Honor the season beyond the feast by reinventing festive remnants into delightful, innovative dishes.

This Thanksgiving, break away from the classic reheated turkey plate, and reimagine traditional holiday leftovers. It’s true, some people are satisfied with simply hitting the reheat button to create the same meals day after day, but there’s a growing tribe of culinary enthusiasts who see leftover remnants as a canvas for creativity and a testament to sustainable cooking. With a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of resourcefulness from Chef Anton Grothoff , new holiday dishes can be enjoyed for days to come.

Turkey Fried Rice

Make a pot of rice along with your holiday meals. Why? Because cold, day-old rice happens to be the perfect leftover for making fried rice. Having a vibrant dish such as turkey fried rice turns holiday remnants into something new with a completely different flavor profile.

Ingredients:
2 cups day-old white rice
¼ cup turkey, chopped
2 tablespoons green onions, sliced
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
¼ teaspoon fish sauce
¼ tablespoon ginger, minced
1 tablespoon yellow onion, minced
¼ teaspoon rice wine vinegar
⅛ cup peas1 carrot, shredded
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions: In a large sauté pan, lightly cook onions, garlic, and ginger until tender. Add rice, turkey, and peas. Along the edges of the pan, add soy sauce, fish sauce, and vinegar; then toss. Top with chopped green onions and sesame seeds or elevate the dish with nori (a dried edible seaweed).

Ham & Bean Potato Hash

Ham is another popular meat that is often left over, taking up a ton of space in there refrigerator. But, ham can be a great companion in a variety of dishes. Seasoned with herbs and a lemon hollandaise sauce, this ham and bean potato hash is packed with savory flavors and is a perfect breakfast or brunch option — especially when it’s topped with a poached egg.

Instructions: In a medium to large sauté pan, lightly cook onions, garlic, and white beans. Once they are translucent, add in butter, potatoes, and spices. Turn off the heat, add arugula, a poached egg, and lemon hollandaise sauce on top.

Lemon Hollandaise

Ingredients:
¼ cup egg yolks
½ cup melted butter
Pinch of salt
4 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions: Temper the egg yolks over a double boiler until the eggs start to slightly thicken. Take eggs off the heat, and slowly add melted butter while whisking constantly. Fold in lemon juice and a pinch of salt.

Spiked Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

For adults who revel in the comforting flavors of the fall season, this slightly boozy concoction is a beloved classic. The creamy blend of vanilla ice cream combined with the spiced richness of pumpkin pie creates a taste sensation that’s both familiar and novel, evoking blissful memories of cozy evenings and festive gatherings.

Ingredients:
1 cup pumpkin pie filling
2 ounces heavy cream
1 cup vanilla bean ice cream
Pinch of salt
2 ½ ounces peanut butter Skrewball
1 tablespoon toasted graham cracker

Instructions: Use a blender to combine everything and then garnish with crumbled toasted graham cracker and whipped cream.

Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

A delightful twist on the traditional lamb or beef version, turkey shepherd’s pie is great for utilizing a fair amount of leftover turkey all at once. This comforting dish layers2 cups of succulent turkey with leftover gravy and a medley of vegetables before crowding it all in a buttery mashed potato crust. Still have family in town? This rendition is hearty enough to feed everyone while also providing a palate-pleasing experience.

Ingredients:
2 cups leftover turkey, shredded
¼ cup frozen peas
¼ cup onion
¼ cup carrots
¼ cup celery
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
½ cup dry red wine
¼ cup beef broth
¼ turkey gravy
2 tablespoons thyme
1 teaspoon rosemary
Leftover mashed potatoes
Chives, chopped

Instructions: Lightly cook carrots, onions, celery, and garlic until translucent. Add tomato paste and herbs. Then, add red wine to deglaze the pan and reduce by half. After reducing, add beef broth and turkey gravy. Once it’s hot, fold in shredded turkey and frozen peas. In a glass baking pan, add mixture and pipe a layer of mashed potatoes on top.Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes and garnish with freshly chopped chives.

Holiday Leftovers Sandwich

Crafting the perfect post-holiday sandwich has become a delightful challenge in many households as ingredients can vary with whatever is still left over in the fridge. Encapsulating holiday flavors in every bite, this sandwich combines layers of juicy turkey breast and leftover stuffing topped with fresh spinach. However, the real stars of the show are the tangy cranberry mayo and fresh ciabatta bread, which help to create a dish that is both nostalgic and refreshingly new.

Ingredients:
8 ounces turkey breast, sliced
2 tablespoons cranberry mayo
Fresh spinach
Toasted ciabatta bread
3 tablespoons leftover stuffing
Cranberry mayo (mayo, cranberry, limejuice, salt, and honey)