6 Reimagined Meals to Make with Thanksgiving Leftovers

Did you know that Americans throw away approximately 290 million dollars’ worth of food on Thanksgiving? That is a lot of wasted money, especially when much of that thrown out food can be saved and stored for leftovers.

This can be especially true when it comes to Thanksgiving, which is why it is so important to make sure you are storing your leftovers properly to make them last longer. Luckily, I’m here to help you with tips to store your leftovers as well ways to reimagine your leftovers to keep them interesting!

Tips for Storing Leftovers

When you are saving leftover food, you should always practice safe food handling techniques. According to the USDA, leftovers should only be stored for 3-4 days in the refrigerator or 3-4 months in the freezer. Storing leftovers properly can help prevent moisture and flavor loss and food borne illnesses. Keep reading the list below for additional tips.

Wrap leftovers in an airtight package or sealed container.
Refrigerate foods as quickly as possible to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Cut up and divide large food items so that they can be stored in multiple small containers.
Reheat leftovers until they are hot and steaming.
Allow space for air circulation when storing hot foods into the refrigerator/freezer.

Properly storing leftovers can save you not only time but money

The Meal that Keeps on Giving: 6 Reimagined Meals

After mindfully eating all those tasty dishes on the Thanksgiving table, you may start to get sick of eating the same thing the next few days. Instead of throwing them out, you can rework those leftovers into yummy meals that you can eat all week long.

Brussel sprouts hash: Dice together the leftover Brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes and sauté them in some oil until golden brown. Top with a few fried eggs or serve on the side of scrambled eggs for a quick and easy breakfast.

Potato Pancakes: Mix your leftover potatoes with a little flour or oats, add an egg and sauté in light oil until brown.

Sweet Potato Biscuits: Take what’s left of your sweet potato casserole, add some buttermilk and flour to make some amazing biscuits out of them!

Turkey and Cranberry Sandwich:Can you think of a more classic Thanksgiving leftover dish than a turkey and cranberry sauce sandwich? A go-to because it’s so good! All you need is some lightly toasted bread, some leftover turkey and a drizzle of cranberry sauce.

Turkey Chili:In a slow cooker, mix beans, leftover turkey and some of the leftover canned pumpkin to make a delicious chili. Cook on low heat until done and enjoy.

Turkey Potpie: A little twist on the traditional chicken pot pie, this dish will keep you satisfied throughout the holiday season. Mix leftover turkey, potatoes, and any vegetables in a bowl, you can try mixing in a little leftover gravy too. Pour the mixture into a pie dish, cook in the oven at 350 degrees F until golden brown and enjoy!

You can try any of the meals listed above or test out a new recipe. Use this time to get creative in the kitchen. And remember, you can use your Thanksgiving leftovers to feed your family for the rest of the week!

Your Turn to Take Action: What is your favorite reimagined Thanksgiving leftover recipe? Let me know in the comments below!