Thanksgiving Sandwich

I'm always relieved when there are Thanksgiving leftovers because that means I get to make my all-time favorite post-holiday meal: a Thanksgiving sandwich. Don't think for one second this is just an average turkey sandwich. It's basically every single component of a Thanksgiving meal pressed between two slices of sourdough bread and toasted until golden. I'm talking turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, giblet gravy... the whole nine yards.

You can press this sandwich in a panini maker or just toast it in a skillet like a grilled cheese. If you're going the skillet route, grab a second heavy-bottomed skillet (like a cast-iron skillet) and place it on top of the sandwich as it toasts. This does what a panini maker would, pressing the sandwich together so it's a little more manageable to pick up and eat. Works like a charm!

Do you have to reheat the turkey and dressing before making the sandwich?

Nope, both will get nice and hot as the sandwich toasts, so there's no need. You will want to reheat the gravy, though, since you're using some for dipping. Warm it on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently, or reheat it in the microwave, in 30-second intervals, until heated through.

How long do Thanksgiving leftovers last in the fridge?

According to the USDA, Thanksgiving leftovers will stay good for up to four days in the fridge, as long as they're stored properly. Go ahead and carve all of the meat off the turkey and store it in an airtight container. Cover the Thanksgiving side dishes tightly in plastic or, to save refrigerator space, transfer the leftovers to smaller airtight containers. The one exception is the cranberry sauce: It'll stay good for up to a week in the fridge! If you have an abundance of sauce, use it up in one of these leftover cranberry sauce recipes.