As you put together to your Thanksgiving feast, it’s pure to give attention to the large meal. However have you considered the way you’ll deal with that mountain of Thanksgiving leftovers that always observe? Somewhat than letting further turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce go to waste, why not reimagine them into new, thrilling dishes?
With a bit of creativity, these leftovers will be remodeled into recent meals that stretch the enjoyment of Thanksgiving lengthy after the day is over. From turkey sliders to mashed potato truffles, these concepts will enable you flip your post-feast extras right into a sequence of mouthwatering meals that maintain your Thanksgiving flavors alive whereas decreasing meals waste.
Why it’s necessary to make use of up these leftovers
Thanksgiving is a celebration of togetherness and gratitude. Nonetheless, it’s additionally one of many largest meals waste days of the yr. In keeping with ReFED, a nonprofit working to fight meals waste primarily based in america, People will waste roughly 316 million kilos of meals throughout Thanksgiving in 2024 alone. “This represents greater than $556 million value of groceries thrown away in a single day – a pointy distinction to the spirit of gratitude the day is supposed to embody,” mentioned Selena Mao, supervisor at ReFED.
With hundreds of thousands of kilos of uneaten meals tossed yearly, discovering inventive methods to repurpose leftovers isn’t simply sensible – it’s a small step towards slicing down on meals waste. By giving your Thanksgiving staples a second life, you possibly can assist decrease waste whereas persevering with to take pleasure in your vacation feast in recent and scrumptious methods. Right here’s learn how to use each final little bit of your Thanksgiving leftovers.
Turkey
Turkey is undoubtedly the centerpiece of Thanksgiving, and there are many methods to repurpose it in tasty, ingenious dishes. Contemplate making turkey cranberry sliders, a candy and savory possibility that pairs leftover turkey with cranberry sauce on smooth Hawaiian rolls. These sliders make for an ideal snack or mild meal. Including leftover turkey to soups can be a straightforward solution to repurpose this Thanksgiving staple. Turkey and rice soup or turkey noodle soup are each classics which can be straightforward to organize and best for cozy nights.
Make turkey enchiladas to present your leftovers a Mexican-inspired makeover. For taco lovers, leftover turkey tacos are a fast and scrumptious possibility that brings a little bit of spice to the desk.
In case you love conventional rooster pot pie, change issues up through the use of turkey for a recent twist on this basic consolation meals. Merely mix your leftover turkey with a mixture of recent or frozen greens, then stir in a creamy sauce constituted of a butter and flour roux, milk and broth. High the combination with a buttery pie crust, bake till golden and bubbly, and also you’ve bought a straightforward, scrumptious meal that’s excellent for repurposing leftovers.
Lastly, don’t overlook in regards to the turkey carcass. Use it to whip up a flavorful turkey inventory that may be a base for future soups and stews. Merely toss your turkey bones in water with some herbs and veggies – chopped onion, carrots, garlic, celery and thyme are favorites – and permit to simmer for about three to 4 hours over the range for a flavorful selfmade inventory.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin isn’t only for pies – there are numerous inventive methods to make use of it. You’ll be able to remodel leftover pumpkin right into a savory pumpkin quiche, stir it into oatmeal or yogurt for a lift of taste and even mix it right into a creamy batch of mac and cheese. Including it to a hearty pumpkin chili for a heat, satisfying meal that’s filled with fall taste can be successful.
Mashed potatoes
Fundamental mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, and there are tons of the way to repurpose them. Fried mashed potato balls are a enjoyable solution to take your leftovers to the subsequent degree. These crispy, tacky bites are at all times successful and an amazing app in case you’re internet hosting any soccer events on Thanksgiving weekend.
In case you’re feeling adventurous, attempt making a mashed potato chocolate cake. Consider it or not, including a cup of mashed potatoes to your favourite chocolate cake recipe can add moisture and richness to this decadent dessert. Plain mashed potatoes work greatest right here.
Cranberry sauce
An unsung hero of the Thanksgiving desk, cranberries are sometimes left lingering within the fridge. Nonetheless, there are many methods to repurpose this candy sauce. Use it as a topping for Greek yogurt for a tangy morning deal with. You can even stir your leftover cranberry sauce into your favourite quickbread recipe for an amazing breakfast deal with.
For a extra festive twist, add a few tablespoons of leftover cranberry sauce to your favourite cocktail for a holiday-inspired drink. And for dessert, don’t miss the chance to make cranberry shortcake, the place the tartness of the sauce pairs fantastically with the sweetness of the cake.
Stuffing
Stuffing could also be some of the versatile Thanksgiving leftovers. As a substitute of simply reheating it, attempt making savory stuffing waffles. They’re fast and straightforward to whip up – merely combine your leftover stuffing with a few eggs and cook dinner for about 5 minutes in your waffle maker. These crispy waffles are brunch perfection, they usually’re a perfect deal with in case you have weekend friends staying over.
Nonetheless have extra stuffing? Attempt frying it into crispy stuffing fritters, utilizing it as a filling for egg rolls, or stirring it right into a casserole. In case you’ve bought leftover turkey and mashed potatoes, why not layer the stuffing right into a turkey shepherd’s pie for an additional layer of consolation?
Bread
Lastly, don’t overlook about leftover bread. Whether or not it’s rolls or loaves, that bread can simply be remodeled into one thing particular. Attempt making an in a single day blueberry French toast casserole, which is ideal for a weekend brunch. It’s a straightforward solution to flip stale bread into a pleasant, candy breakfast deal with.
Don’t let these leftovers go to waste
Whether or not you’re internet hosting an enormous household gathering or your first Friendsgiving, don’t let the spoils out of your Thanksgiving dinner weigh you down. With so many inventive methods to make use of up your Thanksgiving leftovers, there’s no have to let any meals go to waste. From sliders to soups, and truffles to fritters, these recipes supply flavorful methods to profit from your vacation feast. Give them a attempt, and also you’ll have scrumptious meals that final effectively past Thanksgiving Day.
Sarah Jenkins is the blogger behind Entrance Vary Fed. She lives in Bouler, Colorado, together with her husband and two boys, and her beloved canine daughter, Maya.
