Tackling Turkey Leftovers. Burritos to Turkey Melts!

See anything that tempts your taste buds? Thanksgiving dinner was a hit and the big turkey you fixed was delicious. But what in the world are you going to do with the turkey leftovers? Here are a few suggestions that I use when dealing with leftover turkey. My number 1 rule is NO turkey in the refrigerator after 3 days. That's my rule and may not be anyone else's!

Boiling turkey carcass for leftovers. Soup.

If you have the carcass picked fairly clean, put it in a big pot of water and boil it until all the meat comes off easily. At this point you may want to add some bullion for extra flavor. Add some vegetables like carrot and potato chunks. Add garlic and/or onions for more flavor. This makes a tasty meal and a light one. You could also add noodles and celery to the turkey and broth!

Turkey burritos made from turkey leftovers

This is a favorite of mine. You can make these ahead of time and freeze them for quick meals later! Take a burrito and fill it with turkey slices or chunks. You may want to sprinkle some grated cheese on it, add peppers or onion for extra flavor. Pop them in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes if thawed, closer to an hour if frozen. Set it on a bed of lettuce, dress it up with some sour cream or more cheese, paprika or parsley. This is our family's favorite turkey leftover meal!

Salad made with turkey leftovers.

Simply make a bowl of your family's favorite tossed salad. Dice up turkey pieces and mix through it. You could also warm the turkey and lay larger pieces on top of the tossed salad. This is such a light meal and you still get to use up your turkey!

Turkey melts from leftovers.

Love grilled cheese sandwiches? Well you can make a great tasting melted cheese sandwich by adding turkey to it. Simply get out a skillet, butter 2 bread slices (butter will be on outside of bread) set one slice, butter down, on the warming skillet. Put a slice of cheese, I use American, on the bread. Add thin slices of turkey to the cheese and set the top piece of bread (butter side up) on top. Grill till they are browned to your liking and the cheese has melted. You can add any condiments, peppers, onions etc. Fast meal and filling!

Mashed potato casserole with turkey leftovers.

Now have fun with this casserole. You may be able to use more than turkey leftovers for this dish. Grease the bottom of a casserole dish. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Soften you mashed potatoes by adding a little milk. Just enough so that you will be able to easily spread them. If you have leftover vegetables put them in the bottom of the dish. Now add sliced, dice or chunks of turkey and mix. If you want to you a can of mushroom soup or make a little white sauce, do so and add to the casserole. Again, mix. I then put a layer of cheese across the top of this. Now add your leftover mashed potatoes and spread it over the entire casserole. Pop in the oven for at least a half an hour. When you check it, if it is bubbling on the bottom it is almost done. I like to add some shredded cheese on top, stick it back in the oven for about 3-5 minutes until the cheese melts.

I hope when you think of leftover turkey you will be happy instead of anxious about what to do with it. Freeze that turkey in freezer bags until you need it and use the above ideas with what you have on hand. You experiments may well become family favorites too!