Forget the Thursday dinner, the leftovers are where it’s at! For my family, the day-after-Thanksgiving meals are usually more of a hit than the dinner itself. Whether you’re recovering from a wine-filled day of thanks or still partially in a food coma, here are three recipes that’ll make the most of your Thanksgiving leftovers.
Breakfast: “Thanksgiving Leftovers Breakfast Hash”
Basically, start with a rich base (mashed potatoes or stuffing), add on any toppings you want (corn, greens, carrots), and top with a fried egg and gravy! In the past, I’ve simplified this recipe by just reheating some of my dad’s corn pudding (*chef’s kiss*) and adding some bacon and a fried egg on top. It’s the perfect “I feel kinda sick from yesterday and woke up hungry” fix.
Lunch: “Leftover Thanksgiving Panini”
Throw in all of your favorite parts of Thanksgiving dinner between two pieces of bread and call it a day. Extra points if you add a bit of cranberry sauce for that sweet-savory combo OR add in gravy, so the sandwich isn’t dry…because gravy makes everything better.
Dinner: “Day-After-Thanksgiving Turkey Carcass Soup”
I’ll admit, the name of this recipe does make me question if going vegetarian should be my new year’s resolution…but I can attest to the great flavorful stock that your leftover poultry bones can create. If you’re looking to get the most out of the hard work, which is cooking your Thanksgiving bird, this is the way to do it. You can tailor the recipe to your family’s leftover line-up by adding in any vegetables that haven’t been eaten yet. Think chicken soup, but Thanksgiving style. This soup pairs great with cornbread muffins, my favorite!
Thanksgiving will likely (and hopefully) look a little different for you this year. Whether you’re zooming it up with your extended family or having an intimate celebration with your roommates, make sure to be smart and stay safe! Make the most of your leftovers by trying out one of the recipes in this article or dropping off (contactless-ly) a plate to a friend, family member, or neighbor.