Food Blogger Reveals Her Favorite Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe

Already thinking about the leftover feast you're going to have the morning after Thanksgiving? There are plenty of creative recipes you can use for your leftover Thanksgiving mains and sides, said well-known food blogger Yumna Jawad.

Jawad, who runs the Feel Good Foodie blog, said her favorite Thanksgiving leftover recipe is a Turkey Panini, and it's made with all the ingredients you'll already have lying around after your holiday feast.

"It's such a classic and easy way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers and feed friends and family that may still be in town the day after Thanksgiving," Jawad told Newsweek. "I love that it's incredibly versatile because you can use any bread you have on hand and you can easily pair it with additional Thanksgiving leftovers like salad, stuffing or mashed potatoes."

All you'll need to get started is some bread, your sliced white meat turkey plus some thyme leaves, cranberry sauce and provolone cheese.

The Recipe

First, you'll need to heat a panini press or skillet to medium-high heat, Jawad said.

On your bread, spread some mayonnaise on both sides and place the sliced turkey breast on top of one slice. Then you'll add the fresh thyme leaves, then the cranberry sauce and finally the provolone cheese.

After that, Jawad said to cover the sandwich with the other slice of bread and then transfer the sandwich to your panini press or hot skillet.

Once you press down gently, it will help the whole sandwich stick together. After that, Jawad said to simply cook it until the bread is crisp and golden and the cheese is melted, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Other Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

If you're not feeling a classic turkey sandwich in your post-Thanksgiving blues, there are still several other options to use your turkey in a creative and flavorful recipe.

Turkey Salad Sandwich

Jawad also recommended using it for a Turkey Rice Soup or Turkey Salad Sandwich.

"Sandwiches are your best bet if you're still feeding a crowd because they are so versatile," Jawad said. "It's so easy to throw some turkey and cranberry with some bread and snack on the other leftovers."

Those who have a ton of leftover turkey could still make use of it by storing it in the freezer for that turkey rice soup, though, Jawad added.

Turkey Soup

Erin Clarke, a cookbook author and creator of the Well Plated blog, also has a unique Turkey Soup recipe to share.

"After the big meal, it's nice to have something that's on the lighter side that still feels cozy and hearty," Clarke told Newsweek. "I also love it because if your guests gobbled up more turkey than you expected, it's an easy way to stretch the leftovers into more servings."

Clarke's soup recipe comes with plenty of protein, carbs and vegetables for some solid nutritional content.

"This version with rice is so yummy, reheats well, and it's a nice change of pace from typical noodle soups," Clarke said. "This recipe is easy and delicious."

To get started, you just need to saute a mix of vegetables, sauces and garlic along with the leftover turkey, broth and rice.

"The rice cooks right in the pot, thickening the soup," Clarke said. "A few handfuls of spinach and a squeeze of lemon at the end give the recipe freshness and pop."

Thanksgiving on a Budget

For those looking for ways to save money this Thanksgiving, there are plenty of other ways besides stretching your meal for weeks of turkey leftovers.

Making your Thanksgiving meal a potluck affair, for instance, might help you save money in the long run. This way, every member of your family will spend roughly the same and bring a different dish for you all to enjoy together.

But if you're not the cooking sort, many restaurants have offered affordable deals on all the Thanksgiving food favorites this year.

This includes Popeyes, which has debuted a unique Cajun-style turkey for families to eat with minimal cooking. The turkeys cost $99 and feature a special seasoning mixed with paprika, salt, dried onions, dried garlic, and red pepper.

The turkey comes fully pre-cooked, so shoppers just have to thaw, reheat and serve.

Meanwhile, at Boston Market, guests can get a selection of main course meats and sides for just $12 per person. Customers have the option of either turkey or ham and sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing and apple pie.

Restaurant competitor Bob Evans also offers a complete holiday dinner to go, and prices begin at just $12.49 per person for 10 servings. Turkey or ham is available, and customers can choose sides like dinner rolls, macaroni and cheese and pumpkin pie.