Your holiday dinner’s done, guests have gone home…and you’re left with a fridge full of food. It might be convenient and comforting to enjoy a repeat meal the following day. But over the weekend, you might wonder: what can you do with Thanksgiving leftovers–besides having the same old plate of turkey and stuffing again?
Food safety for Thanksgiving leftovers
To ensure your leftovers stay fresh and delicious, it’s crucial to store them properly.
For starters, you should refrigerate or freeze certain foods within two hours of cooking or serving–or within one hour if they’ve been exposed to temperatures above 90°F. These foods include:
- Meat
- Poultry
- Seafood
- Eggs
- Cut fruit
- Cooked rice
- Other perishable items
For optimal freshness, make sure your refrigerator temperature is set to 40°F or below. And keep your freezer at or below 0°F.
When to toss Thanksgiving leftovers
According to USDA guidelines, cooked turkey is best consumed within three or four days when stored at or below 40°F. Remember, refrigeration only slows down bacterial growth; it doesn’t halt it completely. So eating or freezing leftovers quickly is key for both safety and taste.
If you’ve frozen extra portions, there are two main methods to thaw them: in the refrigerator, using cold water, or in the microwave oven. Thawing in the refrigerator is the safest approach, though it may take longer.
Once thawed, if you’re not going to finish the leftovers within 3 to 4 days, they can be safely refrozen.
How to reheat your leftovers properly
When reheating your Thanksgiving leftovers, use a food thermometer to make sure they reach an internal temperature of 165° F.
For sauces, soups, and gravies, bring them to a rolling boil. And always cover leftovers during reheating to prevent moisture loss and ensure even heating.
Now, with these tips in mind, let’s dive into some delicious recipes.
Best Thanksgiving leftover ideas
Cranberry salsa turkey wraps
Transform your leftover turkey into these tantalizing and healthy wraps. Using a blend of sweet and spicy cranberry salsa, tender turkey, and cream cheese, this recipe will redefine your family’s expectation of post-Thanksgiving meals.
Southwestern turkey bake
This turkey bake is a perfect solution for those wondering what to do with leftover poultry. Infused with spicy jalapeños, spinach, and sour cream, this flavorful dish is sure to satisfy both adults and kids alike.
Glazed cranberry sweet potato bread
This moist bread utilizes two Thanksgiving staples: mashed sweet potatoes and cranberries. Topped with a delicious orange glaze, it’s a sweet treat that perfectly captures the essence of the holiday season.
Spicy turkey quesadillas
This twist on a Mexican classic uses green chiles to add a lively kick to cranberries and turkey. The bold flavors are beautifully balanced with smooth cream cheese, creating a meal that’s unique, flavorful, and easy to make.
Thanksgiving leftover casserole
This casserole delightfully fuses all of Thanksgiving’s quintessential flavors: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. You can make it your own, adding cheese and your choice of vegetables, if desired, to transform holiday classics into one mouthwatering dish.
Another delicious Thanksgiving leftover casserole
This casserole offers a slightly different, still creative way to use up leftover turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, and gravy in a casserole. The addition of cheese brings all the rich flavors together, creating a delectable dish you won’t be able to resist.
Turkey Hash
This recipe will become a new favorite for coveted holiday leftovers. Using turkey, dressing/stuffing and gravy combined with some fresh new ingredients and some crunch, this hash is simply irresistible.
Leftover turkey soup
This nutritious, veggie-packed soup is an excellent way to use up both the meat and bones of leftover roast turkey. It’s also grain-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free, so anyone on a special diet can enjoy it, too.
Thanksgiving leftovers stuffed acorn squash
This dish masterfully combines all your favorite Thanksgiving elements in a unique and scrumptious way. Packed with cranberries, stuffing, turkey, and a medley of vegetables, these stuffed squashes are one of the healthiest and most delicious ways to use up your leftovers.
Turkey pot pie
Give your Thanksgiving leftovers a makeover with this pot pie recipe. Using turkey, veggies, fresh herbs, and a flaky, buttery crust, this dish is so inviting, you’ll want to eat it every day.
Wild rice soup
Craving a comforting, yet light meal after your holiday feast? Look no further than this healthy soup. It combines whole-grain wild rice, turkey, and a variety of antioxidant-rich vegetables in a delicious, creamy base.
With these recipes in hand, you’ll never be at a loss for what to make with Thanksgiving leftovers again. Have fun cooking up these delicious meals and savoring them with your loved ones. Here’s to extending the holiday cheer!
References:
Food Safety for the Holidays | CDC.
How long will cooked food stay safe in the refrigerator?.
Natural antioxidants from some fruits, seeds, foods, natural products, and associated health benefits: An update – PMC.
The total antioxidant content of more than 3100 foods, beverages, spices, herbs and supplements used worldwide | Nutrition Journal.
The post What Can You Do with Thanksgiving Leftovers? The Best Recipes for Thanksgiving Leftovers appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between holistic medicine, traditional medicine, and holistic?
Traditional medicine only treats symptoms. Holistic medicine treats the entire person. Holistic medicine is holistic and does not focus on any one aspect of the patient’s/her health.
Traditional medicine treats certain organs, systems, or diseases (e.g. the brain), while holistic medicines consider all aspects and the entire body. It also considers how lifestyle choices can affect overall wellness.
What are the five domains of integrative medical care?
Integrative medicine encompasses five domains: mind-body; nutrition; social determinants; lifestyle and prevention. These five areas cover all aspects of health care including spiritual, physical, and environmental well being.
Integrative medicine is a holistic approach to treating disease and overall health. It covers both traditional medical treatments and alternative therapies like acupuncture, yoga and meditation, as well nutritional counseling and biofeedback.
What is an alternative form of medicine?
Alternative medicine is a general term to describe any healing approach that differs from standard medical practice. While there are many alternative medical approaches, the majority are based on a belief that health care should be rooted primarily in natural substances and practices.
Alternative medicine includes acupuncture.
Many alternative practitioners claim that their therapies result in better health outcomes, including improved quality of life, fewer side effects, reduced costs, and greater patient satisfaction. These claims are not supported by scientific evidence because most mainstream medical authorities ignore the evidence-based benefits that alternative medicine offers.
Why do people with cancer use alternative methods?
Cancer patients face many difficulties as they try to cope with their illness. Many patients feel defeated and hopeless. Patients may feel pain, nausea or fatigue. They might also experience loss of strength, lack of appetite, or feeling helpless.
A majority of conventional treatments are ineffective against cancer cells. Patients with cancer should look into alternative treatments, such as complementary medicine. Studies have shown that half of all cancer patients have tried alternative treatments at least once.
Sometimes, cancer patients will choose complementary medicine to chemotherapy. This is because they believe it will be easier and more effective in managing side effects. They may also prefer it as it costs less.
The following are other reasons:
Natural remedies may be able to prevent a recurrence, according to some patients.
Many people believe that natural remedies could improve the quality and quantity of their lives.
Others believe that natural remedies can reduce the risk of getting cancer again.
Concerned about side effects, people who have received chemotherapy may choose to use natural remedies as their first line therapy.
What does holistic mean to you?
Holistic is a holistic approach. Holistic is a way to look at the whole picture instead of just one aspect. This can be difficult because we have become accustomed to seeing things in their entirety.
We tend to think in terms of black and white. There are many shades of grey.
Try to look at everything from different perspectives when you work on a project. Look at it from all sides.
You should try to see it all as one. How do the various components interact?
And if you find a problem, ask yourself why this particular element is causing trouble. Remember to think about the consequences of any changes you make.
What is holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine is a holistic approach to treating patients. They might combine western medicine and traditional methods, such as acupuncture and herbs.
They treat the illness, not just the symptoms. The patient should feel better upon completion of treatment.
The doctor should not only focus on curing the disease but also help prevent future illnesses.
“Holistic” is a term that refers all aspects of a person’s life.
Who uses alternative medicine instead of traditional medicine?
Alternative medicine is available for many reasons.
- They seek to avoid dangerous drugs and surgeries.
- They believe natural remedies are more effective.
- They prefer non-invasive therapies.
- They are looking to spend less.
- They feel more secure using natural products
- They desire greater control over their healthcare decisions.
- They are willing to take responsibility and be responsible for their own health.
- They want to live in a healthier environment.
- They are looking for less stress in life.
- They want greater freedom in choosing their doctors and their healthcare plans.
- They want their children to have a better education.
- They want healthy food for themselves and their family.
- They seek safe, effective medicines.
Statistics
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
nccih.nih.gov
cam.cancer.gov
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING and TENSION-TYPE HeADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed. The Effect of Foot reflexology on Hospital Anxiety, Depression and Suffering in Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Test – PubMed
liebertpub.com
How To
How do I deal with my girlfriend who trusts alternative medicine?
The internet offers guidance for those caring for a loved one with a mental illness. It is difficult to find information about alternative medicine for someone you love.
There seems to be a wide divide between these two groups. There is a huge divide between those who question conventional medicine and those that are open-minded about its benefits.
What happens when you meet someone who believes that there are alternative treatments to mental health problems?
Because you don’t know the right way to respond, you might feel confused or frustrated. What should you say to your partner if he tells that he would prefer to see an acupuncturist to his doctor? Or when he suggests to you that he would prefer to eat gluten-free foods than take antidepressants.
Asking questions is important. It’s important to ask them early. This will save you many heartaches later.
So how can you ask difficult questions of him without offending? What if your client says he doesn’t believe in doctors? Tell him that he should not trust anyone.
Or what if she says that she thinks that antidepressants aren’t working? You can correct her.
This is where the conversation becomes tricky. It can cause further irritation if you point it out that she is wrong.
Another option is to suggest that she consults a psychiatrist. This may cause more problems than it solves. You might be angry with her for suggesting it. Perhaps she thinks you are trying her to control the rest of her life.
So what are you supposed to do?
–
——————————————————————————————————————————————
This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
——————————————————————————————————————————————
By: Dick Benson
Title: What Can You Do with Thanksgiving Leftovers? The Best Recipes for Thanksgiving Leftovers
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/lifestyle-2/thanksgiving-if-the-feast-is-back-so-are-the-leftovers/
Published Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2023 04:43:50 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between holistic medicine, traditional medicine, and holistic?
Traditional medicine only treats symptoms. Holistic medicine treats the entire person. Holistic medicine is holistic and does not focus on any one aspect of the patient’s/her health.
Traditional medicine treats certain organs, systems, or diseases (e.g. the brain), while holistic medicines consider all aspects and the entire body. It also considers how lifestyle choices can affect overall wellness.
What are the five domains of integrative medical care?
Integrative medicine encompasses five domains: mind-body; nutrition; social determinants; lifestyle and prevention. These five areas cover all aspects of health care including spiritual, physical, and environmental well being.
Integrative medicine is a holistic approach to treating disease and overall health. It covers both traditional medical treatments and alternative therapies like acupuncture, yoga and meditation, as well nutritional counseling and biofeedback.
What is an alternative form of medicine?
Alternative medicine is a general term to describe any healing approach that differs from standard medical practice. While there are many alternative medical approaches, the majority are based on a belief that health care should be rooted primarily in natural substances and practices.
Alternative medicine includes acupuncture.
Many alternative practitioners claim that their therapies result in better health outcomes, including improved quality of life, fewer side effects, reduced costs, and greater patient satisfaction. These claims are not supported by scientific evidence because most mainstream medical authorities ignore the evidence-based benefits that alternative medicine offers.
Why do people with cancer use alternative methods?
Cancer patients face many difficulties as they try to cope with their illness. Many patients feel defeated and hopeless. Patients may feel pain, nausea or fatigue. They might also experience loss of strength, lack of appetite, or feeling helpless.
A majority of conventional treatments are ineffective against cancer cells. Patients with cancer should look into alternative treatments, such as complementary medicine. Studies have shown that half of all cancer patients have tried alternative treatments at least once.
Sometimes, cancer patients will choose complementary medicine to chemotherapy. This is because they believe it will be easier and more effective in managing side effects. They may also prefer it as it costs less.
The following are other reasons:
Natural remedies may be able to prevent a recurrence, according to some patients.
Many people believe that natural remedies could improve the quality and quantity of their lives.
Others believe that natural remedies can reduce the risk of getting cancer again.
Concerned about side effects, people who have received chemotherapy may choose to use natural remedies as their first line therapy.
What does holistic mean to you?
Holistic is a holistic approach. Holistic is a way to look at the whole picture instead of just one aspect. This can be difficult because we have become accustomed to seeing things in their entirety.
We tend to think in terms of black and white. There are many shades of grey.
Try to look at everything from different perspectives when you work on a project. Look at it from all sides.
You should try to see it all as one. How do the various components interact?
And if you find a problem, ask yourself why this particular element is causing trouble. Remember to think about the consequences of any changes you make.
What is holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine is a holistic approach to treating patients. They might combine western medicine and traditional methods, such as acupuncture and herbs.
They treat the illness, not just the symptoms. The patient should feel better upon completion of treatment.
The doctor should not only focus on curing the disease but also help prevent future illnesses.
“Holistic” is a term that refers all aspects of a person’s life.
Who uses alternative medicine instead of traditional medicine?
Alternative medicine is available for many reasons.
- They seek to avoid dangerous drugs and surgeries.
- They believe natural remedies are more effective.
- They prefer non-invasive therapies.
- They are looking to spend less.
- They feel more secure using natural products
- They desire greater control over their healthcare decisions.
- They are willing to take responsibility and be responsible for their own health.
- They want to live in a healthier environment.
- They are looking for less stress in life.
- They want greater freedom in choosing their doctors and their healthcare plans.
- They want their children to have a better education.
- They want healthy food for themselves and their family.
- They seek safe, effective medicines.
Statistics
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
nccih.nih.gov
cam.cancer.gov
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING and TENSION-TYPE HeADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed. The Effect of Foot reflexology on Hospital Anxiety, Depression and Suffering in Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Test – PubMed
liebertpub.com
How To
How do I deal with my girlfriend who trusts alternative medicine?
The internet offers guidance for those caring for a loved one with a mental illness. It is difficult to find information about alternative medicine for someone you love.
There seems to be a wide divide between these two groups. There is a huge divide between those who question conventional medicine and those that are open-minded about its benefits.
What happens when you meet someone who believes that there are alternative treatments to mental health problems?
Because you don’t know the right way to respond, you might feel confused or frustrated. What should you say to your partner if he tells that he would prefer to see an acupuncturist to his doctor? Or when he suggests to you that he would prefer to eat gluten-free foods than take antidepressants.
Asking questions is important. It’s important to ask them early. This will save you many heartaches later.
So how can you ask difficult questions of him without offending? What if your client says he doesn’t believe in doctors? Tell him that he should not trust anyone.
Or what if she says that she thinks that antidepressants aren’t working? You can correct her.
This is where the conversation becomes tricky. It can cause further irritation if you point it out that she is wrong.
Another option is to suggest that she consults a psychiatrist. This may cause more problems than it solves. You might be angry with her for suggesting it. Perhaps she thinks you are trying her to control the rest of her life.
So what are you supposed to do?
