Get the Most Out of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time for friends, family, and way too much turkey. Heaven knows you’ll wind up with a doggy bag, but how do you use it all before it goes into compost? Don’t worry about feeling guilty this year—we have plenty of options that use up your leftovers!
Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash
1. Turkey BLT
BLTs are already amazing, but tossing in leftover turkey somehow makes it better. Of course, you don’t have to stop there! Cheese and avocado slices add a welcome protein boost while mustard makes the tastebuds sing. You can also spread leftover cranberry sauce.
2. Turkey Hash
For a delicious hash recipe, you only need meat, potatoes, and onion. Cube a few Russet potatoes with leftover turkey, fresh rosemary, and onion for the perfect hunger-bashing meal. Don’t forget about the seasoning, either.
3. Turkey Baked Pasta
Do you have 40 minutes and a boatload of leftovers? Good, this calls for pasta! Turkey, dry shells, and plenty of cheese bring this creamy dinner to life while heavy cream and handfuls of spinach tie everything together.
4. Turkey Nachos
Friendsgiving is as popular as the holiday we all know and love—it’s also a great way to use up that leftover bird. A sprinkle of taco seasoning over shredded turkey, black beans, and cheese? That plate will be empty!
5. Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Why save pie for Thanksgiving? That leftover turkey keeps the holiday going and makes the best base for shepherd’s pie. You’ll also need chicken broth, mashed potatoes, and fresh herbs (among other things), but this simple recipe will help gobble up that bird.
cyclonebill from Copenhagen, Denmark on Wikimedia
6. Turkey Potato Skins
Oh, you thought potato skins were for game day? Think again! Dress Russet potatoes with leftover turkey, BBQ sauce, and scallions for a tasty app guaranteed to get eaten. Don’t be afraid of adding crumbled bacon or cheese on top.
7. Turkey Monte Cristo Sandwich
Monte Cristos are great if you need a quick, hearty lunch—and an excuse to eliminate leftovers. Your main ingredients include turkey, cheese, mustard, and powdered sugar. However, you can also add fresh rosemary for a pop of flavor.
8. Turkey Curry Soup
This colorful soup is bursting with veggies, rice, and flavor! Yellow curry powder, bay leaves, and cracked black pepper season your potatoes and leftover turkey, though you can always toss in added spice like cayenne pepper.
9. Turkey Stock
Sometimes the best thing to do with leftover turkey is to make a little stock. Grab carrots, onions, and fresh herbs of your choice before letting the mixture simmer for at least four hours. You’ll have delicious stock to freeze for up to three months.
10. Turkey Pot Pie
We already threw caution to the wind with our take on shepherd’s pie, but we’re mixing up pot pie as well! In addition to your leftover turkey, you’ll need carrots and onions (not to mention seasoning) before it’s all done. You and yours can then sink your forks into flaky pies.
MonicaVereanaWilliams on Wikimedia
11. Turkey Tacos
Who says you have to make tacos with ground beef? Turkey or chicken make much healthier meat options—and they taste great, too. Sour cream, taco seasoning, and herbs bring the party to your mouth and an easy recipe to your table.
12. Turkey Noodle Soup
If you thought chicken soup was hearty, just wait until you try turkey! Traditional recipes call for the usual suspects like bay leaves and starchy veggies, but that just means you likely have everything you need at home.
Eli Hodapp from Naperville, United States on Wikimedia
13. Turkey Tetrazzini
Tender turkey in a creamy sauce? All smothered in shredded mozzarella cheese? Yes, please! Forty minutes and a handful of ingredients are all you need for tetrazzini, a popular Italian-American pasta dish people can’t get enough of.
14. Turkey Grilled Cheese
As much as we like a classic grilled cheese, there’s nothing better than adding meat. Leftover turkey sandwiched between melted mozzarella hits the spot on any day. Don’t stop at mozza either! Try Swiss cheese or even brie.
15. Turkey Casserole
If nothing else, casseroles are the ultimate way to use leftover ingredients. We know they’re a little polarizing, but they’re also blank canvas recipes that you can add anything to—stuffing, vegetables, chicken soup, and noodles are all great choices.
Einladung_zum_Essen on Pixabay
16. Turkey Wild Rice Soup
Turkey and wild rice already make a great combo, but tossing them in a soup pot really lets those flavors fester. A little Worcestershire sauce and fresh rosemary sprigs only make it better!
17. Turkey Club Sandwich
Bacon, leftover turkey, and tomatoes—what more could you ask for in a sandwich? Clubs are simple to make and oh-so-filling, giving you an easy meal option that keeps hunger at bay. If you really want a Thanksgiving twist, spread some cranberry sauce in there!
18. Turkey Spaghetti
You love pasta and you love turkey, so why not combine the two? Much like leftover turkey tacos, swapping out ground beef for lean meat doesn’t hurt the dish. Instead, you’ll have a classic dish and a healthier option.
19. Turkey Chili
You’ll need at least an hour and a good number of ingredients to prepare chili, but it’s more than worth it. Make sure you have plenty of beans and spices available because this dish doesn’t hold back on flavor.
Sharon Chen from Austin, United States on Wikimedia
20. Turkey Enchiladas
How does leftover turkey in a corn tortilla sound? We thought so! Diced bell peppers and chili powder keep things flavorful with a playful dash of spice. Recipes also yield quite a handful, so you can use a lot up a lot of that turkey.
