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Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipe Roundup
As a food blogger, by the time Thanksgiving actually comes around in late November I have already cooked upwards of two to three turkeys while testing recipes before the actual holiday. In doing this I have come up with some pretty creative ways to use up extra turkey, mashed potatoes (and more) so the classics are reinvented in new ways for you.
While taking everything out of the fridge and stacking it on a sandwich is great, I don’t want your family to get sick of having the same meal for days on end. Instead of reliving Thanksgiving like its “groundhog day”. Turn to these recipes for inspiration to create new meals out of leftovers so that extra food doesn’t go to waste!
Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipe Roundup
Check out ELEVEN of my favorite Thanksgiving leftover recipes with more tips below:
Thanksgiving Leftover Mashed Potato Croquettes
Transform your leftover mashed potatoes into irresistible croquettes! Mixed with crispy bacon, Parmesan, and chives, these bites are rolled, dredged, and fried to golden perfection. Served with a tangy cranberry mayo, they’re the ultimate holiday-inspired snack or appetizer.
Butternut Squash, Chard & Bacon Quiche
Add whatever leftover veggies and greens you have from Thanksgiving dinner into this flexible recipe for quiche. Swap the butternut squash for roasted sweet potatoes. You can also add leftover roasted turkey or chopped green beans.
Turkey and Wild Rice Soup with Garlic Oil
I like this recipe for Thanksgiving leftovers because it is a nice change of pace from feeling “over holiday themed”. The comforting soup is great for rainy days!
Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Panini with Turkey, Brie, Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Cranberry Mayo
Take your Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich to the next level with this panini. This sandwich combines roasted turkey with mayo made with leftover cranberry sauce and shredded Brussels sprouts.
Turkey, Apple & Brie Open-Face Sandwich
I typically use deli-sliced turkey for this sandwich but you can easily swap in sliced pieces of turkey breast. Serve the turkey sandwich open-face or closed for a tasty lunch.
Mini Thanksgiving Turkey & Cranberry Pot Pies
If using leftovers, simply swap out the ground turkey for chopped turkey meat in the filling mixture and bake as directed. You can also sub chicken for turkey in this similar classic pot pie recipe and make turkey pot pie.
Roasted Butternut Squash & Balsamic Brussels Sprouts Flatbread Pizza with Goat Cheese
Take your leftover roasted vegetables and spread them onto this flatbread! You could even add sautéed greens or chopped roasted turkey as well.
Thai Green Curry Chicken
Instead of chicken thighs swap in cooked, chopped turkey meat. Since the meat is already cooked, just make the curry and add the meat, cooking until it’s warmed.
Not only is it delicious but doing what’s called “sandbagging” (using shortcuts in cooking to cut down on prep time) the meal comes together in about 15 minutes.
Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
This hearty dish is a great way to use up any leftover mashed potatoes, turkey, and other vegetables or to savor those holiday flavors year round. Throw in anything from Brussels sprouts to chopped green beans.
Turkey Sausage Sandwich with Gouda, Cranberry Mayo & Bacon
In this recipe turkey sausage patties are served with crispy hickory-smoked bacon, melted nutty gouda cheese and homemade cranberry mayonnaise and topped with arugula on toasted sourdough bread.
Turkey Enchiladas Verde with Corn
For a flavorful twist, swap shredded roasted turkey for chicken in this enchiladas recipe! And try creamed corn or roasted corn instead of sautéed sweet corn for an extra layer of sweetness and texture.
A Few More Tips
- Make a turkey salad as you would a chicken salad. Mix chopped leftover roasted turkey with mayonnaise, a little dijon mustard, salt and pepper and add to toasted bread or a bagel with lettuce and avocado. Serve the turkey salad over some mixed greens for a lighter lunch.
- Make the famous “moist-maker” sandwich from the show Friends. It’s made by stacking leftover stuffing, roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce (I add arugula) on a sandwich with an extra slice of bread dipped in gravy in the middle.
- Add turkey instead of grilled chicken over your favorite salads!
- Make turkey stock! Add your turkey carcass, chopped carrots and onions, thyme and celery to a large pot and simmer with water. You can follow the instructions for my homemade chicken stock here.
- Toss whatever fillings you want into egg roll wrappers (I recommend about 2 tablespoons of filling in each egg roll so it doesn’t break open). Add enough oil to reach 2-inches up the side of a large cast iron skillet. Heat the oil to 350ºF (180ºC). Once oil is hot, work in batches and add egg rolls and fry until golden brown on all sides, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate or rack set over a baking sheet to drain.
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