Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich
Fuel up for shopping with this Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich made with cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and my jazzed up pulled turkey. You can customize this sandwich to your thanksgiving leftovers too!
Dairy Free, Nut Free, Gluten Free option
How was your Thanksgiving dinner? Do you have as many leftovers as we do? I’m guessing YES, which is why you must-try this Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich!
I’m sharing a general outline of the ultimate Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich, but this loose recipe is totally customizable based on what was served at your dinner.
Plus, I’m sharing tons of other ideas for how to use your Thanksgiving leftovers… because I know you’ll need some fuel for all that shopping this weekend!
I came up with this “recipe” idea because I HATE wasting food. It breaks my heart when I let something go a few too many days in the fridge and throw it out.
We [Americans] waste up to 40% of our food supply (yes, 40%!), yet so much of our nation is food insecure (a state of being without a reliable source of nutritious and affordable food). So repurposing leftovers not only helps to reduce food waste, but also helps you save a pretty penny!
But my husband is not a fan of leftovers.
So what’s a food blogger to do? Luckily, through the years of me photographing every bite we take he’s gotten more used to re-heated food (hehe), but my favorite way to serve leftovers is to REPURPOSE them.
Hence the sandwich…
The Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich…
This sandwich includes all of the fan-favorites from Thanksgiving:
- Turkey
- Cranberry sauce
- Mashed sweet potatoes
- Rolls
Plus, I added in peppery arugula for a pop of spicy greens.
Simple Swaps for the Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich
Leftovers should be stress-free, and that’s exactly what I intend with this sandwich! Therefore, you can make some simple swaps, based on YOUR leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner.
Instead of cranberry sauce… use applesauce!
Cranberry sauce acts as a sweet condiment on this sandwich. While applesauce may not have the same gelatinous texture, it will spread onto your sandwich beautifully!
Instead of mashed sweet potatoes… use roasted butternut squash!
We didn’t have butternut squash leftovers when I originally made this sandwich, but I’m fairly certain its milder flavor would’ve been even better on this sandwich.
Both sweet potatoes and butternut squash are full of vitamins A and C.
Instead of a ciabatta roll or Thanksgiving rolls… use gluten free or whole grain bread or a wrap!
You can use any bread you’d like for this sandwich. Dare I even say a wrap would be fun? Make it gluten free, if needed!
Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup low sugar BBQ Sauce
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups pulled turkey
- 1/2 cup (leftover) cranberry sauce
- 1/2 cup (leftover) mashed sweet potatoes
- 1 cup arugula
- 2–4 ciabatta rolls or leftover bread from Thanksgiving
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl whisk together BBQ sauce, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust spices to preference.
- Add pulled turkey and mix until all shredded turkey is fully immersed in the sauce and it is evenly distributed.
- To assemble sandwiches, layer cranberry sauce, pulled turkey, arugula and sweet potatoes on a warm roll, as shown in the photo. Enjoy!
Makes 2-4 servings (depending on the size of your roll/bread).
How to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers
The day after Thanksgiving, I think most people LOVE leftovers. I know I do! But eating the same turkey dinner can be a bit of a snooze, so I’ve gathered the best ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers (in addition to my Thanksgiving Leftovers Pulled Turkey Sandwich)!
Ways to use Thanksgiving Leftovers for BREAKFAST
Breakfast is the best meal to get creative with your Thanksgiving leftovers. Here are some of my favorite ideas:
- Mix cranberry sauce or applesauce into oatmeal
- Top a stack of protein pancakes with cranberry sauce or applesauce
- Throw some roasted butternut squash into scrambled eggs or on top of your oatmeal
- Add turkey to an egg hash or scramble
- Add leftover roasted veggies, like brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes or butternut squash to an egg bake or egg muffins
- French toast those fall breads. If you’re looking for something a tad more indulgent, go ahead and FRENCH TOAST any leftover breads you may have from dinner.
- Make a turkey frittata a la Lauren..it feels a crowd!
How to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers for Lunch
I happen to think lunch is the easiest way to use leftovers because all the S’s: Salads, Sandwiches, Soup ((oh my!!))…
- Throw leftover turkey onto a salad or sandwich
- Use Davida’s guacamole chicken salad recipe as a template, but swap in turkey instead.
- Try this 15 minute leftover turkey noodle soup…also great for a house full of guests and 100% budget friendly!
Here are some great Turkey Sandwiches you can try using leftovers:
- Rebecca’s Grilled Turkey and Brie Sandwich with Wild Blueberry Mustard (mmmmm!)
- Or Kathryn’s Turkey & Cranberry Cream Cheese sammie.
How to Use Repurpose Thanksgiving Dinner For Dinner
- Make a pot pie. I’m a fan of veggie pot pie, but go ahead and throw some turkey in there, perhaps some leftover roasted vegetables too!
- Add a Mexican twist! Because if you wanted to get away from “Thanksgiving food,” there’s nothing quite like Mexican! (Turkey chili via Sara Haas RDN, Burrito bowls (swap out chicken for turkey), Enchiladas (swap out the tofu for leftover turkey), spaghetti squash burrito bowls or fajita bowls)
- Or make it Italian… (Kara’s lasagna, spaghetti squash primavera using whatever leftover veggies you have, Turkey parmesan stuffed zucchini boats (swap in my pulled turkey from the sammie above or shredded turkey)
And always remember, handle your leftovers safely (thanks Jessica for these tips!)!!
Don’t Forget to PIN IT…
OK, now ready, set, SHOP…with a full belly! 🙂
XO
I am well out of leftovers by now, but may need to remake thanksgiving just to enjoy all of these delish uses of leftovers. thanks for including my sandwich!
Do ittt!!!! So delish! 🙂
Inspired to throw apple pie over pancakes tomorrow!!
YES! DO IT!!!!