10 Ways To Use Up All Those Thanksgiving Leftovers

So you hosted a kick-a** Thanksgiving dinner like the awesome host you knew you could be, but November has ended, the Christmas and Hanukkah season has begun and you have a fridge full of leftovers. You begged your relatives to take those pies and mashed potatoes home but you just can’t seem to get rid of all that turkey! This is the boat that all our generous dinner hosts seem to find themselves in the week following the food-filled holiday, but it seems like such a shame to throw perfectly good food in the garbage. Luckily, there are a lot of chefs out there who have the same problem and have come up with a list of delicious and easy ways to use up all your leftovers, especially the turkey. So if you’re having trouble fitting anything into your post-Thanksgiving filled fridge, make some room with these recipe ideas:

1. Turkey & Bacon Panini with Chipotle Mayo

This easy to make sandwich makes a perfect lunch meal that the whole family will love!

2. Turkey Pot Pie

A spin on the classic chicken pot pie that is perfect for these cold winter days

3. Open Faced Turkey Sandwich

Also a classic, and my favorite, this sandwich uses up more than just turkey. Pile on mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, gravy and whatever else you may like. 

4. Turkey Salad

A healthy way to use up those leftovers!

5. Turkey Vegetable Soup

Another recipe perfect for the holiday season!

6. Cheddar Turkey Casserole

Turkey, pasta, and veggies in a cheesy sauce? Yes please!

7. Club-style Turkey Enchiladas

This creative and delicious dish involves bacon, swiss, and left over turkey-yum!

8. Turkey Fettuccine 

For pasta lovers, this is a perfect way to use up leftovers in a simple but delicious way

9. Turkey Focaccia Club

This Panera-esque sandwich is amazing not just for turkey leftovers, but any day of the year

10. Turkey Ramen

Chef Edward Lee’s signature blend of Southern and Asian flavors is sure to win the approval of your family this holiday season.

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Delicious and Creative Ways to Use Up All That Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey

Thanksgiving is over and all the guests have left with full stomachs and smiles on their faces (hopefully!)- but now you have a fridge filled with leftovers- pie, stuffing, cranberry sauce, the works. And probably what you'll have the most to finish up? All of that turkey. And the catch? You have a limited time to eat it before it goes bad! It would be a shame to waste, but honestly there are only so many turkey sandwiches one can eat. So that raises the question many hosts face each year, what to do with all that extra food?

Luckily for us, a lot of chefs have also considered this dilemma. So I've put together a delicious list of ways you can use up those leftovers without throwing them away (or getting sick of turkey!). I've also included links to easy and reliable recipes below each suggestion to help you get started on your turkey-eating-marathon! 

1. Turkey Soup

This is number one on my list because I've actually done this before and if you haven't, trust me, you're missing out! Turkey soup is both delicious and a perfect opener to the winter/holiday season. And you can use more than just your leftover turkey for this recipe; throw in your leftover potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, and more to top off a perfect, hearty lunch or dinnertime treat!

Click here to see a recipe for homemade turkey soup:

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/homemade-turkey-soup/4fdb9be4-b375-4d3e-960a-f83c46a160ce

2. Turkey Chili

Another yummy wintertime meal! When it's cold outside, there is nothing like a nice bowl of hot chili. There are tons of chili recipes out there featuring turkey, so I'm confident you'll be able to find one that appeals to you. Chili is both easy to make and popular, so you should have no problem finding people to share it with!

Click here to see a Turkey Chili Recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-specials/turkey-chili-recipe/index.html

3. Turkey Pot Pie

This recipe can combine multiple of our frequent Thanksgiving leftovers- almost all of them really! If cooked your dessert pies from scratch, then you can use your left over pie crust

to start- and if baking is not your style and you were one of many of us who chose a nice, store-bought pie- that's okay too! It's easy enough to find pre-made pie crust to use. Then the rest is easy! FIll it up with all your Thanksgiving favorites- turkey, peas, corn, gravy, carrots, celery, and more. Heat up some mashed potatoes for your side and you've got yourself an amazing meal that won't remind you that you're still working on those leftovers. 

Click here to see an easy-to-make Turkey Pot Pie recipe: http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/classic-turkey-pot-pie/222c3cef-31cc-4936-abfd-cc72611c16c4

4. The Thanksgiving Sandwich

There are all different names for this food item depending on where you go, but I just

refer to it as the Thanksgiving Sandwich. It is one of my personal favorites- and not just during the Thanksgiving season! This idea is definitely the easiest one to make, but trust me it is just as delicious as the rest. Just take a piece of bread, and after toasting it, put on your desired amount of turkey. Then here comes the good part, load it up with as many leftovers as you want! Starting with the basics; stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy, then top it off with whatever else you like (cranberry sauce, peas, corn, ect). But like many southern treats, this is not a meal for our low calorie lovers! But hey, it's the holidays- so whose really counting calories anyway? 


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