Last Updated June 13th, 2019 at 09:16 pm by Lisa
Wondering what to do with your Thanksgiving leftovers? Make EMPANADAS (hand pies) ! Use Thanksgiving leftover turkey, ham, mashed potatoes or stuffing baked into homemade or store-bought pie crust.
Why You Will Love This Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe:
- Empanadas (hand pies) are easy to make. After the big day, you don’t want to expend a lot of extra energy on your leftovers. Simply fill the empanadas, fold them, and bake.
- This Thanksgiving leftovers recipe is versatile. Want a savory empanada? A sweet empanada? A savory-and-sweet empanada? You can do all three… there are no empanada rules! Mix n’ match your leftovers as much as you’d like.
- Dress them up or down as much as you’d like. Not only will this take care of your Thanksgiving leftovers problem, but you can dress them up with cute pastry cut-outs if you’d like… who says the celebration has to end when Thanksgiving is over?
- They’re freezable, making them perfect for meal prep. You can also freeze these in airtight containers, and then bake for fast weeknight dinner meals or lunches. Imagine digging into the flavors of Thanksgiving in January!
Here is how I enjoy my hand pies… dressed up with some cute cut out leaves. Fill or decorate your empanadas any way you like, mix and match your leftovers and they will be delicious!
Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe (Empanadas) Ingredients:
Required ingredients (to create the hand pies):
- 2 whole pie crusts
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
Suggested leftovers ingredients (modify however you’d like based on your leftovers!):
- 1 tablespoon turkey or ham – cut into 1 ” pieces
- 1 tablespoon dressing
- 1 tablespoon mashed potatoes
- 1 tablespoon sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon cranberry sauce
- 1 tablespoon roasted veggies
- 1 tablespoon gravy
How to Make This Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe (Empanadas)
Ready to transform your Thanksgiving leftovers? Let’s get started!
Step 1: On a floured board, roll out pie dough a little thinner than the average crust.
Step 2: Cut dough into circles: use the other side of empanada cutter (or upside down small bowl) to cut dough into circles the same size as your empanada maker.
TIP: The pie crusts will make 6 empanadas.
Step 3: Place 2-3 tablespoons of filling (use my suggested filling or create your own based on your Thanksgiving leftovers) on one side of the pie dough.
TIP: Do not overfill your savory hand pies! If they are overfilled, the press won’t close and seal.
Step 4: Close the empanada maker, and seal the edges. Or, fold dough in half with filling, and press the edges closed with the tips of a fork.
Step 5: Place empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 6: Brush with melted butter.
Step 7: Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes pie crust until edges are golden brown and baked. The result…
What are Empanadas?
Almost all cultures and countries around the world have some version of a pastry or dough with sweet or savory fillings. Some of these you will know as dumplings, pierogis, samosas, turnovers, British or Cornish pasties, Brazilian pastel, Cuban pastelitos, bolanis, pastechis, and empanadillas.
Empanadas are usually made with savory fillings, but sweet ones are also great for dessert or to accompany that afternoon coffee or tea. They can be served alone or with dipping sauces. Argentinean chimichurri sauce is one of the most popular empanada dipping sauces.
Fun fact: The word “empanada” comes from the Spanish word “empanar,” which means “enbreaded.”
What are Hand Pies?
A hand pie is simply the Southern U.S. term for an empanada. A hand pie is a piece of dough that is filled with a savory (savory hand pie) or sweet (sweet hand pie) filling and folded over and sealed shut… in other words, an empanada!
What Else Can You Make with Thanksgiving Leftovers?
If you’ve made this Thanksgiving leftover recipe and want to try something else, other Thanksgiving leftover recipe options include:
- Casseroles
- Sandwiches
- Chilis or soups
- Frittatas
- Shepherd’s pies
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your Thanksgiving leftovers! The wonderful flavor combination of foods like turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and more go so well in so many dishes.
You’ll also want to read my Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes: Reheated 5 Ways post for five different ways to reheat your mashed potatoes!
Christmas Recipe Ideas
Now that Thanksgiving is over, here comes Christmas! Here are a few ideas for you…
- Make this adorable peppermint candy plate for Santa’s Cookies!
- Santa will love these cookies, this recipe for Santa’s Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies is very popular!
- These Candy Cane Martinis with Homemade Peppermint Infused Vodka will be loved by your guests!
- This Christmas Tree Salad is healthy, festive, and perfect for holiday entertaining!
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, full of family, friends, and food!
All the Best,
Lisa
XO
Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe: Empanadas (Hand Pies)
Ingredients
Thanksgiving Leftover filling ideas:
- 1 tablespoon turkey or ham - cut into 1 " pieces
- 1 tablespoon dressing
- 1 tablespoon Mashed Potatoes
- 1 tablespoon sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon cranberry sauce
- 1 tablespoon roasted veggies
- 1 tablespoon gravy
- 2 whole pie crusts
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- On a floured board, roll out pie dough thinner than the average crust.
- Cut dough into circles: use the other side of empanada cutter (or upside down bowl) to cut dough into circles the same size as your empanada maker.
- Pie crusts will make 6 empanadas.
- Place 2-3 tablespoons of filling on one side of the pie dough. If they are overfilled, the press won't close and seal.
- Close the empanada maker, and seal the edges. Or, fold dough in half with filling, and press the edges closed with the tips of a fork.
- Place empanadas on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Brush with melted butter.
- Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes pie crust until edges are golden brown and baked.
Helen says
March 9, 2018 at 8:35 PMMy family and I do several turkey dinners each year, not just on holidays. I ran across this recipe recently and it is just a unique leftover idea! It is usch a simple idea and it was honestly better than our original turkey dinner! My family loved these and we will be making them again and having fun with the different combos.
Stefanie says
November 25, 2018 at 10:33 AMThe best ever! Make them every year…. all sorts of ways. Turkey, ham, and all leftovers. Best part of the holidays!
Lisa says
November 25, 2018 at 10:36 AMI do love a Thanksgiving leftover sandwich, but empanadas are awesome! I always freeze a couple too…thanks so much for stopping by and rating the recipe with a great comment. Wishing you the very best this holiday season!