3 Delicious Ways to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers

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Everyone looks forward to Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. And then, by Saturday, we’re all sick of those same foods. Gag me with a turkey sandwich, right?

The key to leftovers is making them feel like a different meal with a new texture and flavor profile.

Give leftover stuffing a crunchy panko crust — inside these yummy croquettes is a tender piece of turkey!

Turn butter into a whole new condiment by adding a few spoons of leftover cranberry sauce. And transform those mashed potatoes into potato pancakes.

Here is everything you need to know. And the good news is, none takes more than a few minutes.

Turkey Croquettes

Ingredients

  • Bite-sized pieces of turkey
  • Stuffing (If it’s dry, add some melted butter to it.)
  • Canola oil
  • Flour for dredging
  • 3 eggs whisked for egg wash
  • Panko
  • Leftover gravy

Directions

  • Heat canola oil — about 2 inches in depth — in a wide-rimmed skillet or Dutch oven using medium-high heat.
  • Roll stuffing into golf-ball-sized orbs.
  • Press a bite-sized piece of turkey into the middle of each stuffing ball.
  • Dredge balls in flour, then egg wash, then panko.
  • Put croquettes in the hot oil and brown on all sides.
  • Drain on paper towels.
  • Serve with hot gravy.

Cheesy, Savory Potato Pancakes

Ingredients

  • 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese
  • Handful of chives or scallions
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • Sour cream for garnish

Directions

  • Fold egg, cheese and chives into the leftover mashed potatoes and mix to combine evenly.
  • Heat canola oil and butter in a skillet.
  • Form potato and cheese mixture into pancakes.
  • Put into the hot skillet and fry until browned on both sides.
  • Serve with sour cream.

Cranberry Butter

Ingredients

  • 1 stick softened butter
  • 2-3 tablespoons of leftover cranberry sauce

Directions

  • Whip cranberry sauce into butter until smooth. Voila!

Now it’s time for you to share your favorite leftovers recipes, either in the comments below or on our Facebook page!

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