This Thanksgiving Sandwich is the ultimate leftover Thanksgiving recipe, turning everything in your fridge into a warm, stacked, comfort-filled meal in just minutes. It layers classic holiday leftovers between bread for an easy lunch or quick dinner that feels just as satisfying as the big feast, without doing any extra cooking.
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A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Thanksgiving Sandwich
🕒 Ready In: ~10 minutes
👪 Serves: 2
🍽 Calories: ~430 per sandwich (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, bread
📖 Dietary Info: Can be made dairy-free or gluten-free with simple swaps
👌 Difficulty: Very easy - just reheat, layer, and enjoy
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This sandwich is the best way of using up not just turkey leftovers, but the whole thing! This Thanksgiving leftover sandwich features layers of leftover stuffing, tart cranberry sauce, slices of turkey, nestled on a bed of mashed potatoes in between two pieces of bread.
If you're looking for more leftover Thanksgiving ideas, try our Leftover Turkey Stew, hearty Turkey Noodle Soup, or easy next-day Leftover Turkey Salad for even more delicious ways to repurpose your holiday meal.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look at the Recipe
- Why You'll Love This Thanksgiving Sandwich:
- Key Ingredients:
- Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- How to Make Thanksgiving Sandwich:
- Recipe Notes & Tips:
- How to Store:
- Thanksgiving Sandwich FAQs:
- More Thanksgiving Recipes You'll Love
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- Thanksgiving Sandwich
Why You'll Love This Thanksgiving Sandwich:
All the holiday favorites in one bite: Juicy turkey, creamy potatoes, savory stuffing, and sweet cranberry sauce layered into the ultimate comfort sandwich.
Zero food waste: A delicious and creative way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers.
Warm and satisfying: Toasty bread and warm fillings make this sandwich hearty and cozy.
Quick and easy: Just heat, layer, and enjoy, no extra cooking required.
Perfect for next-day cravings: Tastes just as festive as the big meal, with a fraction of the effort.
Key Ingredients:
- bread. Use sturdy slices like gluten-free sourdough, multigrain, or ciabatta; something that can hold up to the warm, layered fillings. Toasting is optional but recommended.
- leftover turkey. Sliced or shredded leftover turkey works perfectly, white or dark meat, warmed until tender.
- cranberry sauce. Adds sweet-tart contrast to the savory layers. Use whole berry, jellied or homemade cranberry sauce.
- stuffing. Adds a savory, herby element and extra texture. If it's dry, stir in a little broth before reheating.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Use different bread: Swap the sliced bread for sourdough, ciabatta, brioche, or a sturdy gluten-free loaf. Toasting helps keep everything from getting soggy.
- Add something crisp: Thinly sliced apple, fresh greens, or a handful of arugula adds freshness and balances the richness of the leftovers.
- Try a lighter version: Skip the mashed potatoes, use less stuffing, or serve the sandwich open-faced with extra turkey and cranberry.
- Make it a melt: Add a slice of cheddar or provolone and grill the sandwich in a skillet or panini press until warm and toasty.
How to Make Thanksgiving Sandwich:
- Heat the mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and gravy until hot, either in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Lightly toast the bread slices if you prefer extra crunch or need sturdier slices to hold the fillings.
- Spread mashed potatoes onto the bottom slice of bread.
- Layer with sliced turkey, followed by a generous spoonful of cranberry sauce.
- Add the stuffing on top, then drizzle with warm gravy.
- Place the second slice of bread on top, press gently, and slice in half. Serve warm.
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Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Warm ingredients separately: Heating each layer individually ensures even warmth throughout the sandwich and avoids soggy bread.
- Use hearty bread: Softer sandwich bread can get soggy, use something sturdy, especially if adding warm gravy.
- Customize to your leftovers: Add green beans, roasted vegetables, or a slice of cheese if you have extras to use up.
- Press gently before slicing: This helps hold everything together and prevents the fillings from sliding out.
- Serve with extra gravy: For a dip-style experience, serve warm turkey gravy on the side for dunking, like a holiday take on a French dip.
- Make it open-faced: Serve on a single slice of toasted bread and pile on the toppings for a fork-and-knife version.
How to Store:
Refrigerator: If storing leftovers, keep the sandwich components separate and assemble just before serving to avoid soggy bread. Store turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and gravy in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
Assembled sandwich: If already assembled, wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to crisp the bread and warm the filling.
Freezer: Not recommended once assembled, but individual components like turkey and stuffing can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Thanksgiving Sandwich FAQs:
Toast the bread before assembling and warm each leftover separately so excess moisture doesn't soak into the slices. Sturdier breads like sourdough or ciabatta also help hold the layers together, especially when adding gravy or mashed potatoes.
Yes, assemble it without the gravy, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Warm the gravy separately and add it right before eating to keep the bread from getting soggy.
Sturdy, slightly toasted bread works best. Sourdough, brioche, ciabatta, and hearty wheat slices hold up well to layers of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy.
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Thanksgiving Sandwich
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread
- ½ cup mashed potatoes, warmed
- 6 slices leftover turkey, warmed
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
- ½ cup stuffing, warmed
- ½ cup gravy, warmed
Instructions
- Heat the mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and gravy until hot, either in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Lightly toast the bread slices if you prefer extra crunch or need sturdier slices to hold the fillings.
- Spread mashed potatoes onto the bottom slice of bread.
- Layer with sliced turkey, followed by a generous spoonful of cranberry sauce.
- Add the stuffing on top, then drizzle with warm gravy.
- Place the second slice of bread on top, press gently, and slice in half. Serve warm.
Nutrition
Notes
- Warm ingredients separately: Heating each layer individually ensures even warmth throughout the sandwich and avoids soggy bread.
- Use hearty bread: Softer sandwich bread can get soggy, use something sturdy, especially if adding warm gravy.
- Customize to your leftovers: Add green beans, roasted vegetables, or a slice of cheese if you have extras to use up.
- Press gently before slicing: This helps hold everything together and prevents the fillings from sliding out.
- Serve with extra gravy: For a dip-style experience, serve warm turkey gravy on the side for dunking, like a holiday take on a French dip.
- Make it open-faced: Serve on a single slice of toasted bread and pile on the toppings for a fork-and-knife version.
Kae says
The best sandwich to make after thanksgiving!