Do you have a lot of turkey left? What do you do with all that leftovers stuffing? And does cranberry sauce have other uses? I will answer all these questions by showing you 7 tasty ways to use your Thanksgiving leftovers.

 

 

I had so much fun working out these recipes for you. Last week, I shared my Thanksgiving for Two (including free oven schedule and various planners), and whatever I had left here, is what I used in this post on Thanksgiving leftovers. It was my mission to use ALL of the leftovers, and I think I succeeded.

 

You will probably have different leftovers than me - but that's the beauty of recipes. They are only guidelines, which you tweak to what you've got and don't have.

 

And I just want to note that if you want to make exactly these recipes, I had doubled the recipes of these Thanksgiving dishes:

 

• Cheddar Herb Sweet Potato Mash
• Orange Cranberry Sauce
• Caramelized Onion, Apple and Sage Stuffing

 

I hope you will be inspired by these recipes and see there are actually so many things we can do with our Thanksgiving leftovers.

 

Shortcuts:

1. Leftovers Stuffing Egg Muffins
2. Cranberry Sauce Oat Breakfast Muffins
3. Leftovers Turkey Moroccan Stew with Spinach and Lentils
4. Leftover Turkey Gravy Cauliflower Soup
5. Homemade Sourdough Croutons
6. Sweet Potato Bolognese Shepherd's Pie
7. Cranberry Sauce Coconut Whipped Cream Trifle

 

7 Tasty Ways To Use Your Thanksgiving Leftovers

 

Breakfast

Leftovers Stuffing Egg Muffins

 

 

These are perfect for breakfast the next day. I used the rest of my stuffing leftovers, but I also chopped up the rest of the green beans and brussels sprouts. Since we already had chives, we also threw that in. Because we can't have eggs without chives, right. And cheddar, yum!

 

Ingredients (makes 12 small-ish muffins)

• 2 + ¼ cups of stuffing, and/or chopped brussels sprouts and green beans (or other veggies)
• ¾ cup chopped turkey (or ham or more veggies)
• 1 cup fresh spinach, packed
• 2 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped (optional)
• 6 eggs
• 2 tablespoon milk (or heavy cream)
• ¼-1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 3-4 tablespoon cheddar, shredded (or any other melting cheese)

 

 

Instructions

1. You can change the stuffing/turkey ratio, but my preference was ¼ part turkey to ¾ part veggies and stuffing. Preheat oven to 190C (375F). Grease a muffin tin with non-stick spray or butter.
2. Chop up any pieces that may be too big. Turkey, green beans, brussels sprouts, stuffing and all other vegetables or meat work really great here. Mix this together with spinach and chives. Divide the mixture between the 12 muffin cups. Should not be packed, so to leave room for the egg mixture.
3. In another bowl, whisk together eggs with milk, salt and pepper. Divide this into the 12 muffin cups. Do not fill it to the brim, because the eggs will expand during cooking. ¾ full is fine.
4. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
5. Bake the muffins for 25-30 minutes or until lightly golden and the cheese has melted. Allow the egg muffins to cool slightly, then run a knife around the edges to loosen it from the tin.

 

Recipe adapted from Budget Bytes.

Cranberry Sauce Oat Breakfast Muffins

 

 

These were actually way too delicious, especially with the crunchy pecan streusel. I ate three once they got out of the oven and I had to go for a two hour walk just to not feel so guilty. Good thing they are on the healthy-ish side! Filled with oats and whole wheat flour. pecans and of course the delicious orange cranberry sauce. These have their own blog post here: Cranberry Sauce Breakfast Muffins.

 

Ingredients (makes 16 muffins)

• 125 gr flour (1 cup)
• 65 gr whole wheat flour (½ cup)
• 90 gr rolled oats (1 cup)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 75 gr softened butter (⅓ cup)
• 100 gr brown sugar (½ cup)
• 125 ml milk (½ cup)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 300 ml leftovers orange cranberry sauce (or any other, but may taste different)

 

Pecan Streusel

• 50 gr cold, cubed butter
• 60 gr flour
• 50 gr white sugar
• 50 gr finely chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoon rolled oats

 

 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200C (400F). Line muffin tins with 16 muffin liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, whole wheat flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients. First cream the butter and brown sugar together. Then add in the milk, egg and vanilla extract. Stir to combine (it will be a lumpy mixture).
4. Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and loosely combine.
5. Add in the cranberry sauce and carefully mix until just combined.
6. Divide the batter among the 16 muffin liners.
7. In a small bowl, make the pecan streusel. Add all the ingredients, and using two forks, mix the streusel until the butter is in pea sized pieces. Sprinkle generously on top of each muffin. But you will still likely have some leftovers, just discard or save for more muffins!
8. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

 

Dinner

Leftovers Turkey Moroccan Stew with Spinach and Lentils

 

 

Helloo, am I excited for this. This will be my go-to Moroccan stew. You don't have to add in leftovers turkey, any other meat or vegetables will do too. I've also used leftovers from this orange pepper whole roasted chicken.

 

Ingredients (serves 4-6)

• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, grated
• 2 tablespoon ginger, finely chopped
• 400 gr leftover turkey, chopped
• ½ red bell pepper, chopped
• 400 gr polpa tomatoes, 1 can, or your favorite canned tomatoes
• 250 ml chicken broth, 1 cup
• 40 gr sultana raisins, ¼ cup. Or normal raisins, optional
• 3 large dates, chopped
• ½ lemon, juice
• 175 gr drained red lentils
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch, optional
• 65 gr spinach
• ½ pomegranate, arils
• Coconut milk or yoghurt, for serving, optional
• Naan, for serving, optional

 

Moroccan Spices

• 2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon coriander
• ½ teaspoon cayenne
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon cardamom
• Salt and pepper, to taste

 

 

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, fry onion and garlic on medium, until onion is soft. About 7 minutes.
2. Add chopped ginger and the moroccan spices. Mix and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add in turkey, bell pepper, canned tomatoes and chicken broth. Give it a boil, then reduce to simmer for 20 minutes or until it has thickened.
4. Add in sultanas (if using), dates, lemon juice, drained lentils and fresh spinach. Simmer for 2 minutes or until the spinach has wilted.
5. You may want to add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tiny splash of water to thicken it more.
6. Drizzle with pomegranate arils and serve with coconut milk and naan, if desired.

Leftover Turkey Gravy Cauliflower Soup with Homemade Croutons

 

 

I thought maybe the gravy couldn't be of use when I've already used up the turkey. But boy was I wrong. You can use it as broth anywhere you use broth. And I've been thinking about cauliflower soup for a while, so I knew right there what to make of it. And because we only used a fraction of a sourdough bread for our stuffing, we should have leftover bread too = homemade croutons. Score!

 

Ingredients (serves 2-3)

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 small cauliflower, chopped. 250 gr
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 150 ml turkey gravy (5 oz., or more or less depending on how much you have) + 500 ml water (2 cups)
• 1 very small potato, cut into chunks. 15 gr
• Salt and pepper - taste as you go, will depend on your gravy. I had 2 teaspoon salt and ¾ teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 150 ml heavy cream. 5 oz. Or more or less, depending on your desired consistency.

 

Topping

• Homemade Sourdough Croutons, see below
• 2 slices bacon
• 2 large champignon mushrooms, sliced and chopped
• Dried parsley and chili flakes, for garnish
• Chopped leek or spring onion, for garnish

Homemade Sourdough Croutons

• Leftover sourdough, cut into chunks. Enough to cover a 20x30 cm pan
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano, thyme, chili flakes)
• 1-2 teaspoon salt

 

 

Instructions

1. Begin making the sourdough croutons, see below.
2. In a saucepan, melt butter and fry cauliflower and onion, stir until golden, about 5 minutes.
3. Pour in turkey gravy, water and one small potato. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley and thyme.  Remember that the gravy is salty, so taste as you go. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes, or until potato can easily be crushed with a fork.
4. Meanwhile, get your toppings ready. Cook bacon strips until crispy, then chop up. Cook mushroom in the bacon fat.
5. Using either a blender or immersion blender, blend until smooth. Pour in heavy cream until desired consistency.
6. Top with sourdough croutons, bacon, leek, and mushroom. Sprinkle with chili flakes and parsley.

 

Instructions Homeamade Sourdough Croutons

1. Preheat oven to 190 C (375F).
2. Chop the bread into small cubes. Add into a 20x30 cm pan or baking sheet.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and seasonings. Give it a gentle mix.
4. Make sure the bread is in one single layer.
5. Bake until golden, and stir halfway through cooking. About 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of your bread pieces.
6. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.

Sweet Potato Bolognese 'Shepherd's Pie'

 

 

So this one's more of a bonus really. If you've seen my Creamy Parmesan Pumpkin Pasta, this is what I used as bolognese. Everything in this recipe apart from the pasta. You can use whatever meat sauce you want, but this complemented the Cheddar Herb Sweet Potato Mash perfectly. Also, any mashed potatoes will do here.

 

Ingredients (serves 3-4)

• 2 cups cheddar herb sweet potato mash (or any potato mash)
• 3 cups parmesan pumpkin pasta meat and spinach (or any other meaty sauce)
• ½-1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or any other melting cheese)
• Chives, for garnish, optional
• Fresh spinach or salad, for serving

 

 

Instructions

1. I'm expecting that both the sweet potato mash and meat sauce is made in advance. Preheat oven to 180C (350F).
2. Evenly distribute the meat sauce in a 15x23 cm pan. More or less meat sauce is fine.
3. Carefully distribute the sweet potato mash over the meat sauce. More or less potato mash is fine.
4. Sprinkle with as much cheese as you want.
5. Bake in oven for 30-40 minutes, or until mixture is warm and top is golden and cheese has melted.
6. Sprinkle with chives and serve with some fresh spinach.

 

Dessert

Cranberry Sauce Coconut Whipped Cream Trifle

 

 

We can't finish this post without a delicious dessert! I'm a new fan of coconut whipped cream. How delicious is that! I've also added a ginger nut cookie crumb, but gingerbread cookies or normal graham crackers would work fine too. This recipe also has its own blow post here: Cranberry Coconut Trifle.

 

Ingredients (for two trifles)

• 8 tablespoon coconut whipped cream - see below
• 4 tablespoon cranberry sauce (hope you made my orange cranberry sauce with a few cranberry chunks!)
• 4 tablespoon ginger nut cookie crumb (or any other spiced cookie crumb)

 

Coconut Whipped Cream

• ½ can cold coconut milk (fatty part only) 200 ml
• 35 gr powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional

 

 

Instructions

1. The day before; place a can of coconut milk in the fridge. This firms up the fat, making it easier to cream.
2. Place a bowl in the freezer (if you can), for at least 10 minutes. To keep the coconut milk as cold as possible while creaming.
3. Cream your coconut milk using a hand mixer for 30 seconds, then adding powdered sugar and vanilla extract and whip 1 minute more.
4. In a serving glass, add first two tablespoon coconut whipped cream, one tablespoon cranberry sauce and 1 tablespoon crushed cookie. Repeat these steps to make two complete layers. Then continue to do the same in the other glass.
5. This recipe will probably make a little more coconut whipped cream than you need here. Just refrigerate the rest, and then use as whipped cream in a hot chocolate.

 

And a bonus photo: Just wanted that coconut milk pour! 🙂

 

 

So now I hope you are full of new ideas. I'd love to hear your thoughts, tell me below in the comment section or tag me @thegingerwithspice on Instagram. And don't forget to Pin it for later!

 

 

In order to keep the blog up and running this post may contain affiliate links, it will be at no extra cost to you, please read the disclosure for more information.