I know Thanksgiving hasn’t even arrived yet, and here we are already talking about leftovers! But if you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, these Thanksgiving leftover jars are one of the easiest and cutest ways to send your guests home with a little extra holiday food.
Instead of wrapping up paper plates with aluminum foil or digging through your kitchen cabinets for containers you’ll probably never see again, fill large Mason jars with everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving dishes. Think juicy turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, and, of course, plenty of gravy!
I’ve been using Mason jars to package Thanksgiving leftovers for guests for years, and I love how everyone can customize their jar with exactly what they want.
If you’re still planning your holiday meal, be sure to check out my Ultimate Thanksgiving Dinner Menu for delicious turkey recipes, traditional side dishes, and easy make-ahead Thanksgiving ideas.
Why I Love Sending Thanksgiving Leftovers Home in Mason Jars
One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving is all the delicious food we get to enjoy again the next day.
And when you’re the one hosting, you usually end up with a refrigerator packed full of leftover turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and casseroles.
A few years ago, I started sending our Thanksgiving dinner guests home with leftovers packed in Mason jars, and I’ve loved doing it ever since.
They’re practical, inexpensive, reusable, and so much prettier than sending everyone home with a foil-covered paper plate!
But what I really love is how easy they are to customize.
If someone wants nothing but turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, that’s exactly what they get. If another guest wants a little bit of everything, we can layer their favorites together into one delicious Thanksgiving dinner to go.
And if someone doesn’t like their food touching? No problem! I use smaller jars to keep everything separate.
What You’ll Need for Thanksgiving Leftover Jars
You don’t need any fancy supplies to put together these Thanksgiving take-home containers.
- Large wide-mouth Mason jars with lids
- Smaller Mason jars for gravy and side dishes
- A serving spoon for each leftover dish
- Clean kitchen towels or paper towels
- Optional ribbon, baker’s twine, or gift tags
- A marker or labels for dating the leftovers
- An insulated cooler and ice packs for guests traveling home
What Size Mason Jars Are Best?
I like using jumbo pickling jars because they’re big enough to hold an entire meal.
But you can use whatever size works best for your Thanksgiving leftovers.
Quart Mason jars (32 ounces): Perfect for layering turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and vegetables into a complete meal.
Pint Mason jars (16 ounces): Great for smaller portions or when someone only wants a couple of Thanksgiving side dishes.
Half-pint Mason jars (8 ounces): Ideal for cranberry sauce, gravy, or other smaller portions.
I especially recommend wide-mouth Mason jars because they’re much easier to fill and empty without making a huge mess.
One thing to remember is that these jars are meant for refrigerated leftovers, not home-canning a complete Thanksgiving dinner.
The Best Thanksgiving Leftovers to Pack in Mason Jars
Almost anything from your Thanksgiving table can go into these jars, although I recommend packing sauces and foods with crunchy toppings separately.
Here are some delicious combinations to try.
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey
Start with a generous portion of turkey.
Whether you’ve made my Thanksgiving Smoked Turkey or a traditional roasted turkey, sliced or shredded meat works perfectly.
I usually like to cut the turkey into smaller pieces so it’s easy to pack and reheat later.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are one of the best things to layer into Thanksgiving leftover jars because they make a wonderful base for all the other foods.
My Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes are especially delicious with turkey and gravy.
Thanksgiving Stuffing
You can’t have Thanksgiving leftovers without stuffing!
My Chicken Sausage and Apple Stuffing is packed with savory herbs, sausage, and apples, and makes a delicious addition to these jars.
A scoop of stuffing over mashed potatoes with turkey on top gives you all those classic Thanksgiving flavors in one container.
Green Beans and Vegetables
Leftover green beans, carrots, and other vegetables are easy to add to the jars.
Try my Creamy Boursin Green Beans for something a little different, or pack a serving of your favorite green bean casserole.
If you’re using a casserole with crispy onions or another crunchy topping, keep in mind that it may soften in the jar.
Cranberry Relish
I love the sweet and tart flavor of cranberry relish alongside leftover turkey.
My Fresh and Fruity Cranberry Relish is especially good with turkey and stuffing.
You can add a little to the top of the jar, but I prefer keeping it in a smaller container so it doesn’t mix into everything else.
Homemade Turkey Gravy
Whatever you do, don’t forget the gravy!
My Homemade Turkey Gravy from Scratch is perfect for spooning over turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing.
I recommend sending gravy home in a separate small container so guests can warm it up and pour it over their Thanksgiving leftovers when they’re ready to eat.
How to Make Thanksgiving Leftover Jars
Putting together these Thanksgiving leftovers to-go is so simple, and it’s one less thing you’ll have to worry about at the end of the holiday.
Step 1: Get Your Mason Jars Ready
Before Thanksgiving dinner, wash your Mason jars and lids thoroughly and have everything ready to go.
I like to set aside a few different sizes so guests have options depending on how much food they’d like to take home.
You can even add a little ribbon or gift tag to each jar ahead of time.
Step 2: Refrigerate Your Leftovers
After Thanksgiving dinner, divide the leftover food into shallow containers and refrigerate it promptly.
Don’t leave turkey, stuffing, or other perishable foods sitting out while everyone visits. They need to be refrigerated within two hours.
Once the leftovers have chilled, they’re ready to package into your Mason jars.
Step 3: Let Everyone Choose Their Thanksgiving Favorites
This is my favorite part!
Ask your guests what they want to take home, and start filling their jars.
For a complete Thanksgiving dinner in a jar, here’s a delicious layering combination:
- A layer of creamy mashed potatoes
- A generous spoonful of stuffing
- Sliced or shredded turkey
- Green beans or another favorite vegetable
- A little cranberry sauce, if desired
Don’t pack everything too tightly. You want the food to be easy to remove when it’s time to reheat it.
Keep gravy and any additional sauces separate.
Step 4: Secure the Lids and Add a Little Holiday Touch
Once the jars are filled, wipe the rims clean and secure the lids.
If you want to make them a little more festive, tie a piece of ribbon or baker’s twine around each jar.
A simple handwritten gift tag that says “Thankful for You” is such a sweet touch.
You can also label the jars with the date the food was prepared.
Step 5: Send Your Guests Home with Thanksgiving Leftovers
Keep the filled jars refrigerated until your guests are ready to leave.
For anyone traveling more than a very short distance, pack the leftovers in an insulated cooler with ice packs to keep them cold.
Your guests will have an entire homemade Thanksgiving dinner waiting for them the next day, without having to do any of the cooking!
And don’t forget to make a few jars for yourself, too!
More Creative Ways to Package Thanksgiving Leftovers
Mason jars are my favorite, but there are a few other creative ways to send Thanksgiving leftovers home with guests.
Individual meal prep containers: These are great for guests who prefer keeping their food separate. Divided containers make it easy to pack turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and vegetables without everything mixing together.
Disposable takeout containers: If you’re hosting a large Thanksgiving gathering, food-safe takeout containers with lids are convenient and easy to stack.
Small containers for sauces: Send gravy, cranberry sauce, and salad dressings home separately so everything stays fresh and tastes better when reheated.
Thanksgiving leftover gift bags: Package a securely sealed container of chilled leftovers with a small dinner roll or other separately wrapped item, then add a holiday gift tag. Keep all perishable foods cold during transport.
How Long Do Thanksgiving Leftovers Last?
Proper food storage is important, especially when you’re sending Thanksgiving leftovers home with family and friends.
According to USDA food safety guidance, cooked Thanksgiving leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours and eaten within three to four days.
A few helpful tips:
- Keep leftover turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and casseroles refrigerated at 40°F or below.
- Store larger quantities in shallow containers first so they cool quickly.
- Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Transfer food out of the Mason jars and into a microwave-safe or oven-safe dish before reheating.
- Freeze leftovers within three to four days if you won’t be eating them right away.
Don’t put cold Mason jars directly into a hot oven. Sudden temperature changes can cause glass to break.
Delicious Recipes to Make with Thanksgiving Leftovers
Of course, sending everyone home with Thanksgiving leftovers isn’t the only way to use up all that wonderful food!
Sometimes the best part of the holiday is turning everything that’s left in the refrigerator into an entirely new meal.
Here are two of my favorite recipes.
Thanksgiving Turkey Chowder
My Thanksgiving Soup with Turkey Chowder has all those cozy holiday flavors in one delicious bowl.
It’s made with turkey, potatoes, vegetables, and a creamy broth, and I love adding a scoop of stuffing right in the middle.
It’s perfect for the day after Thanksgiving when you’re craving something warm and comforting.
The Ultimate Leftover Turkey Sandwich
If you’ve never tried my Ultimate Leftover Turkey Sandwich, you’re missing out!
It’s piled high with leftover turkey, smoked Gouda, crispy bacon, and a sweet and tangy homemade cranberry mayo.
It’s one of my favorite reasons to make extra turkey every Thanksgiving.
For even more Thanksgiving recipe inspiration, visit my Ultimate Thanksgiving Dinner Menu.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving Leftover Jars
Can you store Thanksgiving leftovers in Mason jars?
Yes! Clean, food-safe Mason jars can be used for refrigerated Thanksgiving leftovers. Just make sure the food is chilled promptly and stored in the refrigerator. Layered Thanksgiving dinner jars aren’t shelf-stable and should never be stored at room temperature.
What is the best way to send Thanksgiving leftovers home with guests?
Reusable Mason jars, divided meal-prep containers, and leakproof takeout containers are all great options. Pack chilled leftovers, label them with the preparation date, and keep them cold during transportation.
Can you make Thanksgiving leftover jars ahead of time?
You can prepare the clean jars, lids, ribbon, and labels before Thanksgiving. The food itself should be safely refrigerated after dinner and packaged when chilled.
Can you freeze Thanksgiving leftovers in Mason jars?
Some Mason jars are specifically designed for freezing, but not all are. Choose freezer-safe jars, follow the manufacturer’s headspace recommendations, and avoid sudden temperature changes. For mixed Thanksgiving meals, freezer-safe food storage containers are often more practical.
How do you reheat Thanksgiving leftovers in a jar?
I recommend removing the food from the Mason jar and transferring it to a microwave-safe bowl or oven-safe dish. Add a little gravy or broth to keep the turkey and stuffing moist, and heat everything to 165°F before serving.
What foods should you keep separate in Thanksgiving leftover jars?
Gravy, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and foods with crispy toppings are usually better packed separately. This helps preserve their flavors and textures until you’re ready to enjoy them.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and while I love spending time in the kitchen preparing a big homemade dinner, I think the leftovers are almost as exciting as the meal itself!
These Thanksgiving leftover jars are such a simple, thoughtful way to send your family and friends home with something delicious.
They’re inexpensive, reusable, easy to customize, and look so much nicer than a stack of foil-covered plates.
Whether your guests love turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, or a little bit of everything, everyone gets to enjoy their own personal Thanksgiving feast all over again.
I hope you’ll give this fun holiday hosting idea a try this year!
And if you’re looking for more recipes to make your Thanksgiving extra special, don’t forget to browse my complete Thanksgiving dinner menu.
How do you send your guests home with Thanksgiving leftovers? Do you use Mason jars, meal-prep containers, or something else? I’d love to hear your ideas!
