Some people try to limit their leftovers from lavish Thanksgiving dinners, whereas some people eagerly wait for leftovers to turn them into something even more delicious. The weekend after Thanksgiving is a chance to make mouthwatering treats and use up excess food from Turkey Day.
Many get stuck on leftover turkey sandwiches (but don’t eat Ross Geller’s sandwich, okay?) and don’t think about other ways to use stuffing, gravy, roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and vegetables that weren’t finished during the holiday feast. Oooof! My mouth is watering just writing this. So let me quickly tell you the best Thanksgiving leftover recipes you must try this year, and while you read it, I am going to make myself a plateful of leftover cranberry brie bites.
Crunchy Turkey Salad With Peanut Dressing
If you want something light and hearty after gorging heavily on the Thanksgiving meal, this crunchy turkey salad with creamy peanut butter dressing is your answer. You wanna shred some of the leftover turkey, Napa cabbage, cilantro, mint, and lemon wedges, and add lots of Asian flavor. As an Asian, put me down for a plate. Check out the full recipe on Bon Appetit.
Sweet Potato Oatmeal
I am a fan of overnight oats: they are a power-packed breakfast that I have three times a week, at least. If you enjoy breakfast, this sweet potato oatmeal is perfect for a 30-minute, nutritious post-Thanksgiving breakfast. All you need is some oats, milk of your choice, a couple of scoops of leftover sweet potato casserole, and some sweeteners. Pour over some hazelnut coffee creamer, pumpkin seeds and pomegranate seeds, and you are golden. Check the full recipe on Imma Eat That.
Make-Ahead Eggs Benedict
My best friend can cook eggs in about 50 different ways; each is pretty darn good. This make-ahead Eggs Benedict recipe will likely make it 51. This is perfect for a lazy Thanksgiving weekend breakfast or brunch. Toasty English muffins layered with your favorite toppings, a perfectly poached egg, and a delicious homemade hollandaise sauce, what else could you wish for? Find the full recipe at Plays Well With Butter.
Leftover Turkey Fried Rice
Easy to whip up for a quick lunch on the lazy Thanksgiving weekend, this leftover turkey fried rice has lean cooked turkey, fluffy rice, scrambled eggs, a vegetable rainbow, and classic Asian seasonings. It all comes together in 10 minutes. Here is the full recipe on Ahead of Thyme.
Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
Casseroles are pretty easy to whip up with whatever you have in your fridge or pantry, and they are hearty, cozy meals you deserve after preparing a lavish holiday dinner. This leftover casserole is one of the best ways to use up your Thanksgiving food surplus. It features your leftover turkey, dressing, green beans, and mashed taters. Serve it up with tangy cranberry sauce. Find the full recipe at The Pioneer Woman.
Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Nachos
Quick and easy to put together, this Thanksgiving leftover turkey nachos recipe is a perfect snack for family activities this Thanksgiving weekend. You pull the turkey into smaller pieces, sprinkle it with lots of cheese, chopped tomatoes, white and green onions, and drizzle it with sriracha sauce. Follow the full recipe on Bless Her Heart Y’all.
Buffalo Turkey Wraps
These buffalo turkey wraps are spicy, delicious, and full of flavor. You will need tortilla wraps, stuff them with crisp lettuce, lean turkey strips smothered in a creamy buffalo sauce, and shredded cheese. It is a healthy meal that you can make in minutes if you are craving a quick lunch or snack. Follow the full recipe at Ahead of Thyme.
Leftover Thanksgiving Sandwich
While it may not be Monica Geller’s delicious turkey sandwich that made her brother go crazy for this leftover treat, a leftover Thanksgiving sandwich is one of the fan-favorites and a must-have after the holiday celebrations. It packs moist turkey, crispy bacon, melty cheese, and sweet-tangy cranberry mayo to tie it all together. Find the full recipe on What’s Gaby Cooking.
Skillet Turkey Pot Pie
This turkey pot pie is a hearty meal that’ll warm your bones. Along with the leftover bird, you can utilize extra vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery, topped with fresh herbs. You can use store-bought or homemade dough, and cut ‘em into biscuits. Swap the gravy for broth and top the filling with these biscuits. Find the full recipe from Danielle Walker.
Cranberry Brie Bites
Made with light, flaky puff pastry, melty brie, and sweet, tangy cranberry sauce, these cranberry brie bites are melt-in-your-mouth good and packed with sweet and savory flavor. It uses up your leftover cranberry sauce and is a perfect snack after the holiday. The best part? These are freezer-friendly and can be made ahead of time as well. Check out the recipe on Ahead of Thyme.
Stuffing Waffles
You’ll love this recipe so much. The waffles are made from leftover stuffing and every bite leaves a crisp and crunchy sensation in your mouth. Serve the waffles with maple syrup or gravy for an ultimate Thanksgiving touch. You can look for the full recipe at Serious Eats.
Leftover Cranberry Sauce Cake
If you still have a jar full of cranberry sauce from the Thanksgiving feast, you can make this easy-peasy cranberry sauce cake. This sour cream coffeecake is thick and rich, covered in almonds, wrapped in orange zest. In the middle, a dollop of cranberry sauce makes every bite heavenly. Find the full recipe at Serious Eats.
Thanksgiving Leftovers Grilled Cheese
Get out those Thanksgiving leftovers from your fridge and throw them onto bread to make this yummy grilled cheese sandwich. This comforting meal will elevate your morning. You can pair your leftovers with cheddar to improve the flavor. Get the full recipe at Serious Eats.
Thanksgiving Leftovers in Blanket
Got some leftover cranberries, turkey, or stuffing? If you have, then make this Thanksgiving leftover in a blanket. These multilayer puff crescent roll dough tastes good and makes great use of your leftovers. Find the full recipe at Catz in the Kitchen.
Thanksgiving Leftovers Hot Pockets
It feels so good to wrap Thanksgiving leftovers in a store-bought pizza dough, bake it, and call it a meal. This leftover recipe includes stuffing, roasted sweet potatoes, turkey, and cranberry sauce. Now, wrap all the ingredients in a pizza dough for extra texture and taste. Find the full recipe at NYT Cooking.
Let me know which of these Thanksgiving leftover recipes you are trying first. And if you have other such recipes, feel free to share them with me via email or in the comments. Enjoy, folks!
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