Traditional Turkey sandwiches, turkey soup with stuffing, and salad, oh my! Do not let those Thanksgiving leftovers go to waste; enjoy them. Thanksgiving is usually followed by a nap and leftovers. Let’s be honest the leftovers are one of the best parts of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Leftovers – What To Make
Everyone likes being able to grab some good leftover food and munch, but after a day or two, leftovers might become old news. To be sure the family does not just throw out what is not consumed, come up with ways to make meals with the leftovers.
Creative and Delicious Sandwiches To Make
Left over turkey sandwiches seem to be a must have after the big turkey day but these varieties might become a new favorite!
Classic Turkey Sandwich
* Sandwich Bread
* Mayonnaise
* Turkey
Turkey Stuffing Sandwich
* Sandwich
* Mayonnaise
* Turkey
* Stuffing
* Cranberry (optional)
Cream Cheese Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
* Philly cream cheese
* Mayonnaise
* Sandwich Bread
* Turkey
* Cranberry slices or whole berries
* Stuffing (optional)
* Lettuce or sprouts (optional)
* Apple slices (optional)
To assemble these sandwiches:
1. Spread mayonnaise on one side of each piece of bread. If desired, add cream cheese to one piece of bread or both.
2. Place turkey on first, then build the sandwich from there. If using cranberries, place it on last or in between the turkey and stuffing.
I think the ultimate Turkey Day Leftover Sandwich is the Cream Cheese Turkey Cranberry Sandwich! Talk about getting all of thanksgiving in one delicious bite!
Leftover Sweet Potatoes
This is a simple recipe using leftovers. Even if you are using a sweet potato casserole, heat it (in an oven at 350), and mash it together. Add some brown sugar, pecans, or butter to taste, and enjoy. If mashed sweet potatoes are part of the leftovers, use them as a side dish with the sandwich.
If the sweet potatoes have a marshmallow topping, it might be best not to mash them. However, as long as a sticky mashed up mess is not minded, go for it and enjoy. A little sweet treat never hurts!
Turkey, Stuffing and Veggies OH MY!
With all the leftover chicken stock, vegetables, and turkey, why not make a soup. Soups are pretty simple to make, and since the turkey is already cooked, the only thing to do is heat it up.
Turkey Soup Recipe
* Extra Virgin Olive Oil
* 1 or 1/2 red onion (chopped and optional)
* Celery (2-3 stalks, chopped)
* Carrot (can use 3 chopped, or baby carrots from a small bag)
* 6-8 cups chicken stock
* Salt and pepper to taste
* about 1 lb of left over turkey
* Egg noodles
* Diced sweet potato’s or potato’s (optional)
* Leftover stuffing
Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 350 and place stuffing in a “baking dish.” Heat until warmed.
2. Cover the bottom of a large pot in olive oil.
3. Turn stove on medium heat.
4. Once the oil is bubbling, add the chopped up onion, celery, and carrot to the pot. Heat about five, maybe ten minutes (reduce heat if needed), until browned and softened.
5. Add the chicken stock and pasta noodles and heat until boiling.
6. Add turkey, reduce heat to simmer, cook until everything is warmed and cooked (about 10 minutes)
7. Turn heat down to low or cover and turn off the heat, and prepare to eat
If the vegetables are already cooked, simply heat them in the olive oil, or they can be put in with the chicken stock and heated. Eat alongside leftover bread or spoon the stuffing to a bowl of soup. If you have some leftover corn, it can be used in the soup or as a side item.
You can also try this yummy Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Soup recipe.
A Salad For All!
Make a Waldorf salad using turkey instead of chicken. This is quick, simple, and something different from the traditional leftover.
Turkey Waldorf Salad
* 4 cups leftover turkey
* 2 apples, chopped
* 2 cups pecan or walnuts
* 1 cup chopped celery
* 1 cup mayonnaise
* 1-2 Tablespoon honey
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
* 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
* Lettuce to lay salad on (optional)
Instructions:
1. Mix mayonnaise, honey, and yogurt in a bowl. Set aside.
2. Chop 2 apples into bite-size pieces, place in a bowl.
3. Place chopped celery in with the apples.
4. Place shredded leftover turkey in with the celery and apples and add raisins.
5. Pour the liquid mixture onto the turkey mixture, and stir together thoroughly.
6. Wrap the bowl with plastic wrap, and place in the fridge for one hour.
7. Serve on top two pieces of lettuce.
If a Waldorf salad is not for you, simply create a mixed salad using salad dressings from the grocery store. Mix shredded turkey, chopped lettuce, grape or cherry tomatoes, diced carrots, chopped celery, and chopped apple together. Serve with dressing. Delicious and endless options!
Hungry For Thanksgiving Leftovers? I am!
Well, now I am ready for Thanksgiving dinner just for the leftovers! It is pretty amazing how many recipes and leftover meals you can create with the typical Thanksgiving Dinner leftovers. I sure hope some of these leftover recipes make it into my kitchen in the next few weeks.
What is your favorite recipe or meal to use your Thanksgiving Leftovers for?
