This 5-Ingredient Mashed Potato Hack Is Our Most Popular Thanksgiving Leftover Idea of All Time

published Nov 23, 2023
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Credit: Joe Lingeman

As great as Thanksgiving dinner is, I would argue that the best part is knowing how many leftovers you have forward to in the coming days. Still, even the most delicious holiday fare can get a little old after spending days eating reheated lunches. So to help you mix things up a little in the coming days, we at Kitchn are here to share our most popular Thanksgiving leftover idea of all time — and you’ll only need five ingredients!

No offense to pies, but potatoes are the star of the show on Turkey Day — mashed potatoes, casseroles, you name it! But your holiday taters can also be repurposed as delicious potato cakes long after your extended family members have left. If you already have mashed potatoes on hand, all you’ll need is cheese, flour, an egg, and vegetable oil to get started.

First, add 3 ounces of cheese (any kind you want!), one large egg, and half a cup of all-purpose flour to 2 1/4  cups of mashed potatoes and stir to combine. For best results, we recommend adding one flour tablespoon at a time until the mixture is stiff.

After seasoning your mixture with salt and pepper, scoop it out with a 1/4 cup measuring cup and form small potato discs with your hand, pressing until they’re about 1/2 an inch thick. Once you’re done, place the discs on a baking sheet and line another baking sheet with paper towels. Next, heat 3/4 cup vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once it’s simmering, add five potato cakes at a time to the pan, cooking them until they’re deep brown. And voila! A tasty, easy way to keep the Thanksgiving goodness going. 

Don’t be afraid to get creative, either! Feel free to experiment with garnishes and toppings, from chives to bacon. And make sure to keep them refrigerated for no longer than four days for best results.

You can find Kitchn’s full potato cake recipe here. Enjoy!