With most families doing virtual holidays this year, the turkeys may be smaller, but I believe there will be a larger number of them cooked. This will leave us all with the problem of what do we do with the leftovers? Here are some creative ideas to help minimize the waste and add some excitement.
First let’s cover the basics:
It is never a good idea to store leftover meat on the carcass. Remove all the meat from the bones and store in a separate container.
If you are saving the carcass to make soup, which I highly recommend, it will store fine for a day or two in the refrigerator, if you plan to use it latter than that, place in the freezer until needed.
Store all side dishes (stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables) in shallow dishes to ensure they cool properly.
If you cooked your stuffing in your bird, remove immediately after cooking, dangerous levels of bacteria can leave your whole family under the weather if this occurs.
I personally love a classic turkey sandwich, but just in case you want to jazz it up a bit; try using that leftover cranberry sauce instead of mayo, add some alfalfa or bean sprouts to it, or even grilled asparagus adds a delightful touch.
Heating up multiple leftovers is time consuming and a chore:
Instead take the turkey and gravy and place in the bottom of a baking dish. Layer on some left over vegetables, and top with either stuffing or mashed potatoes. (In my house we go half and half) Sprinkle with some water, cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes.
I always make turkey carcass soup, it is a huge family favorite. Check out this recipe to make your own.
Just in case you are still looking to be adventurous here are more leftover recipes to try. Good luck and enjoy.
https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/thanksgiving/g2488/leftover-turkey-recipes/
Post Brought to you by:
Lisa M. Shrout
4-H Program Educator
