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Leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing; formed into patties, battered, and fried. Sound amazing, right? This is the Thanksgiving leftover recipe you didn’t know you needed. Keep reading to find out how to make delicious, crunchy Thanksgiving croquettes.

Thanksgiving croquettes recipe using leftover Thanksgiving food, from Cheap Recipe Blog

This post was written by my college friend Dan. I’ve been admiring Dan’s food photos on Facebook for awhile now. He’s come up with some really interesting taco recipes, among others.

When he posted this photo of turkey croquettes the other day, I just had to request his recipe. A big thanks to Dan for sharing this delicious Thanksgiving leftover recipe!

About The Recipe: Thanksgiving Leftover Croquettes

Thanksgiving leftovers are one life’s great culinary opportunities. Sure, you could make turkey sandwiches or just reheat, serve, and enjoy the holiday meal again.

But Thanksgiving leftovers can be so much more.

Last year, I felt the pain of boring leftovers, and was inspired by a fleeting image of turkey croquettes.

If you’re not familiar with the term croquette, you’re likely familiar with the food. Think mozzarella sticks, crab cakes, or Scotch eggs.

Commonly, croquettes contain a mashed potato and corn/other veggie interior, with a crunchy breadcrumb exterior. (Check out these breakfast croquettes, pictured below.)

Breakfast croquettes, with a sweet-spicy-tangy dipping sauce. A special-occasion breakfast that will impress your guests!

I wanted to go beyond traditional potato croquettes and make my croquettes a miniaturized version of Thanksgiving dinner.

So my croquettes include the holy trinity of Thanksgiving: turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes.

So, if you still have leftovers waiting in the fridge, pop them open, mix ‘em up and have some fun.

Like what you see? Be sure to follow along on Instagram for pretty photos, tips, and tricks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the questions you have been wondering about but are too afraid to ask about Thanksgiving leftover croquettes!

Q: What are Thanksgiving croquettes made of?

A: These croquettes feature shredded turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. They’re formed into patties, battered, and fried for a crunchy exterior similar to mozzarella sticks or crab cakes.

Q: How do I make Thanksgiving leftover croquettes step-by-step?

A: Mix cold leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing into patties. Coat in a batter (like egg wash and flour), then roll in breadcrumbs for crunch. Fry in hot oil until golden and crispy. Scroll down for detailed recipe.

Q: Why are Thanksgiving croquettes a great way to use leftovers?

A: Instead of plain turkey sandwiches or reheating, croquettes repurpose turkey, stuffing, and potatoes into crispy, flavorful bites. Inspired by traditional croquettes (think potato and veggie interiors), this version captures the essence of Thanksgiving dinner in a portable, bite-sized form.

Q: Can I customize or substitute ingredients in turkey croquettes?

A: Yes! Add veggies like corn or cranberries for extra flair. If you’re short on stuffing, use more mashed potatoes. The batter can include egg for binding – experiment based on your leftovers. Just ensure everything is cold before forming patties to hold shape during frying.

Q: What should I serve with Thanksgiving croquettes?

A: Pair them with a creamy dipping sauce, cranberry salsa, or gravy for dipping. They’re a complete meal on their own but shine as appetizers or alongside other leftover creations.

Q: How do I store and reheat Thanksgiving croquettes?

A: Store fried croquettes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a hot skillet or oven at 375°F to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess. They’re best fresh – but you can freeze uncooked patties for later.

More Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

Repurpose your Thanksgiving leftovers into something creative like:

Thanksgiving croquettes: Perhaps the most delicious way to eat leftover Thanksgiving foods! Click through for recipe!

Thanksgiving Croquettes

Yield: 24 croquettes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

See instructions below for healthier, oven-baked croquettes.

Ingredients

For croquettes

  • 2 cups diced turkey (dark and/or light meat is fine)
  • 2 cups mashed potatoes
  • 2 cups leftover stuffing
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • Flour
  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

  1. Dice turkey into roughly ¼” pieces. This may be my personal preference, but I like to see the chunks of turkey when I split open the croquette.
  2. Mix the mashed potatoes, stuffing and turkey in a large bowl, set aside.
  3. In 3 separate bowls, place flour, lightly beaten eggs and water, and breadcrumbs.
  4. Roll the potato, turkey, stuffing mix into 2-inch balls and coat each in flour, egg, and finally with breadcrumbs. Place on a plate or baking tray. Be sure the give each croquette space so it can dry slightly.
  5. In a large skillet, place an inch of oil to fry the croquettes in batches. Serve with reheated gravy or cranberry sauce.

Modification: Roll a smaller version for appetizers. If you’re not a fan of frying, bake the tray of finished croquettes in the top position of your oven at 425 degrees for roughly 20-25 minutes or until the breadcrumbs have browned nicely.

Adapted from Skinny Taste and Epicurious.

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