One factor you may depend on each Friday after Thanksgiving: There shall be leftovers. For some folks, that’s among the finest components of turkey day.
However even essentially the most avid turkey sandwich fanatic will get slightly uninterested in them after just a few days.
After all, “I’m sick of it” is not any excuse to throw away completely good meals.
So earlier than you’re tempted to toss the stays of your turkey dinner within the trash, take a look at these scrumptious and inventive Thanksgiving leftover recipes.
30 Methods to Repurpose Your Thanksgiving Leftovers
From classics like soup to surprises like nachos, you’re certain to search out one thing to reignite your vacation urge for food.
Though many of those dishes comprise a couple of conventional Thanksgiving ingredient, we’ve organized them by their essential part so you may simply discover a recipe that matches your distinctive Thanksgiving leftover state of affairs.
That mentioned, a few of them look so good, you would possibly wish to make Thanksgiving dinner over again…
Turkey
The principle occasion can be the one probably to depart loads behind — regardless of how insistent mother is that every visitor takes some residence.
Right here’s tips on how to remodel that pile of leftover turkey meat right into a scrumptious new dish.
1. Turkey Salad
The day after Thanksgiving, an enormous, hearty meal is likely to be the very last thing in your thoughts.
Loosen up your menu by making leftover turkey right into a salad — both the creamy, mayo-based form you serve on bread, or the type with precise lettuce — like a rooster salad, however with turkey as an alternative!
This cranberry pecan model from Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen appears to be like beautiful, and Self Proclaimed Foodie’s Krissy substitutes Greek yogurt as an alternative of (or along with!) mayonnaise.
2. Turkey Frittata
What’s eggy, scrumptious and completely applicable for breakfast, lunch or dinner?
A frittata, in fact!
Jackie at Domestic Fits gives a recipe that’ll deplete your leftover turkey and rolls in a snap, and Yasmin Fahr suggests dipping her frittata in leftover cranberry sauce blended with slightly little bit of dijon mustard.
However identical to an omelette, the chances are infinite. Simply crack some eggs and put in your pondering cap. Bonus if you should utilize extra of your vacation leftovers on this dish.
3. Leftover Thanksgiving Nachos
Right here’s a brand new tackle nachos.
Meals Community gives this appetizing tray of leftover Thanksgiving nachos, together with leftover turkey, roasted Brussels sprouts and butternut squash.
It even makes use of up the final of that may of French-fried onions you place in your inexperienced bean casserole.
4. Turkey Tetrazzini
What’s a greater mate on your leftover turkey than mayonnaise?
Strive a creamy, tacky mushroom sauce — full with spaghetti.
Tetrazzini, a basic American pasta dish, works properly with all types of poultry and fish, and leftover turkey is not any exception. Plus, The Pioneer Woman’s model requires a complete block of cream cheese.
5. Turkey Milanese
This fancy-sounding dish by Bobby Flay really appears to be like fairly darn straightforward to place collectively.
And when you skip the pomegranate molasses, you most likely have already got most of those substances in your pantry.
6. Turkey Pizza
Sound unconventional? Certain — however the very best half about making pizza at residence goes past your native joint’s normal repertoire.
If you happen to’re nonetheless unconvinced, take a look at ReadySetEat’s artichoke turkey pizza. Simply seize a premade crust and add some leftover turkey, diced tomatoes, canned artichokes and olives, and two varieties of cheese (as a result of, sure).
7. Turkey Enchiladas
Repurpose an American basic right into a Mexican dish that predates the beginning of our nation.
There are many variations on the market. Right here’s among the finest Thanksgiving leftover recipes we’ve discovered.
You’ll want:
1.5 onions
- 2 cloves garlic
- 4 cups cooked, leftover turkey, shredded
- 8 tablespoons delicate chili powder
- 2 contemporary jalapenos
- 1 cup smoked barbecue sauce
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon every cumin, oregano and sugar
- 3 cups of rooster broth (or your individual do-it-yourself turkey inventory; see merchandise #13 on this listing!)
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch dissolved in 4 tablespoons half-and-half
- 1 cup shredded monterey jack or cheddar cheese
- 12 tortillas
- salt and pepper
- cooking oil (resembling olive)
- frying oil (resembling canola)
- bitter cream
- inexperienced onions
Make your enchilada sauce by pureeing the delicate chili powder, contemporary jalapenos, barbecue sauce, one quartered onion, one clove of garlic, the can of tomato sauce, the cumin, oregano and sugar, a teaspoon of salt, an eighth of a teaspoon of pepper and two tablespoons of cooking oil.
Fry the combination up in scorching oil for about 5 minutes, stirring continuously.
Then add the broth, a cup of half-and-half, plus the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch dissolved in an extra 4 tablespoons of half and half. Simmer for 2 minutes.
Then, saute the remaining half onion and clove of garlic, diced finely, in scorching oil. Add the shredded turkey, brown barely, and stir in sauce (reserving some) and salt and pepper to style. Warmth, and maintain heat.
Fry the 12 tortillas rapidly in scorching oil. Drain and maintain them heat in a casserole dish. Dip the tortillas in heated sauce, put a strip of filling throughout every, and roll tightly. Organize side-by-side in pan, sprinkle with cheese and warmth in a 350-degree oven for 10 minutes.
Spoon heated sauce over enchiladas and serve with bitter cream and chopped inexperienced onions. Muy bien!
8. Turkey Chili
What higher method to climate the chilly winter months than with a hearty chili?
And because you’ve seemingly obtained extra leftover turkey than you recognize what to do with, this lightened-up model from Ambitious Kitchen is an ideal match.
And when you’re feeling fiery, take a look at Food Network’s leftover turkey chili recipe, which brings the warmth with fire-roasted tomatoes.
9. Turkey “Shepherd’s” Pie
So, let’s assess the Thanksgiving leftover state of affairs. You’ve seemingly obtained the next leftover turkey, gravy, stuffing or dressing and mashed potatoes. Clearly, you have to put all these issues collectively in a single dish with the mashed potatoes on high.
Though it’s referred to as “shepherd’s pie” as a result of it historically comes with lamb, this dish is as easy and cost-effective as it’s tasty. You don’t have to make use of any substances apart from the Thanksgiving leftovers themselves.
Though it’s referred to as “shepherd’s pie” as a result of it historically comes with lamb, this dish — poulterer’s pie? — is as easy and cost-effective as it’s tasty. You don’t have to make use of any substances apart from the Thanksgiving leftovers themselves.
And if you need a full-sized pie, take a look at Martha Stewart’s recipe, which sweetens the cope with leftover cranberry sauce and glazed carrots.
Critically, how lame does that sandwich sound now?
10. Turkey Pot Pie
Bought a leftover pie crust or two, or perhaps a frozen puff pastry?
You can make a perfect turkey pot pie, crammed filled with all of your favourite fixings out of your Thanksgiving feast. This one, for instance, will deplete your leftover inexperienced bean casserole, too.
Need one thing a bit extra handheld?
Take a look at this recipe for “pocket” pies, filled with cranberry sauce, candy and mashed potatoes, stuffing and, in fact, leftover turkey. Make them forward of time and pop ‘em within the toaster oven.
11. Turkey Quesadillas
Quesadillas are an ideal car by which to stuff a Thanksgiving leftover.
This one requires brie and cranberry chutney. Yum.
12. Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
Casseroles are low-cost, filling and scrumptious, to not point out a good way to get these turkey leftovers into hungry stomachs.
There are tons of how to make your Thanksgiving leftovers right into a casserole. This recipe requires canned soups and frozen peas, which you most likely have already got at your disposal.
13. So Many Scrumptious Winter Soups
First issues first: If you happen to’re not making fresh turkey stock with that picked-clean carcass, you’re doing it unsuitable.
Throw some root veggies, spices and what’s left of the hen in a pot, cowl with water and simmer so long as you may stand it — it’s going to odor unbelievable. (This recipe says two to 3 hours, however you may go so long as six, including additional water as wanted).
Then, make that inventory into scrumptious soups. This can be a widespread custom, so there are infinite Thanksgiving leftover recipes for soup to attempt. We advise Alton Brown’s super-simple “bird to the last drop” or this delicious version from The Pioneer Lady.
And take a look at Pinch of Yum’s Easy Turkey Pho, which requires savory fish sauce and candy spices like cinnamon and cloves.
14. OK, High quality, Turkey Sandwiches
Some issues are conventional for a cause. Take into account elevating your turkey sandwich sport with these inventive leftover recipes:
Mashed Potatoes
Within the class of meals that make you go, “I made an excessive amount of of this and I’m not sorry,” mashed potatoes are second solely to the turkey itself.
And though they’re simply as yummy reheated and piled up with leftover gravy, listed below are some extra inventive choices.
15. Potato Pancakes
Potato pancakes would possibly already be the right PNW meals.
They’re scrumptious, filling, versatile and, in fact, cheap — particularly when you may have a ton of leftover mashed potatoes to make use of up.
Costume this basic recipe up along with your favourite toppings… like, say, all that leftover cranberry sauce.
Meals Community Chef Giada De Laurentiis will get eggs and parmesan concerned in her “eggs in purgatory” dish.
Or, you could possibly experiment with throwing extra substances proper into the combination earlier than cooking.
Kelly, who blogs at Just a Taste, suggests cheddar cheese and scallions.
16. Mashed Potato Soup
Sure, extra scrumptious soup.
You’d be hard-pressed to argue in opposition to this loaded mashed potato soup from Mommy Hates Cooking.
As a substitute of rooster broth, sub in that scrumptious turkey inventory you made.
17. Mashed Potato Muffins
Who knew that when you add an egg to leftover mashed potatoes, they’ll bake into fluffy, scrumptious muffins?
Only a Style gives this simple recipe for mashed potato muffins, or do that barely extra concerned recipe for mashed potato “puffs” from The Kitchn.
18. Croquettes
Need a fast and simple method to make use of up your leftover Thanksgiving turkey, leftover potatoes and leftover cranberry sauce multi functional go?
Take a look at Martha Stewart’s recipe for turkey croquettes.
Already used up your turkey? John Torode’s “bubble and squeak” croquettes name for bacon, turnips and cabbage for a complete repackaging of a Thanksgiving fave.
19. Gluten-Free Cake
Guess you didn’t know mashed potatoes may have a spot on the dessert desk.
This lemon drizzle cake ditches flour in favor of floor almonds and mashed potatoes to remain fluffy and flavorful, regardless that it’s gluten-free.
Stuffing
It’s form of a rarity to have any of this left, a minimum of in most homes.
That mentioned, when you do have leftover stuffing, you’re in for a deal with.
20. Fried Stuffing Bites
This recipe is bother.
Fried leftover stuffing served with a cranberry pesto actually is next-level Thanksgiving leftover creativity.
21. Stuffing-Stuffed Mushrooms
This Food Network recipe is tremendous easy and tremendous tasty. Do your self a favor and spring for contemporary parmesan — the stuff within the inexperienced tub has no place on this dish.
Cranberry Sauce
It’s candy however tangy and an ideal praise to that overzealous mound of savory Thanksgiving recipes.
However shockingly, many individuals eat solely a tiny little bit of cranberry sauce, or contemplate it merely compulsory. Buck that pattern and provides these leftover recipes a attempt.
22. Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
Cranberry Upside-Down cake? Sure, please!
This version from Baked In appears to be like pretty much as good because it sounds. Simply substitute your sauce for the contemporary cranberries it requires — or use the leftovers that didn’t make it to your desk within the first place.
23. Cranberry Tartlets
Calling for little greater than dough, an egg and a few sugar, these cranberry tartlets are as elegant as they’re scrumptious, and make a fantastic various to heavier desserts like pumpkin pie.
24. Cranberry Pancakes
Thanksgiving leftovers for breakfast doesn’t should imply hash — not that we don’t love hash!
Spoon your cranberry sauce into pancake batter for a candy breakfast that may change into your new favourite Friday-after-Thanksgiving custom.
25. Cranberry Muffins
Rework that cranberry sauce into subsequent week’s breakfast for the entire household by whipping up a batch of muffins.
This recipe from Kitchen Treaty appears to be like delectable, as does Wes Martin’s cranberry-carrot model.
Inexperienced Bean Casserole
Truthfully, you received’t discover a complete lot of how to repurpose this one — most likely as a result of it’s so darn good reheated and eaten as-is.
However other than spooning it onto salads (or instantly into your mouth) do that straightforward method to make use of up your inexperienced bean casserole.
26. Inexperienced Bean Quiche
This quiche has 9 substances, considered one of which is your leftover inexperienced bean casserole.
Candy Potatoes
Whether or not you sweeten your dinner with candied yams or go for a savory dish, this spud most likely has a spot at your Thanksgiving desk.
Right here’s what to do with the leftovers.
27. Breakfast Hash
DIY your hash utilizing leftover candy potatoes, turkey and poached eggs.
Or, when you’re searching for a extra structured recipe, do that one from EatingWell – a lightened-up hash which brings in an apple to stability the combination.
28. Candy Potato Biscuits
Need a barely sweetened roll, as soon as all of the Thanksgiving crescents have been eaten up?
Check out these sweet potato biscuits courtesy of Spinach Tiger.
29. Candy Potato Pie
Reworking your yams right into a candy potato pie is just about so simple as including crust — and a few evaporated milk or eggs to get the pie’s texture proper.
Strive Taste of Home’s model, full with pecans, or this one from Spinach Tiger.
30. Candy Potato Cake
Right here’s yet one more method to make this Thanksgiving leftover even sweeter: Rework it into cake.
This recipe is paying homage to good, do-it-yourself gingerbread. Make sure you regulate the quantity of sugar you add to the combination relying on how a lot sweetness is already in your yams.
Robert Bruce is a senior author at The PNW. Jamie Cattanach is a contributor to The PNW.