat on the stove with a splash of milk.

Stuffing Waffle Mix

Prep stuffing the night before so it’s ready for pressing.

How to Reheat Thanksgiving Leftovers Properly

Stuffing

Reheat in a skillet or waffle iron for crispiness.

Roasted Veggies

Toss in a hot skillet with oil to revive caramelization.

Mashed Potatoes

Warm on the stove with a splash of nondairy milk.

Vegan Roasts

Slice thinly and pan-sear for best texture.

Cranberry Sauce

Serve chilled or room temperature.

Following proper reheating techniques ensures leftovers keep their integrity in new breakfast dishes.

Pairing Ideas for a Complete Post-Thanksgiving Vegan Breakfast

Hot Drinks

  • Chai latte

  • Maple cinnamon coffee

  • Peppermint tea

  • Hot cider

Fresh Additions

  • Sliced fruit

  • Avocado

  • Toast with vegan butter

On-the-Side

  • Leftover rolls

  • Vegan yogurt

  • Granola

A few fresh items balanced with leftovers make the breakfast feel restorative after a heavy holiday feast.

Final Thoughts

Creating vegan Thanksgiving breakfast ideas for leftovers is one of the most enjoyable parts of the holiday weekend. With a bit of creativity, yesterday’s stuffing, roasted vegetables, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, pumpkin puree, and plant-based roasts can become entirely new, flavorful breakfasts — comforting, satisfying, and perfect for a slow morning at home.

Whether you prefer something sweet like cranberry oat bars or pumpkin oatmeal, or something savory like stuffing waffles or leftover hashes, these recipes help you stretch your Thanksgiving feast into a memorable next-day meal. And to bring a touch of vegan pride into your holiday weekend, check out The Dharma Store for organic cotton vegan-themed t-shirts that celebrate plant-based living during the festive season.