What To Do With Thanksgiving Leftovers

Every year you may open the overstuffed refrigerator and wonder what to do with Thanksgiving leftovers. Reheating the Thanksgiving leftovers is one way to use the food. Remaking the leftovers into new dishes will make them more appetizing. Be sure to put the leftovers away promptly and freeze anything you won't use in four days.

To use Thanksgiving leftovers, you will need:

• Storage containers
• Plastic wrap

1. Turkey. The uses for turkey leftovers are endless. Use this king of Thanksgiving leftovers to make turkey salad or spice it up and make turkey chili. Turkey can be used as an ingredient in any dish where you would use chicken such as pasta, soup, enchiladas or the filling for spring rolls.
2. Mashed potatoes. Add chives, bacon and cheese to make supreme mashed potatoes or use the potatoes to make potato patties or croquettes. Mashed potato leftovers are a ready-made topping for shepherd’s pie or other casseroles.
3. Vegetables. Corn, green beans, carrots or broccoli are leftovers that are perfect for fillings. Fill omelets, pot pies, or casseroles.
4. Stuffing. Thanksgiving leftovers don’t get better than this. Stuffing is made of bread so it’s a natural choice for making stuffed mushrooms. Form it into dumplings for turkey soup, or add it to quiche.
5. Sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes can be used for sweet and savory dishes. Make sweet potato bread—like banana bread, just substitute the sweet potato leftovers. They can fill wontons or add cinnamon to make skillet sweet potato patties.  
6. Cranberry sauce. This tangy condiment can be a topping for sandwiches. With the leftovers, make a cranberry glaze for meatball appetizers or use with orange juice to make salad dressing. Update the traditional holiday lemon bars to cranberry bars.