The turkey is the star of the show on Thanksgiving. It sits proudly at the center of the table, golden brown and aromatic, waiting to be carved and enjoyed by hungry guests. But what happens to the turkey after the big feast is over? What do you call this noble bird that fed your family and is now just a leftover waiting to be turned into a sandwich or soup? The answer is simple – you call it lucky!
After weeks of preparation, Thanksgiving has come and gone in a whirlwind of food, family, and gratitude. While the day goes by so fast, the turkey leftovers linger – and for good reason. With some creativity, these remains of the feast can be transformed into a whole new set of mouthwatering dishes to be enjoyed. So while the turkey’s moment in the spotlight is over, its journey in the kitchen has just begun!
Reasons Why a Post-Thanksgiving Turkey is Lucky
Here are some of the reasons why a turkey gets to be called lucky after providing us with a delicious Thanksgiving meal
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Gets to avoid being eaten all in one go – The turkey gets a reprieve after Thanksgiving dinner Instead of being entirely consumed at one meal, it lives on to star in future dishes.
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Enjoyed by more people over several meals – Sharing is caring! The turkey gets to spread the love by feeding additional friends and family members.
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Turned into creative recipes – The leftovers inspire cooks to get creative, finding new ways to savor the flavors.
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Sparks tasty food innovations – Sandwiches, casseroles, soup – the possibilities are endless with leftover turkey!
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Turkey gets a legacy – The bird cements its status as the delicious centerpiece of Thanksgiving, remembered fondly for all the joy it brought.
So while its fleeting moments of Thanksgiving fame are over, the turkey will be honored for days to come in leftover delicacies. That’s something to be very thankful for!
Creative Ways to Use Leftover Turkey
Leftover turkey from Thanksgiving dinner is a gift that keeps on giving. With a little creativity, you can keep enjoying it in many different ways for several meals after the holiday. Here are some ideas:
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Hearty turkey sandwiches piled high with cranberry sauce and stuffing on toasted bread. A Thanksgiving leftover classic!
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Turkey casserole baked with veggies, rice or pasta, and cheese for a comforting one-pan meal.
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Warm turkey soup or stew made with broth, onions, carrots, celery, and herbs. Healthy and full of flavor.
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Turkey pot pie with turkey chunks and veggies in sauce topped with flaky pie crust. Delightful comfort food.
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Turkey tetrazzini – turkey and spaghetti baked in a creamy cheese sauce. So rich and delicious.
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Turkey salad or wraps with mayo, lettuce, tomato and other veggies for a fresh, lighter meal.
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And so much more! Get creative with recipes for turkey enchiladas, quesadillas, nachos, pizza, pasta, and beyond.
With the right recipes, you can savor the flavors of Thanksgiving for a week or more after the big meal. Those turkey leftovers were worth waiting for!
Tips for Safely Storing Leftover Turkey
While leftover turkey provides the gift of future meals, proper storage is crucial for enjoying it safely. Follow these tips:
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Allow the cooked turkey to cool completely before refrigerating. This usually takes 1-2 hours.
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Divide turkey into smaller portions and store in shallow airtight containers. This prevents drying out.
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Refrigerate turkey leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps bacteria growth risk low.
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Use refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days. Freeze portions if storing longer.
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When reheating, cook to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a thermometer to check.
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Bring soup, stew and casseroles with turkey back up to a full boil before eating.
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Defrost frozen turkey in the refrigerator, not at room temperature to avoid bacterial growth.
Following proper food safety methods are key for enjoying delicious turkey leftovers without worry. With the right precautions, you can relish the remains of your Thanksgiving feast for days to come!
Funny Turkey Jokes to Gobble Up
Q: What do you call a turkey the day after Thanksgiving?
A: Lucky!
Q: What key won’t open any door?
A: A turkey!
Q: If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?
A: Turkeys!
Q: What always comes at the end of Thanksgiving?
A: The letter “G”!
Q: What do you call a running turkey?
A: Fast food!
Q: Why did the turkey cross the road twice?
A: To prove he wasn’t a chicken!
Q: What do you get if you divide the circumference of a pumpkin by its diameter?
A: Pumpkin Pi!
Q: Why did the turkey cross the road?
A: It was the chicken’s day off!
Q: What do you get if you cross a turkey with an iPhone?
A: A turkey that can let you know when it’s done!
Q: What did the turkey say before it was roasted?
A: Boy! I’m stuffed!
Gobble up these silly turkey jokes to keep the Thanksgiving spirit going all season long. The leftover turkey may be lucky, but so are we for getting to enjoy so much more of it after the big feast!
The History and Significance of the Thanksgiving Turkey
The tradition of eating turkey on Thanksgiving goes all the way back to the original 1621 harvest celebration at Plymouth shared between the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people. Turkeys were plentiful in the area and could feed the large gathering. This enduring custom continues today, with around 46 million turkeys enjoyed on Thanksgiving in the U.S.
Beyond just a delicious meal, the turkey holds a symbolic meaning on Thanksgiving. This large bird, capable of feeding so many, represents abundance, togetherness and the bounty of the harvest. Serving turkey brings family and friends together, theoretically burying any grievances to commune peacefully over this foods. The tryptophan in the turkey may even promote feelings of happiness and relaxation!
Additionally, turkeys are native to North America, so enjoying them on Thanksgiving pays homage to the history of the land itself. These noble birds were an important food source for Native Americans long before the Pilgrims arrived. Turkey remains an icon of Americana today.
When we sit down for our annual turkey feast, we reconnect with history, family, autumn harvest blessings, and our homeland. That’s why the leftovers are so precious – they let us savor those connections for days to come!
Summary: Lucky Leftover Turkeys
In conclusion, we call turkeys served on Thanksgiving “lucky” once they become leftovers. Though their big moment in the spotlight is done, their work feeding our families has just begun. With creative recipes and proper storage, leftover holiday turkey can be safely enjoyed for many meals to come. These noble birds served as the centerpiece of connection and autumn bounty, and we honor them by savoring every last morsel. So this season, be sure to carve your turkey thin, refrigerate the remains, and get ready for turkey sandwiches galore! Gobble, gobble!
FAQ
What do you call the day after Thanksgiving?
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Origin of the termThe term “Black Friday” may have originated with Philadelphia police officers in the 1960s. They used the term to describe the chaos of large crowds of tourists shopping and attending football games.
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Meaning of the termSome believe the term refers to businesses going from operating at a loss (“in the red”) to turning a profit (“in the black”) on Black Friday. However, this interpretation is inaccurate.
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Black Friday salesMany stores offer big discounts on Black Friday, and often open early. Some stores’ sales continue into Cyber Monday or Cyber Week.
Why do people call it Turkey Day instead of Thanksgiving?
In the course of the 19th Century, it became the absolute essence of what we call “Turkey Day,” partly because it was a time of culinary nationalism when Americans boasted that they had the best ingredients in the world and therefore the best food; the native bird was obviously the right one for the native feast.
What do you call a Thanksgiving sandwich?
Whether you call it a gobbler, a pilgrim (as it’s known in New England, where it’s a common sight on restaurant menus) or just a leftovers sandwich, the tradition of piling Thanksgiving scraps onto bread has been chronicled in books and newspapers since the early 20th century, and may stretch back earlier.
What do you call the Tuesday after Thanksgiving?
Travel Tuesday occurs on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, during which flights, hotels, cruises, tours, and more see discounted prices for a limited time. The creation of Travel Tuesday is accredited to Hopper, a travel platform used by millions globally.
What is a Turkey’s favorite Thanksgiving food?
Answer: A turkey! What’s a turkey’s favorite Thanksgiving food? Answer: Chicken! It’s the one day they get a break from being the main dish. Why did the turkey bring a pogo stick to Thanksgiving dinner? Answer: It wanted to show off its turkey jump for the family! What’s the smallest unit of measurement at a Thanksgiving feast?
What is the key to a great Thanksgiving dinner?
Answer: Pumpkin Pi. I can be crushed, baked, and carved. What am I? Answer: A pumpkin. What’s the key to a great Thanksgiving dinner? Answer: The tur key. Why did the turkey cross the road twice? Answer: To prove he wasn’t a chicken! What do you call when it rains turkeys? Answer: Fowl weather! What’s the most musical part of a turkey?
Why does a Turkey always come with a wishbone?
Answer: Because it always came with a wishbone for a bit of “lucky cluck”! What do you call a turkey who’s really good at telling jokes and is part of the family’s Thanksgiving meal every year? Answer: An annual tradition! Why did the turkey’s phone go to the Thanksgiving party? Answer: Because it wanted to gobble up some fun.
What do you call a float before Thanksgiving?
Answer: A root “gobble” float! What do you call the meal you have before Thanksgiving dinner to hold you over? Answer: Fast food for thought! Why were the unhappy cranberries at Thanksgiving? Answer: Because they couldn’t find their jam! What do you call a turkey’s favorite comedy show before the big Thanksgiving feast? Answer: A light snack!
What is the smallest unit of measurement at a Thanksgiving feast?
Answer: Chicken! It’s the one day they get a break from being the main dish. Why did the turkey bring a pogo stick to Thanksgiving dinner? Answer: It wanted to show off its turkey jump for the family! What’s the smallest unit of measurement at a Thanksgiving feast? Answer: The gravy-droplet! It’s something I spy with my little eye.
Why is there no G at the end of thanksgiving?
Answer: The letter “g.” You have “pie,” “gravy,” and “potato” without the “g” at the end! The Thanksgiving host prepared a grand feast with turkey, stuffing, and all the trimmings. However, when the guests arrived, they couldn’t find the host anywhere. Why? Answer: Because the host was stuffed and needed a nap!