Leftover Thanksgiving Balls Recipe - Brown Sugar Food Blog (2024)

This post is sponsored by the Ohio Poultry Association but all opinions are my own.

Combine your Thanksgiving leftovers into one delicious bite. Throw together leftover mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey with a few extra ingredients, coat in panko bread crumbs for these Leftover Thanksgiving Balls.

There are many things I love about the annual “Day of Thanks” (AKA Thanksgiving).

I love gathering with family, I love the delicious food, and I love Black Friday. But there are a lot of things I don’t like about Thanksgiving like washing dishes, cleaning up after guests, and finding space in my refrigerator for all those damn leftovers that stay in my refrigerator for days. We try to eat as much food in our refrigerator and freezer weeks before Thanksgiving to get the refrigerator as bare as possible so we have no issues storing our leftovers. It never works, but we try.

This year, instead of throwing food away, I am going to take some of those leftovers, roll them into a ball, fry them up, and have them as a snack. This should help us get rid of more food. No wonder why my Leftover Thanksgiving Balls Recipes are so popular!

I mentioned in a previous post of myVanilla Bean Macarons with Vanilla Bean Fillinghow I learned a ton of information about eggs and their value and importance to our daily diet. Eggs are high in protein, Omega-3’s, and other vitamins and nutrients. Not to mention, I also tried many dishes where eggs played the leading role or supporting agent to a dish. My mind is still blown by the many ways we can use eggs and how delicious they actually are.

The importance of eggs

I mentioned in a previous post of my Vanilla Bean Macarons with Vanilla Bean Filling how I learned a ton of information about eggs and their value and importance to our daily diet. Eggs are high in protein, Omega-3’s, and other vitamins and nutrients. Not to mention, I also tried many dishes where eggs played the leading role or supporting agent to a dish. My mind is still blown by the many ways we can use eggs and how delicious they actually are. Eggs can be the main and, arguably, the most important ingredients in a dish like Eggs Benedict or the important supporting ingredient in macarons. If you think about it, in just about anything we eat as far as baked goods and other amazing dishes, eggs play an important role. In this recipe for my Leftover Thanksgiving Balls Recipe, eggs play a very important supportive agent.

Eggs can be the main and, arguably, the most important ingredients in a dish like Eggs Benedict or the important supporting ingredient in macarons. If you think about it, in just about anything we eat as far as baked goods and other amazing dishes, eggs play an important role. In this recipe for my Leftover Thanksgiving Balls Recipe, using a large egg plays a very important supportive agent.

How to make these Leftover Thanksgiving Balls

This Leftover Thanksgiving Balls Recipe is made using the following Thanksgiving leftovers side dishes:

  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Stuffing
  • Leftover Turkey

I added some green onion, fresh parsley, and cheese to the mixture for flavor and fun. If that doesn’t excite you know that these balls are coated with panko bread crumbs that leave a delicious crunchy exterior. The eggs are necessary because they help to bring all the ingredients together and stay together. You see, eggs are the glue to food harmony. Making these Leftover Thanksgiving Balls are super easy and take no time to put together. So with your overwhelming amount of leftovers, you have one of two options. You can throw away food or make the most out of the time and effort you put into making those mashed potatoes and stuffing and make these Leftover Thanksgiving Balls that will have you loving leftovers.

Commonly Asked Questions

Can I add cranberries to this recipe?

You can. If you want some contrast to the recipe by adding a bit of sweetness, you can add a tablespoon and a half of cranberry sauce. I’ll be honest, I haven’t tried this suggestion, but I will the next time I made these leftover turkey balls.

Can I make this recipe in an air fryer?

Yep. Again, I’ll be honest, I never tried this method but I can’t imagine it being an issue. I would spray the balls with non-stick spray before cooking to get a nice crispy exterior.

If you like recipes like this, you will like the ones below:

  • How to Deep Fry a Turkey
  • Quick and Easy Homemade Gravy
  • Candied Sweet Potatoes
  • Cornbread Stuffing
  • Apple and Bacon Herb Stuffing

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Leftover Thanksgiving Balls Recipe - Brown Sugar Food Blog (6)

Leftover Thanksgiving Balls Recipe

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  • Author: Nicole Nared-Washington from Brown Sugar Food Blog
  • Total Time: 35 mins
  • Yield: 32 1x
Print Recipe

Description

These leftover Thanksgiving Balls are made using leftover mashed potatoes, stuffing, cheese, and turkey! Coat in panko breadcrumbs for a crunchy coating.

Ingredients

Units Scale

  • 3 c. cooked mashed potatoes
  • 1 1/2 c. cooked stuffing
  • 3 eggs.
  • 1/4 c. diced green onion
  • 1 c. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 2 c. cooked turkey, chopped
  • 1 tsp. Black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. Red pepper
  • 1 tsp. Garlic powder
  • 1 c. panko breadcrumbs
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the leftover mashed potatoes, stuffing, eggs, green onion, sharp cheddar cheese, turkey black pepper, red pepper and garlic powder. Use your hands to combine all ingredients. Use a cookie scooper and make balls, roll into a round ball. Pour the panko breadcrumbs in a small bowl.
  2. Heat the vegetable oil to 350 Degrees in a deep fryer. Coat the balls with panko crumbs. Fry for 5-7 minutes until the balls are golden brown. Use a mesh spoon strainer and place on a plate lined with paper towels. Sere while warm
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Category: Appetiser
  • Method: Deep Dry
  • Cuisine: American
Leftover Thanksgiving Balls Recipe - Brown Sugar Food Blog (2024)

FAQs

What is made from Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

Instead, try turning your leftovers into a casserole, like our turkey divan, our chicken stuffing casserole, or our turkey pot pie; a soup, like our turkey noodle soup, our leftover turkey & wild rice soup, or our homemade turkey stock (made from your turkey carcass); or something lighter or more flavorful than before, ...

How do you deal with leftovers on Thanksgiving? ›

10 ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers (besides just reheating them)
  1. Roasted turkey and vegetable salads. ...
  2. Turkey tacos. ...
  3. Potato pancakes. ...
  4. Make a turkey pot pie. ...
  5. Turkey pizza. ...
  6. Turkey soup. ...
  7. Turkey grilled cheese. ...
  8. Turn stuffing into muffins.
Nov 23, 2023

Why are Thanksgiving leftovers better? ›

On Thanksgiving Day, there are a lot of aromas happening because there's a lot of cooking going on, but when you're heating leftovers, it's only what you're heating. And that is pretty concentrated, it's nostalgic and it takes you back to a lovely place and the food usually delivers.

What is the day after Thanksgiving usually called? ›

According to Britannica and numerous other outlets, the term 'Black Friday' was first associated with the day after Thanksgiving in the 1960s in Philadelphia. Police used the term to describe the scene as large numbers of suburban tourists came into the city to begin their holiday shopping.

What two food items were not present at the original Thanksgiving? ›

It is also worth noting what was not present at the first Thanksgiving feast. There were no cloudlike heaps of mashed potatoes, since white potatoes had not yet crossed over from South America. There was no gravy either, since the colonists didn't yet have mills to produce flour.

What is the rule for leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away.

What are the symptoms of food poisoning on Thanksgiving Day? ›

Symptoms of food poisoning often include diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach, or nausea. Call your healthcare provider if you have severe symptoms such as: Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F. Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving.

How many days after Thanksgiving is it safe to eat leftovers? ›

The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.

What percent of Americans prefer Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

According to the survey, an overwhelming majority of Americans, 94 percent, dine on a Thanksgiving leftover sandwich.

Why do people eat at 3 on Thanksgiving? ›

Convenience for guests who travel.

Thankfully, I've never traveled more than 30 minutes on Thanksgiving Day. There are many people who do travel, though, and even some who log a few hours of travel time. An earlier dinner accommodates these traveling guests and lets them return home at a reasonable hour.

What percentage of Americans prefer leftovers to Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Turkey and sides for several more meals, none quite as good as the first, in my opinion. Apparently I'm in the minority, as this poll reported that 80 percent of Americans prefer the leftover version.

What foods make great leftovers? ›

  • Meatloaf. Though meatloaf is often restricted to the weeknight dinner table, it is a powerhouse leftover. ...
  • Lasagna. Sure, there's nothing better than lasagna coming out of the oven hot with bubbling cheese. ...
  • Pulled Pork. ...
  • Beef Stew. ...
  • Chili. ...
  • Frittatas, Quiches and Tarts.

What are 4 other traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie. But the way these dishes are made or added to is everchanging because of food trends and different dietary requirements.

What are 3 foods that are eaten on Thanksgiving? ›

Millions of people across the United States will sit down to a traditional Thanksgiving meal, including turkey, potatoes, squash, corn, and cranberries.

Are the leftovers the best part of Thanksgiving? ›

Out of 2,000 U.S. residents surveyed who celebrate Thanksgiving, 70% said they believe leftovers taste better than their original meal served on Thanksgiving day, according to survey results from Stasher. More than half of the same participants said their Thanksgiving holiday would be ruined if there were no leftovers.

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