Thanksgiving Leftovers

Holiday traditions, from decorations to special food and drink, is what makes a holiday a holiday. One “tradition” that seems to go with Thanksgiving is leftovers. Turkey Day’s feast always seems to be larger than our appetite to consume it at one sitting. So at the end of the day we have Thanksgiving leftovers–actually  my favorite part of Thanksgiving. I love the challenge of repurposing the sumptuous feast’s leftovers into meals that my family and friends will continue to be excited about and nourished by–just another way of keeping the spirit of Thanksgiving front and center in my mind and heart.

Enjoy the moments that Thanksgiving provides to be with friends and family and enjoy the leftovers!

Here are some Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes-some old, some. Enjoy:

Leftover Pie:

10 Ways to use Leftover Pie

Leftover Sweet Potatoes:

Savory or Sweet Stuffed Apples 

Sweet Potato Parfait topped with toasted pecans & coconut 

Leftover Dressing or Stuffing: Whatever you call it, just use it up! Use it to stuff chicken, pork chops or tenderloin, peppers, baked tomatoes, or meatballs. Serve meatballs with leftover gravy or make a glaze with leftover cranberry sauce.  Add it to waffle batter for a filling breakfast.

For leftover “magic” use wonton wrappers to make 4 different dishes:

Simply add 1 TBSP of leftover dressing or stuffing. Moisten edges with water. Fold in half, tuck in sides to seal.

1-Fry for fried wontons. 2- Steam for potstickers. Use leftover gravy or cranberry sauce for dipping. 3-Cook in chicken broth or stock seasoned with green onions for Wonton Soup.

4-Dressing Ravioli with brown butter sauce  or use leftover gravy mixed with butter and wine for a sauce.

Stuffed Breakfast Rolls (My absolute favorite!)

Have more leftover rolls? Turn them into STICKY ROLLS for a quick breakfast!
In a non-stick muffin tin, place a dab of butter, 1-2 tsp maple syrup (or 1 tsp corn syrup), chopped nuts, and if desired, 1 tsp brown sugar & cinnamon. Place rolls, top side down over mixture, press down. (Bottom of rolls too brown already? Cover pan with foil. Rolls too big? Cut in half.) Bake at 400* for 10 minutes. Let cool briefly. Carefully remove rolls & spoon any extra goodness over rolls.

Still more leftover bread or rolls? Use  Leftover Rolls to make treats like Coconut Pecan Crispy Stick, Almond Petit Fours, and more!

Leftover Green Bean Casserole:

Green Bean Casserole Soup  (Also uses up some leftover mashed potatoes, too!)

Leftover Mashed Potatoes:

Mini Cottage Pies

Loaded Mashed Potato Fries

Potatoes Au Gratin Puffs 

Leftover Cranberry Sauce: Use same as sauce or relish the same as dried cranberries. Use like you would your favorite jelly. Use as a filling in crepes or stir into chicken salad, too. Also makes a sweet fruity glaze for biscuits-just heat until melted, whisk  in orange juice and powdered sugar until desired thickness and sweetness. (Also good over ice cream!) 

Creamy Cranberry and Brie Cheese Sauce Stuffed Chicken 

Cranberry and Apple Pork Chops

Chewy Coconut Cranberry Sauce Muffins

Orange Cranberry Pecan Salmon

Leftover Turkey:

Did you know leftover turkey can become ground turkey to use in all your favorite recipes? But with no browning needed!. Simply grind leftover turkey in food processor. I love to add a can of roasted green chiles and cheese to the mixture. Roll in heated corn tortillas. Place seam side down on greased parchment paper. Spray with olive oil. Bake 400* for 20 minutes. Tasty dipped in cranberry sauce. Have corn leftover? Mix it in!

Ideas for leftover turkey:  A turkey sandwich– I like mine open-faced, toasted in the oven with cranberry sauce, spinach and brie cheese.

I’m a Louisiana girl, so I always enjoy Turkey and Andouille Gumbo using the turkey carcass and leftover meat.

And, if I haven’t used all the turkey and have gravy leftover, I make Turkey Stroganoff!  Sauté onions and mushrooms and add the gravy, stir in sour cream, and serve over egg noodles. Simple and delicious!

Whatever your favorite Thanksgiving leftover creation, the most important thing to do is to make it and enjoy it!

That is today’s To Cook is To Create and Food Fun wrapped into one! Happy Thanksgiving!

Want to see some of these recipes and more in action? Catch the Thanksgiving Edition