It’s that glorious time of year again! Thanksgiving is right around the corner.
If you’re anything like me, you are already racking your brain trying to figure out what to do with the impending mountain of Thanksgiving leftovers that are on the way.
Dealing with Thanksgiving leftovers doesn’t have to be a hassle, though! There are plenty of healthy ways to use your Thanksgiving leftovers and turkey leftovers in delicious and simple ways.
It is time to talk about Thanksgiving leftovers and what to do with leftover turkey.
First, start by minimizing your leftovers. You want to cook enough for your guests, but don’t cook too much. If you’ve invited 15, don’t cook enough for 20 people. The exception, of course, is the turkey. If you buy a bigger bird, you can easily turn the leftovers into a variety of tasty dishes.
Then, send your guests home with food. Buy some new storage containers. Let friends and family either assemble complete meals to take home or stock up on some favorites like mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, or stuffing.
Still worried about what to do with leftover turkey and any other thanksgiving leftovers? You’ve come to the right place!
We have gathered some easy and delicious meal ideas, to save you time and unnecessary stress.
Get your favorite pot and get ready to prepare a soup, chili, or casserole that will make everyone in the family happy.
Healthy Recipes
Your waistline will definitely thank you for using these healthy hacks! And your fridge will no longer be packed with turkey leftovers!
Sure you could just reheat and eat your favorite cranberry sauce, pie, stuffing, and sweet potato souffle, but instead, why not save time and stress while tantalizing your tastebuds with these delicious and healthy recipes.
Sweet Turkey Cornbread
Sweet Turkey Cornbread
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb cooked shredded turkey
- 1 can whole kernel corn rinsed and drained
- 1 can tomatoes drained
- ¼ c low-fat shredded cheese optional
- 8 oz gluten-free cornbread mix
- 2 scoops LadyBoss LEAN®
- ½ c diced green chilies optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375
- In a medium skillet, warm turkey.
- Prepare cornbread mix as directed.
- Fold corn, tomatoes, LadyBoss LEAN, green chilies, and turkey into cornbread batter.
- Spray sides and bottom of a 10-inch iron skillet with non-stick spray – heat skillet on high heat on the stove.
- Then pour cornbread mix into the pan and sprinkle with cheese
- Bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes. Test with a toothpick. Cornbread is done when the toothpick comes out clean.
Sweet Potato Protein Chili
Sweet Potato Protein Chili
Ingredients
- 6 oz cooked shredded turkey breast
- 1 medium sweet potato diced
- ½ c marinara sauce
- ⅛ c diced onion
- ⅛ c chopped celery
- ¼ c water
- ¼ tbsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ can black beans drained and rinsed
- ½ tbsp coconut oil
- 1 avocado for topping
Instructions
- In a crockpot, add sweet potato, marinara sauce, onion, celery, water, chili powder, cumin, and black pepper in a slow cooker.
- Cook on high 5 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Add turkey and beans.
- Cook until flavors have blended, about 1 to 2 more hours.
- Top with fresh avocado.
Turkey and Peppered Sweet Potato
Turkey and Peppered Sweet Potato
Ingredients
- 2 c cooked shredded turkey breast
- 1 medium sweet potato
- ¼ c sweet peppers diced
- ½ avocado
- ¼ tsp Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb Seasoning
Instructions
- Place sweet potato in a large bowl of water.
- Cook in the microwave for 10 minutes or until soft.
- Spray a little nonstick spray in a medium-size saute pan and heat on medium heat.
- Add shredded turkey to the pan along with peppers.
- Season with Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb Seasoning.
- Once meat is warmed through, simmer on low for about 5 minutes.
- Cut sweet potato in half and top with turkey and pepper mixture.
Stuffed Zucchini
Stuffed Zucchini
Ingredients
- 2 large zucchini sliced lengthwise with the middle scooped out and set aside
- 2 c cooked shredded turkey
- ½ c chopped sweet peppers
- ¼ c fat-free shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- In a medium skillet, cook peppers and middle part of zucchini until tender.
- Add cooked turkey.
- Place zucchini “boats” onto a sheet pan.
- Spoon turkey mixture into each zucchini boat.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until zucchini boats are tender.
- Remove boats, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Return to the oven and turn off the heat.
- Stuffed Zucchini is done when the cheese is melted (about 3 minutes).
Turkey Hot Pocket
Turkey Hot Pocket
Ingredients
- ½ c of cooked turkey breast chopped
- ¼ c shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ c uncooked spinach
- 1 Ezekiel Sprouted Tortilla
- Mustard optional
Instructions
- Preheat skillet to medium-high heat.
- Arrange turkey, spinach, cheese, and mustard in the center of the tortilla. Fold in top edges of tortillas; then fold in the sides.
- Carefully place the side with folds, face down in the skillet.
- Press top with a spatula to crisp the edges closed on the bottom of the hot pocket.
- Let cook in skillet until bold sides have browne
One Pan Enchiladas
One-Pan Enchiladas
Ingredients
- 1 lb cooked shredded turkey
- 1 15- oz can black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 jar enchilada sauce
- 6 corn tortillas cut in half then sliced into thin strips
- 1 c fat-free cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 diced red onion
- 1 grated zucchini squash
- 2 tsp garlic salt
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook onions until tender.
- Add cooked turkey to the skillet.
- Add grated zucchini toward the end for added flavor and moisture.
- Season with garlic salt and pepper.
- Add the rinsed and drained black beans and enchilada sauce.
- Cover and reduce heat to low. Let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add sliced tortilla strips, stir well, top with cheese and cover.
- Let the mixture simmer 5–10 more minutes until cheese is melted.
- Top with green onion or sliced avocado.
Use these recipes to use up your leftover turkey.
There is no reason to give up your favorite delicious holiday foods. Just eat them in moderation and use your leftovers to make healthy new decisions that will leave you with zero regrets.
You can find all of these amazing recipes and more on the LadyBoss® Pocket Personal Trainer.
Have a happy, safe, and delicious Thanksgiving!
