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Thanksgiving is the biggest and best dinner of the year, with most folks pulling out all the stops. In many households, though, Thanksgiving leftovers are where the true magic happens. After all, there’s so much of all your favorite foods that giving them a 2nd (and 3rd, and 4th) act is a must!
Turkey sandwiches are great, but if you’re ready for something different, this blog is for you! It’s a list of creative Thanksgiving leftover ideas your whole family will love, brought to you by NSA Storage!
What Makes Thanksgiving Leftovers So Special?
The best thing about Thanksgiving dinner is that it includes so many of our favorite foods. Turkey and ham, glazed carrots, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes; the list goes on and on, with every household serving their most cherished treats!
Leftovers are great for after the holidays when you’re feeling wiped out from all the cooking. All of those foods are now cooked and ready to use as leftover ingredients in something quick, easy, and tasty! That saves you time, effort, and money, and allows you to experiment on a budget and discover new flavors!
Classic Leftover Recipes for Turkey
There’s no denying that, in many American households, turkey is the star of the Thanksgiving meal. That also makes it the star of your leftover cavalcade of concoctions, including the delicious ones below:
- Grilled Cheese with Turkey and Cranberry Sauce
This easy and tasty treat combines turkey, cranberry sauce, and a slice or two of your favorite cheese. Place everything between two slices of heart bread and grill them for a new kind of grilled cheese!
- Fried Rice, Thanksgiving Style
For this leftover recipe, chop some turkey into small bits. Then scramble two eggs and toss in any leftover vegetables from Thanksgiving dinner. Add rice and fry it all up in a wok for a Thanksgiving take on fried rice!
- Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Like traditional shepherd’s pie, this is the ultimate comfort food, especially on a cold November or December day! It’s easy, too! Simply combine chopped turkey, vegetables, and gravy, then pour them all into a pre-made pie crust. Cover with a layer of mashed potatoes and bake for about 20 minutes. Delicious!
- Turkey Soup
A recipe the whole family can enjoy on chilly autumn days, turkey soup is an annual favorite! Gently cook your leftover turkey, including the bones, along with leftover vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and celery. As that’s cooking, boil a pot of your favorite noodles, and combine the two when ready. It’s super easy and can stay in the fridge for up to a week, keeping you and your family warm, well-fed, and satisfied!
Thanksgiving Leftover Ideas for the Kids
Leftovers and kids can often be a difficult combination, especially when your kids are picky eaters. That said, there are several kid-pleasing recipes you can create with thanksgiving leftovers, including the ones below:
- Mashed Potato Pancakes
Kids love pancakes and mashed potatoes, so this combination is a no brainer. Combine mashed potatoes with some flour, shredded cheese, and an egg. Then, shape them into “pancakes” and fry in butter until both sides are golden brown.
- Turkey Sliders
Dinner rolls are the perfect “bun” for turkey sliders. Grease a pan, place the base of a bun down, and cover with a slice of cheese. Then, place slices of turkey on top, and more cheese, before covering with the top of the bun. Bake for about ten minutes for a quick snack while watching the game!
- Stuffed Muffins
Muffins made from stuffing? Yes, please! First, scoop some stuffing into a muffin tin. Next, crack an egg over the top of each muffin, then bake until the egg is cooked through. Fun to make, these muffins are also full of protein and very satisfying.
- Turkey Tacos
Tacos are a treat kids love. Making them with leftover Thanksgiving turkey makes perfect sense, and using leftover lettuce, tomatoes, and guacamole even more. The kids can then top them with leftover cranberry sauce or gravy for an easy snack or light lunch!
How to Store Thanksgiving Leftovers Safely
The most important thing to remember when making your Thanksgiving leftover plans is to store them safely right away. After all, you can’t enjoy the fruits of your labor if they spoil. To be sure they don’t, follow these leftover food storage tips:
- Don’t Wait to Refrigerate– Germs and bacteria can form quickly on food, especially turkey and other meats. Experts recommend refrigerating everything within 2 hours after your Thanksgiving meal has ended, if not sooner.
- Use the Correct Containers– Airtight containers are the best way to store leftovers, especially if you plan to freeze them. If you use plastic wrap, be sure it adheres firmly so your food doesn’t dry out. Vacuum food storage devices are also a good way to store Thanksgiving leftovers.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Freeze– If you have too much turkey, mashed potatoes, and other foods to eat, don’t be afraid to freeze some of it. Most Thanksgiving food will freeze just fine in the correct containers and help you create easy leftover meals weeks after the holiday ends!
Store this Holiday Season with NSA Storage
Thanksgiving features some of our favorite comfort foods, making it the perfect time for some creative leftover recipes. Using the Thanksgiving leftover ideas above, turning this year’s leftovers into delicious new meals is easy!
If you need extra storage space for your holiday decorations, party furniture, and summer clothes, NSA Storage has your back! Our clean, safe storage units also feature top security measures, to make storage easy and convenient.
You can reserve a storage unit online any day of the week and it will be ready to use right away and help you free up some space at home. Until then, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, and safe travels!
