6 Genius Ways to Reinvent Thanksgiving Leftovers
Discover genius ways to reinvent Thanksgiving leftovers! Transform leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce into tasty new meals and reduce food waste.
The best part of Thanksgiving dinner might just be the leftovers. But after a day or two of turkey sandwiches and reheated plates, even the most delicious holiday meal can start to feel a bit tired. Luckily, there are many creative ways to reinvent Thanksgiving leftovers that go far beyond the traditional.
Instead of letting that food go to waste, discover how to repurpose every last bit of your holiday feast. From crispy wontons to a savory quiche, these six recipes will give your Thanksgiving leftovers a delicious new life. Get ready to transform your fridge full of containers into a week of exciting, flavorful meals your family will love.
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Forget the two slices of bread and turn your leftover turkey into a delightful, bite-sized appetizer. These crispy wontons offer a unique way to combine savory meat and sweet cranberry sauce in one perfect, crunchy package.
- Ingredients: Shredded leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, a bit of cream cheese, wonton wrappers, and oil for frying.
- Steps:
- In a small bowl, mix shredded turkey, a spoonful of cranberry sauce, and cream cheese until well combined.
- Place a small teaspoon of the turkey mixture into the center of each wonton wrapper.
- Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water, fold it into a triangle, and press to seal, ensuring no air is trapped inside.
- Heat oil in a pot or deep skillet to 350°F.
- Fry the wontons in small batches for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve it with: A small bowl of leftover gravy, warmed up for a rich and savory dipping sauce.
- Amazon Suggestion: A dumpling press set can help you seal each wonton perfectly and quickly.
Give your breakfast a holiday-inspired makeover with this resourceful dish. Use leftover stuffing to create a flavorful, textured crust for a hearty and satisfying quiche that’s perfect for the morning after.
- Ingredients: Leftover stuffing, eggs, milk or cream, shredded leftover turkey, chopped veggies (like onions and celery), and grated cheese.
- Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Press the leftover stuffing firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a greased pie dish to form a crust.
- Bake the stuffing crust for 15-20 minutes until it’s firm and slightly crisp.
- While the crust bakes, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle the shredded turkey, veggies, and grated cheese over the baked crust.
- Pour the egg mixture over the fillings.
- Bake for another 30-40 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden.
- Serve it with: A simple green salad or a side of fresh fruit to lighten up this rich and tasty dish.
- Amazon Suggestion: A 9-inch ceramic pie dish ensures even baking for a perfect quiche every time.
Transform your leftover mashed potatoes—or even sweet potatoes—into elegant, pillowy gnocchi. This recipe is a surprisingly simple yet sophisticated way to enjoy a comfort food classic with a Thanksgiving twist.
- Ingredients: Leftover mashed potatoes (about 2 cups, chilled), all-purpose flour (about 1 cup), one egg, and leftover gravy.
- Steps:
- On a floured surface, combine the cold mashed potatoes, flour, and egg. Gently knead until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Do not overwork it.
- Divide the dough into four sections. Roll each section into a long rope about ¾-inch thick, then cut into 1-inch pieces.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi in batches, cooking until they float to the surface (about 2-3 minutes).
- For extra flavor, pan-sear the boiled gnocchi in a skillet with butter and a few fresh sage leaves until they are golden and slightly crispy.
- Serve it with: Warm leftover gravy poured over the top for a simple, savory sauce.
- Amazon Suggestion: A gnocchi board will help you create those classic ridges that catch every drop of gravy.
Give your turkey a zesty, new identity by rolling it into flavorful enchiladas. This is a fantastic way to use up the last of the bird, combining it with cheese and a rich sauce for a dish that tastes completely new.
- Ingredients: Shredded leftover turkey, leftover roasted vegetables (like carrots and onions), corn tortillas, enchilada sauce, and plenty of grated cheese.
- Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a bowl, mix the shredded turkey and any chopped leftover vegetables.
- Warm the corn tortillas slightly to make them pliable.
- Spoon the turkey mixture into each tortilla, roll it up, and place it seam-side down in a casserole dish.
- Pour enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas.
- Top generously with grated cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden.
- Serve it with: A dollop of sour cream, fresh cilantro, and a side of rice.
- Amazon Suggestion: Look for a durable glass casserole dish that can go from the oven straight to the table.
Ready for the ultimate comfort food hack? Turn your leftover mashed potatoes into crispy, golden waffles. They are perfect for a lazy holiday weekend brunch and provide a delightful texture that’s crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
- Ingredients: Cold leftover mashed potatoes, flour, one egg, grated cheese, and chives or green onions.
- Steps:
- In a bowl, mix the cold mashed potatoes with the egg, flour, cheese, and chives until just combined.
- Preheat your waffle iron and spray it lightly with cooking spray.
- Spoon a portion of the potato mixture onto the center of the waffle iron.
- Cook for 5-8 minutes, or until the waffle is golden brown and crispy. The cooking time will depend on your waffle iron.
- Serve it with: A scoop of leftover cranberry sauce on top, or go savory with a fried egg and a drizzle of hot sauce.
- Amazon Suggestion: A mini waffle maker is perfect for creating single-serving potato waffles.
Don’t you dare throw away that turkey carcass! Those bones are the key to making a deeply flavorful turkey stock that can be the base for countless future recipes, from soups to risottos. This is the best way to minimize food waste and maximize taste.
- Ingredients: The turkey carcass, leftover vegetable scraps (onions, carrots, celery ends), bay leaves, peppercorns, and water.
- Steps:
- Place the turkey carcass (broken into pieces if needed) into a large stockpot or Dutch oven.
- Add the vegetable scraps, bay leaves, and peppercorns.
- Cover everything with cold water by at least two inches.
- Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Let it simmer for at least 4-6 hours, skimming off any foam that rises to the top.
- Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl or container, discarding the solids.
- Let the stock cool, then store it in the fridge for up to a week or freeze it for months.
- Serve it with: Use this liquid gold as a base for a simple noodle soup with any remaining turkey meat, or save it for your next risotto.
- Amazon Suggestion: A heavy-duty stockpot (8-quart or larger) is essential for simmering your turkey carcass and veggies without crowding.
By getting a little creative in the kitchen, you can ensure your Thanksgiving dinner continues to delight your family long after the holiday is over. These recipes offer a fantastic starting point to explore all the ways to reinvent Thanksgiving leftovers and make the most of every delicious morsel.
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