Hey there, Jason Griffith here! After the grand Thanksgiving feast, we often find ourselves with a delicious bounty of leftovers. While a straightforward plate of reheated turkey and mashed potatoes is good, why not get creative? Today, we’re transforming those cherished remnants into something truly spectacular: the Thanksgiving Leftover Burger. This isn’t just a sandwich; it’s a celebration of holiday flavors, all piled high on a bun for an unforgettable post-Thanksgiving meal!

Why I Love This Recipe

This recipe is pure genius for two reasons: it makes use of all those wonderful Thanksgiving leftovers and it’s incredibly delicious! I love how every bite of this burger delivers a different taste of the holiday—the savory turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, tart cranberry sauce, salty bacon, rich gravy, and flavorful stuffing. It’s a comforting, hearty, and incredibly satisfying way to extend the joy of the holiday. Plus, it’s a fantastic alternative to just reheating plates, giving new life to your culinary efforts. If you’re into making the most of your ingredients, you might also like my Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole, which is another great way to turn simple ingredients into a hit!

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Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create your incredible Thanksgiving Leftover Burgers:

• 1 cup shredded cooked turkey
• 1 cup mashed potatoes
• 1 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or canned)
• 4 slices of cooked bacon
• 4 burger buns (brioche or a good quality regular bun)
• 4 slices of cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup gravy
• 1/4 cup stuffing (cooked and crumbled)
• Salt and pepper to taste (for turkey patties)

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Swaps and Notes

• Turkey: Ensure your turkey is fully cooked and well-shredded. Dark meat adds more moisture and flavor, but white meat works too.
• Mashed Potatoes: Leftover homemade mashed potatoes are perfect. If they’re a bit dry, you can loosen them with a splash of milk or butter.
• Cranberry Sauce: Both jellied and whole-berry cranberry sauce work. For a less sweet option, homemade with less sugar is great.
• Bacon: Use crispy bacon for texture contrast. You can cook fresh bacon or use any leftover from breakfast.
• Buns: Brioche buns are fantastic for their softness and slight sweetness, but a regular hamburger bun or even a toasted ciabatta roll can work.
• Cheese: Cheddar cheese melts well and offers a good flavor. Provolone or Swiss could also be interesting choices.
• Gravy: Any leftover gravy (turkey or chicken) will be delicious. You can warm it gently before drizzling.
• Stuffing: Use your favorite leftover stuffing. If it’s very dry, you can moisten it with a little gravy before crumbling.
• Optional Additions: Consider adding a thin slice of a roasted vegetable like sweet potato, or even a dollop of green bean casserole!

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Steps for the Recipe

1. Prepare Turkey Patties: In a bowl, take the shredded cooked turkey and season it lightly with salt and pepper. Using your hands, form the turkey into 4 uniform patties. Since the turkey is already cooked, you’re primarily aiming to heat them through and give them some structure.
2. Heat Grill/Skillet: Preheat a grill or a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Cook Turkey Patties: Place the turkey patties on the hot grill or skillet. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they are heated through, lightly browned, and form a bit of a crust.
4. Toast Buns: While the turkey patties are cooking, lightly toast the burger buns on the grill or in the skillet until golden brown. Set aside.
5. Melt the Cheese: Once the turkey patties are cooked, place a slice of cheddar cheese on top of each hot patty. Remove from heat (or turn off heat) and allow the cheese to melt for a minute or two from the residual heat.
6. Assemble the Burgers: Begin building your Thanksgiving masterpiece! Spread a generous layer of mashed potatoes on the bottom half of each toasted bun.
7. Carefully place the turkey patty with the melted cheese on top of the mashed potatoes.
8. Now for the ultimate layering! Top each patty with a crispy slice of cooked bacon, followed by a spoonful of sweet and tangy cranberry sauce.
9. Drizzle a good amount of warm gravy over the cranberry sauce and bacon.
10. Finish with a generous sprinkle of crumbled stuffing on top.
11. Top and Serve: Place the top half of the bun on each burger and press down gently to secure. Serve your Thanksgiving Leftover Burger hot and enjoy every glorious, flavor-packed bite!

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Tips for Success

• Moist Turkey Patties: If your shredded turkey seems dry, you can mix in a tablespoon of gravy or a little chicken broth when forming the patties to keep them moist.
• Warm Components: While assembling, make sure your gravy, mashed potatoes, and turkey patties are warm. This ensures a truly comforting and cohesive burger.
• Don’t Overcook Turkey: Since the turkey is already cooked, you’re just heating it up and giving it some texture. Overcooking will dry it out.
• Crispy Bacon: The crispy bacon adds a crucial textural contrast to all the softer elements.
• Balance Flavors: This burger has many strong flavors. Don’t be afraid to adjust the amount of cranberry sauce or gravy to your personal taste.

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Serving Suggestions and Pairings

The Thanksgiving Leftover Burger is a hearty meal in itself. You might not need much else! However, if you’re looking to extend the leftover theme, a small side of quick oven-roasted sweet potato fries or a light green salad would complement it well. For a less traditional but equally comforting meal that uses simple ingredients, you could also consider my Easy Turkey Wings for another time. As for drinks, a simple glass of water, iced tea, or even a light beer would be a great accompaniment to this flavorful burger.

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Storage and Leftover Tips

This burger is absolutely best enjoyed fresh right after assembly. The various components, when combined, can make the bun soggy if stored for too long. However, individual leftover components (shredded turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, cooked bacon) can all be stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can then assemble fresh burgers as desired!

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More Recipes You Will Love

If you loved the idea of transforming leftovers into something new and exciting, you’ll find plenty more delicious inspiration on Chef Maniac!

• For another easy and comforting meal, my Instant Pot Lasagna is a fantastic way to enjoy a classic without the fuss.
• And if you’re ever in the mood for a sweet treat after all that savory goodness, you absolutely have to try The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made.

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Final Thoughts

The Thanksgiving Leftover Burger is a truly ingenious way to extend the joy and flavors of your holiday feast. It’s a comforting, hearty, and incredibly satisfying meal that transforms familiar ingredients into an exciting new experience. Don’t let those delicious leftovers go to waste – give them new life in this fantastic burger!

I hope you enjoy this festive and delicious creation! What are your go-to ways to use up Thanksgiving leftovers? Share your creative ideas in the comments below, or tag us on social media. And don’t forget to keep following Chef Maniac for more delicious inspiration throughout the year! Happy cooking!