How to use Thanksgiving leftovers without hating turkey. So the big day is fast approaching us, are you ready? If you are still looking for amazing Thanksgiving recipes then make sure to check out my How to Make a Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey with more than 50 recipes for sides, salads, desserts and more! Or if you really want to switch things up check out 25 Amazing Instant Pot Recipes for Thanksgiving!
But today is all about how to use Thanksgiving leftovers…my favorite part of the meal.
I love Thanksgiving leftovers; maybe everything tastes better because I haven’t been up cooking since 4:00 am! There are so many things you can do with your turkey, stuffing (dressing), sides and veggies. Our absolute favorite recipe is one we call the Sunrise Sammie. It is based on a sandwich we had in Tucson, AZ at Baggins Gourmet Sandwiches. I think we ended up calling it the Sunrise Sammie because we ate it for breakfast the next day. You’ll find the recipe for that delicious Thanksgiving leftover below, along with many more amazing ways to use your Thanksgiving leftovers.
How to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers
Ok before you even make your Thanksgiving turkey this year make plans to use the carcass to make a nourishing bone broth. Great for recipes and for your general health. You can make it right in your crock pot, Instant Pot or stock pot. Nothing need go to waste!
Simple Turkey Bone Broth Recipe 3 Ways to Make
Ingredients
- 1 Turkey Carcass best if it is a pastured bird
- 2 Turkey Feet if Available optional
- Giblets if you still have them.
- 1 Large Yellow or White Onion quartered
- 2 Medium Carrots chopped
- 1 - 2 Whole Celery Stalks with leaves
- 5 Cloves of Garlic smashed
- 1 Bunch Cilantro or Parsley
- 2 - 3 Tablespoons Organic Apple Cider Vinegar I prefer the kind with a mother.
- 2 Teaspoons of Sea Salt
- 1 Tablespoon of Whole Black Peppercorn
- 1 Whole Bay Leaf
- Filtered Water
Instructions
Stock Pot Directions
- Add all of your ingredients, except water, into your stock pot.
- Pour the filtered water over everything until it is completely covered.
- Bring the ingredients to a low boil and then put the burner to low to low medium.
- Cover and let it slowly simmer for 24 – 48 hours.
- You’ll need to keep an eye on it. You don’t want it boiling but you don’t want it so low it isn’t cooking either.
- Don’t be afraid to give it a stir a few times.
- When it is done spoon off any foam on the top.
- Then stain out turkey meat, bones, veggies, etc. Keep the meat but discard the rest.
- You may want to do a 2nd strain with a cheese cloth to get out the really tiny bits.
Crock Pot Directions
- Add all of your ingredients, except water, into your slow cooker.
- Pour the filtered water over everything until it is completely covered.
- Cover and cook on low for 24 – 36 hours
- Sometimes I find I need to add a little water if I want to cook it a full 48 hours. Just watch it.
- I try not to take the lid off during cooking.
- When it is done spoon off any foam on the top.
- Then stain out turkey meat, bones, veggies, etc. Keep the meat but discard the rest.
Instant Pot Directions
- Add all of your ingredients, except water, into your Instant Pot. You may not be able to get all the turkey bones in without breaking them down a bit.
- Pour the filtered water over everything until it is completely covered. But make sure you stay under the max fill line.
- Choose the Soup button and Low pressure.
- Now set the time to 120 minutes.
- It will take some time to come up to pressure. After it is done cooking, let it naturally release, don’t touch that vent!
- The Instant Pot will keep everything warm so if you’re not home when it’s done, that’s ok.
- I usually do not have any foam when I do this method, but if you do, spoon it off.
- Then stain out turkey meat, bones, veggies, etc. Keep the meat but discard the rest.
Recipe Notes
Wait for your broth to cool a bit before transferring it to clean glass mason jars, or they can break. Your bone broth will stay good in the refrigerator for about 3 days or freeze it and defrost as needed. It will stay good in the freezer for months (be sure you don’t fill the jars all the way up!).
As a note, I do not skim the fat off of my broth – it adds wonderful flavor!
The Perfect Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich (Sunrise Sammie)
Ingredients
- 2 Slices of thick bread or a fat roll
- 1 - 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise - less or more to your taste
- 3 - 5 oz of leftover Thanksgiving turkey
- 1/2 cup of leftover Thanksgiving stuffing dressing
- 2 - 4 heaping tablespoons of leftover Thanksgiving cranberry sauce
Instructions
- Spread your mayonnaise on your bread or roll.
- Lay your turkey meat on one side of the bread.
- Top the turkey meat with your stuffing or dressing.
- Now spread the cranberry sauce on top of the dressing.
- Put the other slice of bread on top and you're ready to dig in!
Recipe Notes
Sometimes we toast the bread before making the sandwich, which helps it stand up to all the sammie ingredients.
Now that’s just two ways you can use Thanksgiving leftovers. But I asked some friends to send me their favorite ideas on how to use Thanksgiving leftovers and I got some amazing recipes to share with you.
How to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers – Recipes Galore! 
Savory Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
- Yummy and Easy Leftover Turkey Meat Soup Recipe
- Leftover Baked Mac and Cheese Balls
- Crunchy Leftover Turkey Chinese Salad
- Dad’s Leftover Turkey Pot Pie
- Turkey Stock – GAPs Compliant
- One Pot Turkey Noodle Soup
- Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
- Turkey Vegetable Soup – GAPs Compliant
- How to Pressure Can Broth or Stock
- Savory Turkey Rice
- Delicious Leftover Turkey Enchiladas
- Loaded Mashed Potato Cakes
- Fried Mashed Potato Balls
- Sweet Potato Hummus
- Leftover Sweet Potato Casserole Biscuits
Sweet Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
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