9 Thanksgiving Leftovers That Could End Up in the Trash, and How to Save Them
Thanksgiving leftovers are practically an American tradition, but a surprising amount of that holiday feast goes uneaten. Food-waste nonprofit ReFED estimated that Americans would discard 320 million pounds of food on Thanksgiving Day in 2025, worth about $550 million. Even more revealing, over 90% of Thanksgiving hosts surveyed said they deliberately prepared more food than their guests needed.
And while leftovers are part of the celebration, keeping them doesn’t guarantee they’ll get eaten. A MITRE-Gallup study found that three in ten Americans throw out unwanted leftovers at least once a week, although that figure isn’t specific to Thanksgiving. From turkey and stuffing to forgotten cranberry sauce, these nine holiday favorites deserve a closer look before they become another contribution to America’s food-waste problem.
Turkey
Leftover turkey is the centerpiece of Thanksgiving, but it’s also a major source of holiday food waste. ReFED’s 2025 analysis estimated that turkey accounts for 40% of food discarded on Thanksgiving, making it a particularly important leftover to manage.
Chef and cookbook author Joel Gamoran told the Associated Press, “It’s OK to make the whole bird,” emphasizing the importance of planning how to use the extra meat.
Instead of letting another turkey sandwich become a chore, try turning the remaining meat into soup, pot pie, or turkey patties.
Stuffing
Stuffing or dressing has a complicated relationship with American Thanksgiving tables. Campbell’s 2025 State of the Sides survey found that 63% of respondents preferred side dishes over turkey, yet a separate 2024 survey by The Vacationer found that 32.05% of respondents disliked stuffing.
Being unpopular with some diners doesn’t necessarily mean a dish gets thrown away, but making a huge pan for reluctant guests can leave plenty behind. Try using extra stuffing in a turkey casserole or freezing individual portions for another meal.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes rarely need an introduction, especially when they’re sitting beside a generous serving of gravy. A 2025 YouGov survey found that 61% of Americans expected to eat mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving, making them one of the holiday’s most familiar dishes.
The challenge begins when a large bowl remains after everyone has helped themselves, and nobody feels excited about eating the same potatoes again. Tufts University recommends freezing mashed potatoes in smaller portions, while chef Joel Gamoran suggests turning them into waffles or pancakes for breakfast.
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce might be Thanksgiving’s most divisive little side dish, and the numbers help explain why. In Instacart’s 2024 Harris Poll survey, 27% of respondents named cranberry sauce their least favorite Thanksgiving dish, making it an obvious candidate for reconsideration when planning portions.
ReFED executive director Sara Burnett has shared a creative solution: cranberry grilled cheese sandwiches made with leftover turkey, cheese, greens, and cranberry sauce.
That spoonful you almost discarded could give tomorrow’s sandwich a surprisingly delicious holiday twist.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes and yams can arrive at Thanksgiving dinner roasted, mashed, or tucked beneath a sweet casserole topping. However, The Vacationer’s 2024 survey found that 29.17% of respondents disliked sweet potatoes or yams, suggesting that generous servings aren’t necessarily appreciated by everyone.
When guests have several favorites competing for space on their plates, that beautiful casserole may receive less attention than expected. For simpler sweet potato preparations, Tufts University suggests turning leftovers into soup, giving those extra portions a new role at the table.
Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole has earned its place in Thanksgiving history, but its popularity doesn’t mean everyone wants a second helping. Campbell’s 2025 survey found that 44% of respondents considered it the most iconic Thanksgiving side, demonstrating the lasting appeal of this familiar favorite.
Unfortunately, the crispy onion topping can lose its crunch after storage, and Tufts University notes that creamy casseroles can change texture when frozen and thawed.
Instead of automatically making an oversized casserole, consider how much your family actually finished last Thanksgiving and adjust the recipe accordingly.
Dinner Rolls
Dinner rolls are easy to overlook when there’s turkey to carve, gravy to pour, and several casseroles demanding attention. Still, they’re a Thanksgiving staple: 58% of Americans in YouGov’s 2025 survey expect to eat bread or rolls during the holiday.
The trouble comes when a generous basket sits untouched after dinner, especially if everyone has already filled up on the main dishes. Tufts University recommends wrapping leftover rolls individually in foil and placing them in freezer-safe bags, while ReFED suggests using rolls to make leftover turkey sliders.
Gravy
Leftover gravy rarely gets the same attention as turkey or stuffing, even though it helps bring the whole holiday meal together. YouGov’s 2025 survey found that 56% of Americans expected gravy on their Thanksgiving tables, highlighting how familiar this simple accompaniment remains.
The problem is that once the leftover meat and potatoes disappear, a separate container of gravy can be forgotten at the back of the refrigerator. Consider saving it in small portions for turkey pot pie or another meal, rather than automatically preparing more than your household will use.
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie feels essential on many Thanksgiving tables, but dessert preferences vary more than tradition suggests. The Vacationer’s 2024 survey found that 21.5% of respondents disliked pumpkin pie, so consider how many people will actually want a slice.
After a long meal, even enthusiastic dessert lovers may save their slices for later, leaving another holiday dish competing for refrigerator space. Tufts University recommends wrapping leftover pumpkin pie tightly before freezing, a practical way to avoid watching an untouched dessert go to waste.
The best Thanksgiving leftovers aren’t necessarily the ones you make the most of, but the ones you plan to enjoy long after the holiday plates have been cleared.
Related: This Michigan Town Is Turning Pumpkin Season into a Weekend of Family Fun
