What to Do with the Thanksgiving Leftovers... Seven Different Recipes

Leftover turkey is a given after Thanksgiving.  Be it because your group doesn't like the dark meat, or that one family group decided to go to the in-laws instead, or you just found a great deal on a REALLY large bird, you're going to have some extra meat.  Now you can just make the standard sandwiches or casseroles, but let me give you seven other suggestions that will allow you to eat every leftover bite without getting too redundant.

Turkey Enchiladas

Here's a great usage for the dark meat.  Use a pair of forks to shred up the meat.  You can make our sauce recipe, or whatever brand you like best.  Assemble them and pop them in the oven for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees.  And this recipe is the perfect option for pre-made meals.  Assemble them in the disposable 8x8 tin foil pans (should hold 4-5), cover in foil and drop them in the deep freeze for up to 3 months.  After a hard day's work, throw them in a 375 degree oven for about 60-80 minutes and make a batch of Spanish Rice while you're waiting.

Turkey Lo Mein

A lighter option after stuffing yourself with every carb in the world on Thanksgiving.  Slice your leftover cooked turkey into bite-size bits and allow them to soak in the marinade for about an hour.  Then go through the regular preparation steps.  The time in the wok is just to warm the meat up, so don't overcook it.

Turkey Egg Rolls

Here's an option that can go in the deep freeze after cooking.  Cube up your turkey and add it to the vegetable mixture after you've cooked them down.  Then fry them up, eat as many as you can now, then place them in a ziploc freezer bag once they're cool.  Chill them for up to 3 months.  To reheat, you can just use the microwave or in the oven for 15 minutes to warm them through and crunch them up.

Barbecue Turkey Pizza

You wouldn't think about turkey on a pizza, but it's a great ingredient, especially when you're making a pizza without the standard marinara sauce.  If you're looking for a different taste than everything you'll eat on Thanksgiving, this is it.  Just substitute the chicken for leftover Turkey chopped into chunks and baste it with a little extra barbecue sauce if you want.

Turkey Noodle Soup

Yes it's the classic soup recipe with lots of flavor and vegetables.  Once again, we don't want to overcook the turkey, so add small diced or shredded bits of the bird about 3-4 minutes before you take it off the stove.    I know that after a day or two of intensive cooking, you may not want to go through the noodle making process.  So as a substitute, look for Kluski noodles at the store.  They're usually on the bottom shelf of the noodle section in any supermarket around.  They soak up the broth like a champ and still stay firm.

Buffalo Turkey Pizza

You know I like the spicy stuff and this is a perfect excuse to break out the buffalo sauce.  Chop the turkey into small bits and then spread them all over the pizza.  If you want even more Buffalo flavor, toss the chunks in a mixture of Buffalo sauce and butter and then add it to the pie.

Turkey Tortilla Soup

If you're tired of the basic Noodle Soup, then spice it up instead.  This recipe can be made on the stove, but if you are experiencing kitchen burnout, then do it in the crock pot instead.   Cook on low until the soup is fully cooked, then add some cubed cooked turkey about 10 minutes before serving.  You can also freeze the soup in individual containers so you have quick accessible lunches for a week.




So try a few of these and break out of the turkey leftover doldrums.