6 Quick and Easy Things to Do with Thanksgiving Leftovers

While digesting a belt-busting Thanksgiving meal, I’m often reminded of the Friends episode in which Ross spirals into a fit of rage after somebody in the paleontology office eats his Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich. The sandwich, dubbed The Moist Maker, is piled high with traditional leftovers such as turkey and stuffing, but with a signature slice of gravy-soaked bread in the middle.

I, like Ross, would probably react the same way because, frankly, leftovers are many times better than the food prepared on the actual holiday.

Though I come from a household in which staples such as turkey, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole aren’t actually staples (they’re kind of boring, no?), I cannot deny the love I have for these dishes when reimagined and served in more innovative ways.

Here are six Thanksgiving leftover ideas to consider so that you can save room in your refrigerator after cooking in excess.

1. Turn them into a sandwich.

Take a note from Friends, and grab yourself two (or three!) slices of bread to stack high with leftovers for the ultimate Thanksgiving leftover sandwich. The cranberry sauce can be spread with mayonnaise to bring in added moisture, while flavors such as turkey, mashed sweet potatoes, stuffing, and even shaved brussels sprouts will blend effortlessly with each and every bite. You can even take a stab at this Moist Maker itself to understand exactly why Ross was unable to contain his bout of anger about his lifted sandwich.

2. Add them to breakfast.

Thanksgiving leftovers for breakfast? You bet! Practically anything can be transformed into an omelet (or egg cup). Chop up your turkey, sprinkle in stuffing, and mix these ingredients with eggs to then scramble on a heated skillet. You can also toast slices of cornbread to be used as a serving vessel, should you want to bring in a carb to start your morning.

3. Make a casserole.

The only thing more American than a Thanksgiving feast is preparing a Thanksgiving leftover casserole. This five-star Thanksgiving leftover recipe layers mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, corn, green beans, and cranberry sauce so that you can relive the day before in one simple forkful. Top the dish with frizzled onions to give it an added, yet oh-so-necessary crunch.

4. Mix up a salad.

It may seem like Thanksgiving dinner takes days to digest and a lighter salad makes sense to counter the heaviness and richness that has tired the palate. Mix in pieces of turkey, turn cornbread into croutons, and transform cranberry sauce into a vinaigrette by emulsifying it with olive oil and vinegar. You can then sprinkle the salad with fresh herbs and pomegranate seeds to brighten the dish and make it appear less like a repeat and more like a brand-new meal.

5. Fry them up as finger foods.

Practically anything can be folded into pastry dough and fried to create crispy, golden bites. A few ideas include mini tarts, egg rolls, and even hand pies. One of our favorite preparations, however, is to bust out a bag of tortilla chips and make Thanksgiving nachos (topped with melted cheese, sour cream, and chives, of course).

6. Repurpose the turkey.

Turkey, like chicken, has many uses. Use leftover parts and bones to form a stock for soup. Meat can also be repurposed for pot pies, chili, stew, or practically anything that contains additional liquid to bring in necessary moisture.

How to store Thanksgiving leftovers

If you prefer leftovers as is, you’ll need to rely on proper storage techniques to extend their life and quality. Of course, freezing is always an option for most Thanksgiving leftover dishes, but here are some quick tips on refrigerating the fruits of your labor (quite literally with cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie).

• Separate dishes into shallow containers. Different recipes call for different reheating times, so it’s best to keep everything separate. Also, remove food from serving platters. A simple plastic wrap or aluminum foil cover will not work as effectively as sealed storage products.
• Cool down dishes as quickly as possible. But don’t stack your containers in the fridge, as this can trap heat and affect flavor preservation.
• Store for a maximum of three to four days. And refrain from reheating more than once, as it will cause your leftover meal to dry out and become inedible.

Because these Thanksgiving leftover dishes are that good, you don’t want a single bite to spoil. Now you can turn the holiday into a holiday week and give yourself even more days to be grateful.