Thanksgiving leftovers can be as overwhelming as they are delicious. It is always fun to enjoy a hearty turkey sandwich, loaded with cranberry sauce and stuffing after the kitchen is all cleaned up. And while you may enjoy reheated leftovers, consider transforming your leftovers into a new and exciting dish. These ideas and recipes are just a click away as they are all found on the McCaffrey’s website.
- Check out this Turkey Soup recipe loaded with everything healthy, including great northern beans, zucchini, carrots and celery. Simply cube leftover turkey to add into soup.
- Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie is an easy and delicious one-pot meal that offers quick comfort. Perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers, this recipe calls for chopped cooked turkey and mashed sweet potatoes. If you don’t have sweet potatoes, you can easily swap out mashed potatoes.
- Check out this Chicken Nacho Recipe for a fun appetizer to munch on during a football game. No need to cook chicken breasts when you have leftover turkey in your refrigerator. Simply chop up your turkey and add onto the corn chips with other ingredients. These delicious nachos are loaded with cheese, but not dripping in grease.
- Swap out cooked turkey for the cooked chicken breast in this individual Chicken Pot Pie recipe. All the goodness of a classic homemade dinner, but without all fat.
- This Sweet Potato Ginger Soup is another great way to recycle leftovers. The soup is wonderfully creamy from the pureed sweet potatoes and soy creamer.
- Combine any leftover vegetables you may have on hand and create a Pasta Salad. Use this recipe as a template for a quick side. Don’t hesitate to toss in some leftover chopped turkey to make this salad a meal.
- Make a flavorful Buddha Bowl with quinoa, vegetables, and leftover turkey instead of chicken. Pull out all the leftovers you have in the refrigerator, from roasted broccoli to rice. Simply use the recipe as a guide when creating your bowl.
- Try a sandwich with a little bit of kick. This Buffalo Chicken Wrap can easily be made with leftover turkey. It gives you all the great flavors of Buffalo wings, including the blue cheese, without all the fat.
- This Chicken Casserole calls for cooked chicken – so why not use your remaining turkey instead? This recipe is made with low fat sour cream and cornflakes for a healthy crunch.
- In the mood for something sweet? Use leftover sweet potatoes to create a Sweet Potato Pie. This recipe, made with less sugar and eggs, than the traditional version, remains light, creamy and delicious.
With all the excitement when enjoying Thanksgiving leftovers, don’t forget about food safety. Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to enjoy all of those delicious dishes or place them in the freezer for later. If you are freezing leftovers, consume within 2-6 months for the best quality.
One more quick note. Covering foods when reheating helps to retain moisture and ensures that food will heat all the way through. When reheating leftovers, use a thermometer to be sure they reach an internal temperature of 165ºF.
