Ah, leftover turkey—the unsung hero of post-holiday feasts, waiting patiently in the fridge to be transformed into something spectacular. Imagine turning those humble remnants into dishes that not only satisfy but surprise, like a painter finding hidden colors on a well-used palette. With a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of culinary magic—well, maybe not magic, but you get the idea—you’ll have meals that make the turkey’s second act as thrilling as its first.
Steps
- Stuffing Waffles: Prepare the stuffing by compacting it into a waffle iron for maximum crispiness. Serve with maple syrup or gravy, or both for a Thanksgiving-inspired twist.
- Turkey and Stuffing Waffle–Croque Madame: Top stuffing waffles with leftover turkey and a sauce made from cheese melted into gravy. Finish with a fried egg for a tasty variation.
- Waffled Mashed Potatoes With Bacon, Scallion, and Cheddar: Mix leftover mashed potatoes with eggs, buttermilk, and flour to create a batter. Enhance with scallions, cheddar, and bacon before waffling.
- Sweet Potato Pancakes: Create a pancake batter by combining mashed sweet potatoes with milk, eggs, and flour. Add sour cream for tang and baking agents for rise and browning.
- Leftover Cranberry Sauce Cake: Use cranberry sauce to flavor a sour cream coffee cake. Top with a sugared-almond crust for added texture.
- Thanksgiving Turkey Reuben Sandwich: Combine turkey with gravy-infused Russian dressing and cranberry-sauerkraut mixture. Add Swiss cheese and sandwich between rye bread.
- Hot and Numbing Sichuan-Style Turkey Salad: Toss turkey with a dressing of Sichuan peppercorns, sesame paste, and chili oil. Serve on its own or in a sandwich.
- Thanksgiving Leftovers Grilled Cheese: Pair leftovers with cheddar cheese and grill until golden brown for an elevated sandwich experience.
- Roast Turkey and Black Bean Quesadillas: Fill quesadillas with turkey, black beans, cheese, pickled jalapeños, and cilantro for a Tex-Mex twist.
- Cheese-Free Sweet Potato “Quesadillas”: Spread mashed sweet potatoes in place of cheese in a spicy quesadilla for a unique dish.
- Easy Turkey and Brussels Sprout Quesadillas: Combine turkey with shredded Brussels sprouts and pickled jalapeños in a quesadilla for a Thanksgiving flavor.
- 15-Minute Turkey Enchiladas: Fill tortillas with turkey and mole, bake, and serve with salsa for a quick and easy meal.
- Leftover Turkey “Carnitas”: Crisp up tender turkey meat from the carcass in a skillet for taco filling.
- Brown Turkey Stock: Roast turkey bones and vegetables before simmering in water for a rich stock, enhanced with tomato paste.
- Roast Turkey Soup: Simmer the turkey carcass in chicken stock and add bacon, onions, carrots, and celery for a hearty soup.
- Turkey ‘n’ Dumplings: Use turkey in place of chicken with broth, aromatics, and biscuit-like dumplings. Add gravy for thickness if desired.
- Turkey Tortilla Soup: Make a spicy broth with turkey, chilies, and aromatics. Use pasilla and ancho peppers for heat.
- Slow-Cooker Turkey, Lemon, and Couscous Soup: Use a slow cooker to create soup with turkey wings, thyme, and couscous. Add white wine for acidity.
- Slow-Cooker Turkey and Andouille Gumbo: Pair turkey with andouille sausage, cayenne, and Cajun seasonings in a slow cooker for a flavorful gumbo.
- Slow-Cooker Turkey Chile Verde: Cook turkey with broiled tomatillos, peppers, onions, and garlic in a slow cooker. Thicken with cornmeal and beans.
- Turkey Paitan Ramen: Slow-cook turkey meat and bones with aromatics for a rich broth. Add fresh drumsticks, shred, and crisp them for topping.
- Turkey Chintan Ramen: Use a pressure cooker for a clear broth seasoned with soy sauce, tamari, and mirin. Add Brussels sprouts and turkey drippings.
- Taiwanese Turkey Rice: Use leftover turkey with rice and pan drippings for a savory dish inspired by Taiwanese cuisine.
Ingredients
- Stuffing (no specific quantity given)
- Croque Madame:
- Leftover turkey (no specific quantity given)
- Grated cheese (no specific quantity given)
- Gravy (no specific quantity given)
- Eggs (for frying, no specific quantity given)
- Leftover mashed potatoes (no specific quantity given)
- Eggs (no specific quantity given)
- Buttermilk (no specific quantity given)
- Flour (no specific quantity given)
- Scallions (no specific quantity given)
- Cheddar cheese (no specific quantity given)
- Bacon (no specific quantity given)
- Mashed sweet potatoes (no specific quantity given)
- Milk (no specific quantity given)
- Eggs (no specific quantity given)
- Flour (no specific quantity given)
- Sour cream (no specific quantity given)
- Baking powder (no specific quantity given)
- Baking soda (no specific quantity given)
- Cranberry sauce (no specific quantity given)
- Sour cream (no specific quantity given)
- Sugared-almond crust (no specific quantity given)
- Pulled turkey meat (no specific quantity given)
- Gravy-spiked Russian dressing (no specific quantity given)
- Cranberry sauce-sauerkraut mixture (no specific quantity given)
- Swiss cheese (no specific quantity given)
- Rye bread (no specific quantity given)
- Butter (for toasting, no specific quantity given)
- Style Turkey Salad:
- Leftover turkey (no specific quantity given)
- Sichuan peppercorns (no specific quantity given)
- Sesame paste (no specific quantity given)
- Hot chili oil (no specific quantity given)
- Slivered scallions (no specific quantity given)
- Leftover Thanksgiving food (no specific quantity given)
- Cheddar cheese (no specific quantity given)
- Bread (no specific quantity given)
- Roast turkey (no specific quantity given)
- Black beans (no specific quantity given)
- Grated cheese (no specific quantity given)
- Pickled jalapeños (no specific quantity given)
- Fresh cilantro leaves (no specific quantity given)
- Free Sweet Potato “Quesadillas”:
- Mashed sweet potato (no specific quantity given)
- Leftover turkey (no specific quantity given)
- Shredded Brussels sprouts (no specific quantity given)
- Pickled jalapeños (no specific quantity given)
- Minute Turkey Enchiladas:
- Tortillas (no specific quantity given)
- Turkey (no specific quantity given)
- Store-bought mole (no specific quantity given)
- Salsa (no specific quantity given)
- Turkey carcass meat (no specific quantity given)
- Turkey carcass (no specific quantity given)
- Vegetables (no specific quantity given)
- Tomato paste (a couple of tablespoons)
- Turkey carcass (no specific quantity given)
- Chicken stock (no specific quantity given)
- Bacon (no specific quantity given)
- Onions (no specific quantity given)
- Carrots (no specific quantity given)
- Celery (no specific quantity given)
- Gravy (optional, no specific quantity given)
- Broth (no specific quantity given)
- Aromatics (no specific quantity given)
- Biscuit-like drop dumplings (no specific quantity given)
- Gravy (optional, no specific quantity given)
- Broth (no specific quantity given)
- Aromatics (no specific quantity given)
- Pasilla peppers (two)
- Ancho peppers (two)
- Cooker Leftover Turkey, Lemon, and Couscous Soup:
- Turkey wings (no specific quantity given)
- Thyme (no specific quantity given)
- Bay leaves (no specific quantity given)
- Israeli couscous (no specific quantity given)
- White wine (one cup)
- Cooker Leftover Turkey and Andouille Gumbo:
- Vegetables (no specific quantity given)
- Andouille (no specific quantity given)
- Cayenne (no specific quantity given)
- Cajun seasonings (no specific quantity given)
- Cooker Leftover Turkey Chile Verde:
- Broiled tomatillos (no specific quantity given)
- Serrano peppers (no specific quantity given)
- Onions (no specific quantity given)
- Garlic (no specific quantity given)
- Cornmeal (no specific quantity given)
- White beans (no specific quantity given)
- Cilantro (for garnish)
- Sour cream (for garnish)
- Red onions (for garnish)
- Pepper Jack cheese (for garnish)
- Crushed tortilla chips (for garnish)
- Cooked Egg:
- Turkey meat and bones (no specific quantity given)
- Aromatics (no specific quantity given)
- Charred vegetables (no specific quantity given)
- Fresh turkey drumsticks (no specific quantity given)
- Eggs (soft-cooked, no specific quantity given)
- Clear broth (no specific quantity given)
- Tare made of soy sauce (no specific quantity given)
- Tamari (no specific quantity given)
- Mirin (no specific quantity given)
- Brussels sprouts (no specific quantity given)
- Roast turkey drippings (no specific quantity given)
- Steamed or leftover roast turkey (no specific quantity given)
- Pan drippings (no specific quantity given)
FAQ
- How can I use leftover stuffing creatively?
- Consider making stuffing waffles! By using a Belgian waffle iron, you can create a crispy and crunchy treat that pairs well with both maple syrup and gravy.
- What can I do with leftover mashed potatoes?
- Transform them into waffled mashed potatoes by mixing in eggs, buttermilk, and flour. Enhance the flavor by adding scallions, cheddar, and bacon for a delicious twist.
- Are there any sandwich ideas for Thanksgiving leftovers?
- Try a Thanksgiving Turkey Reuben Sandwich, which combines turkey with a gravy-spiked Russian dressing, a cranberry sauce-sauerkraut mixture, and melted Swiss cheese on rye bread.
- How can I make a quick and easy meal with leftover turkey?
- Prepare 15-Minute Turkey Enchiladas by rolling turkey and store-bought mole sauce in tortillas, baking them, and serving with salsa for a quick meal.
- What soup can I make with leftover turkey?
- Consider making Turkey Tortilla Soup with broth, aromatics, and various chilies. It’s a great way to incorporate leftover turkey into a comforting and flavorful dish.
Tips
- Maximize Crispiness with a Waffle Iron: When making stuffing waffles, use a Belgian waffle iron to enhance the crispy, crunchy texture that makes stuffing irresistible. Serve them with a combination of maple syrup and gravy for a delightful balance of sweet and savory.
- Revitalize Leftover Mashed Potatoes: To transform leftover mashed potatoes, mix in eggs, buttermilk, and flour to create a waffle batter. Enhance the flavor by adding scallions, cheddar cheese, and bacon for a more satisfying dish.
- Enhance Sweet Potato Pancakes: When making sweet potato pancakes with leftover mashed sweet potatoes, include sour cream to add tanginess and balance the sweetness. Baking powder and baking soda will help the pancakes rise and brown beautifully.
- Spice Up Turkey Sandwiches: For a unique twist on leftover turkey sandwiches, try making a Thanksgiving Turkey Reuben. Combine pulled turkey with a gravy-infused Russian dressing and a tangy cranberry sauce-sauerkraut mixture, topped with melted Swiss cheese on rye bread.
Equipment
- Belgian waffle iron
- Slow cooker
- Pressure cooker
