If you’re thinking about what to do with leftover gravy, these recipes offer easy, creative ways to transform that heavenly, umami-rich sauce into a new dish.
1/15
Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
We live way out in the country and the nearest grocery store is 25 miles away. So I have become quite skilled at turning leftovers into second-time-around successes like this. —Linda Howe, Jackman, Maine
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 397 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 1192mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 22g protein.
2/15
Turkey Corn Chowder
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe uses Thanksgiving leftovers to create a rich and creamy turkey chowder. My grandmother would even add chopped hard-boiled eggs to this chowder, which gave it a nice richness. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 289 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 603mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein.
3/15
Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Rice Casserole
From the Recipe Creator:
Gravy, soup and sour cream make this rich dish one you’ll want to curl up with. Be prepared to make it often, as it fills ’em up fast and tastes fantastic! —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 305 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 790mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 fat.
4/15
Pork Shepherd’s Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Of all the shepherd's pie recipes I've tried through the years, this version is my favorite. Although I live alone, I enjoy cooking and baking for friends and family. —Mary Arthurs, Etobicoke, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 365 calories, 19g fat (8g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 1045mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein.
5/15
Stuffin’ Muffins
From the Recipe Creator:
If you love stuffing, you won’t be able to get enough of these fun muffin cups that make use of not only leftover stuffing but also green beans, turkey, mashed potatoes, cheddar and gravy. It’s a taste of Thanksgiving in every bite! —Pauline Porterfield, Roxboro, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
2 muffins: 370 calories, 18g fat (5g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 1047mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 17g protein.
6/15
Leftover Pork
From the Recipe Creator:
When I buy pork roast that's too much for two people, I have this second-day dish in mind. It's a family favorite that doesn't taste like leftovers. —Shirley Tower, Southwick, Massachusetts
7/15
One-Pot Thanksgiving Dinner
From the Recipe Creator:
'This meal-in-one tastes like a big holiday dinner without the work,' writes Lynne Hahn of Temecula, California. It's a great way to use up leftover turkey, but Lynne says she often uses thick slices of deli turkey instead.
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 302 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 823mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.
8/15
Stuffing Waffles
From the Recipe Creator:
Turn leftover Thanksgiving stuffing into crispy, savory and toasty stuffing waffles. They’re perfect right out of the waffle iron, drizzled with turkey gravy or dolloped with spoonful of leftover cranberry sauce. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 waffle: 568 calories, 35g fat (7g saturated fat), 124mg cholesterol, 1348mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
9/15
Gobbler Cakes
From the Recipe Creator:
I watched a chef make crab cakes and decided to try it with turkey and stuffing. Now the kids request them year-round, so I buy cooked turkey. —Suzee Krebs, Brielle, New Jersey
10/15
Thanksgiving Stuffed Shells
From the Recipe Creator:
Leftover turkey, dressing and sweet potatoes make terrific stuffing for jumbo pasta shells. We add cheese and use turkey gravy as the sauce for this crowd-pleaser. —Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island
11/15
Beef Patties with Gravy
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend and I discovered this recipe together and both consider it a staple menu item. I fix the moist ground beef patties often for family and friends. We love them with mashed potatoes, rice or noodles and the gravy, which gets great flavor from fresh mushrooms. —Phyllis Miller, Danville, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 438 calories, 24g fat (9g saturated fat), 170mg cholesterol, 825mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 41g protein.
12/15
Turkey Dinner Muffins
From the Recipe Creator:
I love experimenting in the kitchen. That’s how I created these muffins that use up leftovers from a turkey dinner. Team them with a bowl of soup and some fresh fruit for a satisfying lunch. —Margaret Berardi, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts:
1 muffin: 198 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 352mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
13/15
Pinwheel Steak Potpie
From the Recipe Creator:
On cool nights, nothing hits the spot like a steaming homemade potpie—especially one you can get on the table fast. The pinwheel crust on top has become my signature. —Kristin Shaw, Castleton, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 365 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 716mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein.
14/15
Poutine
From the Recipe Creator:
The ultimate in French-Canadian junk food, poutine commonly features warm fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. This side dish is quick to fix with frozen potatoes and packaged gravy but has all the traditional greasy spoon comfort. —Shelisa Terry, Henderson, Nevada
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 244 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 465mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
15/15
After-Thanksgiving Empanadas
From the Recipe Creator:
Turn your leftovers into tasty empanadas using refrigerated pie pastry. We make these savory pastries and freeze them for a quick fix during the holidays. —Cheryl Marinaccio, Webster, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 empanada: 205 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 191mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
What to Do with Leftover Gravy FAQ
How long can leftover gravy be stored?
Leftover gravy can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days. You can cool the gravy rapidly by pouring it into a storage container and placing the container in an ice bath, stirring occasionally. Or transfer the gravy to a shallow food-storage container, refrigerate it with the lid ajar to let steam escape until cooled and then secure the lid.
Can I freeze leftover gravy for later use?
Gravy freezes well for two to three months. Use airtight, freezer-safe containers, or portion it into ice cube trays or small, square silicone molds. Then you can reheat only what you need for your recipe.
Is leftover gravy safe to reheat more than once?
You can reheat leftover gravy more than once if thoroughly heated and rapidly cooled, but the quality and flavor will decrease, and the risk for bacterial growth will increase. Avoid food safety mistakes by reheating gravy to 165ºF and cooling it quickly so it doesn’t remain in the food safety danger zone (40º to 140º) long enough to risk foodborne illness. Instead, divide the gravy into smaller portions and reheat only the amount you need.
