In just a few days, friends and family will come together to celebrate Thanksgiving. Long tables will overflow with dishes that tell stories, honor traditions, and create new memories. From my family's traditional smoked turkey to a pumpkin pie recipe that’s been passed down from generation to generation, the Thanksgiving table is one of our fullest expressions of care, connection, and gratitude.

It’s also an expression of abundance, which can be beautiful and heart-warming. Having more than enough allows us to open our doors and build a longer table, offering a seat to others. It also means that after everyone is full and can’t eat another bite, there will be leftovers. Lots and lots of leftovers.

ReFED estimates that Americans will throw away a staggering 316 million pounds of food on Thursday. With a well-thought-out shopping list, a fridge or freezer ready to store ingredients and leftovers, and a great meal plan, we can all take action to reduce Thanksgiving food waste. But when the best-laid plans still result in lots of leftovers, one of the simplest, and most delicious, solutions is my favorite – turn them into something craveworthy and memorable.

Here’s what I’ll be making the day after Thanksgiving:

Thanksgiving Cranberry Grilled Cheese

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of crusty bread (sourdough is my favorite, or try leftover rolls as sliders!)

• Sliced turkey

• 2 slices of cheese, preferably muenster or havarti (for something extra special, brie works beautifully)

• Spinach or spring mix

• Spicy mustard

• Leftover cranberry sauce or cranberry relish

• Butter

Instructions:

1. Lightly butter one side of each slice of bread.

2. Layer the turkey, cheese, greens, mustard, and cranberry sauce between the slices.

3. Toast in a pan on medium heat until the cheese melts and the bread is golden.

In a season that is brimming with beloved traditions, enjoying Thanksgiving leftovers has become one of my family’s favorites. If you’re a fan of grilled cheese (and who isn’t!), consider this an invitation to kickstart your own family tradition.

Wishing you and yours well this holiday season,

Sara Burnett
Executive Director, ReFED

P.S. - With Giving Tuesday just around the corner, we’ll soon reach out to ask for your support of our important work. We work from farm to fork to keep food from going to waste in the first place and this is a chance for us to make an impact together as we work toward a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive food system. If you’d like to get a head start, you can support us. Thank you for being part of this movement.