The holidays have come and gone, and for many, it was one amazing time. Before you ring in the new year, you might be wondering, “what do I do with all the leftover food?” This problem is nothing new when the holiday festivities roll around, and fortunately, LIFE’s here to help with some easy-to-make, but very delicious leftover holiday food recipes.
With that said, we know you’re already excited to make some insanely yummy food, so let’s get right into it. Fair warning; there will be a lot of turkey-based dishes, like a lot, so buckle up!
Turkey-based Leftover Holiday Food Recipes
As we mentioned, there are a lot of turkey-related leftover holiday food recipes that will be included in this piece, and for good reason! While it’s extremely hard to nail a good turkey, eating it and turning it into new dishes is the easy part. That said, here are some leftover holiday food recipes; turkey edition!
Turkey Sandwiches
Very few dishes are as easy to make and delicious to consume as sandwiches. Use leftover turkey to make sandwiches with cranberry sauce, lettuce, and mayonnaise. You can also add cheese and sliced tomatoes or avocados for extra flavor and texture. Go wild and stuff that sandwich with as many delicious ingredients as you want!
Turkey Pot Pie
If you want something more hefty and easy to snack on for all times of the day, you may want to consider taking your turkey and turning it into a pot pie.
Mix leftover diced turkey with vegetables like peas, carrots, and green beans, and add a can of cream chicken soup. Pour the mixture into a pie dish and top with a sheet of frozen puff pastry. Bake until the filling is hot and the pastry is golden brown.
Turkey and Dumpling Soup
“Turkey and dumpling soup?!” you may exclaim. But, yes it’s an amazing dish that bridges Western and Eastern cuisine in one neat little package. Make a comforting soup by simmering diced turkey, carrots, celery, and onion in chicken broth. Add dumplings made from biscuit dough for a heartier meal.
Turkey and Stuffing Casserole
The tried and tested dish for all occasions; is a casserole. You can turn the run-of-the-mill casserole into a post-holiday feast by incorporating turkey. Combine leftover diced turkey and stuffing in a casserole dish. Top with a can of cranberry sauce and shredded cheese. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
Side dish Leftover Holiday Food Recipes
If you’re already exhausted from the turkey dishes, there are still a couple of leftover holiday food recipes you can try if you have the side dishes to spare.
Mashed Potato Pancakes
Anything’s possible with a little ingenuity, and fortunately for your leftover mashed potatoes, it gets another chance at being an awesome dish by making it into mashed potato pancakes.
It’s very simple, you just mix leftover mashed potatoes with an egg and a little flour, and form the mixture into small patties. Fry the patties in a little oil until they are golden brown and deliciously crispy on both sides.
Cranberry Sauce Muffins
Hold on! Don’t throw away that leftover cranberry sauce just yet. You can make desserts out of those, specifically cranberry sauce muffins. To do this, stir leftover cranberry sauce into a basic muffin batter, and bake until the muffins are golden brown. You can also add nuts or oats for extra texture.
Roasted Vegetables
If you want something healthier minus all the preparation and effort, you can simply roast your leftover holiday vegetables! Cut leftover roast vegetables into small pieces and roast them in a hot oven until they are crispy and caramelized. You can serve them as a snack or even a side dish for some light snacks.
Quiche
Want to get a little international? Well, a Quiche dish may be something you want to consider. Combine leftover cooked vegetables, diced ham or turkey, and shredded cheese in a pie crust. Beat together eggs and milk, and pour the mixture over the top. Bake until the quiche has settled and the crust is golden brown.
Ham and Cheese Quiche
If for some reason you want to spice up your Quiche dish, even more, try adding ham and cheese to the equation. Mix diced cheese, ham, and any leftover vegetables you have, like bell peppers and broccoli, with a mixture of milk and beaten eggs. Pour the mixture into a pie dish and bake until set.
Cranberry Sauce and Cream Cheese Spread
Again, nothing should go to waste this season, and what better way to extend your spreads than by combining them into a Cranberry sauce and cream cheese spread? Mix leftover cranberry sauce with cream cheese to create a tasty spread for crackers or bread. You can also add a bit of diced jalapeno for a spicy kick.
We hope these ideas inspire you to use up your leftover Christmas food deliciously and creatively! Happy post-holidays eating, everyone!
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