The holidays are a time when we tend to overindulge in delicious food. After the festivities, we usually find ourselves with a refrigerator full of holiday leftovers. Instead of throwing those leftovers away, why not use them creatively in salads? Salads are a great way to utilize leftover ingredients, making them healthier and refreshing meals. In this blog post, we will share some creative ways to incorporate leftover holiday ingredients into salads that you and your family will surely enjoy.
If you have an abundance of cranberry sauce left over from Thanksgiving, try making a cranberry salad. Start by mixing the leftover cranberry sauce with a tablespoon of honey and white vinegar. From there, toss in some chopped spinach, sliced almonds, and feta cheese. This salad is not only easy to make but is also a great way to use up that leftover cranberry sauce.
Turkey is the most common leftover ingredient during the holidays. Instead of making the same turkey sandwiches, try making a turkey salad. Start by shredding the leftover turkey and mixing it with some arugula, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and croutons. You can dress it with some olive oil and lemon juice. This turkey salad is not only healthier, but it also has an added crunch from the croutons that will make your taste buds happy. Check out this recipe from Just a Taste.
Sweet Potato is another common leftover ingredient during the holiday season. Instead of reheating the same old sweet potato, try making a sweet potato salad. Start by cubing the leftover sweet potatoes and mix them with some baby spinach, bacon, and blue cheese. Top it with some balsamic dressing and you have a delicious and satisfying salad.
After the holidays, we often have an overabundance of apples. Instead of making apple pies, try making an apple salad. Start by mixing sliced apples with some mixed greens, roasted pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries. For the dressing, mix some apple cider vinegar, honey, and olive oil. This apple salad is not only refreshing, but it is also a great way to use up leftover apples. Check out this recipe from Foolproof Living.
Using leftover holiday ingredients in salads is a great way to utilize leftovers in a healthy and flavorful way. You can mix and match different ingredients to create endless combinations of salads. Try out some of the suggestions shared in this blog post and see how creatively you can use up your holiday leftovers. Your family and friends will appreciate the new recipes and your body will thank you for the added health benefits. Happy cooking!