14 ideas for Thanksgiving leftovers
Congratulations! You’ve made it through Thanksgiving. And while you may be impressed with how successful the turkey turned out, or that domestic relations around the dinner table didn’t dissolve into war this year, perhaps you’re most proud that you were able to cram all the leftovers into the fridge at the end of dinner. And while sometimes nothing tastes better than a cold plate of leftovers in the calm after the big day, even the world’s best stuffing doused in gravy can become, well, boring.
We’ve compiled 14 of our favorite recipes that repurpose leftovers in new and, dare we say it, exciting ways. From soups and stews, to “pain perdu” and, yes, the classic turkey sandwich, it’s all you need to reimagine those leftovers. Simply click on the photos to go to the recipes.
Turkey casserole
Los Angeles Times
Use up more than just leftover turkey in this casserole, which also calls for leftover yams and Brussels sprouts baked under a crust of grated Gruyere, saltine crackers, pecans and butter. Even Chef Thomas Keller can sympathize when it comes to rethinking Thanksgiving leftovers.
Turkey salad sandwich with tarragon and red grapes
Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times
Fix a quick meal using turkey in a salad flavored with fresh tarragon and red grapes.
Griddled Thanksgiving stuffing 'pain perdu' with Gouda sauce and poached eggs
Los Angeles Times
You’ll want to whip up an extra batch of stuffing for leftovers, to make this dish. Also from chef Thomas Keller, this recipe turns that stuffing into “pain perdu” for a perfect breakfast.
Roast turkey and winter vegetable chowder
This rich chowder comes together in very little time, using very little effort.
Friday night salad with toasted cumin, honey and lime dressing
Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times
After all the heavy dishes of Thanksgiving, sometimes you just want a salad. We understand.
Turkey or chicken potpie
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
Who doesn’t love potpie? This version, baked under a rich puff pastry crust, is a perfect way to use up leftover turkey.
Pilgrim’s pie
Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times
Use leftover stuffing and mashed potatoes as the crust topping in this unique take on potpie.
Carved turkey with kabocha spread and ancho-bell-pepper-cranberry chutney
Christina House / For the Times
Combine hand-carved turkey with a puree of kabocha squash, ancho-bell-pepper-cranberry chutney, applewood smoked bacon and romaine lettuce on buckwheat bread. It’s how Chef Judy Han of Mendocino Farms elevates the sandwich.
Turkey potpie with biscuit crust
Los Angeles Times
Use up leftover vegetables along with the turkey in this potpie, which is topped with a rich biscuit topping.
Turkey gumbo with artichokes and andouille
Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times
If you saved the turkey carcass, use it to make a simple stock to flavor this rich gumbo.
Turkey with melted Camembert and mostarda
Al Seib / Los Angeles Times
Pair turkey breast with thick slices of Camembert, arugula, a little mayonnaise and a generous dollop of mostarda. It’s how chef Michael Voltaggio of Ink sandwiches Thanksgiving leftovers.
Turkey potpie
Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times
Our own S. Irene Virbila adapts a Bradley Ogden potpie recipe to use up her Thanksgiving leftovers. “Just about perfect” is how she describes it.
Mixed greens with chicken, goat cheese and pecans
Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times
While this salad normally calls for a rotisserie chicken when fixing dinner on a busy weeknight, it works equally well using leftover turkey. Simply substitute turkey for the chicken, throw in some vegetables and it’s a nice, light way to make use of those leftovers.
Quick cassoulet
Los Angeles Times
Use up the last of that leftover turkey over the course of a lazy afternoon, as the dish slowly cooks away largely unattended in this cassoulet recipe from Food Editor Amy Scattergood.
Love cooking as much as I do? Follow me on Twitter: @noellecarter.
ALSO:6 ideas for the ultimate breakfast
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