Delicious Ways to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers

21st Nov 2016

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In some ways, this post doesn't make a lot of sense. First of all, we rarely even have leftovers in my family's Thanksgiving feast. There are a lot of us, and we eat up almost everything! Second, my family likes to just eat everything again the way it was prepared on the big day, because it was already delicious. 

But some people are opposed to leftovers. Do you have any relatives like that? Who won't eat leftover food just because of some mental block? Those people like these sorts of repurposing recipes. 

First up, I really like this breakfast casserole made from leftover pumpkin pie. Angela from Oh She Glows churns out tons of vegan recipes, many of which are gluten free, using regular ingredients you likely have in your cupboard. This dish is hearty, easy, and really fills up my family for the long journey home after breakfast.

One thing we do always have leftover is cranberry sauce. Martha Stewart suggested to use this instead of maple syrup as a pancake topping. Sounds good to me! I'm not so sure my kids would go for it, but I'm willing to try.

Martha also suggests converting the cranberry sauce into this chutney and then spreading it on turkey quesadillas. She makes her quesadillas with brie (which we sometimes have leftover from Thanksgiving appetizers!), but I think my kids would enjoy it more with cheddar. 

And, of course, people who have leftover turkey often make it into turkey soup. My mother-in-law makes a huge pot of turkey soup, using up the carrots and parsnips and celery from dinner as well. My side of the family never has any leftover turkey, so early December turkey soup was never a tradition I got used to.

Regardless of how you'll enjoy your leftovers, we wish you a day full of gratitude, friends, and family. Have a great holiday!

How does your family treat Thanksgiving leftovers? Do you eat them again as is or do you doctor them up into something different?