4 Things to Do with Thanksgiving Leftovers

#1 – Make Turkey Sandwiches

I love turkey sandwiches almost more than I love Thanksgiving Dinner. So does my father, and so did my grandfather.

In fact, my grandfather loved leftovers so much that he would often go out the day after Thanksgiving and buy another turkey so there would be more leftovers.My father has done the same thing, so now I, grasping the torch (or drumstick, as it were) of non-restraint, do the same thing.

Turns out that turkey you paid $80 for on Monday is somehow $10 on Friday… so why not?

There are so many ways you can go with Turkey Sandwiches – but here are a few ideas:

1. The Ultimate Turkey Sandwich: Toasted rye or sourdough bread, thick-cut bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, cranberry sauce mayo
2. The Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich: Leftover dinner rolls (preferably King’s Hawaiian), stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce – believe me, it actually works.
3. The Minimalist (My Dad’s favorite): Whatever bread you have laying around, toasted; lettuce, season turkey with Old Bay Seasoning

#2 – Make Stock

Traditionally, this process takes 8 – 12 hours at home, but the method here takes less than half that – and most of that time is hands off – thanks to using a pressure cooker (Instant Pot).

It’s now the week after Thanksgiving, and you’ve gone through all your leftovers, and have more than had your fill of turkey. You probably also have a carcass and a bunch of bones kicking around. Don’t throw them out – make turkey stock!

Even if you don’t feel like it this week, you can freeze all that stuff and do it at your leisure anytime between now and 6 months from now.

Read the full story here.

#3 – Make Bacon & Hatch Chili Turkey Enchiladas

In case you haven’t figured it out by now, green chili and bacon are one of those things that go together like peanut butter and jelly, or gravy and mashed potatoes – they’re just meant for each other (see “Hatch Chile Bacon Mac & Cheese“).

If you’re looking for something to do with your leftover Thanksgiving turkey (that’s not sandwiches), these enchiladas will hit the spot. Great thing about this is you can make ahead of time, and then just pop them in the oven when you get home from work – done in about 45 minutes.

Remember – Enchiladas are basically just wet burritos that are rolled up and baked, so you’ll need to make (1) the sauce and (2) the filling. Make the sauce first, so it can cool while you’re making the filling.

Get the recipe here.

#4 – Make White Turkey Chili

Recipes change over time.  As we spend more time in the kitchen and become better cooks, we learn new things; as we learn new things, we incorporate them into the dishes we already know how to make.  That’s ultimately how a dish becomes “ours” – when we’ve come to know it so well through years of making it that is truly our own.  At one time, this was my most requested dish. Sub the chicken for turkey for a luxurious white chili.

Get the recipe here.