Thanksgiving leftover sandwich

Ingredients

• 2sourdough breadthick slices
• 1 tspunsalted buttersoftened, for toasting
• 1 tbspmayonnaise
• 2 tbspcranberry sauce
• 85 gleftover roast turkey3 oz, sliced
• 0.5 cupleftover stuffing
• 60 mlleftover turkey gravy¼ cup
• 1 handfulbaby arugula (optional)
• 1 pinchblack pepper

Steps

1. 1
   

   Check the leftovers first. They should have gone into the fridge within 2 hours of the meal, and the turkey and stuffing should be no more than 3 to 4 days old. Gravy keeps less well: use it within 1 to 2 days. If you're not sure, throw it out.

   💡 Cooling leftovers in shallow containers gets them cold faster.

2. 2
   

   Pour the gravy into a microwave-safe mug, cover it and heat in 30-second bursts, stirring between, until it bubbles hard all the way through: a full boil, or 165°F (74°C). Or bring it to a boil in a small saucepan.

3. 3
   

   Put the turkey and stuffing on a microwave-safe plate, spoon a little of the hot gravy over the turkey, cover and microwave 1 to 2 minutes, turning halfway, until steaming. An instant-read thermometer in the center of the stuffing should read 165°F (74°C).

   💡 Leftovers heat unevenly in a microwave, so check the middle, not the edges.

4. 4
   

   Butter one side of each bread slice and toast them, buttered side down, in a skillet over medium heat until golden, about 2 minutes. You only need to toast one side.

5. 5
   

   Spread the mayonnaise and cranberry sauce on the untoasted sides. Pile on the stuffing, then the turkey, a spoonful of gravy, the arugula and a pinch of pepper. Close it, cut in half and taste a corner: add more cranberry or pepper if it needs it, and keep the rest of the gravy for dipping.

Make it easier

Dietary versions

Swaps checked for this recipe. In the app, Jude makes them for you once he knows your diet and allergies.

Wheat allergy

Instead of sourdough bread: gluten-free sandwich breadUse stuffing and gravy made without wheat too.

Instead of leftover stuffing: stuffing made with gluten-free bread or vegan stuffing made with plant butter and no egg

Instead of leftover turkey gravy: gravy thickened with cornstarch or mushroom gravy made with plant butter and vegetable brothMushroom gravy makes it a meatless sandwich.

Gluten-free

Instead of sourdough bread: gluten-free sandwich breadUse stuffing and gravy made without wheat too.

Instead of leftover stuffing: stuffing made with gluten-free bread or vegan stuffing made with plant butter and no egg

Instead of leftover turkey gravy: gravy thickened with cornstarch or mushroom gravy made with plant butter and vegetable brothMushroom gravy makes it a meatless sandwich.

Egg allergy

Instead of leftover stuffing: stuffing made with gluten-free bread or vegan stuffing made with plant butter and no egg

Instead of mayonnaise: vegan mayonnaise

Vegan

Instead of leftover stuffing: stuffing made with gluten-free bread or vegan stuffing made with plant butter and no egg

Instead of leftover turkey gravy: gravy thickened with cornstarch or mushroom gravy made with plant butter and vegetable brothMushroom gravy makes it a meatless sandwich.

Instead of leftover roast turkey: seared tofu slices or sliced plant-based roastChanges the sandwich, but keeps the stuffing-cranberry-gravy feel.

Instead of mayonnaise: vegan mayonnaise

Instead of unsalted butter: olive oil or plant butter

Vegetarian

Instead of leftover turkey gravy: gravy thickened with cornstarch or mushroom gravy made with plant butter and vegetable brothMushroom gravy makes it a meatless sandwich.

Instead of leftover roast turkey: seared tofu slices or sliced plant-based roastChanges the sandwich, but keeps the stuffing-cranberry-gravy feel.

Milk allergy

Instead of unsalted butter: olive oil or plant butter

Dairy-free

Instead of unsalted butter: olive oil or plant butter

Checked against

• Simply Delicious: Thanksgiving leftover sandwich
• FDA: Safe Food Handling (safe minimum internal temperatures, chilling within 2 hours, reheating gravy)
• FDA: Refrigerator and Freezer Storage Chart