Leftover turkey post-Thanksgiving? Try these creative next-day recipes
There's always the Black Friday turkey sandwich option for your Thanksgiving leftovers. But if you're looking for ways to spice up your post-Turkey Day meal plans, you've come to the right place.
"Of course, there’s nothing like enjoying that Thanksgiving meal again — those flavors are special," James Beard Award-nominated chef Jerome Grant tells USA TODAY. "But getting creative with leftovers is a great way to stretch the holiday vibes without feeling like you’re eating the same thing every day. It’s fun, it cuts down on waste and it’s a chance to put a new spin on those classics."
Food experts are sharing their out-of-the-box Thanksgiving recipe leftover ideas — and how to make sure said leftovers are still safe to eat.
Turkey leftover recipes
Again, no shame in simply eating Thanksgiving leftovers as-is the next day. But Grant and Washington, D.C.-based dietitian Caroline Thomason, RD, CDCES, also offer plenty of ideas to make the same foods feel new again. Turkey is "so versatile as a lean protein," Thomason says, making it the perfect center of myriad recipes, including the ones below:
Turkey and vegetable soup or stew: Throw in leftover veggies and herbs into a pot with a stock. Or if you're feeling ambitious, save the turkey carcass and simmer that to make stock from scratch.
Turkey tacos with salsa and avocado
Turkey pot pie with vegetables, gravy and a flaky pie crust
Breakfast hash with turkey and sweet potato
Turkey fried rice topped with a fried egg and chili crisp
Healthiest Thanksgiving sides: You're probably missing these two dishes on the table
How long is leftover turkey good for in the refrigerator?
Unless you're using a buffet warming tray that heats up to at least 140°F, your turkey leftovers should be put away in the refrigerator or freezer within two hours, according to Carothers. It should go in an airtight container, and, if frozen, should be reheated to at least 165°F before consuming, Thomason adds.
"Thanksgiving leftovers are safe in the refrigerator for up to four days — until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat them — or you can place them in the freezer to enjoy later," Carothers says. "If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will remain of best quality for up to two to six months."
That refrigeration rule extends to all other leftovers — we're talking mashed potatoes, gravy, mac and cheese and the rest of your Thanksgiving dinner lineup.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to do with leftover turkey
