During the holiday season, one of the joys is indulging in the tasty leftovers. Whether it’s turkey, stuffing, or cranberry sauce, there’s always an abundance of food to take home. While reheating and enjoying the leftovers on their own is delightful, why not get creative and make Thanksgiving Leftover Egg Rolls?
By simply placing a variety of leftover foods into an egg roll wrapper, sealing it, and frying it up, you can elevate the flavors and textures of your Thanksgiving feast.
And if egg rolls aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other ways to transform leftovers into delicious meals. So the next time you’re faced with a mountain of Thanksgiving food, consider giving it a new life by trying out these creative ideas.
Using Egg Roll Wrappers for Leftovers
Preparing the Leftovers
One of the best parts of the holidays is the abundance of leftovers. After a delicious meal with family and friends, it’s always exciting to bring home a plate filled with all your favorite foods. However, instead of just reheating and enjoying these leftovers as they are, why not get a little creative and make some egg rolls out of them?
Egg rolls are a popular dish traditionally made with ingredients such as cabbage, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and pork. But there are no rules when it comes to what you can wrap up in an egg roll, so why not use up your leftover turkey and stuffing to create something new and delicious?
Before you can start rolling your leftovers into egg rolls, you’ll need to prepare them. Make sure to shred the turkey and chop up any larger pieces of stuffing and veggies, so they can easily fit into the egg roll wrappers.
This will ensure that you get a little bit of everything in every bite. By preparing the leftovers, you’ll be ready to fill and roll the egg rolls in no time.
Filling and Rolling the Egg Rolls
To make Thanksgiving leftover-flavored egg rolls, you’ll need a package of egg roll wrappers and your prepared leftovers.
Place a little bit of each leftover food into an egg roll wrapper, making sure not to overwhelm the wrapper with too much filling. The key is to have a good balance of flavors in each bite. Once you have added the fillings, it’s time to roll up the egg rolls.
Start by folding in the sides of the wrapper, then roll it tightly from the bottom up, like you would with a burrito. It’s important to roll them tightly to ensure that they stay intact while cooking.
Seal the egg rolls by brushing some water or beaten egg on the edges of the wrapper, then press them together to create a seal. This will prevent the filling from falling out during the cooking process.
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Cooking Methods
Once your egg rolls are filled and sealed, it’s time to cook them. There are several different methods you can use, depending on your preference and the equipment you have available.
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Frying: Frying is the most traditional method of cooking egg rolls. Heat some oil in a deep pot or frying pan and carefully place the egg rolls into the hot oil. Fry them until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside. Make sure to flip them occasionally to ensure even cooking.
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Baking: If you prefer a healthier alternative to frying, you can also bake your egg rolls. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and place the egg rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush them with a little bit of oil to help achieve a crispy texture. Bake them for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
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Air frying: If you have an air fryer, this is another great option for cooking egg rolls. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and place the egg rolls in the basket, making sure to leave some space between them for air circulation. Cook them for about 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are crispy and browned.
Choose the cooking method that suits your taste and the equipment you have available. Regardless of the method you choose, you’ll end up with delicious crispy egg rolls filled with savory Thanksgiving leftovers.
Dipping Sauces
No egg roll is complete without a delicious dipping sauce. While traditional egg rolls are often served with soy sauce or sweet and sour sauce, you can get creative with your Thanksgiving leftover egg rolls by using some of your leftover gravy or cranberry sauce as a dip.
The savory flavors of the gravy will complement the egg rolls perfectly, while the tanginess of the cranberry sauce adds a unique twist.
Alternatively, you can also make a dipping sauce from scratch by combining ingredients such as soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and honey. Get creative and experiment with different flavors to find your perfect dipping sauce.
Making Desserts
Who said egg rolls are only for savory dishes? You can also use egg roll wrappers to create delicious desserts with your Thanksgiving leftovers. Imagine biting into a crispy, sweet, and gooey dessert made with your favorite pie filling.
Whether it’s pumpkin, apple, or pecan pie, you can scoop out a little bit of the filling and spread it onto an egg roll wrapper.
Then, simply bake or fry the wrapped filling until it’s golden brown and crispy. The result is a handheld dessert that combines the flavors of your favorite pie with the irresistible texture of a crispy egg roll wrapper.
Other Creative Uses for Leftovers
The Classic Leftover Sandwich
If egg rolls aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other ways to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers. One classic option is to make a leftover sandwich. Take two slices of bread and spread on some mashed potatoes.
Then, pile on the turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy. Stack it all up and enjoy the combination of flavors and textures. This sandwich is so beloved that it was even featured on the TV show “Friends” as “The Moist Maker,” a sandwich made by Ross using Thanksgiving leftovers.
Leftover Quesadillas
If you have tortillas on hand, why not make some leftover quesadillas? Take a tortilla and sprinkle some cheese on one half. Then, add your desired leftovers such as turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce on top of the cheese.
Fold the tortilla in half and cook it in a pan until the cheese is melted and the outside is crispy. Cut it into wedges and serve with some sour cream or salsa for a tasty fusion of Thanksgiving flavors and Mexican cuisine.
Layering in a Casserole Dish
If you prefer to mix all your leftovers together, you can create a delicious casserole. Grab a casserole dish and layer all of your Thanksgiving leftovers in it. Start with a layer of mashed potatoes, followed by a layer of turkey, stuffing, and any other leftovers you have.
Top it off with some cheese and bake it in the oven until everything is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. This is a great way to combine all the flavors of Thanksgiving into one comforting and hearty dish.
Thanksgiving Leftover Shepherd’s Pie
Another delicious option for using up your Thanksgiving leftovers is to make a shepherd’s pie. Instead of using traditional mashed potatoes for the topping, use your leftover mashed potatoes.
Layer your leftover turkey, stuffing, veggies, and gravy in a baking dish, and top it with a generous layer of mashed potatoes. Bake it in the oven until the mashed potatoes are golden and crispy on top.
The result is a comforting and flavorful dish that transforms your Thanksgiving leftovers into a whole new meal.
Next time you find yourself with a plate piled high with Thanksgiving leftovers, don’t just settle for reheating them. Get creative and try using egg roll wrappers to make delicious savory rolls or even sweet desserts.
And if egg rolls aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other creative ways to use up your leftovers, such as sandwiches, quesadillas, casseroles, and shepherd’s pie.
The options are endless, so let your imagination run wild and enjoy the deliciousness that can come from repurposing your Thanksgiving feast.
