Thanksgiving leftovers never tasted so good! This Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Melt takes all the delicious flavors of the holiday feast and transforms them into a cozy, craveable sandwich that’s perfect for enjoying in the days after the big meal. Juicy turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, tangy cranberry sauce, and melty cheese come together in every satisfying bite.
Why You’ll Love This Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Melt
This Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Melt is the ultimate comfort food mashup, taking classic holiday flavors and turning them into a warm, indulgent sandwich you’ll crave all year long. It’s the perfect way to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers and satisfy your comfort food cravings at the same time. With a crispy, golden exterior and a melty, gooey interior, every bite is a delightful explosion of festive flavor.
Ingredients
This Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Melt comes together with just a few simple ingredients you likely have on hand after the big feast. You’ll need leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and a few slices of your favorite melty cheese, like Swiss or cheddar. That’s it! These familiar flavors come together in the most delicious way.
- 2 cups – Cooked turkey, sliced or shredded
- 1 cup – Mashed potatoes
- 1/2 cup – Cranberry sauce
- 4 slices – Melty cheese (Swiss or cheddar)
- 4 slices – Bread
Ingredient Substitutions
- Mashed Potatoes: Swap in stuffing for a more savory twist (the hearty, herby flavors pair beautifully with the turkey and cranberry)
- Cranberry Sauce: If you’re short on cranberry, use extra gravy for a creamy, comforting filling (a delicious dairy-free option)
How to Make Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Melt
This Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Melt comes together in just a few simple steps for a warm, indulgent sandwich you’ll crave all year long.
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by gathering all your Thanksgiving leftover ingredients. Slice or shred the turkey, and set aside. In a small bowl, mix together the mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce until well combined.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Butter the outsides of two slices of bread. Place one slice butter-side down in the hot pan. Layer on the turkey, potato-cranberry mixture, and slices of cheese. Top with the remaining slice of bread, butter-side up.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Cook the sandwich for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey. Flip carefully using a spatula to ensure even cooking.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Once the Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Melt is perfectly crispy on the outside and melty on the inside, remove it from the heat. Slice in half and serve warm, with any extra cranberry sauce or gravy on the side for dipping.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Add Stuffing: For an extra-indulgent twist, try adding a layer of stuffing or dressing to the sandwich. The savory, herbaceous flavors pair beautifully with the turkey and cranberry.
- Try Different Cheeses: You can also experiment with different cheese varieties, like cheddar, provolone, or even brie, to find your perfect melty pairing.
- Load It Up: Don’t be afraid to get creative with other Thanksgiving leftovers – mashed sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and even roasted veggies can all make tasty additions to this epic melt.
- Crispy Exterior: Buttering the bread gives the Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Melt an irresistibly crispy, golden exterior.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad.
Storage: Wrap any leftovers tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Gently reheat leftover turkey melts in a skillet or the oven until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted.
Make-Ahead: You can assemble the Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Melt ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to cook. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature before cooking for the crispiest, gooiest results.
Nutrition Information
This Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Melt is a hearty, comforting dish that combines all the best flavors of the holiday season. Each serving provides a satisfying balance of protein from the turkey, complex carbs from the potatoes, and a creamy, melty cheese finish. It’s the perfect way to indulge in those Thanksgiving leftovers without overindulging.
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Protein: 35 g
- Carbs: 46 g
- Fat: 26 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of cheese?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different melty cheese varieties like cheddar, provolone, or even a creamy brie to find your perfect flavor pairing.
Can I add other Thanksgiving leftovers?
Definitely! This Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Melt is super versatile. You can add layers of stuffing, gravy, roasted veggies, or even sweet potato casserole for an extra-loaded sandwich.
How do I reheat leftover turkey melts?
For best results, reheat leftover turkey melts in a skillet or the oven until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the bread soggy.
Can I make this ahead of time?
While this Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Melt is best enjoyed fresh, you can assemble it ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to cook. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature before cooking for the crispiest, gooiest results.
What sides pair well with this sandwich?
This Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Melt is a meal on its own, but you can certainly enjoy it with classic holiday sides like cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad.
Try These Next
- Epic Burgers Melts
- Thanksgiving Leftover Sliders With Cranberry Sauce
- Buffalo Chicken Mac And Cheese Melts
Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Melt
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: 🍔 Epic Burgers & Melts
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
A delicious way to use up leftover turkey from your Thanksgiving feast, this turkey melt is cheesy, savory, and oh-so-satisfying!
Ingredients
– 2 slices of bread (your choice)
– 1 cup leftover turkey, shredded
– 1/2 cup shredded cheese (Gruyère or Cheddar)
– 1/4 cup cranberry sauce
– 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
– 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
– 1 tablespoon butter
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1.
2. 1. In a bowl, mix the shredded turkey with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
3. 2. Spread cranberry sauce on one side of each slice of bread.
4. 3. Layer the turkey mixture and cheese on one slice of bread, then top with the second slice of bread, cranberry side facing in.
5. 4. Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt butter.
6. 5. Place the sandwich in the skillet and cook until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side, pressing down gently.
7. 6. Remove from the skillet, slice in half, and serve hot.
Notes
– Feel free to add other toppings like sautéed onions or spinach.
– You can use any bread you prefer, such as sourdough or whole grain.
– This recipe can easily be doubled for more servings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: turkey, leftovers, sandwich, melt