Tired of Terrible Turkey Leftovers? Try These Tasty Ways to Avoid Thanksgiving Waste

November 26, 2024

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After a day (or two… or three) of overeating at Thanksgiving celebrations, you’re probably tired of thinking about turkey.

Too bad. Because despite all that indulgence, rarely does a Turkey Day feast end without leftovers. If you’ve got a fridge or freezer full of leftover bird, discover these delicious ways to avoid letting all that poultry go to waste.

Even better, you won’t make yourself (or your family) sick of the same old meals.

  • Turkey Sandwich – A bit boring, but tried and true. Try topping with leftover cranberry sauce, gravy or stuffing for a changeup from the traditional turkey sammie.
  • Turkey Frittata – Hide chopped turkey in breakfast by combining with eggs, potatoes, peppers and any other morning delights.
  • Turkey Soup – It’s comfort food season. Toss shredded turkey, broth and your favorite comforting ingredients in a slow cooker then sit back and wait for the dinner bell.
  • Turkey Nachos – A slight twist on a game day favorite; just replace the usual chicken or beef with leftovers from Thanksgiving.
  • Turkey Chili – Another slow cooker classic! Follow your traditional chili recipe and swap out the protein for a comforting meal on a cool day.
  • Turkey Casserole – Peppers, onions, mushrooms, corn and, you guessed it, leftover turkey combine in a one-pot dish to feed the whole family.
  • Turkey Salad – OK, all the comfort foods are getting a little filling. Go light for lunch with greens, matchstick veggies, your favorite dressing and chopped poultry.
  • Turkey Pasta – The turkey is the main ingredient, but the rest is up to you. Choose your preferred noodles, sauce and seasonings then pair with garlic bread.
  • Turkey Sliders – Yes, technically another sandwich, but much more creative than two pieces of bread and some leftover meat. Cut toasted rolls in half then layer with turkey, cheese and leftover gravy.

Don’t let those leftovers go to waste! Find us on Facebook and YouTube to see how we make some of our favorite recipes.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

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