Thanksgiving leftovers: they are often each a blessing and a problem. After dinner, the fridge is often filled with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. On one hand, it’s good to know you’ve acquired straightforward meals forward, however on the opposite, it could actually begin to get slightly repetitive. However what when you might give these leftovers a brand new life with just a bit creativity?
Enter savory turkey pot pies, crispy stuffing waffles, and mashed potato flatbreads—and that’s simply the beginning. We have rounded up our 25 favourite recipes that will help you repurpose your Thanksgiving leftovers into a completely new feast that you simply’ll really wish to eat. This 12 months, you don’t should accept unhappy turkey sandwiches. As an alternative, flip to those ingenious, scrumptious meals that benefit from what’s left in your fridge.
1. Thanksgiving Leftover Breakfast Burritos
Kickstart your day with a burrito that’s principally Thanksgiving in a tortilla. Wrap up leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and eggs for a filling breakfast, and even lunch.
2. Turkey Bolognese
This turkey bolognese is a good recipe when you’re left with loads of turkey however not as many sides. It additionally makes use of that half-empty bottle of wine that’s possible hanging round, together with any leftover cream or herbs you may need readily available.
3. Thanksgiving Leftover Potato Fritters
These crispy little fritters are a genius approach to make use of up mashed potatoes (if in case you have any left over, that’s). With only a handful of components, you get the proper crunch on the surface, and smooth potato goodness on the within.
4. Hanetsuki Gyoza
Neglect casseroles and sandwiches, this gyoza recipe is a complete sport changer for post-Thanksgiving meals. Slightly surprising? Sure. However these hand-pressed, crispy dumplings are the proper technique to repurpose turkey and veggies into one thing new and scrumptious.
5. Leftover Turkey Banh Mi
Should you make this, you’ll most likely marvel why you didn’t strive it sooner. Pickled veggies, tangy mayo, and a recent baguette come collectively to make this banh mi the final word technique to give your leftovers an entire new life.
6. Turkey and Potato Soup
This soup channels all of the comforting vibes of Thanksgiving in a bowl, with its tender items of turkey, potatoes, and mixture of seasonal veggies. We’ve additionally discovered that making this soup or this inventory is one of the simplest ways to make use of up each a part of the fowl—neck, giblets, and all.
8. Turkey Jambalaya
Smoky, spicy, and filled with all the proper seasonings, this Turkey jambalaya is a enjoyable approach so as to add some new flavors to your Thanksgiving leftovers and blend issues up a bit.
9. Mashed Potato Flatbread
Three phrases: mashed potato flatbread. It is a fool-proof recipe that makes an awesome base for pizzas or for dipping in any leftover sauces and gravy you may need.
10. Thanksgiving Leftover Hand Pies
Should you’ve acquired greater than only one or two leftovers, these hand pies are a good way to make use of all of them. Whereas the recipe requires the turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and gravy, you’ll be able to actually get inventive and toss in no matter leftovers you’ve got—the great thing about puff pastry is that it could actually remodel something.
11. Turkey Birria Tacos
One other nice recipe when you’re bored with the same old soups, sandwiches, and stews. These birria tacos are a bit extra concerned than the opposite recipes right here, however very a lot value it. There’s even a recipe for selfmade cranberry salsa to serve on the aspect.
12. Stuffing Waffles
These waffles will make you would like you’d made an additional batch of stuffing as a result of they’re that good. The waffle itself is generally simply stuffing and buttermilk, with just a few further seasonings to style, however the actual star of the present is the whipped cranberry butter.
13. Turkey Curry
One other technique to transition your Thanksgiving leftovers into an entire new delicacies—this turkey curry is the proper swap. The coconut milk, ginger, and spices create a brilliant flavorful sauce that comes collectively in simply half-hour.
14. Cranberry Cookie Bars
Since a lot of the different recipes are savory, we needed to throw in not less than one dessert— however don’t fear, it’s not one other pie. Should you’re nonetheless craving one thing candy and all the opposite desserts have disappeared, these cranberry cookie bars are the best way to go.
15. Candy Potato Shepherd’s Pie
This Thanksgiving shepherd’s pie, topped with candy potatoes, is the final word cold-weather as December approaches. There’s loads of room for personalization, nevertheless it’s primarily filled with leftover greens which is all the time welcome after an enormous feast.
16. Turkey Sandwiches with Cranberry Relish
We mentioned no extra unhappy turkey sandwiches, and this one is something however. Revive dried turkey by gently warming it in a buttery, nearly caramel-like maple glaze. Then, high with cranberry relish, brie (or any leftover cheese you’ve acquired), and some butter pickles for an really thrilling turkey sandwich.
17. Vacation Monte Cristo
If you wish to do much more along with your sandwich, then this vacation montre cristo is your reply. Consider it as the final word improve—a crispy, golden sandwich with turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, and a melty cheese layer.
18. Turkey Pot Pie
This turkey pot pie takes your Thanksgiving leftovers and turns them into a completely new meal. It has a wealthy, creamy filling filled with leftover turkey and greens, all encased in a flaky, golden crust.
19. Harissa Turkey Chili
If any of your dishes fell flat on the day, boost your leftovers with this harissa turkey chili. The turkey will get a flavor-packed kick from harissa, and the chili itself is wealthy and hearty with simply the correct amount of warmth.
20. Turkey, Cranberry, and Cream Cheese Sandwich
Should you’re over cooking and wish a fast lunch, this sandwich is a satisfying and fast technique to repurpose your leftovers. It’s straightforward, scrumptious, and simply the correct mix of candy and savory.
21. Turkey Hash Salad
Should you skipped the vegetable dishes on Thanksgiving, don’t fear, this turkey salad completely makes up for it (not less than, we expect so). And when you can’t think about turkey in a salad, belief us, this one will get the flavors excellent.
22. The Finest Leftover Turkey Casserole
This turkey casserole skips canned condensed soup and as a substitute takes inspiration from baked macaroni and cheese and turkey tetrazzini. The result’s a creamy, flavorful dish that’s far more satisfying than your common leftover
23. Turkey Shawarma Pitas
One other straightforward however flavor-packed meal when you’re over cooking. The one range time is melting butter, and after that, it is simply stirring every little thing collectively and assembling. Combine the turkey in a mix of spices, then add to a heat pita with recent veggies and a creamy garlic sauce.
24. Mashed Potato Focaccia
Much more leftover mashed potatoes? This focaccia is the proper approach to make use of them up. It’s a kind of breads that sounds extra difficult than it really is. Smooth, pillowy, and topped with loads of olive oil and sea salt, it’s simpler than it seems to be and simply as scrumptious as you’d count on.
25. Turkey Pho
Should you’re over the same old post-Thanksgiving meals or don’t need one thing heavy, turkey pho is a refreshing change. The broth is fragrant, and with the turkey and herbs, it’s mild however nonetheless satisfying.
We wish to know: What vacation leftover do you look ahead to yearly?
