While hoards of people are out on Black Friday, scoring sweet deals and getting the jump on Christmas shopping, my sweet deal is in the kitchen, dreaming up ways to makeover the leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Kind of a weird – I know. But, I am owning it because leftovers makeovers are my creative outlet and Thanksgiving usually yields lots of leftover turkey to makeover. Here is a rundown of the recipes I’ve rounded up.
6 Superb Ways to Use Up Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey
The “Moist Maker” Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich – Friends
If you are a Friends fan, then you know exactly what I am talking about – a sandwich made with turkey, stuffing, gravy, and a slice of gravy-soaked bread in the middle, a.k.a “the moist maker.” But when I make this sandwich, I take it to a whole new level, drenching the whole thing in gravy. #Yum!
Turkey and Stuffing Bake – Betty Crocker
This here recipe takes me back to my youth. I had a friend growing up whose mom would make this amazingly flavorful casserole. While her version was made with chicken and green beans, it was my top request whenever I ate at their house. Betty Crocker’s Turkey and Stuffing bake is equally as flavorful as the casserole from my youth, but I do sub in green beans for the broccoli.
Turkey Salad Sandwiches
Speaking of subbing things in… Do you know what happens when you sub in leftover turkey for chicken in a recipe for chicken salad? I’ll tell you what happens. Deliciousness. Deliciousness is what happens. I have subbed in turkey for chicken in my Simply Tasty Chicken Salad recipe and it did not disappoint. Not to mention that there was a whole lot more salad to enjoy, on account of the turkey being much larger than a chicken and yielding a fair amount of leftovers to makeover.
White Turkey Chili
Since substituting is the topic of conversation as of late, let’s talk about that time that I subbed in turkey for chicken in this recipe for White Chicken Chili. To be honest, I was a bit skeptical when I did it. I mean, turkey and chicken have similar flavors, but I was still a little leery because of my love for White Chicken Chili made with chicken. But… I overcame my fear and it turned out better than the chicken version. And that verdict came from not just me, but “Mr. Hates Trying Anything New” himself – my husband.
Turkey Pot Pie with Sweet Potato Biscuits – Wholefully
So, I have a confession to make. I have not actually tried this recipe personally, but you better believe that it is atop my list of turkey recipes to try. Everything about this recipe sounds divine and screams deliciousness. I mean, seriously – Cassie at Wholefully had me at sweet potato biscuits.
Grilled Turkey and Cheese
My middle daughter is something of a grilled cheese sandwich enthusiast. She loves grilled cheeses of all shapes, sizes, and flavors. Needless to say, I had a very willing and eager taste tester when I grilled up the toasty, melty, cheesy goodness that is this sandwich. The shredded turkey between two slices of melty American just really kicks things up a notch. And, I’m not gunna lie, my daughter wasn’t the only one who enjoyed this simple sandwich.
What about you – do you spend your Black Fridays shopping the sweet deals? Or are you like me and and spend them dreaming up ways to makeover all that leftover Thanksgiving turkey? If you are like me, I’d love to hear about the wonderful ways you transform your turkey?
Hello! I’m Terryn – the wife, mother, food safety enthusiast, Stormy Kromer fanatic who has slightly (okay, a lot) random tendencies, dabbles in photography, and shares (maybe a little too much) here at FFB.