Thanksgiving is all concerning the large meal, however the leftovers will be simply as vital. As a substitute of letting further turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce pile up, put them to good use in easy, artistic methods.
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With somewhat creativity, these leftovers can flip into meals that hold the Thanksgiving spirit alive. Suppose turkey sliders, mashed potato desserts, and extra — easy methods to get pleasure from your vacation favorites over again whereas slicing down on meals waste.
🍴 Why it’s vital to make use of up these leftovers
Thanksgiving is a celebration of togetherness and gratitude. Nonetheless, it’s additionally one of many greatest meals waste days of the yr. Based on ReFED, a nonprofit working to fight meals waste primarily based in the US, Individuals will waste roughly 316 million kilos of meals throughout Thanksgiving in 2024 alone. “This represents more than $556 million worth of groceries thrown away in a single day — a sharp contrast to the spirit of gratitude the day is meant to embody,” mentioned Selena Mao, supervisor at ReFED.
With thousands and thousands of kilos of uneaten meals tossed yearly, discovering artistic 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 reduce waste whereas persevering with to get pleasure from your vacation feast in recent and scrumptious methods. Right here’s the right way 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 into ingenious dishes. A traditional turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce on multigrain bread is a fast method to make use of up leftovers whereas holding issues recent. It’s good for lunch or a straightforward dinner whenever you’re not within the temper to prepare dinner.
Contemplate making turkey cranberry sliders, a candy and savory possibility that pairs leftover turkey with cranberry sauce on tender Hawaiian rolls. These sliders make for an ideal snack or gentle meal.
Including leftover turkey to soups can be a straightforward method to repurpose this Thanksgiving staple. Turkey and rice soup or turkey noodle soup are each classics which can be simple to arrange and supreme for cozy nights.
Make turkey enchiladas to offer 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.
If you happen to love conventional rooster pot pie, change issues up through the use of turkey for a recent twist on this traditional 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. Prime the combination with a buttery pie crust, bake till golden and bubbly, and also you’ve bought a straightforward, scrumptious meal that’s good for repurposing leftovers.
Lastly, don’t overlook concerning 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 — it’s simple to show it into new meals. A savory pumpkin quiche makes an ideal breakfast or brunch. Combine it with eggs, cheese, and no matter greens you have got round.
Stir pumpkin into oatmeal or yogurt for a fast taste increase. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a drizzle of maple syrup in case you’re within the temper.
For dinner, mix it into mac and cheese for a creamy texture or add it to a pumpkin chili. It’s a easy method to make a filling meal that also looks like fall.
🥔 Mashed potatoes
Primary mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, and there are tons of the way to repurpose them. Fried mashed potato balls are a enjoyable method to take your leftovers to the following stage. These crispy, tacky bites are all the time successful and an ideal app in case you’re internet hosting any soccer events on Thanksgiving weekend.
If you happen to’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
Cranberries may not all the time get the eye they deserve, however they’re probably the most versatile leftovers on the Thanksgiving desk. Past spreading it on toast or pairing it with yogurt, cranberry sauce will be reworked into a very new dish.
For a candy and spicy appetizer, attempt utilizing it in jalapeño cranberry dip. Merely substitute your leftover cranberry sauce for the recent cranberries within the recipe. Mix the cranberry sauce with jalapeños, inexperienced onions, cilantro, lime juice, and sugar till mixed, then layer it over a creamy base of softened cream cheese and heavy cream. Serve it with crackers, tortilla chips, or veggies for a vacation appetizer that’s candy, tart, spicy, and creamy — good for entertaining or snacking.
This dip is simply the beginning. Stir leftover cranberry sauce into fast bread or muffin batter for a easy breakfast improve, and even use it in cocktails so as to add a festive aptitude. And don’t overlook dessert: cranberry shortcake is a straightforward method to pair the sauce’s tartness with one thing candy.
🍞 Stuffing
Stuffing could also be probably the most 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 prepare dinner for about 5 minutes in your waffle maker. These crispy waffles are brunch perfection, and so they’re an ideal deal with you probably have weekend friends staying over.
Nonetheless have extra stuffing? Strive frying it into crispy stuffing fritters, utilizing it as a filling for egg rolls, or stirring it right into a casserole. If you happen to’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?
🌽 Creamed corn or canned corn
Leftover creamed corn or canned corn will be put to good use in easy, sensible methods. Flip it into Jiffy corn casserole for a fast aspect dish that works with nearly any leftovers.
For one thing heartier, use it in rooster corn soup — a no-fuss method to create a heat, filling meal with minimal effort.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a fast snack, combine creamed corn right into a fritter batter and pan-fry for a straightforward aspect or appetizer.
🥖 Bread
Lastly, don’t overlook about leftover bread. Whether or not it’s rolls or loaves, that bread can simply be reworked into one thing particular. Strive making an in a single day blueberry French toast casserole, which is ideal for a weekend brunch. It’s a straightforward method 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 a household gathering or celebrating Friendsgiving, don’t let these Thanksgiving leftovers go to waste. From sliders and soups to desserts and fritters, there are many methods to show further turkey, sides, and cranberry sauce into one thing recent and nice. These concepts assist stretch your vacation feast into meals you’ll get pleasure from for days.
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Parts of this text initially appeared on Meals Drink Life.