HOUSTON – Still staring at a fridge full of turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing? Instead of reheating the same old plate, why not transform those Thanksgiving leftovers into fresh, exciting dishes your whole family will love?
From savory turkey pot pies to irresistible leftover Pecan Pie Milkshake, KPRC 2′s Zorrie Jones met up with local Houston Chef Nynechia “NaNa” at Chapman’s and Kirby to uncover innovative and delicious ways to repurpose your holiday feast.
This guide offers a mix of culinary creativity and practical advice, including recipes, storage tips, and hacks for keeping your leftovers fresh and flavorful. Whether you’re aiming to reduce waste or simply spice up your meals, Chef Nynechia ‘NaNa’ insights will help you make the most of every bite.
Creative ways to repurpose Thanksgiving leftovers
- Leftover Pecan Pie Milkshake: Blend a slice of pecan pie with vanilla ice cream and milk for a decadent, dessert-inspired milkshake. Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel.
- Thanksgiving Eggs Benedict: Use leftover stuffing as a base instead of an English muffin, top with sliced turkey or ham, a poached egg, and drizzle with a rich Holidaze Sauce for a holiday twist on a classic.
- Macaroni and Cheese Egg Rolls: Roll leftover mac and cheese into egg roll wrappers and fry or bake until crispy. Serve with cranberry or marinara sauce for dipping.
- Sweet Potato Pancakes: Mix leftover sweet potatoes with pancake batter for fluffy, flavorful pancakes. Add cinnamon and nutmeg for extra holiday warmth.
- Turkey Pot Pie: Combine leftover turkey with vegetables, gravy, and pie crust for a comforting classic.
- Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders: Mix cranberry sauce with BBQ sauce for a tangy topping on turkey sliders.
- Turkey Ramen: Use turkey stock as a base for ramen, adding shredded turkey, vegetables, and noodles for a warm, hearty bowl.
- Cranberry-Stuffed Grilled Cheese: Spread cranberry sauce on bread, add cheese and turkey or ham , and grill for a sweet-and-savory sandwich.
- Turkey & Spinach Quesadillas: Fill tortillas with turkey, cheese, spinach, and a dollop of cranberry sauce for a fast, flavorful meal.
- Leftover Soup: Toss turkey, vegetables, and mashed potatoes into a pot with broth to create a cozy, hearty soup.
Tasty Recipes
Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into delicious new dishes with these inventive recipes from Chef Nynechia ‘NaNa’.
Leftover pecan pie milkshake
Ingredients (1 Serving):
- 1 scoop (4 oz) pecan pie
- 1 cup vanilla ice cream
- ¼ cup milk
- Dash of nutmeg
- Dash of cinnamon
Toppings:
- Whipped cream
- Pecans
- Caramel sauce
Instructions:
- Add milk, ice cream, pecan pie, cinnamon, and nutmeg to blende
- Blend milk, ice cream, pecan pie, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.
- Pour into favorite cup or glass top with whipped cream, pecans, and caramel sauce.
A sweet and creamy way to enjoy leftover pie!
Thanksgiving eggs benedict
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup stuffing per serving (1-1½” thick medallions)
- Cooked turkey or ham slices
- Poached eggs
- Butter for cooking
Holidaze Sauce:
- 2 tbsp cranberry sauce
- 4 egg yolks (room temperature)
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Pinch of cayenne and salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter
Instructions:
- Blend egg yolks, lemon juice, cranberry sauce, cayenne, and salt in a jar using an immersion blender.
- Melt butter on stove until hot.
- Place head of immersion blender into the bottom of the cup and turn it on.
- With the blender constantly running, slowly pour hot butter into cup.
- It should emulsify with the egg yolk and lemon juice.
- Continue pouring until all butter is added.
- Sauce should be thick and creamy, able to coat the back of a spoon but still flow off of it.
- Pan-sear stuffing medallions in butter.
- Plate medallions, top with turkey or ham, a poached egg, and Holidaze sauce.
- Garnish with microgreens or parsley.
A festive twist on a classic favorite!
Safe storage tips
Learn the best practices for storing your holiday food to keep it fresh and flavorful while ensuring safety.
- Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking to prevent bacteria growth. For large portions, divide food into smaller containers to cool faster.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to lock in freshness and prevent odors from mixing.
- Clearly label containers with the date to ensure you use leftovers while they’re still safe to eat. Most Thanksgiving foods last 3-4 days in the fridge.
- For leftovers you won’t eat within a few days, freeze them in freezer-safe containers or bags. Turkey and stuffing can last up to 2-6 months in the freezer.
- Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill any bacteria. Use a food thermometer for accuracy.
- If leftovers have been sitting out for more than two hours, or if they smell, look, or taste off, it’s best to throw them away.
Enjoyed exploring innovative and delicious ways to repurpose Thanksgiving leftovers into creative dishes the whole family will love?
Drop a Pic on Click2Pins how do you turn your Thanksgiving leftovers into something deliciously new.
