10 Healthy Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes
Turkey sandwich photo via shutterstock
Is your fridge filled with leftovers? Rather than make a boring turkey sandwich, you can turn Thanksgiving’s basics into the foundation of a healthy leftover meal. Instead of slapping turkey on bread, try mixing it into a soup. Instead of nuking your sweet potato casserole, turn it into whole wheat pancakes. Try these healthy recipes below and use up what’s left in your fridge in a healthier way.
1. White Turkey Chili
via Juanita’s Cocina
Here’s a good recipe for leftover turkey that can be frozen and stored for a hearty winter meal. This is also a good choice because the recipe provides a Latin twist on traditional Thanksgiving turkey.
2. Cran-Turkey Enchiladas
via Very Culinary
This recipe is great for the kids, and they won’t know that they’re eating leftovers. If you’re feeling really ahead of the game, assemble these during Thanksgiving clean up and have them ready in time for football.
3. Sweet Potato Pancakes
via Food Republic
Instead of butter, try using nonfat Greek or plain yogurt and swap in skim milk to cut those extra holiday calories. Try heating the agave with a cinnamon stick.
4. Thanksgiving Leftovers Shepherd’s Pie
via Martha Stewart Living
This recipe piles everything into one dish and covers it with mashed potatoes. Swap the mashed potatoes for whipped cauliflower.
5. Cranberry Sauce Oatmeal
via Homemade Adventure
Cranberry sauce can be the item that lingers the longest post-holiday. The almond butter is optional, but try sprinkling toasted walnuts on top for some added crunch.
6. Turkey Stock
via Cooking Light
After the turkey has been picked clean, make turkey into stock to use in soups, rice, and pasta sauces all winter long. This recipe is straightforward and an easy way to extract all the flavor and goodness from your bird. If you have no plans to use the broth in the near future, you can freeze it.
7. Asian Chicken Salad
via Eating Well
Substitute the chicken for turkey, and when making the dressing, don’t add any brown sugar at first. Whisk everything together, and then slowly add the sugar until it reaches desired sweetness.
8. Curried Turkey with Israeli Couscous Salad with Dried Cranberries
via Fine Cooking
This is a good recipe for turkey as well as any extra veggies you have in the fridge. Anything green, like green beans or kale, even carrots would be a delicious addition to this recipe. If you aren’t a fan of couscous, try using bulgur or quinoa.
9. Sweet Potato, Goat Cheese, Turkey & Fig Pizza
via Family Fresh Cooking
What better way to clean out your fridge and enjoy the game than with holiday-themed pizzas? Instead of using pizza dough, try adding your favorite holiday leftovers to whole wheat pitas.
10. Thanksgiving Eggs Benedict
via Closet Cooking
Think outside of the box with this recipe. If you want to make this lighter, try using sautéed kale or spinach instead of stuffing and top with gently cooked egg whites.
