Although Thanksgiving has come and gone, chances are, you still may have some leftovers hiding out in the back of the fridge. But how are you going to soldier through yet another heaping helping of turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes before they go bad? Why not dress up your leftovers in exciting, new ways? Below are a few of my personal favorites and some I'd definitely like to try.
1. Stuffed Turkey Wrap
Two of the most satisfying components of Thanksgiving - turkey and stuffing - come together as an epic wrap. Now, my only question to you is: "Cranberry sauce or gravy?" You can't go wrong with this combo. Trust me!
2. Pulled Turkey BBQ
Tossing your leftover meat in barbecue sauce gives it a whole new level of flavor.. or maybe just hides the same-old taste of turkey. In any case, it makes the meal more interesting. Throw your pulled turkey onto a leftover dinner roll and make it a slider!
3. Creamed Spinach Flatbread
After the big meal this year, it was amazing just how much creamed spinach was left uneaten. I love the stuff, but after several platefuls, I came up with a better use for it. Throw it on some pizza dough with a little extra cheese and whatever else you'd like, and voila! It looks like a fancy appetizer and tastes like something new.
4. The Rachel
Also known as the "Turkey Reuben." If you love sauerkraut (or coleslaw) and are looking for something that stirs up the monotony, this is the sandwich for you. Don't forget the pickle!
5. Thanksgiving Eggs
Breakfast can be just as good a time as any to start using up those leftovers. Throw some of those veggies into your scrambled eggs, or make a tasty frittata. Thanksgiving Eggs is one of my perennial favorites.
6. Turkey Salad Sandwich
To make a good turkey salad sandwich, all you really need is turkey, mayo and relish... but why not go crazy and add some nuts and berries? Just don't forget to toast your bread!
7. Turkey Wings and Bleu Cheese Mashed Potatoes
There is no finer way, in my opinion, to eat your leftover turkey and mashed potatoes than by dowsing your turkey in your favorite wing sauce and stirring a generous dollop of bleu cheese dressing into your mashed potatoes. If this sounds especially unhealthy, you can always serve it with a side of raw celery or carrots (and more bleu cheese, of course). This method still works, even if you don't have actual wings left - just toss a portion of the leftover meat you do have in your preferred sauce the same way you would toss it in barbecue. Likewise, if you don't care for bleu cheese, you could stir some ranch dressing into your potatoes instead.
8. Turkey Fried Rice
Fried rice is an excellent standby for me when I have leftovers. Most often, I make chicken fried rice, but turkey adapts well to the flavors of soy sauce and mirin. It's another great way to use up those veggies (corn, peas, broccoli and more) as well as any leftover rice or rice pilaf you still have.
9. Mashed Potato Pancakes
Not that most of us couldn't live on mashed potatoes alone, but if you want your potatoes a little less boring, you could try frying them up into tiny pancakes. Try it with sweet potatoes as well!
10. Turkey Quesadilla
Cheese makes everything better, including your leftovers. Spice up your turkey with a little cumin or taco seasoning, quesadillafy it and serve with sour cream and salsa. Delicious!
11. Turkey Corn Soup
In my part of Pennsylvania, Chicken Corn Soup is essentially a staple. With only a minor change, I can use this tasty dish to rid my fridge of some turkey. Making soup is a fantastic way to give leftovers a new life - perhaps even a more glorious one.
How many of these ideas have you already come up with? What's your favorite thing to do with holiday leftovers? Let me know in the comments!
