Turkey Tacos and More Creative Recipes with Thanksgiving Leftovers That Families Love!

Turn your Thanksgiving leftovers into new family traditions with creative recipes like turkey tacos and pumpkin pie milkshakes! 🌐 #News #Food #Recipes #Thanksgiving

ST. PAUL, MN – After the last plate of turkey is cleared from the table and the dishes are piled high in the sink, there’s one thing Jack and I always look forward to: his amazing turkey tacos. I’ll be honest—those tacos have become a tradition in our house. Every year, after Thanksgiving dinner, we take all the leftover turkey and transform it into something exciting. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the holiday—and maybe even outshine the feast we just had. And we’re not the only ones! Thanksgiving leftovers aren’t just food; they’ve become an opportunity to create new memories and share meals that bring family together in a fresh way.

If you’re looking for ways to turn your leftovers into something more than just a reheated meal, here are a few creative recipes that could become your new family traditions, too.

Leftover Turkey – A Versatile Hero

Turkey is the star of Thanksgiving, and it’s just as much a star in the days that follow. It’s so easy to transform into something completely different. Here are three of my favorites:

Turkey Tacos

This recipe is a Jack original, and it’s one we can’t get enough of! Here’s how we do it:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of leftover turkey (shredded or chopped)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade seasoning)
• ½ cup chicken broth (or turkey broth, if you’ve got it!)
• 8 small soft tortillas
• Toppings: Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, shredded cheese, salsa, and chopped cilantro

Instructions:

1. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the shredded turkey to the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes until it’s warmed through.
3. Stir in the taco seasoning and chicken broth, and let it simmer for about 5 minutes until the turkey is well-coated in the seasoning and the broth has mostly absorbed.
4. Warm your tortillas in a separate pan or microwave.
5. Assemble the tacos by adding the turkey mixture to each tortilla, then top with your favorite taco toppings. Enjoy!

Turkey Soup or Stew

A warm, comforting soup is a great way to use up turkey and leftover veggies from Thanksgiving dinner.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of leftover turkey (shredded)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup of leftover mashed potatoes (optional for a creamier soup)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until softened.
3. Add the turkey broth and bring to a simmer.
4. Stir in the turkey, mashed potatoes (if using), garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let the soup simmer for another 10-15 minutes.
5. Adjust seasoning to taste and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot.

Side Dishes That Shine Again

Leftover side dishes don’t need to sit in the fridge as they are. With a little creativity, they can be transformed into something new and exciting.

Mashed Potato Pancakes

Turn your leftover mashed potatoes into crispy, savory pancakes!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of leftover mashed potatoes
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons flour
• ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
• 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil (for frying)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, egg, flour, cheese, and green onions. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat a little olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the potato mixture into the pan and flatten with a spatula.
4. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
5. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of gravy.

Stuffing Frittata

If you’ve got leftover stuffing, this frittata will turn it into a tasty new dish.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of leftover stuffing
• 6 eggs, beaten
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs (like parsley or thyme), chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, beat the eggs and milk together. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.
3. Stir in the leftover stuffing and half of the shredded cheese (if using).
4. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat and pour the egg and stuffing mixture into the skillet.
5. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the edges start to set.
6. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the center is fully set.
7. Slice and serve warm.

Sweet Treats with a Thanksgiving Twist

Who says leftovers are just for savory dishes? Here are a couple of ways to turn your Thanksgiving desserts into new treats.

Pumpkin Pie Milkshakes

Turn your leftover pumpkin pie into a fun, creamy milkshake!

Ingredients:

• 1 slice of leftover pumpkin pie
• 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup milk
• Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine the pumpkin pie, vanilla ice cream, and milk.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour into glasses, top with whipped cream, and enjoy!

Cranberry Sauce Muffins

Those little leftover dollops of cranberry sauce can make a delicious muffin!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup leftover cranberry sauce
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 egg
• ½ cup sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup buttermilk

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a muffin tin or line with paper liners.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and sugar.
3. In another bowl, whisk the egg, vegetable oil, buttermilk, and cranberry sauce.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Spoon the batter into the muffin tin and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

A Chance to Get Creative!

These recipes prove that Thanksgiving leftovers are so much more than just a meal to get through—they’re a chance to get creative, try new things, and, most importantly, bring the family together. Whether it’s Jack’s turkey tacos or pumpkin pie milkshakes, these dishes turn the familiar flavors of Thanksgiving into something exciting for the days to come.

So, next time you’re digging into those leftovers, remember: you’re not just repurposing food, you’re continuing a tradition of flavor, fun, and family. Happy cooking!

RELATED TOPICS: Food | Thanksgiving | Christmas

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