Top 3 (Almost) Better-Than-Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

We're not saying you have to give up the beloved leftover turkey sandwich, but why not explore a few new ways to enjoy your Thanksgiving leftovers? Our top three leftover turkey recipes give the actual turkey day feast a run for its money.


See More: Thanksgiving Dinner Leftovers

After-Thanksgiving Pizza

Ingredients

1 (11-oz.) can refrigerated thin pizza crust dough
Desired toppings

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 450°. Unroll dough; pat to an even thickness on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Top and bake as directed in recipes below.

2. Turkey Club Pizza: Stir together 1/4 cup mayonnaise and 3 Tbsp. refrigerated reduced-fat pesto sauce; spread over crust. Top with 2 cups cubed cooked turkey, 2 thinly sliced plum tomatoes, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion. Bake at 450° for 6 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups (6 oz.) shredded colby Jack cheese and 4 cooked and crumbled bacon slices. Bake until cheese melts. Top with chopped fresh avocado.

3. Mexican Pizza: Sauté 1/2 lb. sliced smoked chorizo sausage and 1/2 cup thinly sliced sweet onion in 2 tsp. hot olive oil until onion is tender; drain. Combine 4 oz. softened cream cheese, 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/2 tsp. lime zest, and 1 Tbsp. lime juice; spread over crust. Top with sausage mixture and 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels. Bake at 450° for 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro leaves.

4. Apple-Goat Cheese Pizza: Sauté 1 thinly sliced Granny Smith apple and 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion in 2 tsp. hot olive oil in a nonstick skillet until tender. Spread 1/3 cup fig preserves over crust. Top with apple mixture and 4 oz. crumbled goat cheese. Bake at 450° for 8 to 10 minutes or until cheese is slightly melted. Top with 1 cup arugula and 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans.

5. Shrimp-Pesto Pizza: Spread 3 Tbsp. refrigerated pesto sauce over crust. Top crust with 1/2 lb. peeled and cooked, medium-size shrimp (4 1/50 count) and 1 cup halved grape tomatoes. Bake pizza at 450° for 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle pizza with 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil.

Smoked Turkey-Blue Cheese Open-Faced Sandwiches
Smoked Turkey-Blue Cheese Open-Faced Sandwiches


Smoked Turkey-Blue Cheese Open-Faced Sandwiches

Ingredients

Fig paste
12 (1/4-inch-thick) toasted ciabatta or French bread slices
Sliced smoked turkey
Soft-ripened blue-veined Brie
Arugula
Pepper

See More: Easy One-Dish Dinner Recipes

Preparation

Spread desired amount of fig paste on toasted bread slices; top with smoked turkey slices and Brie. Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 8 minutes. Remove from oven. Top with arugula and sprinkle with pepper just before serving.

Tortilla Turkey Soup
Tortilla Turkey Soup


Tortilla Turkey Soup

Ingredients

10 (6-inch) fajita-size corn tortillas, cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips
Vegetable cooking spray
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (32-oz.) container chicken broth
1 (10-oz.) can medium enchilada sauce
2 cups chopped cooked turkey
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Toppings: chopped avocado, shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, chopped fresh cilantro, chopped tomatoes

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 450°. Place half of tortilla strips in a single layer on a baking sheet. Coat strips with cooking spray; bake 10 minutes or until browned and crisp, stirring once.

2. Sauté onion and next 2 ingredients in hot olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat 5 to 6 minutes or until browned.

3. Add chicken broth and remaining unbaked tortilla strips to onion mixture. Cook broth mixture over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes or until tortilla strips soften and broth mixture thickens slightly.

4. Stir in enchilada sauce and next 2 ingredients, and cook 6 to 8 minutes or until mixture is thoroughly heated. (Do not boil.) Serve with baked tortilla strips and desired toppings.

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