Thanksgiving leftovers for lunch

Thanksgiving leftovers for lunch — recipe ideas.

Thanksgiving leftovers

I really love this particular post for Thanksgiving leftovers lunch recipes that I made for Kix Cereal because I got to have a mini Thanksgiving meal weeks ago to write it. And yum, I’m pleased with the results. Here are three awesome, delicious ideas for lunch using Thanksgiving leftovers.

Thanksgiving sandwich sushi

The Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich sushi is surprisingly delicious, as I was skeptical about the concept. I ate them all as soon as I finished taking the photographs.

Mix one part cranberry sauce with two parts of light cream cheese.

Gently flatten a piece of sandwich bread with a rolling pin. Spread a thin layer of cranberry cream cheese on the bread. Place rows of your leftover favorites, such as turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and stuffing.

Roll and press to secure. With a sharp knife, cut the sandwich in half or thirds to make “sushi.”

Mashed potato coins and homemade lunchables

It’s a lunch full of little circles! Use a two-inch cookie cutter to cut out rounds from sandwich bread (or, use round crackers instead), cheese slices, and thin slices of turkey. Serve with slices of cucumber or zucchini and potato coins.

But what really got me? The mashed potato coins. These are so delicious, I could eat a jillion of them. They make great use of leftover mashed potatoes, not just for the lunchbox, but as a dinner side, too.

how to make mashed potato coins

1 cup cold mashed potatoes
1 egg, lightly beaten
¼ cup Panko bread crumbs
1/8 cup Parmesan cheese
Garlic salt, pepper, or other seasonings

Preheat oven to 425º F. Scoop a tablespoon of the potatoes and roll into a ball. Flatten with your palm into a 2-inch circle. Repeat with the rest of the potatoes. On a plate, mix together the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with garlic salt, pepper, or other seasonings you prefer.

Brush one side of the potato coins with egg and generously sprinkle the bread crumb mixture on top of each, gently pressing the mixture into the patty. Flip the patty over and repeat on the other side. This is easiest when you hold the patty in your palm.

Place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the bottom begins to brown and the top begins to lightly brown. Flip the coins and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes until the coins are nicely browned. Let cool. Makes 10 coins. Recipe may be doubled.

Thanksgiving leftovers hand pies

These hand pies are so versatile, you can add any of their favorite leftovers: Gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables, stuffing, potatoes, turkey… You name it, you can throw it in there.

You’ll need Pillsbury® Grands! Jr. refrigerated biscuits, two biscuits for each hand pie. Separate the biscuits and use your palm to spread each biscuit about 3 ½ to 4 inches across. Place your desired leftovers in the center of the biscuit, leaving a ½ inch border.

Place another flattened biscuit on top and use a fork to crimp the edges. Place the hand pies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Beat an egg in a bowl with a teaspoon of water and brush over the hand pies. Bake in a preheated, 375 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until nicely browned. Let cool.

If desired, serve with a cucumber or carrot stick “tree” adorned with cheese “leaves,” made from a leaf cutter and American cheese slices.

For all the Thanksgiving leftover lunch recipes, CLICK HERE to visit KIX.