What to Do with Those Turkey Leftovers
Hi, Friends! I pray that you all had a blessed Thanksgiving.
It's kind of ironic that I'm writing this post because, just yesterday, I was inquiring on Facebook whether anyone knew if the stores were still selling turkeys! My parents graciously hosted Thanksgiving this year. When we are guests, I typically still buy and roast a turkey so that we will have plenty of leftovers. However, we had just come home from vacation, so my brain was everywhere EXCEPT on preparing a Thanksgiving feast. (I did bring mashed cauliflower and THM on-plan pumpkin pie though!) Spurred on by some optimistic tips on social media, I braved Walmart mid-morning on Black Friday (it was surprisingly bare!) and found a fresh turkey for $0.40/pound. Woot! Our family enjoyed a second round of a turkey feast, and I had lots of leftovers.
But what to do with leftovers... Of course, reheated turkey is always tasty besides a mound of sweet potato casserole and a stack of green beans, but even that can become a bit tiresome. If you've got plenty of turkey leftovers but are short on ideas of what to do with it, read on!
One of my favorite things to make with leftover turkey is a "Thanksgiving Bagel Sandwich." Dan and I had a similar sandwich at a restaurant about ten years ago. We liked it so much, that I endeavored to recreate it at home!
Thanksgiving Bagel Sandwich
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 bagel (I usually use plain, but you could use whole grain for a healthier option)
- Plain cream cheese
- Leftover cranberry sauce (Our family is #TeamJelliedCranberrySauce, but the chunky version would work too!)
- Leftover turkey
- Chicken stock or broth
Preparation:
- For moist turkey, reheat in a shallow pan with a 1/4-1/2" layer of chicken stock or broth.
- Toast the bagel.
- Smear cream cheese on one side of the bagel.
- Smear cranberry sauce on the other side of the bagel.
- When the turkey is warmed through and moist, shred it with a fork. (You can use bigger chunks, but I find it's easier to eat when shredded.) Place the shredded turkey on top of one-half of the bagel.
- Top your sandwich with the other half of the bagel and enjoy!
*Note: I made a THM-ish version by subbing a Joseph's pita for a bagel. I cut the pita in half, toasted it up in the toaster, and followed the directions as usual. I'm sure the jellied cranberry sauce is not on-plan, but I've reached my goal-weight, so I feel like I can cheat a bit every so often.
Turkey Tetrazzini
When Dan and I coached high school Mock Trial, the students all went gaga over one of the mom's famous "Turkey Tetrazzini." I'm not sure I have her exact recipe anymore, but we've been loving Emeril Lagasse's Turkey Tetrazzini. The recipe directs you to make it in a 9x13" pan, but I like to make two 8x10" pans. I heat one right away and freeze another one for a busy evening!
What do you do with your Thanksgiving leftovers? I'd love to get some new ideas!
XOXO,
Kristin
