Has the magic of a filling Thanksgiving dinner lost its appeal?  While I am all for the turkey and all the side dishes, by the fourth repeat the Jones are looking for something different for dinner.  We are also big believers in lessening our food waste a.k.a. we eat leftovers until they are gone. Here are some of our go to recipes to transform the Thanksgiving leftovers into something a little different.

Leftover Thanksgiving recipes : Buffalo Turkey Wraps

Quick and easy, these wraps will help use up some of the leftover turkey and they are perfect for a lunch or dinner.  Best of all, if you happen to have a bottle of your favorite pre-made buffalo sauce already in the pantry, you can use it instead of making your own (A little short cut after preparing a large meal is always a welcomed thing).  

Four servings but can be easily adjusted for your needs

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of cubes or sliced cooked turkey
  • Ranch dressing
  • 4 tortillas
  • 1 cup of shredded lettuce
  • 1 cup of shredded extra sharp cheese

For hot sauce:

  • 2/3  cup of hot sauce
  • ½  stick of butter (4 tablespoons)
  • 1 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoons of honey (less or more depending on how much heat you like)
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ smoked paprika

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients for the hot sauce.  Whisk while bringing to a simmer.  Cook for five minutes and then remove from heat.

2. Toss turkey in buffalo sauce.  Place in a skillet on low heat just to warm the turkey.

3. Meanwhile, warm tortillas in the microwave.  Lay out tortillas. Spread ranch dressing on the tortillas.  Then top with lettuce and cheese.

4. Add turkey and fold tortillas.

Enjoy!

Leftover Thanksgiving recipes : Cranberry Sauce Muffins

Enjoy a little reminder of Thanksgiving in the morning with these cranberry sauce muffins. This is a great way to use up some leftover homemade cranberry sauce if there aren’t many people who in your home who like it.

Makes 12 muffins

Ingredients:

  • 1 stick of butter, softened
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 cup of cranberry sauce
  • 2 cups of all purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Line muffin tray with paper cups.

2. In a bowl, mix together flour, salt, and baking powder.

3. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugars together with a mixer until combined. 

4. Add eggs and scrape the sides of the bowl.  Add vanilla and almond extracts and beat mixture until combined.

5. With the mixer on low, add in about ⅓ of the flour mixture.  Then add half of the milk.  Add another ⅓ of the flour mixture.  Add the rest of the milk.  Then add the rest of the flour mixture just until it is all combined.

6. With a rubber spatula, add the cranberry sauce and carefully fold into the batter.

7. Use a cookie scoop or large spoon to place the batter into the muffin tray. 

8. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until done.

Enjoy!

Leftover Thanksgiving recipes : Cobb Salad

A lighter meal that still uses some of those Thanksgiving leftovers; this isn’t so much a recipe as a method. Feel free to add in whatever leftover veggies you’ve got in the fridge. You can even create a salad bar for the entire family by putting out all the ingredients in small bowls and letting everyone create their own salad.

Makes 2-4 salads depending on size

Ingredients:

2 heads of romaine chopped (or whatever lettuce you have on hand)

1 pound of cooked turkey cubed (we prefer to warm it up before serving)

1 baked sweet potato warmed and cut into slices

2 hard boiled eggs, diced

4 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled.

½ cup dried cranberries

¼ cup carrots

Cherry tomatoes

Salading Dressing of your choice

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine lettuce, cranberries, carrots, tomatoes, and bacon.  

2. Top with turkey, sweet potato, and eggs.

3. Add favorite dressing or serve on the side.

After cooking a large meal, we love these recipes for their simplicity. What are your favorite ways to use up the leftover Thanksgiving foods? Let me know in the comments!