Turkey Day Leftover Hacks You Should Be Thankful For

Spoon University|

Nothing says post-Thanksgiving like a turkey sandwich. But ditch your average one and take it up a notch this year with the Geller 'Moist Maker'  – add a gravy soaked slice of bread between two layers of turkey for a sandwich worth yelling about.

2. Potato scramble*

Sip on one two many cocktails while trying to get through the centuries-old questions about post-grad plans, why you're not currently dating or when you might finally declare your major? When you stumble out of bed late Friday morning, throw a couple of eggs, leftover potatoes, any vegetables on hand and even some Turkey into a skillet, scramble over medium heat for 5-10 minutes and there ya have it—your post-extended family dinner hangover cure.

3. Turkey tacos

Put a Tex-Mex twist on your leftover turkey, stuffing and Brussels sprouts by throwing them in a tortilla, with some divine cranberry mayo.

Photo by Rachel Weitzman

Photo by Rachel Weitzman

4. 'Everything-but-the-cranberry-sauce' soup with cornbread croutons*

Heat up some chicken or veggie stock in a large pot, add leftover rice, then dice up your leftover turkey, potatoes, and veggies and throw 'em in. For the croutons, cut up that leftover cornbread into about 1-inch thick pieces and toast either in an oven or a toaster oven until golden brown, then sprinkle the croutons onto your soup. For other soup varieties using leftovers, including pho, gumbo and stew, check out this awesome Huffington Post article.

5. Pumpkin pie oatmeal

Not sure what to do with all the extra pumpkin puree you've got sitting around? This pumpkin pie oatmeal will blow your mind.   While you're heating up your average oatmeal (about halfway through cooking), add in a mashed banana and pumpkin pie spice.  Once that's combined, throw in the pumpkin puree – about half the amount of the milk and oats. Then add a bit of brown sugar to sweeten it up and you're done! Garnish with leftover cranberries and pecans, and hey—if you're feeling it—a slice of real pumpkin pie.

Photo by Sara Rifai

Photo by Sara Rifai

6. Vegetarian pizza

Spread cranberry sauce onto pita, naan or store-bought pizza dough. Throw on some light, white cheese (think: mozzarella, feta or goat), thinly sliced apple, diced sweet potato, and brussel sprouts or spinach. Toast in the oven or toaster oven until crisp and melty.

7. Thanksgiving on a bagel

If you're in the mood for something sweet, spread some cream cheese and cranberry sauce onto a multigrain bagel. For something more savory, load turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomato on an everything bagel for the ultimate turkey BLT.

Photo by Rachel Weitzman

Photo by Rachel Weitzman

8. Turkey chili*

This one takes a little bit more work, but all you'll need is a can of black beans and some diced tomato. With those ingredients as your base, add chopped turkey and any leftover veggies (corn, diced green beans and sweet potato work great). Stir together and let simmer over low heat for a while. Add spices like oregano, chili powder, onion powder and garlic.

9. Every-kind-of-pie ice cream sundae

Ice cream+pie=bliss. So, cut or mash up that leftover pie (pumpkin, apple, cherry—it all goes well together) and mix it into a bowl of vanilla bean ice cream. Top it off with some caramel sauce and whipped cream.

10. The Turkey Bowl*

The base layer here is that leftover rice or salad. Then add your vegetables and turkey and top it all off with a spoonful of gravy. For vegetarians, nix the turkey and top with black beans, if you've got em.

Photo by Rachel Weitzman

Photo by Rachel Weitzman

11. Cran-apple turnovers

It would be a shame to see that canned cranberry sauce go to waste (don't worry, we won't tell anyone you used the fake stuff).  Put it to good use in a turnover so simple you'll be making it long after your leftovers have been gobbled up. Lay a dollop of cranberry sauce in the middle of store-bought filo dough pieces (the triangle kind), fold up the corners and bake in the oven at 425° until crispy (about 20 minutes). Leftover chopped apples tossed in cinnamon that didn't make it into the pie make for a great addition to the filling, too.

12. Buffalo turkey sliders

In a bowl, mix leftover turkey (pull pieces apart so that it resembles pulled pork) and mix with buffalo, barbeque, or Sriracha sauce—anything with a kick. Cut leftover rolls in half, then load on the filling.

13. Cornbread Benedict*

Why keep things as boring as English muffins when you can make eggs Benedict on cornbread? Trade in that muffin for leftover Turkey Day cornbread, and kick the ham to the curb in favor of some turkey bacon for a holiday twist on the the fanciest breakfast you've ever made at home.

14. Turkey ramen

This one's for those still sluggish from that post-feast food coma. Make instant-ramen following packet instructions, then add turkey. If you want to take it up a notch, though, check out this recipe from Bon Appetit.

 

15. Veggie potato-stuffed samosas

In a bowl, mix leftover potatoes (mashed or roasted), stuffing, and finely diced leftover veggies. This mixture won't look pretty (but it'll taste great!). Spoon the filling onto leftover pie crust pieces, fold up the pastries, and bake at about 400º for 20 minutes. Use your leftover gravy as a dipping sauce. For a turkey-filled version, Epicurious has got you covered.

16. Turkey Penne 

Boil some penne and throw in your leftovers. Check out this awesome pasta recipe.

17. Cranberry turkey panini*

Use any bread on hand and spread both halves with cranberry sauce. Then, fill the sandwich with turkey and your cheese of preference—any light, white cheese would work well (swiss, mozzarella, feta, goat). Heat in a skillet or on your panini-maker for about 5 minutes. Here's a great vimeo tutorial by Spoon!

18. Stuffed pita pocket*

Split open a pita, spread hummus on one or both inner sides, and then load in the turkey, leftover salad, cranberry sauce, or stuffing—almost anything will only add to deliciousness that is this sandwich.

Photo by Rachel Weitzman

Photo by Rachel Weitzman

*can be made vegetarian (simply forgo the turkey)

The post Turkey Day Leftover Hacks You Should be Thankful For appeared first on Spoon University.

Recommended