Transforming Turkey Day (and Tasty Leftover Ideas)

Did you know that over 700 million pounds of turkey are eaten on Thanksgiving? That is a whole lot of turkey. While turkey is the star of most Thanksgiving dinners, there are of course all the wonderful side dishes including mashed potatoes, yams, cranberry sauce – the list can go on and on. There is no shortage of food on the table, or in the fridge as leftovers, around the holidays.

There are many foods that a traditional Thanksgiving cannot go without, such as pumpkin pie and stuffing. However, why not shake things up a little bit this year? Incorporate some new foods into the rotation, or perhaps revamp some traditional meals.

Once the table is cleared, a good portion of the food is going to be packaged up in containers and put in the freezer or fridge. In many homes that food sits there until it starts to go bad and is inevitably thrown out. Limit food waste this year by turning all those leftovers into a new and flavorful dish!

Thanksgiving Re-imagined

This can be the year to start a new tradition and try out delish dishes not typically associated with Thanksgiving. Or perhaps you are someone who likes to stick to tradition; there are hundreds of ways to spice up typical Thanksgiving meals. Here are some ways to reimagine your Thanksgiving meal:

Lasagna: Pasta may not be the first meal you think of when it comes to Thanksgiving, however, it is a great addition to any table. What makes lasagna the perfect addition is that you can make it a few days ahead and save yourself cooking time on the day of!

Risotto: If you are looking for a delicious filling meal, look no further. You can make risotto in an instant pot and save your precious oven space.

Prime Rib: Turkey does not need to be the only meat dish on the table. Your guests will be pleasantly surprised.

Vegan Meatloaf: A vegetarian lifestyle has become increasingly popular, so why not make a dish that everyone can enjoy? Blend chickpeas, mushrooms, and spices for a yummy plant-based protein alternative.

Sweet Potato Salad: Don’t let your table go without some color. Roast cubes of sweet potato with onion, cranberries, and seasoning for a tasty side dish.

Leftover Makeover

The week after Thanksgiving is typically filled with dry leftover turkey sandwiches. Instead of settling for a lackluster lunch following the holiday, why not try some new and exciting dishes?

Here are some great ways to make over your leftovers!

Turkey Quesadilla: Typically, quesadillas consist of tortilla, chicken, and cheese, however, why not substitute the chicken for leftover turkey? Add in some vegetables for a well-balanced lunch.

Sweet Potato Soup: If you have leftover sweet potatoes, grab a pot, and some broth and make yourself a hearty soup!

Turkey Potpie: This meal is great if you have leftover vegetables and turkey. Mix the turkey with vegetables and gravy, cover with a pie crust and bake!