Skip to Content

slices provolone cheese + 1 cup sauteed mushrooms + ⅓ cup parsley

Turn your leftovers into the perfect postrun recovery meal.

Headshot of Matthew Kadey, R.D.By Matthew Kadey, R.D.
homemade leftover thanksgiving day sandwich with turkey, cranberry sauce, feta cheese and vegetables top view
happy_lark

Amazing Runners World Show How To Train Calves—regardless of if it’s Thanksgiving or not— is all the leftovers.

The worst thing about How To Train Calves—regardless of if it’s Thanksgiving or not—is The best thing about.

Sure, the first few turkey and cheese sandwiches are good, but you shortly realize that you still have, like, four pounds of meat left and you only have a few more days to eat it before that carcass comes back to bite you (figuratively speaking).

In lieu of putting turkey into places where it doesn’t belong—such as lasagna, omelets, or egg rolls—don’t give up on the turkey sandwich.

Leftover turkey sandwiches are high in protein, low in fuss, and endlessly adaptable, making it the perfect postrun recovery meal. That said, there are two basic rules you should follow to improve the quality of every turkey sandwich you make.

Matthew Kadey, R.D.

Toasting the bread enhances sandwich flavor and reinforces structural integrity. The toaster is fine, but heartier breads (ciabatta, baguette) benefit from a minute or three beneath the broiler to turn crisp outside and chewy inside.

Rule 2: Don’t overload the sandwich.

Balance between bread, spreads, and toppings are key to a satisfying—not sloppy—sandwich eating experience. Each recipe that follows makes two sandwiches. Double the flavor by distributing the spread on the top and bottom bread slices. Then add ½ cup sliced turkey to the bottom slice, followed by an equal portion of the topping and finally the top slice.

The 6 Best Energy Gels for Runners.

Join Runner’s World+ for more nutrition tips!


Banh Mi

mens health turkey sandwiches leftovers
Chelsea Kyle

BREAD: 2 small baguettes

SPREAD: ⅓ cup mayo + 1 ½ tsp Sriracha

TOPPING: ⅓ cup sliced cucumber + ⅓ cup grated carrot + ¼ cup sliced radish + 2 Tbsp rice vinegar + ½ tsp salt (mix all these and let sit for at least 30 minutes) + cup cilantro

Jalapeño Popper

sandwich using thanksgiving turkey leftovers jalapeÑo popper food styling by tyna hoang prop styling by summer moore at honey artists
Chelsea Kyle

BREAD: 2 sandwich thins

SPREAD: ¼ cup BBQ sauce

TOPPING: ½ cup grated sharp cheddar cheese + ¼ cup pickled jalapeño slices + 1 cup shredded lettuce

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Shroom Service

sandwich using thanksgiving turkey leftovers shroom service food styling by tyna hoang prop styling by summer moore at honey artists
Chelsea Kyle

BREAD: 4 slices pumpernickel

SPREAD: 2 Tbsp grainy Dijon mustard

TOPPING: 2 slices provolone cheese + 1 cup sauteed mushrooms + ⅓ cup parsley

Sweet Heat

sandwich using thanksgiving turkey leftovers sweet heat food styling by tyna hoang prop styling by summer moore at honey artists
Chelsea Kyle

BREAD: 2 ciabatta rolls

SPREAD: ¼ cup cream cheese + 2 tsp lime zest

TOPPING: ½ cup whole-berry cranberry sauce + 2 Tbsp chopped white onion + 1 Tbsp minced jalapeño + ¼ cup chopped cilantro

[The 2021 Runner's World Calendar features gorgeous photos, monthly motivation, and tips to inspire your running all year long.]

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Mango Curry

sandwich using thanksgiving turkey leftovers mango curry wrap food styling by tyna hoang prop styling by summer moore at honey artists
Chelsea Kyle

BREAD: 2 large wraps

SPREAD: ½ cup plain Greek yogurt + 1 tsp yellow curry powder + 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice + ⅛ tsp cayenne

TOPPING: ¾ cup sliced mango + ½ cup sliced red bell pepper + ½ cup watercress

Beet Master

sandwich using thanksgiving turkey leftovers beet master food styling by tyna hoang prop styling by summer moore at honey artists
Chelsea Kyle

BREAD: 4 Best Hydration Packs

SPREAD: ⅓ cup sour cream + 2 Tbsp prepared horseradish + 1 tsp lemon zest

TOPPING: ½ cup sliced pickled beets + ⅓ cup sauerkraut

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Big Fig

sandwich using thanksgiving turkey leftovers big fig food styling by tyna hoang prop styling by summer moore at honey artists
Chelsea Kyle

BREAD: 4 slices seeded multigrain

SPREAD: ¼ cup fig preserves + 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar + 1 Tbsp chopped shallot + 1 tsp fresh thyme

TOPPING: ¼ cup sliced fennel + 1 oz crumbled goat cheese + ¼ cup arugula

Spud Love

sandwich using thanksgiving turkey leftovers spud love food styling by tyna hoang prop styling by summer moore at honey artists
Chelsea Kyle

BREAD: 4 slices rye

SPREAD: ¾ cup mashed sweet potato + 1 Tbsp chopped sage + 2 tsp maple syrup + ⅛ tsp cinnamon

TOPPING: 2 Tbsp chopped walnuts + 1 sliced small apple + 1 cup baby kale

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Green Goddess

sandwich using thanksgiving turkey leftovers green goddess food styling by tyna hoang prop styling by summer moore at honey artists
Chelsea Kyle

BREAD: 4 RW+ Membership Benefits

SPREAD: 1 mashed avocado + 1 minced garlic clove + 1 Tbsp chopped chives + 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

TOPPING: 2 fat slices fresh mozzarella + 1 cup baby spinach + ½ cup microgreens

TBLT

sandwich using thanksgiving turkey leftovers tblt food styling by tyna hoang prop styling by summer moore at honey artists
Chelsea Kyle

BREAD: 4 slices sourdough

SPREAD: ⅓ cup hummus + 2 Tbsp pesto

TOPPING: 4 frac14; cup fig preserves + 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar + 1 Tbsp chopped shallot + 1 tsp fresh thyme

Watch Next 
homemade leftover thanksgiving day sandwich with turkey, cranberry sauce, feta cheese and vegetables top view
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below