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 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.
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
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.
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
Leftover Thanksgiving Balls Recipe
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 32 1x
Description
These leftover Thanksgiving Balls are made using leftover mashed potatoes, stuffing, cheese, and turkey! Coat in panko breadcrumbs for a crunchy coating.
Ingredients
- 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
- 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.
- 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
Oh, these little Thanksgiving balls look like the perfect way to enjoy some leftovers! These will be perfect for football watching after Thanksgiving. Thanks so much for sharing!
You’re welcome Amanda!
oh heck yes!! What a tasty way to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers. Love how crispy and golden they are.
Thank you Bernice!
What a creative way to make our Thanksgiving meal last longer, but in a fun, creative way. I bet these will be great for the whole family. Definitely a must try this year with leftovers.
Thanks Tara!
These leftover thanksgiving balls are a brilliant idea to use up left overs. And they are delicious! A great appetizer.
Thank you Michelle!
Fried balls of Thanksgiving goodness are so incredible looking! The Italians have been using up leftover rice in a similar way when they make arancini. I love creative way to use up leftovers. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Analida!
Of course I had a ton of thanksgiving leftovers, so I had to make this… it was so good! Next time I make mashed potatoes, I’m making extra just so I have leftovers and can make this again!
Thanks Candice!
Oh I’m so down with these! I LOVE mashups and using Thanksgiving leftovers in creative ways! I can’t wait to try these!
Great Lori!
What a clever idea repurposing a holiday meal into something unique and delicious. I wish I had leftovers so I could make this recipe right now. Next time I’ll have to make extra so I can make this. I’m pinning the recipe.
Thank you marisa!
I agree! It’s a pain to make room for leftovers and then deal with eating them for days on end. But this! Girl, I can get behind eating leftovers when they’re mixed into a delicious ball, rolled in panko and fried. Genius idea and something I will definitely have to try with Christmas leftovers.
Thank you Nicole!
I love anything battered and fried..these little Thanksgiving bites are such a perfect idea. I can’t wait to make these. Great Idea!!
Thank you Debbie!
Happened across this recipe through a Google search when someone told my husband this is what they do with their Thanksgiving leftovers. My boys NEVER eat the leftovers. Everyone ate these! They are so good! I used mac n cheese instead of shredded cheese and used up some leftover corn casserole. Each bite was different. Some had a taste of dressing, others mac n cheese, still others corn casserole. It added a bit of variety to it! These will be my new go yo every year.
Awesome!!!!!!!
I usually have a good idea and then need to find a recipe for guidance. Yours looks great! Going to make them tonight and make a cranberry Mayo, or maybe even spicy cranberry Mayo dipping sauce to use some of the leftover cranberry sauce.
Awesome Erica! Come back and let me know how they turned out!