Thanksgiving Leftover Breakfast Eggs Benedict
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If you’re trying to figure out how to turn Thanksgiving leftovers into breakfast, this is the recipe you’re looking for. When you think of eggs benedict, you might not think of ingredients like cranberry sauce or turkey, but this Thanksgiving leftover breakfast is as good as the main feast!
This Thanksgiving leftover breakfast is my favorite way to clear out the fridge without feeling like I’m just eating leftovers all over again. It turns everything into something fresh, cozy, and perfect for a slow holiday morning.
Since all the hard work is already done and you’re really just cooking the eggs, this is one eggs Benedict recipe that truly earns the title easy. Happy Thanksgiving!
Why you’ll love this Thanksgiving leftover breakast
I dreamt up this Thanksgiving eggs benedict concept exactly how you’d imagine I did: After enjoying our Thanksgiving feast in the early evening the night before, I was hungry by mid-morning with a fridge full of turkey stuffing and cranberry sauce.
I was dreaming up possibilities of Thanksgiving leftover breakfast recipes – then I remembered how much I love a good eggs benedict. Next thing you know, this delicious fusion was born. It’s warm, hearty, and uses up all that leftover turkey. What a win!
This is what I love about this Thanksgiving leftover breakfast:
- Variety: Transforming leftovers into a new dish, like an eggs benedict, makes it different enough that it doesn’t just feel like you’re eating leftovers again!
- Fridge clearer: This Thanksgiving eggs benedict is very flexible and more of a concept than a recipe. Gather your leftovers, pile them on top of a toasted bun, pop a poached egg on top, and pour on some gravy. The quantities listed are only suggestions, as everyone’s leftovers will differ – so use what you have and as much or little of each according to your own tastes.
- Ease: Everything is already cooked, aside from the eggs. All you have to do is poach the eggs, heat things up, and you’re brunch is ready!
Check out my whole round-up of delicious Thanksgiving leftover recipes, and make Thanksgiving last all week long!
Top tips for poaching eggs
Since all you have to do for this recipe is poach the eggs, let’s talk about it. If you haven’t poached eggs before, it may seem intimidating – I promise, with a few tips, it becomes quite simple. You’ll get the best result with the freshest eggs, as fresh eggs hold their shape better. Here are my foolproof tips for perfectly poached eggs:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a gentle boil. Crack your egg into a small cup, bowl, or ramekin to prevent it from dispersing when added to the water.
- Stir the simmering water in a circular motion to create a vortex or little whirlpool.
- Gently add the eggs into the swirling water. You can do more than one egg at a time (just don’t overcrowd the pot)
- Cook for about 3 minutes, until the eggs are firm on the outside and runny on the inside.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the eggs and place them on a plate. Easy!
Optional: Some people like to add a splash of white vinegar to the pot to help coagulate the egg whites.
Also try these eggs benedict recipes
If you love the twist on eggs benedict, you’re in luck! I’ve created a few exciting renditions of this breakfast classic. Try these next:
Frequently asked questions
Can I use different leftovers?
You can! Have fun with your breakfast ideas with Thanksgiving leftovers, and use whatever is in the fridge in your Thanksgiving-themed eggs benedict. Add some leftover brussels sprouts, corn, broccoli, or kale in place of the arugula, or a breakfast hash with the leftover spuds – mix it up and enjoy the savory brunch!
How do I reheat the leftovers for this recipe?
I like reheating my Thanksgiving leftovers by giving them a quick, warming bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on what I’m serving, I may also reheat on a skillet on the stovetop.
What if I don’t have cranberry sauce?
If your Thanksgiving didn’t include cranberry sauce, or if it all got served up, you can simply change it up for another sauce you do have, use gravy for a savory dish, or go classic and make some hollandaise after all!
Can I make this with a fried egg?
Sure! If you want something less fiddly than poaching eggs, this Thanksgiving leftover breakfast is just as fun with a fried egg.
Thanksgiving Leftover Breakfast Eggs Benedict Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water (half full) to a simmer. Crack the eggs into the water and let them cook for 4 minutes. Remove them with a slotted spoon.4 large eggs
- While the water is warming, melt the butter in a medium-sized pan over medium-high heat. Place the dinner rolls in the pan, cut side down, and toast for 3-4 minutes. Remove them from the pan and put 2 halves on each plate.2 teaspoons butter, 2 dinner rolls
- Add the turkey to the pan and gently warm. Top the toasted dinner rolls with some arugula, the warmed turkey, and the cranberry sauce.1 cup leftover turkey, 1 cup arugula, ¼ cup cranberry sauce
- Plate the eggs when they are cooked, pour the gravy over the top, then sprinkle with some green onions and black pepper.¼ cup gravy, Chopped green onions and black pepper
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
This was the best way to use all the leftovers. Didn’t feel like I was eating the exact same thing again – although basically I was lol.