How to Make Breakfast with Thanksgiving Leftovers

What’s Up, Hungry People?

Everyone ends up with more Thanksgiving leftovers than they know what to do with. It’s just a fact. Whether or not I intentionally make waaaaay too much food specifically so I can have leftovers for days afterwards… may or may not be up for debate.

Just kidding. I definitely purposefully make way too much food just for the leftovers. I hate normal, day-to-day leftovers – but I absolutely LOVE Thanksgiving leftovers. If you are looking for ways to use up Thanksgiving leftovers for more meals than just lunch and dinner, then this super easy breakfast recipe might just help you get through those last few days of excess stuffing.

Thanksgiving leftovers are meant to be made into breakfast. Between the ham, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, all you need to do is crack an egg on top to make it into an easy breakfast! And that’s exactly what I did with these Thanksgiving Leftovers Breakfast Bowls! You can basically pack any leftovers into a ramekin, crack an egg on top, and then bake it until the egg is cooked to perfection.

What’s in My Leftover Thanksgiving Bowls?

You can make your bowl with whatever flavors you desire. Pop all of your Thanksgiving favorites into a bowl and find out what happens! The only real thing that takes these leftovers from dinner to breakfast is that you crack an egg on top.

Here’s What You Need:

• Eggs – Adds protein and brings the dish together.
• Stuffing – Provides a flavorful and hearty base.
• Ham, chopped – Adds a savory, smoky taste.
• Cranberry relish – Gives a sweet and tart contrast.
• Mashed potatoes – Creamy and filling addition.
• Rolls – Adds a bread component for texture.
• Roasted veggies – Adds nutrients and variety.
• Turkey – Classic Thanksgiving meat, perfect for any bowl.
• Gravy – Adds moisture and richness.
• Sweet potatoes – Adds sweetness and depth.

Other Combination Suggestions:

A few other ideas for you – feel free to fill your bowls with your favorites.

Potato Bowls

• Mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes
• Turkey pieces
• Cheese
• Gravy

Veggie Bowls

• Baked brussels sprouts
• Roasted root veggies
• Cranberry sauce

Roll Bowl

• Dinner rolls, ripped up and/or toasted
• Ham
• Sweet potatoes

Let’s Cook

No matter what you stuff in your bowls, the last step is to crack a fresh egg on top and then bake the bowls until the egg reaches your desired runniness.

The biggest factor on bake time will be if your leftovers are super cold or room temperature. You might even want to ‘preheat’ your leftovers in the microwave for a minute or two so that you can have a bowl heated evenly all the way through.

Preparing Your Bowls

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Start by combining your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers in an oven-safe bowl or ramekin. If your leftovers are chilled through, consider microwaving ‘heavy’ items like stuffing or mashed potatoes to ensure the bowl is heated evenly. Trust me, you don’t want cold spots in your breakfast bowl.

Cracking the Eggs

Crack an egg over the top of the leftovers in the ramekins. This is where the magic happens! The egg not only adds protein but also ties all the flavors together beautifully.

Baking Time

Bake for 8-10 minutes for a runny/soft egg, or 15-20 minutes for a hard yolk. The choice is yours. Personally, I prefer a runny egg, so I only needed to bake my bowls for about 8-10 minutes. I microwaved my stuffing for a minute to kick start the reheating process but left the ham and cranberry relish cold – and that seemed to work out well for me.

For a harder egg, you might need to go up to 15-20 minutes to make sure it’s cooked all the way through. If you opt to cook your eggs this way, you probably won’t need to ‘preheat’ your leftovers.

Extra Tips and Troubleshooting

• Seasoning: Taste your leftovers before adding them to the bowl. They might need a little extra salt or pepper after being stored in the fridge.
• Even Heating: If your leftovers are super cold, give them a quick zap in the microwave before adding the egg. This ensures the whole dish heats evenly.
• Egg Cooking Time: Keep an eye on your eggs while baking. If you like them runny, start checking at 8 minutes. For firmer eggs, bake up to 20 minutes.
• Mix and Match: Don’t be afraid to try new combinations. Leftover green bean casserole with turkey and sweet potatoes? Go for it!

Whether you’re a fan of runny yolks or prefer your eggs well-done, these Thanksgiving leftovers breakfast bowls are a fantastic way to start your day. They’re easy to throw together and give new life to your holiday favorites. Experiment with different combinations and make breakfast exciting again. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be looking forward to leftovers even more. Happy eating, Hungry People!

Ross Geller’s MOIST MAKER SANDWICH From Friends (Ultimate Thanksgiving LEFTOVERS Sandwich!)

Gourmet Grilled Cheese Charcuterie Board

Thanksgiving Pot Pie