One of the best parts of hosting Thanksgiving dinner? The leftovers. I normally try to get an extra big bird for this main purpose, but even at 18 pounds this year there wasn’t a lot left over. Next year, I’m getting over 20.
However, there was just enough turkey to do my traditional leftover dishes the following three, very easy, ways. Do you have any turkey leftover secrets to share?
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy some leftovers.
Turkey Sandwich – with all the works
I suspect this is one of the most common use of the leftover, cold turkey. On whole wheat bread covered with mayo, I layer the turkey, stuffing and top with cranberry sauce. A sandwich version of the meal I had the day before!
Thanksgiving Dinner Casserole
For this dish, think turkey shepards pie. I layer the following in a casserole dish:
-Turnip or other veggie
-Corn
-Potatoes (we didn’t have enough leftovers this year so I just quickly boiled a couple extra the day after our meal)
-Cold turkey, cubed
-Gravy (cold is fine. No leftover gravy? Use a can of condensed cream of chicken (or veggie) soup.
-Stuffing
Bake in oven at about 350 degrees (everything is already cooked, it just has to warm through) for about 30 minutes or so. Cover to start but remove the cover for the last 5-10 minutes to crisp up some of the stuffing.
Serve with Cranberry sauce if desired.
Turkey Soup
I always keep the bones from the turkey and freeze whatever is left on them for a future soup. Typically, I don’t carve it perfectly so there is always some meat left. I boil the bones up, the meat falls off and I make a stock with some onions and carrots, then add veggies for a soup.
However, in addition to this, I have also started keeping any of the leftover stuffing that is left inside the bird and gravy drippings. I freeze this with some of the bones and make the stock with the gravy and stuffing – both add amazing flavour. After I remove the bones, I add carrots and potatoes typically. Perfect on a cold fall or winter day!
(My centrepiece – the Boy helped me find leaves to add)
