What To Do with your Thanksgiving Leftovers

Do you remember that scene in “A Christmas Story” when the neighbors’ dogs destroy the holiday turkey? Who can forget how upset Ralphie sounds when he’s narrating the story, talking about all of the turkey leftovers the family won’t be able to enjoy?

“The heavenly aroma still hung in the house. But it was gone, all gone! No turkey! No turkey sandwiches! No turkey salad! No turkey gravy! Turkey Hash! Turkey A La King! Or gallons of turkey soup! Gone, all gone!”

The reason this scene is so funny is that turkey is one of the few dishes that’s just as good the second – and third and fourth – time around as it when you first have it. So many things can be made from your Thanksgiving and holiday leftovers. Here are just a few tasty options:

  • Turkey soup: You make chicken noodle soup, why not turkey? This is a fantastic recipe for leftover turkey because turkey is so lean and tends to be dry, especially when it’s reheated. The broth leaves the turkey moist.
  • Stuffing bites: Stuffing doesn’t get enough time to shine on its own. These fried stuffing bites give you the chance to snack on an underrated part of Thanksgiving dinner that usually gets tossed aside.
  • Shepherd’s pie: Shepherd’s pie doesn’t have to be made with beef. In fact, you can relive Thanksgiving dinner in this one-skillet dinner. Shred up your leftover turkey, whatever veggies you have left and top with mashed potatoes and gravy or cranberry sauce – or both!
  • Turkey tacos: Doesn’t it seem like you could put anything in a taco and it’ll taste great? Put your leftover turkey in a tortilla, along with some pico de gallo made with squash and pomegranate seeds for a tangy yet savory new favorite.
  • Cranberry turnoversWith only five ingredients and requiring less than an hour of your time, you’ll have something to do with all of that leftover cranberry sauce and a new dessert if you’re tired of leftover pumpkin pie.
  • Sweet potato pound cakeSweet potatoes always seem to be a huge hit at Thanksgiving dinner, so there is a chance you might not have any left over. But if you do, this pound cake is a great way to use it up. The potatoes are just the right amount of sweet for this dense cake, making it suitable for either breakfast or dessert.
  • Thanksgiving crepes: The great thing about crepes is that they can be made sweet or savory and served for any meal. Use your leftover mashed potatoes for the crepe itself, and fill it with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce.
  • Pumpkin pie milkshake: Chances are, you top your pumpkin pie with ice cream, so why not put it all together and drink it like a shake? All you have to do is throw a slice of pumpkin pie – crust and all – into a blender with some ice cream and milk and you have yourself an irresistible new way to consume your favorite pumpkin goodie!
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