Elevate Your Post-Thanksgiving Feast: The Ultimate Leftovers Sandwich Recipe

Thanksgiving isn’t just about the grand meal; it’s also about the glorious leftovers! My FAVORITE way to extend the holiday joy is with this incredible Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich. It’s a masterful stack of tender turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, savory stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes, and a special gravy mayonnaise, all piled high on a perfectly toasted bun. Prepare yourself for pure culinary bliss!

As the holiday season approaches, I dedicate this week to preparing for the magnificent culinary adventure that is Thanksgiving. But let’s be honest, the anticipation isn’t just for the feast itself; it’s also for the delightful aftermath – specifically, the creation of the ultimate Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich. This isn’t just any sandwich; it’s a time-honored tradition in my household, a delicious ritual that helps ease me into that inevitable food coma on Friday.

The day after Thanksgiving often calls for comfort, relaxation, and minimal effort in the kitchen. What better way to achieve this than by transforming your holiday dinner remnants into an entirely new, yet equally satisfying, meal? This sandwich is designed to help you relive the glory of the previous day’s Thanksgiving feast with every single bite, offering a perfect blend of textures and flavors that truly sing.

The Post-Thanksgiving Ritual: From Feast to Fantastic Sandwich

For many, including myself, Thanksgiving leftovers are an integral part of the holiday experience. Every year, I ensure I leave the holiday dinner with a carefully curated package of food, ready to be enjoyed the following day as I embark on another beloved tradition: pulling out the Christmas decorations. However, this year, I decided it was time to elevate my leftover game. No more simple plates reheated; it was time for an innovation, a transformation into something truly spectacular.

I must confess, creating this sandwich involved a bit of culinary exploration. I delved into countless tips and expert advice, experimenting with different combinations until I finally crafted this magnificent creation. The moment I tasted it, I knew I had reached “leftovers nirvana” – and trust me, this place genuinely exists! If you haven’t experienced it, you’ve been missing out on a truly transcendent post-holiday meal.

When I declare this “the ultimate Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich,” I mean it with every fiber of my being. It’s not an exaggeration. Every cherished element of Thanksgiving that we eagerly anticipate and adore is lovingly smashed into this delightful, albeit messy, sandwich. Each bite is a magical experience, a symphony of flavors that perfectly encapsulates the essence of the holiday.

Why This Sandwich is a Must-Make After Thanksgiving

Imagine waking up on Black Friday, perhaps a little groggy from the previous day’s feasting, wine, and festive spirits. What could be more comforting than a hearty, flavor-packed sandwich that requires minimal effort yet delivers maximum satisfaction? This recipe is your answer, your culinary salvation after the grand event.

On the day after Thanksgiving, you’ll likely find me curled up on the couch, catching up on my favorite TV shows, with this very sandwich in hand. It’s my designated “refresh” day before the bustling weekend of Christmas decorating begins. Putting up the Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving has been a cherished tradition with my mom for as long as I can remember. It’s one of my most treasured memories, one that I absolutely love to continue every single year. The ultimate Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich fuels this festive spirit, providing the perfect blend of comfort and energy.

Do you jump into holiday decorating immediately after Thanksgiving, or do you succumb to the siren call of Christmas festivities even before the turkey is carved? I have to admit, each year I find myself pondering the idea of decorating earlier and earlier. Resisting temptation is undeniably hard, and I have a strong feeling that in future years, I might just give in and deck the halls a little sooner. Until then, Thanksgiving weekend—complete with this magnificent leftovers sandwich—is perfectly reserved for indulging in delicious food, enjoying good company, and kickstarting the decorating for the next wonderful holiday!

The Anatomy of Perfection: Key Ingredients for Your Ultimate Sandwich

The beauty of this ultimate Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich lies in its simplicity and the glorious combination of familiar flavors. Each component plays a crucial role, building layers of taste and texture that are truly unbeatable. Let’s break down what makes this sandwich so special:

• Tender Thanksgiving Turkey: The star of the show! Whether you have dark meat, white meat, or a mix, breaking it into smaller pieces ensures you get delicious turkey in every single bite. Warming it slightly can enhance its succulence.
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Spreading mashed potatoes on the bun provides a delightful, creamy base, adding a comforting richness that’s pure heaven.
• Savory Stuffing: A layer of perfectly seasoned stuffing brings texture and an unmistakable holiday aroma to the sandwich. It’s the essential bread-on-bread experience but in the best way possible.
• Tangy Cranberry Sauce: This vibrant, fruity element cuts through the richness of the other ingredients, offering a bright and zesty contrast. Don’t skip it – it’s a flavor game-changer!
• Homemade Gravy Mayonnaise: This is the secret weapon! A simple mix of leftover gravy and mayonnaise creates a luscious, savory spread that ties all the flavors together, adding an extra layer of decadence and moisture. It’s far superior to plain gravy and a true revelation.
• Toasted Kaiser Roll: The foundation of your masterpiece. A sturdy Kaiser roll, toasted with butter and a hint of garlic powder, provides the perfect vessel to hold all these incredible fillings without becoming soggy. The garlic butter adds an irresistible aroma and flavor.

The measurements in the recipe card are merely suggestions; feel free to adjust them to satisfy your personal Thanksgiving cravings. The joy of leftovers is that you can make them truly your own!

Essential Tools for Your Leftovers Creation

While the ingredients are key, having the right tools makes the assembly process smooth and enjoyable. You won’t need anything fancy, just a few kitchen essentials:

• A sturdy **cutting board** is indispensable for slicing your Kaiser rolls cleanly and for breaking down the turkey into manageable pieces. Precision matters when crafting the ultimate sandwich!
• My countertop **convection oven** is an absolute lifesaver. I use it daily for perfectly toasting buns, warming up leftover turkey, and even baking small batches when I don’t want to heat up the main oven. It’s incredibly versatile and makes quick work of toasting your sandwich components. If you don’t have one, a grill pan or even a regular toaster oven will work wonders.
• You’ll definitely need a sharp **bread knife** to effortlessly slice through your Kaiser rolls, ensuring a clean cut that’s ready for layering. A good knife makes all the difference in presentation and ease of eating.
• **Mixing bowls** (specifically stainless steel ones, as linked in the recipe) are great for preparing your gravy mayonnaise and for keeping your ingredients organized before assembly.

These simple tools will set you up for success in creating a truly magnificent post-Thanksgiving meal.

The Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich Recipe

If you have delicious leftovers from your Thanksgiving feast, this is hands-down the BEST and most creative way to enjoy every single bite! It’s a flavor explosion.

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Servings: 1 sandwich

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equipment

• Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
• USA Pan Bakeware Cookie Sheet
• Shun Chef’s Knife

ingredients

• 1 white Kaiser roll
• 1 1/2 tbsp butter
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 4-5 oz cooked Thanksgiving turkey broken into smaller, tender pieces (this helps ensure turkey in every bite)
• 4 Tbsp mashed potatoes
• 1/4 cup savory stuffing
• 4 tbsp cranberry sauce
• 2 Tbsp leftover gravy or more, for the gravy mayonnaise and extra drizzling
• 2 Tbsp mayonnaise for the gravy mayonnaise

instructions

• First, prepare your bun. Slice the Kaiser roll in half. Generously spread equal amounts of butter onto the cut sides. Sprinkle lightly with garlic powder, then place the roll halves, cut side down, onto a warm grill pan or into a toaster oven. Toast until golden brown and slightly crispy. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Now it’s time to build your glorious sandwich! Begin by spreading a generous layer of mashed potatoes onto the bottom half of the toasted roll. Next, add a substantial layer of savory stuffing, pressing it down gently. Top the stuffing with your pieces of delicious, warmed turkey, ensuring an even distribution. Drizzle the cranberry sauce generously over the turkey layer, allowing it to slightly coat the stuffing. Finish by adding a good amount of gravy on top, letting it drip down the sides for maximum flavor. Place the top half of the roll firmly in place and prepare to DIG IN!
• For an extra special side, consider frying up some thinly sliced russet potatoes. Once they’re hot and crispy out of the oil, sprinkle them with salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick. Serve these alongside your sandwich with a delightful side of gravy mayonnaise. To make the gravy mayonnaise, simply mix 2 tablespoons of creamy mayonnaise with 3 1/2 tablespoons of warm gravy until well combined. Enjoy!

notes

The measurements provided above are merely suggestions, designed to inspire your creation. Feel empowered to add more or less of any of the sandwich ingredients based on your personal preferences and the amount of leftovers you have. The true spirit of this recipe is about satisfying your craving for more Thanksgiving deliciousness exactly the way you like it!

Category: Main Dish, Thanksgiving Leftovers, Comfort Food

Embrace the Leftovers Magic and Beyond

The beauty of Thanksgiving leftovers isn’t just about reducing waste; it’s about extending the joy and comfort of the holiday season. This ultimate sandwich is a testament to that, transforming individual components into a harmonious and incredibly satisfying meal. It’s quick to assemble, deeply flavorful, and precisely what you need when you want to keep the festive spirit alive without a lot of extra cooking.

Whether you’re recovering from a culinary marathon, gearing up for holiday decorating, or simply craving that unique blend of holiday flavors, this sandwich delivers. It’s more than just food; it’s a continuation of tradition, a celebration of family, and a delicious pause in the busy holiday schedule. So, gather your treasured leftovers, follow this guide, and prepare to indulge in a sandwich experience that truly lives up to its “ultimate” title. Happy feasting, and happy holidays!