Thanksgiving Leftovers

After Thanksgiving this week, you might have leftovers from hosting at your home or containers that you got sent home with from loved ones. Either way, having leftovers in the fridge can be great because it means no need to cook another meal! Additionally, repurposing Thanksgiving leftovers is a practical way to reduce food waste, as well as an opportunity to discover new flavors and textures. If you’re wanting to dress up the holiday items a bit differently and/or need to supplement when something might not be enough for a full meal, here’s some ideas to help repurpose Thanksgiving foods in some fun and innovative ways.

Turkey:

Give your leftover turkey a makeover by turning it into turkey pot pie or a turkey soup. Combine diced turkey with leftover vegetables, gravy, and top it with a flaky pie crust, and bake until browned for a comforting meal that feels entirely new. For a different play, consider making a Creamy Turkey gnocchi soup (and for more on soup, visit this previous blog post).

Stuffing:

Transform stuffing into a savory snack by stuffing mushrooms or Hungarian wax peppers with a mixture of leftover stuffing, cheese, and herbs. Bake until the veggies are tender and the stuffing is crispy.

Cranberry sauce:

Take that leftover cranberry sauce and mix it into your morning yogurt or oatmeal or spread it on toast for a sweet and tangy breakfast addition. You can also use it as a glaze for roasted meats or blend it into a vinaigrette for a festive salad dressing.

Mashed potatoes:

Mashed potatoes are a versatile base for a variety of dishes. Shape them into potato pancakes and pan-fry until golden brown. Serve with sour cream and applesauce or top them with your favorite style of egg for a post-holiday breakfast option.

Vegetables:

Leftover roasted vegetables can be turned into a stir fry. You can make your own sauce with pantry ingredients such as soy sauce, garlic and/or ginger or use a pre-made stir fry sauce. Add in chopped turkey and serve over rice or rice noodles for a complete meal.

Happy Thanksgiving!