Turn Thanksgiving Leftovers Into Delicious New Meals

We really hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving celebration with friends, family, good times, and plenty of amazing food!

The age-old question of what to do with Thanksgiving leftovers comes up this time every year, and we have a few delicious ideas that can help you turn your leftovers into completely new and delicious meals.

Turkey Empanadas

An empanada is a hand-pie, popular in many Latin American cuisines, that can be made savory or sweet. After a Thanksgiving feast, you usually have a little bit of this and a little of that remaining, and an empanada is the perfect way to use leftovers from multiple dishes at the same time.

Fried Rice

For an Asian spin on post-Thanksgiving deliciousness, take chopped turkey and toss it with cooked rice, soy sauce, some veggies and a beaten egg to create take-out style fried rice.

Ingredients

Olive Oil

3 tablespoons chopped onion

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 stalk of green onion, chopped

¼ cup chopped red bell pepper

2 eggs – cooked and scrambled

1 cup diced cooked turkey

2 cups cooked rice

2 tablespoons soy sauce

¼ cup frozen peas or edamame

½ teaspoon kosher salt

Freshly cracked black pepper

Directions

Step 1 – Heat a large skillet with olive oil on medium-high heat. Sauté onions and garlic until onions have softened. Add green onions and bell pepper and sauté for another minute.

Step 2 – Add the diced turkey and heat through. Add the rice and toss ingredients together. Then, add the scrambled eggs and toss.

Step 3 – Add soy sauce and the frozen peas. Cook and toss until the peas are heated through. Add salt and pepper and taste for seasoning and serve.

Roasted Turkey Ramen Bowl

Ramen is a favorite of many, and what makes ramen so addictive is the delicious broth and toppings. You can slurp it all the way to the bottom of the bowl! Taking leftover turkey bones, you can simmer the broth with onions, garlic, ginger, bay leaves and more to make your own version. Toss in some roasted turkey, sautéed veggies, a soft-boiled or hard-boiled egg for the kids and call it a quick and yummy meal!

Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich

The classics never go out of style!

Ingredients (for each sandwich)

2 slices of sandwich bread, preferably thick-cut multi-grain

1-1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 slices of Swiss or Havarti cheese

1/3 cup shredded leftover turkey meat

1/4 cup leftover dressing

3 tablespoons leftover cranberry sauce

2 tablespoons leftover gravy

Soft butter for spreading

Directions

Step 1 – Spread mustard on both slices of bread, then lay a slice of cheese on each piece. Layer the turkey, cranberry sauce, and dressing on one slice and carefully spoon the gravy over the top.

Step 2 – Top the loaded bread slice with the cheese-only slice to form a sandwich, then spread the top side of the bread with butter.

Step 3 – Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat and set the sandwich, butter-side down, in the middle of the heated pan and spread the top side with butter. Heat until the cheese becomes a little melty, about a minute or two, then carefully (CAREFULLY!) flip the entire sandwich and cook for another minute or until the cheese is very melty.

Slice and serve!

Need New Cookware?

The Kenmore Wyatt stackable 5-piece aluminum cookware set gives you a non-stick sauté pan and grill pan, plus a steam rack, fry basket, and tempered glass lid… all in one stackable, easy-storing set. It’s a pretty incredible value – check it out!

The Kenmore Hammond Flat Bottom Carbon Steel 14” Wok is as effective as it is stylish. It’s the perfect cookware item for any cooktop. Whether heating up leftovers or putting together your next stir-fry, grab one today!

Stay Sharp!

Nothing cuts through leftovers like a fresh set of sharp knives. Our Kenmore Elite Lucas 18-piece forged stainless steel kitchen cutlery set gives you exceptionally sharp blades set into ergonomically balanced, triple-riveted handles… plus an attractive wood storage block. It’s a pretty sharp holiday gift idea, too!

Thankful for Leftovers

No matter your style or preference, leftovers are the perfect sign of a well-blessed home!