The Best Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich
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The best part of Thanksgiving is the leftovers. And there’s no better way to enjoy them than with a Thanksgiving Sandwich. Whether you have a little or a lot in the fridge, this is the most delicious way to use up whatever’s left after the big feast.
Ah, the day after Thanksgiving: The crowds have gone, the kitchen is clean (almost), and the fridge is packed with everything I need to make the perfect leftover Thanksgiving Dinner Sandwich. This is the moment I look forward to most every year.
Whether you call it a Gobbler, a Pilgrim, or just a really good turkey sandwich, this sandwich recipe is the absolute best way to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers. It’s completely customizable to personal tastes, takes very little effort, and won’t undo all your cleaning from the previous day.
Why You’ll Love This Thanksgiving Sandwich Recipe
- A very delicious and very fun way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers the next day. And works with whatever you have in the fridge!
- Great for when you’re still exhausted from the day before and just want a low effort meal.
- After cooking and cleaning the entire kitchen from the day before, these sandwiches won’t undo all your hard work. Think of them like a reward instead.
Thanksgiving Sandwich Ingredients
These are the ingredients I use to create my favorite version, but feel free to add all sorts of Thanksgiving leftovers to your sandwich!
- Sourdough bread – For sandwiches with heavier fillings—like grilled cheese or chicken salad—I like crusty breads such as sourdough, ciabatta, or a baguette. They don’t get soggy like regular sandwich bread and hold up much better to big, hearty fillings.
- Garlic mayo – I love a roasted garlic aioli on this sandwich, but any other flavor or just plain mayonnaise works perfectly. You can also get festive with some Maple Cranberry Mustard. Whatever spread you use adds another layer of flavor, and keeps the sandwich from getting dry.
- Sliced leftover turkey – I prefer using leftover turkey breast for these sandwiches.
- Leftover stuffing or dressing (we call it stuffing in the Northeast) – warmed.
- Leftover Cranberry Sauce – whole berry or jellied cranberry sauce works just fine. Stir jellied cranberry sauce to make it a little looser or cut it with a spoonful of mayo to make a spread.
- Mixed greens – Optional. If you made a salad for Thanksgiving (like my Apple Walnut Salad), you can use leftover greens from that.
How to Make A Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich
The Leftover Turkey Sandwich is a deeply personal experience, and everyone has their own way of constructing it. Feel free to use these directions more as a guide to creating your own masterpiece. I’ve included some variations below the instructions.
Step 1
Toast two slices of sourdough and spread the garlic mayo over one side of each piece of bread.
Step 2
Place a handful of greens on the bottom slice of bread. This creates a barrier so the fillings don’t slip through any holes in the bread.
Step 3
Spoon the warmed stuffing on top of the greens and gently press it down to hold it together.
Next, layer the sliced turkey over the stuffing.
Step 4
Spoon the cranberry sauce on top of the turkey.
Place the remaining slice of bread on top and press gently to help the sandwich hold together without squeezing the filling out.
Tip: If your stuffing (or dressing) is very dry, moisten it with leftover gravy or chicken broth so that it stays together.
Variations
- Add gravy – Serve warm gravy on the side for dipping or recreate Ross’ “Moist Maker” from Friends, and add a layer of gravy soaked bread to the middle of the sandwich.
- More toppings – Add a layer of maple bacon, mashed potatoes, or sweet potatoes between the cranberry sauce and turkey. Use warmed mashed potatoes so they spread better.
- Make it cheesy – Add a slice of cheese, like Swiss, Gruyère, or Brie. You can use leftover baked brie if you have it! Leave the cheese cold or melt it under the broiler over the turkey.
- Wrap it up – Use a large whole wheat tortilla in the place of bread.
Tips & Tricks
- Use a type of bread that is sturdy and crusty. Wheat sandwich bread or white bread won’t work for this. You need bread slices that can stand up to (a lot) of heavy ingredients. Sourdough, Italian Bread, Baguette, and Ciabatta are all great for this sandwich.
- If attempting to slice this sandwich, I highly recommend a sharp serrated knife, and start at the edge of the sandwich at a 45° angle. Slice evenly and don’t just attempt to press the knife through, or the whole thing will spill out the sides.
Serving Suggestions
To round out an already perfect meal, try one of these to add longside your Thanksgiving sando:
- Air Fryer French Fries or Kettle Cooked Potato Chips
- Apple Walnut Salad
- Easy Creamy Coleslaw
- Leftover Green Beans
FAQs
Leftovers should be stored in the fridge and eaten or frozen within four days of coming out of the oven.
I love a combo of cranberry sauce, turkey, and stuffing. That’s the minimum. Some people would put a little gravy in between the layers or mashed potatoes.
In New England, these are sometimes called a Pilgrim, but honestly, we just call it a Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich. Other areas of the country might call it a Gobbler. But whatever name you call it, it’s delicious.
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Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 slices of sourdough bread
- 2 tablespoons garlic mayo or plain mayonaisse
- 2 –4 ounces sliced leftover turkey breast
- 6 tablespoons leftover stuffing, warmed
- 2 tablespoons leftover cranberry sauce
- A handful of mixed greens, optional, but this will act as a protective layer to keep the ingredients from falling through the holes of the sourdough.
- Optional toppings: sliced cheese (Swiss, cheddar, or brie), warmed mashed potatoes, and warmed gravy.
Instructions
- Toast the two slices of sourdough, then spread the garlic mayo evenly over one side of each slice.
- Place a handful of mixed greens on the bottom slice of bread. This creates a barrier so the fillings don’t slip through the bread holes.
- Spoon the warmed stuffing on top of the greens and gently pack it down to hold it together.
- Next, layer the sliced turkey over the stuffing. Note: If you’re adding cheese, place it on top of the turkey. You can melt it or leave it cold—your choice.
- Spoon the cranberry sauce over the turkey, keeping it closer to the middle of the sandwich, so it doesn’t spill out the sides with you pick it up.
- Place the second slice of bread on top and press gently to help the sandwich hold together without squeezing the filling out. Slice in half, and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- If you’re adding toppings like mashed potatoes or gravy, add that to the top of the turkey layer before the cranberry sauce.
- Serve warmed gravy on the side for dipping. Optional and messy, but worth it.
- Tip: If your stuffing (or dressing) is very dry, moisten it with leftover gravy or chicken broth so that it stays together.
