After the feast comes the fridge full of leftovers—a beautiful but sometimes daunting reminder of how much food Thanksgiving can produce. The good news? With a bit of creativity, your vegan Thanksgiving leftovers can easily transform into new, exciting meals that taste fresh, comforting, and completely different from the original spread.
A vegan Thanksgiving leftovers recipe collection isn’t just about saving time and money—it’s about minimizing waste and extending the joy of your plant-based feast. Whether you have extra mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, lentil loaf, or cranberry sauce, there are countless ways to reinvent those dishes into flavorful lunches, dinners, or snacks.
In this guide, we’ll cover creative, waste-free ideas for repurposing your vegan Thanksgiving dishes into brand-new meals that keep your plant-based lifestyle as fun as it is sustainable.
Why Reimagine Vegan Thanksgiving Leftovers?
Repurposing leftovers is both practical and meaningful. It aligns perfectly with the spirit of gratitude that Thanksgiving celebrates—honoring the effort, ingredients, and resources that went into your meal. Here are a few reasons to embrace creative vegan Thanksgiving leftover recipes:
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Reduce Food Waste: Nearly one-third of food in the U.S. ends up wasted. Transforming leftovers helps you do your part for the planet.
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Save Time & Energy: With some meal prep already done, you can whip up delicious new dishes in minutes.
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Stretch Your Budget: Every dollar you save on groceries adds up—and reusing ingredients helps keep costs low.
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Spark Creativity: Leftovers encourage innovation in the kitchen, helping you discover new favorite recipes.
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Stay Nourished: Plant-based meals retain their nutrients beautifully, making your next-day dishes just as wholesome.
The Building Blocks of Leftovers
Before diving into recipes, it helps to group common vegan Thanksgiving dishes by ingredient type. These will form the base for your creative re-creations:
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Proteins: Lentil loaf, chickpea cutlets, tofu roast, tempeh stuffing
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Starches: Mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, cornbread, stuffing, rice dishes
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Vegetables: Roasted root veggies, Brussels sprouts, green beans, squash, kale
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Sauces: Cranberry sauce, mushroom gravy, cashew cream, vegan cheese sauce
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Desserts: Pumpkin pie, apple crisp, or vegan cheesecake remnants
Each of these can be turned into something completely new—let’s explore how.
1. Vegan Thanksgiving “Stuffing Waffles”
Best for: Leftover stuffing or cornbread dressing
Turn yesterday’s stuffing into savory waffles—crispy on the outside, soft inside, and perfect for brunch or a quick lunch.
How to make:
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Preheat a waffle iron and lightly oil it.
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Combine 2 cups of leftover stuffing with a flax “egg” (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) and a splash of plant milk.
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Mix until sticky and cohesive.
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Press into your waffle iron and cook until golden brown.
Serve with mushroom gravy or cranberry sauce for dipping.
Why it works:
Stuffing waffles offer a fun twist that’s both crunchy and comforting. They make an excellent base for open-faced sandwiches, too.
2. Vegan Thanksgiving Burritos
Best for: Lentil loaf, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, and gravy
Wrap up all your Thanksgiving favorites into a hearty handheld meal.
How to make:
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Lay out a large flour or gluten-free tortilla.
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Spread mashed potatoes as the base, add chunks of lentil loaf, a spoonful of roasted veggies, and drizzle with mushroom gravy.
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Roll tightly and grill or toast the burrito for a crispy finish.
Optional twist: Add leftover cranberry sauce for a sweet-tart kick.
Why it works:
It’s portable, satisfying, and a clever way to use up multiple leftovers at once while still tasting like comfort food.
3. Vegan Shepherd’s Pie with Thanksgiving Leftovers
Best for: Mashed potatoes, lentil loaf, or vegetables
Transform mashed potatoes and leftover veggies into a warming shepherd’s pie.
How to make:
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In a casserole dish, layer chopped lentil loaf or chickpeas with mixed roasted vegetables.
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Add a little leftover gravy or vegetable broth to keep it moist.
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Spread mashed potatoes on top and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes until golden.
Why it works:
It’s hearty, easy to assemble, and perfect for feeding the family on the days following Thanksgiving.
4. Vegan “Cranberry BBQ” Sandwiches
Best for: Lentil loaf or tofu roast, cranberry sauce
Create a tangy, smoky sandwich with a festive twist.
How to make:
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In a small pot, mix cranberry sauce with a bit of ketchup, maple syrup, and smoked paprika to create a cranberry BBQ glaze.
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Slice leftover lentil loaf or tofu roast and warm in the sauce.
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Serve on whole grain buns with vegan coleslaw or caramelized onions.
Why it works:
This sandwich brings bold flavor and transforms leftovers into something that feels brand new and restaurant-worthy.
5. Vegan Thanksgiving Buddha Bowls
Best for: Roasted vegetables, grains, sauces, and proteins
Combine your leftovers into colorful, balanced bowls that are as nourishing as they are beautiful.
How to make:
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Start with a base of rice, quinoa, or farro.
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Add sections of roasted squash, green beans, lentil loaf, and greens.
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Top with cashew cream or tahini dressing.
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Sprinkle nuts or seeds for crunch.
Why it works:
Buddha bowls turn leftovers into fresh, customizable meals with minimal effort—perfect for meal prep or a quick weekday lunch.
6. Vegan Mashed Potato Cakes
Best for: Mashed potatoes, herbs, and veggies
These crispy potato cakes are perfect for breakfast or as a side dish.
How to make:
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Mix mashed potatoes with a bit of flour, minced onions, herbs, and any chopped veggies.
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Form into small patties and fry lightly in olive oil until golden.
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Serve with leftover gravy or vegan sour cream.
Why it works:
Crispy outside, creamy inside—these potato cakes are comfort food at its finest, made entirely from leftovers.
7. Vegan Thanksgiving Soup
Best for: Roasted veggies, lentil loaf, and mashed potatoes
Blend your leftovers into a hearty soup that brings all the cozy flavors of Thanksgiving together.
How to make:
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Combine leftover veggies, lentil loaf pieces, and mashed potatoes in a pot with vegetable broth.
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Add herbs like thyme, rosemary, and a dash of nutmeg.
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Blend until smooth, adjust seasoning, and warm through.
Why it works:
This soup is creamy, savory, and rich without needing dairy. It’s the ultimate winter comfort food made from what’s already in your fridge.
8. Sweet Potato Pancakes
Best for: Leftover sweet potato casserole
Turn your sweet side dish into breakfast-worthy pancakes.
How to make:
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Mix leftover sweet potatoes with flour, baking powder, a pinch of cinnamon, and plant milk.
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Cook on a griddle until golden brown on both sides.
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Serve with maple syrup or toasted pecans.
Why it works:
This recipe repurposes sweet potatoes into something fun and fresh. It’s a great way to turn dessert-like leftovers into the next day’s breakfast.
9. Vegan Thanksgiving “Power Salad”
Best for: Roasted vegetables, grains, nuts, and cranberry sauce
Refresh your palate with a salad that’s bright and nutrient-dense.
How to make:
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Toss roasted veggies with fresh greens, leftover grains, and nuts.
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Whisk cranberry sauce with olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard to create a quick dressing.
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Add avocado or chickpeas for protein.
Why it works:
After a heavy meal, this vibrant salad offers balance and nourishment without feeling like “leftovers.”
10. Vegan Thanksgiving Parfaits
Best for: Leftover desserts like pumpkin pie, apple crisp, or cheesecake
Layer dessert scraps into a beautiful parfait for a sweet finish.
How to make:
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Crumble leftover pie crusts or crisp toppings.
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Layer them in glasses with vegan whipped cream or coconut yogurt and any fruit compote you have left.
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Repeat layers until full and top with nuts or spices.
Why it works:
It’s elegant, easy, and eliminates waste while turning old desserts into something new and exciting.
Bonus Ideas for Minimal Waste
If you’re serious about cutting down food waste this Thanksgiving, here are extra ways to make the most of every ingredient:
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Freeze portions: Many vegan dishes freeze beautifully—especially soups, lentil loaves, and casseroles.
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Compost scraps: Vegetable peels, herbs, and fruit rinds can nourish your garden instead of the landfill.
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Make broth: Use leftover roasted veggie bits and herbs to simmer a flavorful homemade stock for future recipes.
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Repurpose sauces: Leftover gravy or cashew cheese sauce makes a great pasta topping or sandwich spread.
Hosting Tip: Plan Portions Thoughtfully
The easiest way to reduce waste? Cook just enough for your guest list. When planning, consider portions realistically—roughly 1 cup of sides and 4 ounces of main per person is a good rule of thumb. But even when there’s more than expected, these recipes ensure every bite is appreciated.
Keeping the Compassion Beyond the Feast
A vegan Thanksgiving celebrates gratitude not just for good food, but for the world around us. Extending that compassion to how we use leftovers honors the same values of mindfulness and sustainability.
And if you want to keep those values front and center year-round, check out The Dharma Store. They create vegan-themed t-shirts made from organic cotton—ethical, comfortable, and perfect for expressing your plant-based pride during the holidays and beyond.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving doesn’t end with the big meal—it continues with how you treat what’s left behind. By transforming leftovers into delicious, creative new dishes, you keep the celebration going while reducing waste and honoring the abundance of the season.
From stuffing waffles and cranberry BBQ sandwiches to pumpkin parfaits, these vegan Thanksgiving leftover recipes prove that plant-based cooking is as resourceful as it is rewarding.
So open your fridge, get creative, and give those leftovers a second life—you’ll be surprised at how many new favorites you can discover.