This time of year, there is always a barrage of articles and blog posts telling all us poor, clueless, overfed North Americans what to do with our Thanksgiving leftovers. The titles are generally pretty straightforward, such as How To Use Up Thanksgiving Leftovers, though every now and then someone has a burst of creative brilliance and adds an exclamation point and number a lá 37 Ways To Use Up Thanksgiving Leftovers!
And I’m left sitting there scratching my head because, Really? Thanksgiving leftovers are a PROBLEM? Whatever happened to just EATING them?
However, because everyone seems to think that a glut of turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce pose unimaginable culinary hardships and I don’t, I’m going to assume that my hassle-free, shockingly simple method truly is unique and you all are dying to know about it.
How to Use Up Thanksgiving Leftovers in 10 Easy Steps
1. Open the refrigerator.
2. Select what you want to eat. (If the options are overwhelming, just grab three things. Chances are, they’ll taste real good together.)
3. Spoon the desired portions onto a plate.
4. Put the plate in the microwave and zap until the food is hot.
5. Get a fork.
6. Put food on fork.
7. Put fork in mouth.
8. Remove fork from mouth.
9. Chew food.
10. Swallow.
16 Comments
Mavis
Cracking up at this. I just posted How to Store and Use Up Leftovers today. Bahhhhaha. 🙂
Starr
I don't even bother with the microwave sometimes. I just take out the tupperware and eat straight from the container.
This year we're having Turducken down in Louisiana. I'm not sure there'll be leftovers!
Mama Pea
Yup. Whenever I see the inevitable article on what to do with Thanksgiving leftovers, I immediately think, "Duh, how stupid can you be?!" (Well, . . . how stupid is there?)
Give me the leftovers and I'll skip the original dinner!
beckster
I understand that leftovers are no problem if you love turkey and you have a house full of people to help you eat them. However, some of us don't love turkey, so after a couple of meals, we look for ways to disguise it. We don't want to be wasteful, but we feel like we can't face that turkey again. I have a thing about the smell of leftover poultry. Call me weird, but I don't like it, at all. Besides, it is a lazy way for magazines to run articles during the holiday season!
Laura
We have friends who don't like turkey. They make lasagna instead.
Kate
I've been dreaming about this since January. TURKEY.
Anonymous
Love it!! You voiced my thoughts exactly. And I agree with (and enjoyed reading) every single one of the comments too. Those articles have always puzzled me – our family is sad every year when the leftovers are gone. Vicki
Margo
oh har har, Casey! I only get creative with leftovers when my family is wary of them.
Unknown
Love it! Great post.
goodbadi
You missed step 11, which is "Repeat steps 1-11."
Anonymous
Yep, that's pretty much the way we do it at my house, too. Guess we'll all be getting Martha Stewart demerits.
Zoë
That is exactly how I handle Thanksgiving leftovers.
Or Turkey Shepherd's Pie if I'm feeling ultra-creative.
Tricia @ The Domestic Fringe
When I saw your title in the feed, I thought maybe I'm doing something wrong, because we never have a problem with Thanksgiving leftovers. As I was clicking I was telling myself in my head that I better buy a bigger turkey this year. lol. Maybe it's just because we're accustomed to eating leftovers, but I don't even have to get creative with ours. We just eat em!
Becky
Thank you! Yes, this is exactly how we've always "handled" leftovers. What's better then Thanksgiving dinner after slaving away all day in the kitchen? Thanksgiving leftovers the day after when your rested and can enjoy the fruits of your labor. 🙂
Anonymous
Love this post! I, too, have always found other people's complaints about Thanksgiving leftovers puzzling.
You Can Call Me Jane
Yes!