Good Eats: Rustic Holiday Leftover Dishes

Ahhh, the smell and taste of rustic holiday leftover dishes are here. Turkey, stuffing, ham, mashed potatoes, and gravy — rich, savory remnants of celebration — become a blank canvas for creativity. These aren’t scraps. They’re ingredients with stories, textures, and soul.

During the holiday season, we’re lucky to gather around tables filled with food and people we care about. That abundance is a gift — and honoring it means using every last bite.

In this article, we’ll skip the standard turkey sandwich and casserole in favor of bold, rustic holiday leftover dish reinventions. Here are three of my favorite leftover dishes to try in the home or outdoor kitchen!

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Rustic Stuffing Turkey Chili

This dish is equally rustic whether cooked indoors or out. It starts with chili, but don’t worry, it’s not from scratch. You’ve already put in the work making the holiday spread. Unless you just snagged a to-go plate from a friend or relative. In that case, good for you! 

Get a can of your favorite chili. Use what you have in the pantry or get a can. This is your base. You’ll need turkey breast meat, preferably in chunks. Make sure you have a good, hearty stuffing to go with it. 

Get a fire going. Start the dish by using a carbon steel or cast-iron skillet. Pour your chili in and start warming it slowly. If you’re cooking it on a campfire, coals, or a twig stove, and it’s too hot, remove the skillet. If the chili is on the thin, liquid side, get it to a boil before adding the turkey. 

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Suggestions: Add shredded or grated cheese. Top the chili with green or any diced onions. Don’t forget the sour cream. Heck, wanna be super rustic, add bacon bits. Cornbread, anyone?

Seasonal Turkey Ramen

Holiday leftovers meet ramen grit. This dish features rich broth, tender turkey, and a yolk-topped crown. Once again, everything is more rustic, cooked in cast-iron or carbon steel. This hidden gem of a holiday dish is easier to pull off during the turkey-dinner season. The reason being, turkey is more readily available during Thanksgiving to New Year’s for those rustic holiday leftover dishes!  

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Again, we’re sticking with quick, easier dishes here, so get your favorite pack of instant ramen. This dish requires a lean, somewhat uniform slice of turkey breast. You’ll need an egg and chopped green onions, too, with a special ingredient we’ll save for the end.

In camp, fry an egg and set it aside. If at home, fry the egg in a separate pan towards the end. In camp, it’s a one-pot meal. Make the ramen as usual. It’s better to make it more soupy than dry. The special ingredient is about a tablespoon of saved turkey juices. Mix it into the broth for max holiday essence.

Now, put it together, adding the turkey breast to the tasty broth and noodles. Add the fried egg, and then a good helping of chopped green onions for flavor and that color pop! 

Suggestions: Add pork floss or ginger as a topping. Sprinkle spicy togarashi for some Japanese kick in the heat department. Or better yet, add more turkey!

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Holiday Stir-fried Leftovers with Fried Egg

This dish is more of a must-taste than a best-in-show dish. In fact, it doesn’t look too appetizing. However, the smell of it cooking and the taste are outstanding. You’ll need an egg, gravy, stuffing, and the rockstar—turkey. 

Try using dark meat, like leg meat or the small shreds off the backbone. This is the tasty stuff. Now, chop. This dish requires chopped turkey. Get a hot carbon-steel wok or a cast-iron skillet heated. Toss in the turkey and let the fat do its thing. Toss in a heap of stuffing and stir-fry. Constantly toss or mix with a spatula. Empty onto a plate or in a bowl. Heat the gravy in another pan, or let Chef Mike (microwave) handle it. Fry an egg. Ok, Holiday stir-fried team assemble.

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Pour a healthy dose of gravy on your turkey and stuffing. Add the fried egg on top. Finally, add some turkey drippings and/or gravy on the fried egg. Add black pepper, crushed red pepper, or hot sauce as a topping. 

Suggestions: Add cheese and more gravy to your rustic holiday leftover dishes!

Rustic Holiday Leftovers Conclusion

Embrace the creativity of holiday leftovers. With these rustic holiday leftover dishes, you can transform cherished remnants into culinary delights that honor tradition while delighting your palate. Enjoy every bite!

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