Every year, by the time we're ready to sit down and enjoy the Thanksgiving meal, I've already done multiple completely necessary taste tests of nearly everything in the kitchen and I have left no room for the bird we've been slaving over for hours.
I'll take a sliver of turkey with a drop of gravy, a dollop of cranberry sauce, a pinch of sweet potato mash, and a green bean or two. But it's not until later that night (assuming I haven't blacked out from all the pie) or the next day that I really get to enjoy the food. Some might say "Just stop picking," and to them I'd say, "Get real!"
So the day after Thanksgiving (I like to call it Thanksgaving - see what I did there?), is the day I feast on the turkey that has been tirelessly prepared the day before. What better way to do that than with a sandwich?
Fellow Thanksgaving lovers, I give you...The Ultimate Leftover Turkey Sandwiches:
The Classic Sourdough w/ Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, & Gravy
Best enjoyed Thanksgaving Eve before everything is put away, the Classic can made with turkey and any combination of leftover sides piled high and stuffed into a crusty loaf of bread. My mom prefers hers with mayo, but I think this sandwich is best served hot with thick, rich gravy. The cranberry sauce and buttery gravy balance perfectly, and adding stuffing and potatoes between two slices of bread is utterly sinful in all the right ways.
The Turkey Cuban Turkey, Ham, Swiss, Dill Pickles, Mayo & Dijon on Pressed Italian Bread
With buttery bread pressed and stuffed with salty ham, tangy Dijon, & juicy pickles, Cuban sandwiches are delicious in their own right. Try adding in your leftover turkey and thank me later. You can even up the Thanksgaving ante a little more by spreading on some leftover cranberry relish.
Fiore's Gravy Dipped Italian Turkey, Roast Beef, Fresh Mozz & Gravy
When I lived in Hoboken, NJ, there was one place and one place only where you would find me on a Saturday morning. In bed with a hangover. But by Saturday afternoon, I was also only one place and once place only. And that was waiting in line at the famous Fiore's Deli for their Saturday-only Roast Beef, Mozz & Gravy Hero. Once inside, I would pick my bread, a choice of freshly baked Italian bread or a roll (always go for the Italian!), and order my sandwich like a native, dipped in rich, juicy gravy. Taking a cue from the geniuses at Fiore's, I've taken my Thanksgiving turkey to a new level by dipping freshly baked Italian bread in luscious, warm gravy before stuffing it with slices of moist turkey, meaty roast beef, and creamy fresh mozzarella.
The Rachel Turkey, Swiss, Coleslaw & Russian Dressing on Grilled Sourdough
With tangy coleslaw and creamy Russian dressing, this iconic turkey sandwich is a fool proof way to ensure your leftover turkey isn't bland. If you want to kick this sandwich up another notch, you can take inspiration from my favorite sandwich in Houston, Kenny & Ziggy's One In A Minyon, by adding in moist and tender corned beef.
Turkey Banh Mi Turkey, Asian Chile Sauce, Cucumber, Carrot on Whole Wheat Baguette
Martha Stewart has an amazing recipe for a Thanksgaving day Turkey Banh Mi. Mixing the leftover Turkey with spicy mayonnaise means that you won't have to deal with a reheated, dried-out disaster. Plus, you really won't feel like you're eating leftovers; the Asian flavors are the perfect change of pace from the day before's more classic take on turkey.
The Curkey Curried Turkey Salad on Pumpernickel
Okay, maybe the name "The Curkey" didn't work as well as I thought it would. But I promise, this sandwich will. Again, by adding new spices and a mix of yogurt, honey and mayonnaise, this sandwich will be your dried-out turkey savior. Just stuff a curried turkey salad between two slices of pumpernickel or whole-wheat bread, and you're good. But if you want to be really good (or really bad), try adding some leftover stuffing into the sandwich for good measure.
What are your favorite Thanksgaving Turkey Sandwiches?
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