Next week is the big, yummy food day. I’ve made my menu plan for that day and I’ll work on side dishes for a few days even before the actual day. With all the work that goes into Thanksgiving it would be a shame to have any of that glorious food go to waste. Here are some tips and ideas for you to choose from. Pick which ones you like and plan ahead so you don’t feel overwhelmed in the aftermath of your giant meal. There’s no reason that many of these things can’t be done a day or two after Thanksgiving, so just have a bunch of storage containers handy and you’ll be set to tackle the leftovers after you’ve caught your breath 
Turkey stock – In my opinion, nothing makes a better soup base than homemade stock. With such a giant bird you’ll be able to make quite a few jars of it.
Freeze it – separate the turkey into 1-lb. portions and freeze it for later use. Meals can be SUPER quick to throw together when the meat is already cooked!
Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole – this one will use up leftover turkey and mashed potatoes
Thanksgiving Leftovers Stuffed Shells – This recipe will use up your leftover turkey, stuffing and gravy. The name sounds odd but as soon as I read through the instructions it made me want to try it!
Turkey ‘n’ Stuffing Bake – This one will use leftover turkey, stuffing and French fried onions.
Turkey Pot Pie – You can use up potatoes, carrots, turkey and gravy with this one.
Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Shepherds Pie – Shepherds Pie – made-over for Thanksgiving!
Leftover Turkey Salad – Jazz up the turkey sandwiches with this yummy salad.
Turkey And Dressing Soup – Uses up turkey, dressing/stuffing, and veggies. Make it with the turkey stock you created from the carcass.
Leftover Mashed Potato Soup – Another good soup. I don’t particularly care for mashed potatoes on their own when reheated, so something like this is ideal for us.
Potato Croquettes – fancy name for using up mashed potatoes
Mashed Potato Cakes – Again – use up those leftover potatoes.
Morning-After Cranberry Sauce Muffins – A delicious way to use up extra cranberry sauce!
Ideas from Twitter
Turkey sandwiches – @BudgetPulse named this post-Thanksgiving favorite. Who doesn’t look forward to these?
@realnetta told me that she gives most of her leftovers away because many of their guests are singles who don’t cook. This really exemplifies why we celebrate Thanksgiving. Perhaps you could prepare one of the above meals and bless a family that’s having a tough time right now. Thanks for the perspective Netta.
Do you have any great ideas to add? Share them with us in the comments!
Why I do what I do ~ Last night after dinner David and I were chatting and had stepped away from the table for a minute. Chloe told us she was finished with her meal and we told her we’d be there in just a minute. Unsatisfied with our answer, she replied, “Attention Mom and Dad! I’m done!”
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I have the Turkey Stuffed Shells on my after-Thanksgiving menu, too. Also, I plan to season some of the cooked turkey with taco seasoning and make loaded nachos with it.
Annie Jones´s last blog ..Still Here…And Covered In Sheetrock Dust
I’m saving this list for later! I cooked a whole chicken last week. We finished off the leftovers by putting the the meat shreds/chunks into a pan with some bbq sauce and water. I turn the burner to high and when the sauce starts bubbling I turn it low and let it simmer for 30 or so minutes. Yum – bbq chicken sandwiches! (I suppose you could do the same thing with turkey)
K @ Prudent and Practical´s last blog ..Ms. Jill’s Olive Chip Dip
This is an awesome list! Thanks so very much for putting this together!
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