Create Great Meals with Thanksgiving Leftovers

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What to Do With Your Leftover Turkey

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. For me, it is a time to see my family in a relaxed atmosphere, for an entire weekend. And part of that atmosphere is created by the great meals that we eat.

I need to confess that I do have a bias related to Thanksgiving meals. First of all, I love turkey. We roast our turkey, and it is scrumptious--hot, juicy and full of flavor.

But my favorite time to eat turkey is the day after Thanksgiving. The turkey just gets better with time, but I don't like to reheat it. I prefer it cold, in a sandwich or a salad. I am not a casserole eater. This lens reflects that bias.

 

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Turkey Sourdough Pesto Sandwich 

Thanksgiving



Ingredients:

1 uncut 9" sourdough round bread loaf
6 ounces thinly sliced turkey
1/4 cup pesto sauce
1 medium tomato, thinly sliced
1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
8 slices mozzarella cheese

Preparation:

Cut one inch slice (will be used as a lid) off top of bread. Hollow out inside of bread.

Layer half or turkey, pesto, tomato, zucchini, and cheese. In that order. Then repeat.

Place the lid made out of the bread on the loaf and wrap loaf in foil.

Bake at 350ºF for 45 minutes.

Curried Turkey Salad Recipe 

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups shredded cooked turkey
1 cup Creamy Curried Dressing
4 flour tortillas (6-inch)
1 large papaya, peeled, seeded and sliced
3 kiwifruit, peeled, cut lengthwise in half and sliced crosswise
1/4 cup blanched slivered almonds, toasted
Fresh spinach leaves, stemmed, washed and dried

Preparation:

Prepare Creamy Curried Dressing.

Mix together turkey and salad dressing in a large bowl. Refrigerate 2 hours.

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Wrap tortillas in aluminum foil. Heat in oven 10 minutes. Meanwhile, coat outside of four 10-ounce custard cups with nonstick cooking spray. Invert onto a baking sheet.

Remove tortillas from oven. Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Place one tortilla at a time (keep others wrapped) on a prepared custard cup, pressing gently to shape. Bake tortillas in heated 400-degree F. oven 10 minutes. Carefully remove baked shells to a wire rack to cool completely.

Add papaya, kiwifruit, and almonds to turkey mixture. Line cooled tortilla cups with spinach leaves. Fill each shell with turkey mixture and serve.

Yield: 4 servings

Creamy Curried Dressing Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chutney
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/3 cup plain nonfat yogurt

Preparation:

Whisk together chutney, curry powder, and ground ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to boiling over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat; cool slightly.

Stir in plain nonfat yogurt. Scrape salad dressing into a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.

Yield: about 1 cup

 

Thanksgiving 101

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 07/06/2009)Buy Now

Getting ready for your first turkey or dissatisfied with the dry results you got last year? Not to worry--"Mr. Thanksgiving," Rick Rodgers, is here to teach Thanksgiving 101. And he ought to know. For the last eight years he has been traveling the country to teach his class as the media spokesperson for Perdue Farms, an industrial giant among turkey producers.
Before getting to what he calls the "Main Event," Rodgers has advice about how to plan ahead and coordinate the labor to make the day itself more enjoyable. He opens with sections on appetizers and beverages (Glittering Spiced Walnuts, Spicy Cheddar and Pecan Balls, Bloody Marys and Ramos Fizzes) and soups and salads.

The "Main Event" is everything, absolutely everything, you would want to know about buying, thawing, prepping, and roasting a turkey. You needn't look any further. There's a long question-and-answer-style section that anticipates any questions you might have. Then it's right on to everything from Perfect Roast Turkey with Best-Ever Gravy to Holiday Meatball Lasagna.

Follow all that with sections on stuffings and dressings, side dishes, yeast and quick breads, desserts (there's more to do with that pumpkin than make pie--how about Pumpkin-Walnut Roulade with Ginger Filling?), and leftovers (Turkey Tetrazzini), and you can see how Rick Rodgers's Thanksgiving 101is the cookbook equivalent of one-stop shopping for your holiday meal. --Schuyler Ingle

Turkey Monte Cristo Sandwiches 

This Monte Cristo is a sandwich filled with turkey, and Swiss cheese that is coated and deep-fried. It is not for the faint of heart, but it is indeed decadently delicious.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
8 slices sandwich bread
8 slices cooked turkey
4 slices Swiss cheese
2 egg whites
3 eggs
1/2 cup commercial sour cream
2 Tablespoons milk
1 cup fine, dry breadcrumbs (about)
Vegetable oil

Preparation:

Combine mayonnaise and mustard, stirring well; spread on one side of each bread slice.

Place two slice each of turkey, and one Swiss cheese on top of 4 bread slices. Top with remaining bread. Cut each sandwich in half diagonally; secure with wooden picks.

Beat egg whites (at room temperature) until stiff; set aside. Beat eggs; add sour cream and milk, stirring well. Fold in egg whites.

Dip sandwich halves in batter; coat with breadcrumbs. Carefully lower sandwich halves, one at a time, into deep hot oil (375 degrees F.); fry until golden brown, turning once. Drain; remove wooden picks. Serve sandwiches immediately.

Yield: 4 servings

Thanksgiving Turkey Pomegranate Salad 

Thanksgiving Dinner



Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup pineapple bits, drained
3 cups diced cooked turkey
1 cup celery, sliced on the slant
1 cup diced apples (Rome, Winesap, or any red-skinned variety)
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup pineapple juice

Preparation:

Toss pineapple in large bowl with turkey, celery, apples, pomegranates seeds, and almonds.

In separate bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and pineapple juice. Toss dressing with turkey mix in the larger bowl. Garnish with additional pomegranate seeds and toasted almonds.

Turkey Asparagus Pilaf 

Ingredients:

2 cups water
2 Tbsp margarine
1 (6-1/2 oz) pkg instant long grain and wild rice
1 (10 oz) pkg frozen asparagus
3 cups chopped cooked turkey
1/3 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp dry sherry
2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
3 Tbsp sliced almonds, toasted

Preparation:

Combine water, margarine, and contents of seasoning
packet from package of rice in a large skillet. Bring to a
boil and stir in rice. Cover and remove from heat. Let
stand 7 minutes.
Cook asparagus according to package directions; drain
and cut spears into thirds. Add asparagus, turkey and next
3 ingredients to rice; toss gently. Sprinkle with almonds.

 

How Do You Like Your Turkey Leftovers?

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I Like Them Cold, in a Sandwich!

WindyWinters says:

I like them Cold, in a Sandwich! Yummy!

funwithtrains says:

With cranberry sauce (sorry, I prefer the canned stuff) on the sandwich too!

chefkeem says:

Mmmh...turkey sammies!

WendyKrick says:

turkey sandwich for me.

GrowWear says:

I like 'em both!

I Like My Leftovers Warm, in a Casserole.

Intuitive says:

Turkey hash: turkey, dressing and gravy heated in a skillet. It's a tossup, actually.

WhitU4ever says:

Just as they are... reheat them, indulge, and there is no more cooking for several days following Thanksgiving!

chefkeem says:

Mmmh...turkey casserole!

Jimmie says:

I boil the carcass and scraps to make turkey broth. That is then used to boil pasta and make a creamy sauce for Turkey Tettrazinni. Yum!

 
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Turkey Sandwich with Gouda 

Thanksgiving Dinner



Serves 12

Ingredients:

Mayonnaise
3 Each avocados, peeled and pitted
3 Cloves garlic, peeled
12 Ounces mayonnaise

In a food processor, blend avocados and garlic. Add mayonnaise and blend until smooth. Hold, covered, in the refrigerator for service.

Grill Procedure
6 8-10 ounces TURKEY THIGHS, cooked.

Assembly
24 Slices pumpernickel bread
1-1/2 Pounds smoked Gouda cheese, sliced into 1-ounce slices
3 Large red ripe tomatoes, sliced thin
2 Heads baby romaine lettuce, washed, drained and chilled

Per sandwich, spread mayonnaise on one side of two bread slices.
Slice turkey into ¼-inch slices. Top one bread slice with 4-ounces turkey slices.
Layer 2 slices of Gouda atop turkey. Continue to layer with 2 slices tomatoes and a few romaine leaves.
Cover with a top for the sandwich and slice on the diagonal.

 

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Golden Valley Natural Turkey Jerky, Original, 4-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 8)

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Thanksgiving Turkey Salad Sandwiches 

Ingredients:

2 cups cubed cooked turkey breast
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
1 orange, peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chopped pecans
lettuce leaves
6 rolls or croissants, split

Preparations:

In a medium bowl, combine turkey, mayonnaise, cranberries, orange, sugar, mustard and salt.

Just before serving, stir in pecans.

Place lettuce and 1/2 cup turkey mixture on each roll.

Yield: 6 servings.

Give to Others This Thanksgiving 

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Grilled Tomato, Turkey and Swiss 

Ingredients:

1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. dried thyme
12 slices whole wheat bread
1 pound sliced turkey breast
6 slices Swiss cheese
4 tomatoes, sliced
Butter

Preparation:

Combine sour cream, green onions, mustard and thyme together and mix well.

Spread one side of each piece of bread with butter and the other with the sour cream mixture.

Place several slices of turkey (depending on thickness), a slice of cheese and tomato on the side of the bread with the sour cream mixture.

Place sandwich butter side down in a skillet and brown on both sides.

Serve warm.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

 

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Turkey Cobb Sandwich 

Ingredients:

1 (16-ounce) loaf ciabatta bread
1/2 cup blue cheese salad dressing
3 cups shredded lettuce
1 pound sliced turkey
6 slices crisply cooked bacon
8 (1-ounce) slices Deli American or Muenster Cheese
1 large tomato, sliced into 9 slices
1 avocado, peeled, pitted, thinly sliced

Preparation:

Cut bread in half lengthwise.
Spread each cut-side of bread with salad dressing.
Layer bottom bread half with 1 1/2 cups shredded lettuce, turkey, bacon, cheese, tomato, avocado and remaining lettuce.
Top with remaining bread half.
Cut into 8 pieces.
Secure each with toothpicks.

 

The Turkey Ball

Amazon Price: $5.42 (as of 07/06/2009)Buy Now

Spend the evening with some stylish turkeys at the Turkey Ball! This rollicking, rhyming board book chronicles an enchanted evening with a group of funny turkeys as they get ready for the social event of the season. Lyrical text and five colors of shiny foil on the cover add to the festivities.

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Cranberry Cream Cheese Turkey Sandwich Recipe 

Ingredients:

8 slices bread, toasted
8 tbsp cream cheese
8 tbsp prepared old fashion cranberry sauce or cranberry jelly
16 slices leftover turkey
8 tsp mustard
8 tsp mayonnaise or Miracle Whip(depends on preference)

Preparations:

Spread 8 slices of bread with the cream cheese. Then spread with the cranberry sauce. Place 2 slices of turkey on each bread slice; spread mustard over the turkey.
Spread remaining bread slices with mayonnaise and top sandwiches with them. Cut in half.

Avocado Sage Mushroom and Turkey Omelet 

This makes a huge omelet which heartily serves two.

Ingredients:

4 eggs, whisked with 1 t. water
3/4 c. chopped, cooked turkey
8-10 fresh basil leaves
1 medium ripe avocado, sliced or chopped
1/2 onion
1 large jalapeño with seeds, sliced
4 oz. fresh sliced mushrooms
2 c. fresh torn kale
2 T. olive oil for frying
1 T. extra virgin olive oil

Seasonings:

sage
Italian seasoning
garlic powder
dash crushed red pepper
salt and pepper

Turn your skillet to medium high and add the olive oil to melt. Add a tablespoon of water and whisk the eggs in a medium bowl. Wash and pat dry the kale and fresh basil. Tear the kale into bite sized pieces. Finely chop most of the fresh basil, reserving a few leaves whole for garnish. Slice the mushrooms if they are not presliced and chop the cooked leftover turkey into bite sized pieces or shreds. Chop the onion into small pieces.

Add the mushroom, onion, and turkey to the skillet and season. Saute together for about 2 minutes until the turkey is warm and the onions are a bit brown. Add the kale and reduce the heat to medium low, covering and steaming for another 2-3 minutes or until the kale is soft and bright green. Uncover and remove everything from the pan and set aside. You may want to add more olive oil so the eggs do not stick.

Whip the eggs one last time and add the fresh chopped basil, salt, and pepper. Pour the eggs into the pan and cover. Cook at low to medium low for a few (~2-3) minutes until the eggs are set.

What is Your Turkey Leftover Strategy? 

susannaduffy wrote...

Crikey, you must be eating turkey for weeks after your holiday! Super ideas, excellent lens

ReplyPosted April 15, 2009

WindyWinters wrote...

Wow! Nice Thanksgiving Lens! 5*Fav! Now I have some more ideas for turkey leftovers. Thanks! :)

ReplyPosted January 19, 2009

Intuitive wrote...

Who knew you could do so much with a turkey sandwich? I didn't. :) 5*

ReplyPosted December 05, 2008

ChristiannaGarrett-Martin wrote...

A very appetising lens. Well constructed : )

Christianna

ReplyPosted December 03, 2008

WhitU4ever wrote...

I really need to try some of these recipes!

ReplyPosted December 01, 2008

 
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