Creative Ways to Repurpose Thanksgiving Leftovers

For some people, the Thanksgiving leftovers are the best part of the holiday. For others, the thought of turkey sandwiches for five days straight is enough to make them skip cooking. Either way, leftovers are a major part, and while we know Thanksgiving is still a week away, we wanted to share some unique ways to repurpose those leftovers!

 

The Mains

Ham and Pineapple Fried Rice: Sauté diced leftover ham, pineapple chunks, cooked rice, peas, and carrots in a large skillet. Stir in soy sauce, a pinch of sugar, and a splash of pineapple juice, then cook until heated. Finish with a sprinkle of green onions.

Ham and Cheese Extra Dark Pretzel Bites: Cut leftover ham into bite-sized pieces and wrap around an Extra Dark Pretzel. Bake at 375°F for 5 minutes, top with a slice of cheddar or Swiss, and bake until melty. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces.

Turkey Tacos with Cranberry Sauce-Lime Crema: Shred leftover turkey and warm it in a pan with taco seasoning. Mix leftover cranberry sauce, sour cream, lime juice, and a pinch of salt for the crema. Assemble tacos with seasoned turkey, cranberry-lime crema, and toppings like avocado, cilantro, and jalapeño.

The Sides

Pretzel-Crusted Stuffing Cakes: Combine leftover stuffing with an egg to bind it together. Form the mixture into patties and coat with crushed pretzels. Pan-fry in a bit of oil until crispy and golden on both sides.

Green Bean and Mushroom Frittata: Sauté leftover green bean casserole with sliced mushrooms in a skillet. Pour beaten eggs and cream over the mixture, then cook until set, finishing under the broiler if needed.

Green Bean Casserole Grilled Cheese: Spread a layer of leftover green bean casserole between two bread slices, add shredded cheese, and grill until gooey and crunchy.

The Desserts

Pecan Pie Milkshake: Blend a slice of leftover pecan pie with vanilla ice cream, milk, and a splash of bourbon (optional). Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Pumpkin Pie Trifle: Layer leftover pumpkin pie filling, crumbled gingerbread cookies, and whipped cream in a trifle dish or individual glasses. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Pretzel and Apple Crisp: Combine chopped leftover apple pie filling with crushed pretzels, brown sugar, and melted butter. Spread the mixture in a baking dish and bake at 350°F until bubbly and golden. For an extra mouth-watering combo, we suggest using our extra salty pretzels!

As you can see, there are endless possibilities when it comes to reimagining your Thanksgiving leftovers. So don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen and whip up something new! If our blog got you excited to try some new pretzel creations, browse our inventory and get ready for a world of flavor! And if our blog made you realize you don’t have anything to bring to Thanksgiving, don’t worry! Our beautiful gift tins and wide array of pretzels are always a crowd pleaser. Visit us online to order today!