12 Delicious and Unique Things You Can Do With Your Thanksgiving Leftovers
It’s the age-old question- what do I do with my Thanksgiving leftovers? I’m someone who personally doesn’t mind eating the same thing more than once. I usually just heat up stuff and call it good- but if you like to be a little more creative, or if you’ve got some picky eaters who don’t like eating the same thing over and over- well here’s a handy list of some delicious ways to put those leftovers to good use! And after seeing some of these, I’m thinking I’m going to have to make sure I have leftovers so I can try these!
- Thanksgiving waffles. If you have a waffle maker, use stuffing to create a savory waffle! Depending on your stuffing recipe, you may or may not need to add some egg to hold it all together. Top with turkey and cranberry sauce for a delicious variation of chicken and waffles! And don’t forget the maple syrup!
- Sliders. Easy as can be. Hawaiian rolls make a great base, but you can use biscuits or any rolls you have leftover from your turkey dinner. Top each one with turkey, stuffing, cheese, gravy, and a splatter of cranberry sauce.
- Thanksgiving shepherd’s pie. You really don’t even need a recipe for this one! Just throw your turkey, gravy, and leftover veggies together, top with mashed potatoes and bake until heated through! You can drizzle some cranberry sauce on top, or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce.
- Bake a pizza! Top your crust with mashed potatoes, shredded turkey, cheese, and whatever else you might want to throw on there- green onion, bacon, a cranberry drizzle. Definitely a unique way to serve up those leftovers!
- Throw it in the oven with some noodles. Layer everything with lasagna noodles or mix it with shells- but with a little added cream and gravy it will be tasty no matter what!
- ”Pigs in a blanket”- with a Thanksgiving twist! Roll up some turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce in a crescent roll and bake. Dip in gravy to top it off!
- Another twist on a classic- do Thanksgiving egg rolls! Throw in stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes- whatever your taste buds want!
- Stuffed peppers- but with Thanksgiving leftovers! Hollow out your peppers and stuff them with all that leftover goodness. Sprinkle with cheese and bake until heated through and your peppers look deliciously roasted!
- These cupcakes are not your everyday cupcakes! They are hearty and savory and actually look super tasty!
- As if mashed potatoes weren’t delicious enough on their own- now we can have fried mashed potatoes. These just look deliciously naughty.
- Maybe frying mashed potatoes seems like a little much to you. Well what about fried stuffing??? These look incredible as well. You might need to make both recipes just to see which one is tastier ;).
- This ring is a fun and beautiful way to present your Thanksgiving leftovers.
Savory Thanksgiving Cupcakes
This is a great way to get the taste of everything you love about Thanksgiving in a perfect little bite and without all the mess!
Prep time:
Cook time:
Yield: 6 cupcakes
Serving size: 6
Calories per serving: 122
Ingredients:
Cook time:
Yield: 6 cupcakes
Serving size: 6
Calories per serving: 122
cooking spray
1 (8.5 ounce) package cornbread mix (such as jiffy®)
1/2 cup creamed corn
1/3 cup whole milk
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon ground sage
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons whole berry cranberry sauces, divided
2 cups refrigerated mashed potatoes, warmed
1/2 pound sliced cooked turkeys
4 tablespoons hot turkey gravy
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Directions:
Step 1 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray 6 muffin cups with cooking spray. Advertisement
Step 2 Stir cornbread mix, creamed corn, milk, egg, sage, onion powder, salt, and pepper together in a medium mixing bowl. Divide mixture evenly among the muffin cups
Step 3 Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 17 minutes. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 4 Using a teaspoon measuring spoon, hollow out the center of each cornbread cupcake; reserve scooped out cornbread. Fill each hole with about 2 teaspoons cranberry sauce. Use reserved cornbread to top each hole.
Step 5 Place mashed potatoes in a resealable plastic bag and snip off 1 corner of the bag. Pipe about 1/3 cup potatoes on top of each cupcake. Place 2 turkey slices on each mound of potatoes, and drizzle each with 2 teaspoons gravy. Serve warm, garnished with a sprinkle of parsley.
Source: sallrecipes.com
Step 2 Stir cornbread mix, creamed corn, milk, egg, sage, onion powder, salt, and pepper together in a medium mixing bowl. Divide mixture evenly among the muffin cups
Step 3 Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 17 minutes. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 4 Using a teaspoon measuring spoon, hollow out the center of each cornbread cupcake; reserve scooped out cornbread. Fill each hole with about 2 teaspoons cranberry sauce. Use reserved cornbread to top each hole.
Step 5 Place mashed potatoes in a resealable plastic bag and snip off 1 corner of the bag. Pipe about 1/3 cup potatoes on top of each cupcake. Place 2 turkey slices on each mound of potatoes, and drizzle each with 2 teaspoons gravy. Serve warm, garnished with a sprinkle of parsley.
Source: sallrecipes.com
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
Fried Mashed Potato Balls
Serving size: 5
Calories per serving: 280
Ingredients:
Calories per serving: 280
3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons thinly sliced chives
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/3 cups . panko bread crumbs
vegetable oil, for frying
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes with cooked bacon, cheddar, chives, and garlic powder, and season with salt and pepper. Stir until all ingredients are incorporated. Place eggs and panko in separate shallow bowls. Use a small cookie scoop to scoop 1” to 2” balls of mashed potato mixture. Roll into a ball in your hands, then dredge first in egg and then in panko. Repeat until all mashed potatoes are used. Heat 3” of oil in a large cast iron skillet until candy thermometer reads 375°. Fry potato balls in batches until golden on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on a paper towel lined plate and season immediately with more salt.
Source: sdelish.com
Source: sdelish.com
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
Second Day Fried Stuffing Bites with Cranberry Sauce Pesto
Prep time:
Cook time:
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Serving size: 4
Calories per serving: 251
Ingredients:
Cook time:
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Serving size: 4
Calories per serving: 251
oil, for frying
leftover stuffing
2 eggs
2 teaspoons milk
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 cup cranberry sauces
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup walnuts
Directions:
Preheat oil to 350 degrees F.
Cut leftover stuffing into bite-sized cubes and set aside. In a small bowl whisk eggs and milk. Coat each stuffing bite with this egg wash, then dredge in the bread crumbs until fully coated and set aside.
In a food processor blend cranberry sauce, pepper and walnuts and set aside.
Once oil is at temperature fry each piece of stuffing until golden brown about 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel and serve with cranberry pesto.
Source: sfoodnetwork.com
Cut leftover stuffing into bite-sized cubes and set aside. In a small bowl whisk eggs and milk. Coat each stuffing bite with this egg wash, then dredge in the bread crumbs until fully coated and set aside.
In a food processor blend cranberry sauce, pepper and walnuts and set aside.
Once oil is at temperature fry each piece of stuffing until golden brown about 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel and serve with cranberry pesto.
Source: sfoodnetwork.com
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
Thanksgiving Ring
Serving size: 8
Calories per serving: 31
Ingredients:
Calories per serving: 31
1 tube refrigerated crescent rolls
1 cup leftover mashed potatoes
1 cup leftover stuffing
1 1/2 cups shredded leftover turkeys
1 cup leftover cranberry sauces
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 tablespoon garlic powder
freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
leftover gravy, warmed, for dipping
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°. Unroll crescent rolls, separating each triangle. Arrange on baking sheet in a sunburst pattern, with pointy ends of triangles facing outward and bases of triangles overlapping. Spread mashed potatoes over triangle bases, forming a ring. Top with stuffing, turkey, and cranberry sauce. Fold triangle tips over filling (there will be gaps where ingredients peek out between triangles). Brush crescent dough with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder. Bake until golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve with gravy for dipping.
Source: sdelish.com
Source: sdelish.com
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
How are you going to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers?
Sources:
- https://www.northwestbeerguide.com/home/2017/11/17/northwest-beer-guide-thanksgiving-pairing-2017-beer-with-or-on-the-bird
- https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/leftover-mashed-potato-pizza-5478360
- https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a50229/thanksgiving-in-a-blanket-recipe/
- https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/thanksgiving/recipes/a44319/leftover-turkey-and-stuffing-stuffed-peppers/
- https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sunny-anderson/second-day-fried-stuffing-bites-with-cranberry-sauce-pesto-recipe-2013854
- https://www.delish.com/cooking/a22999141/thanksgiving-ring-recipe/
- https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a22566735/fried-mashed-potato-balls-recipe/
- https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/282310/savory-thanksgiving-cupcakes/
Camille Hoffmann
Weekly Newsletter Contributor since 2014
Email the author! camille@dvo.com
