No Waste, All Taste: Your Guide to Thanksgiving Leftovers
You’ve probably already planned Thursday’s meal, but have you thought about what you’ll do with what you don’t eat? We’ve put together some sage advice (pun intended) that will keep you from throwing any food scraps in the bin. You’re definitely going to want to get in on this gravy train! There’s no better (or delicious) way to show the planet your gratitude.
Photo by Libby Penner on Unsplash
Take small portions.
Thanksgiving is the most tempting day of the year to pile your plate high with food. How can any sane person resist all those festive dishes? Just remember that although you can always go back for seconds, there’s not much you can do with any picked-at portions you don’t finish by the meal’s end. That’s not appetizing to any of your guests! Before you begin, take a look around the table to see how many items you’d like to try. That should help you estimate how much you’ll really need, and save you from throwing any excess into the trash.
Get creative with your leftovers.
If you eat meat, you probably dream of turkey sandwiches all year. Maybe you’re looking forward to extra portions of mushroom wellington or a couple extra slices of vegetable pie. Whatever your flavor, we must remind you that after a few days, you’re probably going to get bored of it. We suggest you dog-ear a few recipes to help with that now. What about this roasted turkey ramen from the New York Times cooking section? Or these vegan mashed potato patties with Swiss chard from The Spruce Eats? We dare you not to drool after taking a look at these Thanksgiving leftover tacos from Delish. (Stuffing, chiles, and mole? Oh my.) Our point is, you can have fun with it. Start making your list now!
Share the wealth. Wisely.
If you’re hosting the meal this year, invite your guests to bring reusable containers along, and have a few extras on hand for anyone who might forget. This way, nobody’s scrambling at the end of the afternoon, and you’re not stuck with mountains of food you’ll never eat. Glass and hard-sided plastic options are best, but this could also be your chance to finally use those takeout containers you’ve been stockpiling. Store your goodies in the fridge before it gets too late, and remind people to finish them up at home within four days.
Make friends with your freezer.
Perhaps you’re traveling after the big day. Maybe you know you’ll suddenly develop an appetite for salads. Whatever the obstacle, if you don’t think you’ll finish your leftovers in time, go ahead and stick them in your freezer. Label and date the container so you don’t lose track of it, and treat yourself to a merry mini-feast a few weeks later. It may not be quite as good as day one, but you gotta do what you’ve gotta do, right? Trust us, it won’t be too shabby.
When all else fails, compost or think of the animals.
We really do encourage you to leave no leftovers behind, but if you find yourself with any, despite your best efforts, go ahead and place them in the compost bin. If you don’t have one yet, maybe you know someone who does. If you live in a rural area, you could treat a neighbor’s pig to a treat, and wherever you live, we know of several squirrels and birds who would love to nosh on your squash. The options are closer to endless than you might think…we know of a friend right here in Atlanta who put her turkey carcass outside overnight and found it clean as a whistle the next morning. Where there’s a will there’s a way. Good luck!