Nothing beats Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings — except, maybe, the leftovers. The day after Thanksgiving is the ideal day to not cook, and instead dig into your fridge to mix and match your leftovers into new Thanksgiving-inspired creations.
Enter the turkey sandwich: The MVP of post-Thanksgiving meals. It’s simple, savory and oh so delicious. And there are more ways to make a turkey sandwich than you think.
Read on for some of our favorite creations. Whether you’re in the mood for a traditional ‘wich or something unexpected, you can find a recipe you’ll love.
Ultimate Leftover Turkey Sandwich Recipe
Sweet-tart cranberry sauce, savory stuffing and juicy turkey. Yup, this sandwich has it all. It not only helps clear out the leftovers in your fridge, but it elevates each ingredient with a quick and easy sage-infused mayo, which adds earthiness and creaminess to each sandwich. Serve it on leftover dinner rolls for the easiest — and tastiest — sandwich of your life.
Ultimate Leftover Turkey Panini Recipe
Need to ward off the chill in the air? Try transforming your leftover turkey into a grilled sandwich! This panini pairs leftover turkey with a tangy cranberry mayo — made by mixing cranberry sauce with mayonnaise — then amps up the flavor with melty sharp cheddar. Fresh arugula leaves add texture and a peppery bite, but you can use leftover spinach or romaine for a milder sandwich.
Open Faced Hot Turkey Sandwiches Recipe
Turkey sandwiches don’t get richer (or more satisfying) than this. The concept for this sandwich is simple — layer a baguette with all your favorite leftovers, then smother everything in gravy — but this recipe is more than the sum of its parts. It’s savory, meaty, crunchy, creamy, tangy and sweet all in one. In other words, it’s the best thing ever.
New Orleans Style Leftover Turkey Sandwich Recipe
If you need a break from traditional Thanksgiving flavors, give this New Orlean-inspired ‘wich a try. Inspired by a muffuletta — a staple food in New Orleans cuisine — it layers leftover roast turkey with zippy salami, briny green olives and a bright and zesty lemon aioli. Best of all, this recipe makes 8 sandwiches in just 20 minutes, so you can quickly get back to the post-feast festivities.
Turkey Quesadillas Recipe
Meet your new favorite way to use up leftover turkey! All you need is cubed or shredded turkey, green onions, tomatoes, cheese, tortillas and seasonings for an unforgettable meal. Our recipe keeps the seasoning simple, using thyme to complement the flavor of the turkey and red pepper for just a hint of heat. But you can mix up the seasonings to suit your mood. Add a dash of allspice for Caribbean-inspired flavor, or add a splash of hot sauce to turn up the heat.
Turkey Tacos with Tomatillo Salsa Recipe
Okay, calling a taco a sandwich might be a bit of a stretch. But these easy turkey tacos are so delicious that we promise you won’t mind. Crunchy radishes, creamy cotija cheese and rich turkey add contrasting flavors and textures to each taco, while a homemade tomatillo salsa adds freshness and heat. This recipe calls for ground turkey, but shredded leftover turkey works just as well for a fresh spin on Taco Tuesday.
Leftover Turkey Taco Crescent Ring Recipe
Sure, the main feast may be over — but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re done entertaining. So why not turn your leftover turkey into a crowd-pleasing treat? This taco-inspired crescent ring combines taco-spiced turkey with corn and cheese for a satisfying appetizer or side dish. It’s also easy to make, since you can save time with store-bought crescent roll dough, so you can focus on making memories with your loved ones — not spending more hours in the kitchen.
Still have some Thanksgiving turkey and sides left?
Draw inspirations from some of our favorite post-Thanksgiving recipes:
