Guy Fieri is putting his signature spin on one of the best parts of Thanksgiving — the leftovers. While the holiday feast itself is a highlight, the longtime Food Network star says the days that follow are where the real kitchen creativity kicks in. From over-the-top sandwiches to tequila-infused sliders, Fieri has a lineup of leftover ideas that might convince home cooks to roast a second turkey this year.
The chef and host of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” says leftovers are so essential in his house that planning for them starts before the bird ever reaches the oven.
“Turkey sandwiches for us are a must. I have to roast an extra turkey every year just so we have enough for sandwiches the next day,” Fieri explained, via All Recipes. And with a fridge full of stuffing, gravy, and side dishes, he has developed fast, flavorful ways to transform them into entirely new meals.
Guy Fieri Shares Tips for Thanksgiving Leftovers
Fieri says the key to great post-holiday cooking is preparing ahead so there is no need to fight through crowded grocery aisles.
“You do have to know what you’re going to do with your leftover food,” he shared. “The key is being prepared and having the other ingredients on hand that you need — like beans so you can take your leftover ham and that hambone and you can make yourself some soup.”
But the real star, according to Fieri, is the turkey. One of his favorite leftover creations turns stuffing into something unexpected.
“One of my favorites is to take the stuffing, incorporate the turkey into it, go into a dredge of flour and egg wash, and cook it up like a crab cake,” he said. “Those are always a huge hit — and put a little spice to it, make a nice little dipping remoulade that it goes along with.”
Fans who prefer sliders can take inspiration from Fieri’s partnership with King’s Hawaiian. His Turkey Picnic Sandwich uses sweet rolls layered with turkey, stuffing, cheese, cranberry sauce, and BBQ kettle chips for crunch. “Everybody stands in line,” he added.
The ‘Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives’ Host Uses Tequila in His Leftover Recipes
Fieri also has fun bringing bold flavors — and sometimes booze — into the mix. As co-owner of Santo Tequila with Sammy Hagar, he even finds a way to splash spirits into Thanksgiving leftovers.
“We do a slider called Tequila Turkey where we take the turkey, peppers, onions, and jalapeños deglazed with some tequila and a little bit of whatever white cheese you have,” he said. “Making this spicy Mexican-inspired King’s Hawaiian sandwich always is a massive hit.”
And while Fieri is known for over-the-top flavor, he insists that even a first-time holiday host can pull off great results. “Practice, to me, is always the thing,” he told Eating Well. “Go roast a turkey, figure it out. Do the brine and the whole thing. It’s not like you’re not going to eat turkey for turkey sandwiches.”
For his own Thanksgiving table, the chef keeps a few personal rules — enough turkey for sandwiches, a from-scratch green-bean casserole with crispy shallots, and one firm line in the sand. “Sweet potato casserole — nope! Not at all,” he joked. “Horrible, my least favorite.”
