Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful. So don’t forget to give thanks for your leftovers by making the most of them the next day with these simple recipes and ideas.
Chances are when you think of Thanksgiving, you think of all the delicious goodies you’ll get to enjoy with your family. But when all is said and done, the holiday is about being thankful for all the wonderful things we have. And a poor way to show that thanks would be to throw any leftovers into the trash! So here are some great ways to make sure none of it goes to waste.
Turkey sandwiches
Turkey sandwiches are such an easy and delicious way to enjoy what’s left of your Thanksgiving dinner. It’s almost worth cooking extra just so you know you’ll have enough! Simply take two slices of bread; they can be white, whole wheat, sourdough, rye or anything else you prefer — it’s totally up to you. Spread a little gravy on each piece of bread to moisten them up, then layer on a few slices of turkey breast, a spoonful of dressing, and top with some cranberry sauce. You can bake it in the oven to make it warm and toasty, or enjoy it cold if you prefer. It’s tasty no matter what!
Homemade frozen dinners
If you’ve had your fill of Thanksgiving foods on the actual day and don’t think you’ll want the leftovers for a while, consider freezing them. We know what you’re thinking — defrosting a big container of stuffing or turkey a month later can be a pain. Instead, take a bunch of medium-sized resealable containers, and divide the leftovers among them. Put a little bit of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, gravy and anything else you enjoyed into each container, then stack them up in the freezer. Next time you don’t have time to make lunch or you get home from work and are too tired to cook, simply pop one in the microwave, and eat up. This way you can enjoy your very own mini-Thanksgiving dinner anytime you want!
Thanksgiving pie
Turkey pie is a delicious way to create a whole new meal out of leftovers. If you have a lot of dressing left over, begin by pressing it into a greased pie plate to form a crust. If you don’t have any dressing, no problem; just use a pre-made pie shell. In a bowl, combine sliced or shredded turkey leftovers with about a cup of fresh or frozen peas. Place this mixture in the pie crust. Slowly pour leftover gravy over the mixture until it is almost completely covered. If you don’t have any gravy, simply make a white sauce by combining 2 tablespoons of butter, 2 tablespoons of flour and a cup of milk in a saucepan, then pour this over the pie. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F or until the gravy begins to bubble slightly. Voila — you have a whole new dinner out of your turkey leftovers!
More on Thanksgiving
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Tips for throwing the perfect Thanksgiving dinner
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