Thanksgiving Leftovers Inspiration

It’s the day after Thanksgiving. You’re starving, but you just spent the entire previous day cooking up a storm. Not to mention the leftovers! You’re ready to order a pizza–but wait! Hold the phone! Why waste all this delicious food when you can give it new life with just a little bit of a makeover? It won’t take long, we promise! These recipes are enough to get you excited for that Thanksgiving dinner all over again.

Morning After Thanksgiving Frittata 

Serves: 4-6
Total Time: 25 minutes

• 8 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup white onion, chopped
• 2 cups leftover vegetables (greens, broccoli, brussels sprouts, green beans–whatever you have), chopped
• 1/2 cup cheese (cheddar or romano work well), shredded
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large cast-iron skillet. Add onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Whisk eggs, milk, and salt & pepper to taste in a large bowl. Add vegetables and stir to coat completely.
3. Pour mixture into the skillet with the onions and cook 5-7 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top and cook another 5-7 minutes, until mixture is mostly solid. Broil for 2-3 minutes, until the top is lightly browned and the frittata is set.

Mashed Potato Fritters

Serves: 4
Total Time: 20 minutes

• 1 cup leftover mashed potatoes
• 1/4 cup scallions, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Form into two-inch patties.
2. For a healthier option, bake at 450 for 7 minutes, flip, and cook for 5 more minutes or until golden brown. For “southern style” fry in vegetable oil for 3 minutes, flip, and fry 3 more minutes.

Sweet Potato Pizza

Serves: 4
Total Time:15 minutes

• prepared pizza crust
• 1 1/2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
• 2 teaspoons red curry paste
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1 cup leftover vegetables
• 1/2 cup spinach
• 1 cup provolone cheese, grated

Instructions:

1. Prepare pizza crust as directed. Preheat oven to 425.
2. Combine curry paste, thyme and sweet potatoes in a medium bowl. Spread on pizza crust. Top with cheese, vegetables, crumbled bacon and spinach.
3. Bake for 8 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Leftover Turkey Soup

Serves: 6-8
Total Time: 1 hr 30 minutes

• turkey carcass
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 8 cups broth (chicken or turkey)
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 cups leftover turkey meat, chopped or shredded
• 1-2 cups leftover vegetables
• 1 cup cooked quinoa or rice
• 1 large potato (sweet or white), peeled and cubed
• 1 cup greens (kale, mustard, collards, etc), chopped
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine turkey carcass, garlic, broth, bay leaf and thyme in a dutch oven. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook about 1 hour, or until the meat is falling off the bones.
2. Strain broth and return to dutch oven. Discard bones.
3. Add potato to broth and cook 15 minutes. Stir in leftover vegetables and cook for 7 minutes. Add greens and cook until wilted. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with crusty bread.

Leftover Pie Milkshake

Serves: 2-3
Total Time: 5 minutes

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup leftover pie (pumpkin, pecan, apple, & cherry all work well)

Instructions:

1. Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until combined.