Try These Creative Options With Your Leftover Turkey

Consider for a moment the leftover turkey sandwich.

It’s an adequate post-Thanksgiving lunch, to be sure. But even the first one tastes like you’re in a culinary rut. Bust out and surprise your friends and family by using the extra bird in these simple yet creative ways, courtesy of Patch editors and readers.

Turkey Pizza

Port Washington-Saukville Editor Lyssa Beyer is a big fan of homemade pizza. Start with a store-bought crust or whip up this homemade crust recipe that uses whole-wheat flour. You can experiment with different bases, such as alfredo, and certainly try a different kind of cheese. This barbeque turkey pizza from The English Kitchen sounds divine.

Turkey Tacos

From Heather Asiyanbi, the editor for Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant Patch, comes this south-of-the-border option for turkey tacos.

• Leftover turkey meat, cubed or shredded
• garlic powder (or cloves if preferred, crushed)
• 1 medium onion
• cumin
• unsweetened, powder cocoa
• crushed red pepper flakes
• chili powder
• 1 cup of water

**all spices are to taste, but a good rule of thumb is 1 teaspoon for everything, except the pepper and that should be to taste, depending on how spicy people like it.

Combine all ingredients over low heat, stirring once or twice to mix it all together well. Keep it from coming to a boil, but hot enough to have the meat absorb all the taste.

Fixings are up to the cook: salsa; shredded cheese; cut-up peppers and onions; lettuce; etc.

Turkey Nacho Queso

Sussex Patch Editor Andy Ambrosius suggests shredding the leftover turkey and substituting it in a homemade nachos grande in place of chicken. Or put it in a queso dip. This Velveeta version is as simple as they come.

Turkey Soup

On Brookfield Patch’s Facebook page, Laura Mokelke shared her ingredients for turkey soup. Toss the turkey with wild rice, carrots and celery into broth — vegetable or chicken broth — and add just a little bit of cream. That, for sure, is going to be a low-maintenance option.

Denise Konkol, the editor for Muskego Patch, provides a more detailed recipe:

• 4 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup uncooked wild rice
• 3 tablespoons chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup shredded carrot
• 3 tablespoons chopped pecans
• 6 tablespoons butter, cubed
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) chicken broth
• 1/2 cup cubed fully cooked ham
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup half-and-half cream
• Green onion, cut into thin strips, optional

And, Well ... Turkey Sandwich

If your traditional sensibilities won't let you stray from the sandwich, at least give a try to this option, suggested by Shorewood Patch Editor Adam McCoy, a professed "meatatarian." The crescent rolls will make it tidy and the Dijon mustard provides a kick.

_______________________________

We know there are more great recipes out there, so we want to hear from you. Post your suggestion in the comments box below...and happy Thanksgiving to all of our readers!