Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwiches Recipe

Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwiches

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This isn't just any ol' turkey sandwich.

By Melissa Gray

Published on November 4, 2023

Recipe tested by

Southern Living Test Kitchen

Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich - Southern Living — Photo:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Active Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

30 mins

Servings:

The standard cold turkey sandwich on the day after Thanksgiving just won't cut it this year. This leftovers sandwich turns everything from the turkey to the green bean casserole into a brand-new, satisfyingly good sandwich. After one bite, you'll be so glad you cooked extras just so you'd have the leftovers for this sandwich.

Slice off some turkey, then sauté it in browning butter with leftover fresh herbs and salt. Pile that on sourdough slices with a Dijon-cranberry sauce spread, crisped-up green bean casserole, fresh peppery arugula, and some cheese to tie it all together.

Finish the plate out with cucumber slices, celery, or whatever crisp, crunchy things you still have in the fridge. Don't be surprised if from now on, the next-day meal gets as much or more attention as the Thanksgiving Day feast. We can't blame you when the leftovers are this good.

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. leftover cranberry sauce
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp., plus 1/8 tsp. black pepper, divided
1/4 cup (2 oz.) unsalted butter
1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh herbs (such as sage, rosemary, and/or thyme)
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
8 (1/4-in.-thick) leftover turkey breast slices (8 oz. total)
4 (1/2-in.-thick) sourdough bread slices, divided
2 (1-oz.) sharp white Cheddar cheese slices (from 1 [8-oz.] pkg.)
1/2 cup leftover green bean casserole, warmed
1/2 cup fresh baby arugula
2 Tbsp. crispy fried onions (such as French’s)

Directions

Whisk together cranberry sauce, mustard, and 1/8 teaspoon of the pepper in a small bowl until combined. Set aside at room temperature until ready to use.
Cook butter, fresh herbs, salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large skillet over medium, stirring or swirling occasionally, until butter is melted and foamy, about 3 minutes.
Add turkey slices to butter mixture in skillet; cook, flipping slices occasionally, until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Using tongs, transfer turkey slices to a plate, reserving butter mixture in skillet. Set turkey aside.
Heat reserved butter mixture in skillet over medium until hot. Add 2 of the bread slices in an even layer; cook, undisturbed, until golden brown on bottoms, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spatula, transfer bread to a cutting board, and set aside.
Add remaining 2 bread slices to remaining butter mixture in skillet, and top evenly with cheese; cook over medium, undisturbed, until bread slices are golden brown on bottoms and cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes. Using slotted spatula, transfer bread, cheese side up, to cutting board.
Arrange turkey slices evenly over melted cheese on bread slices. Top evenly with green bean casserole (1/4 cup each) and arugula (1/4 cup each), and sprinkle with crispy fried onions (1 tablespoon each). Spread cranberry mixture evenly (about 1 tablespoon each) over untoasted sides of remaining 2 bread slices; place, cranberry sauce side down, on top of sandwiches. Serve immediately.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwiches

Ingredients

Directions

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