Whether late night, first thing in the morning or lunch the next day– leftovers are often considered a highlight of any turkey dinner. Most of us are familiar with hot turkey sandwiches or turkey noodle soup, but we are in a new culinary age… In a modern kitchen, anything goes (yep, even with leftovers)! Read on for D’Arcy’s top five leftover hacks and feel free to share yours with us in-store or on social media.
1. THANKSGIVING-ON-A-BUN
Best made with a hearty, day old roll– this leftover hack also goes great on Texas toast, crusty bread, bagels or even in wraps and pitas. Use cranberry sauce or gravy as a condiment (or both!) and add cold or warmed up turkey. Now, get crazy. Add all your favourite sides: salad, veggies, mashed potatoes, stuffing or dressing and anything else that accompanies your traditional turkey dinner. Don’t overload it, but each bite should give you feeling of digging into a plate at Thanksgiving.
2. TURKEY CHILI OR GUMBO
A bold, zesty alternative to turkey soup, chili or gumbo is a great way to make use of leftover turkey meat. Simmer up your preferred recipe and simply add the turkey picked from the bones and any leftovers that would go well– peas and carrots for example. Try kicking up the spice intensity for a new level of flavour.
3. CROQUETTE À LA LEFTOVERS
A croquette or patty can easily be formed out of leftover mashed potatoes. Stuff these pockets of potato with your favourite turkey dinner leftovers. Turkey meat, cranberry sauce, veggies– even gravy or stuffing! Cover off with additional potato mixture and fry gently in a deep pan. Remove when both sides achieve a golden brown finish and serve warm.
4. BONE BROTH
If any recipe calls for broth, ensure you boil your turkey bones and leftover veggie scraps into your very own flavourful stock. This leftover hack takes longer than most, but it keeps well and only gets better with time. Short of making soup, a hot cup of turkey stock can be a warming and invigorating treat (especially after a rigorous workout, when you’re sick or on a bitterly cold day).
5. CRANBERRY SAUCE MUFFIN
Add a fruity tartness to your stand-by muffin recipe with a cup of turkey’s old pal: cranberry sauce! Not only does cranberry sauce add a new flavour, it also moistens baked goods naturally. Thanks to this, you can skimp on the butter and still have a delicious, moist muffin or other treat.
There you have it, D’Arcy’s top five ways to hack your turkey dinner leftovers. Enjoy the classics but don’t get stuck in a routine– the above recipes and many more can make you the hero of your household next time you roast a bird. The only limit is your imagination… and your tastebuds! Visit or contact our friendly staff at D’Arcy’s today and we will help get the ideas flowing.