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Thanksgiving Leftover Stuffed Egg Rolls with Cranberry Dipping Sauce is the ultimate way to enjoy Thanksgiving, even after Turkey Day is over! All of your favorite Thanksgiving food, stuffed in a crispy, golden brown egg roll, paired up with tart and tangy cranberry dipping sauce. YUM. Serves 4.
Note: this post is an update from the original version published on November 14, 2014.
about these thanksgiving leftover stuffed egg rolls
I can’t believe it’s Friday, aka the last day of #Blogsgiving (*tear*, aka less than two weeks to Thanksgiving (eeeeeeek!)!!
One of my favorite part about Thanksgiving is leftovers. You aren’t just loving turkey for one day, oh no… You love it for days after! I am all about leftover Thanksgiving sandwiches like this one I made last year (OMG it was sooooooo good, I made it as many times as I could).
But this year? Oh this year I came up with something even better…
Thanksgiving EGG ROLLS. Everything you love about Thanksgiving dinner, stuffed in an egg roll wrapper, fried, and then dipped in a leftover cranberry dipping sauce.
It is pure heaven when you crunch through the golden brown exterior into a blend of classic Thanksgiving flavors that tug at your heart, reminding you of home.
This is a simple recipe that quite often can make Thanksgiving taste better than it did on Thanksgiving Day (Shhhhh, don’t tell your mother/grandmother/whoever actually slaved over Thanksgiving dinner this…)!
Another bonus? You end up using smaller amounts of your leftovers to make these, so you can prolong the leftover enjoyment!
ingredients
egg roll wrappers. I pick up my egg rolls in the refrigerated section at my local supermarket, but if yours doesn’t carry them, head to your local Asian market!
turkey. Use leftover cooked turkey for this recipe! If you don’t have any, you can always pick up some thickly sliced from the deli or use rotisserie chicken.
potatoes. mashed potatoes are a must for the filling! You can use whatever kind of mashed potatoes you have leftover.
stuffing. just like the potatoes, use whatever stuffing you have leftover.
cornstarch. you will need the cornstarch to mix with water to make the mixture that will help the egg roll wrappers stick to themselves when you wrap them.
cranberry sauce. I love using homemade sauce here but you can also use canned! If you are using whole berry sauce, be sure to blend it until smooth before making the dipping sauce.
orange. use one orange for both the orange juice and orange zest needed for this recipe.
this recipe’s must-haves
When it comes to frying foods like these egg rolls, I always reach for my favorite dutch oven.
To prep the ingredients and wrap the egg rolls, you’ll need a chef’s knife and cutting board.
To remove these egg rolls flawlessly from the oil, make sure you have a spider strainer.
here’s how to make thanksgiving leftover egg rolls
make dipping sauce
Combine cranberry sauce, water, orange juice, and orange zest in a microwavable bowl. Microwave for 40 seconds to 1 minute. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove any clumps. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
wrap egg rolls
Stir together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl.
To wrap your egg roll, start with a clean, flat surface. Lay one wrapper so one of the corners is facing you. Dip your fingers in the cornstarch water and spread on each edge of the wrapper. Spread 1/2 Tbsp mashed potatoes in the corner closest to you. Top with 1/2 Tbsp stuffing and a few small pieces of turkey. Lift the bottom corner up and roll away away from you, making sure you tuck the corner under as you roll. When you are halfway up the wrapper, fold in the left side and then the right towards the center. Continue rolling away from you until closed. Dip your fingers in the cornstarch and water mixture again and brush it over the final corner. Set aside, placing seam-side down.
Make sure you roll the egg rolls tightly. If they are too loose, they will fall apart when you fry them.
fry
Fill a pot with 4-5 inches of cooking oil. Heat the oil to 350˚F. Add the egg rolls to the hot oil, frying no more than 3 or 4 at a time, turning occasionally. Fry until the egg rolls are golden brown, approximately 2 minutes. Place on paper towels to drain and cool. Serve immediately.
can I make these ahead of time?
Yes you can! You can make these and then either keep them warm in the oven or reheat them in the oven when you are ready to eat them. More details on that below!
what if I’m missing one of the ingredients to fill the egg rolls?
I know we don’t always have all the leftovers left when Thanksgiving is over, so feel free to still make these without all the ingredients! You can also swap in any other favorites like shredded brussels sprouts, candied yams, and more.
how to store and reheat
Store. Any egg rolls that you don’t eat can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat. Reheat in the oven at 350˚F until warmed through. You can also microwave them, but they get a bit soggy and aren’t as good if you bake them in the oven to reheat.
Finally, if you make these thanksgiving leftover stuffed egg rolls, please be sure to give this recipe a rating or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment. Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!
Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! Love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!
Thanksgiving Leftover Stuffed Egg Rolls & Cranberry Dipping Sauce
A creative way to use up those delicious Thanksgiving leftovers!
Ingredients
egg rolls
- 25 egg roll wrappers
- 1lb cooked turkey, cut into thin strips
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
- 2 cups stuffing
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup cool water
dipping sauce
- 1 1/2 cups canned cranberry sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp water
- 1 1/2 tsp orange juice
- 1 tsp orange zest
Instructions
- To make the dipping sauce, combing the cranberry sauce, water, orange juice, and orange zest in a microwavable bowl. Microwave for 40 seconds to 1 minute. Carefully strain through a sieve or strainer to remove any clumps or pieces of cranberry. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Now it’s time to wrap your egg rolls. In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and water.
- To wrap your egg roll, start with a clean, flat surface. Lay the wrapper so one of the corners is facing you (like a diamond). Dip your fingers in the cornstarch water and spread on each edge of the egg roll wrapper. Then spread 1/2 Tbsp mashed potatoes in the corner closest to you. Top with 1/2 Tbsp stuffing and a few small pieces of turkey. Lift the bottom corner up and begin to roll away away from you, making sure you tuck the corner under as you roll. Once you are halfway up the wrapper, fold in the left side and then the right side towards the center. Continue rolling away from you until only the final corner is ready to roll. Dip your fingers in the cornstarch and water mixture you made earlier and brush it over the final corner. Finish the roll, brush a little more of the cornstarch mixture along the seam, and place seam-side down. Make sure you roll the egg rolls tightly. If they are too loose, they will fall apart when you fry them.
- To fry the egg rolls, fill a pot with 4-5 inches of cooking oil. Heat the oil to 350 degrees. Gently add the egg rolls to the hot oil, frying no more than 3 or 4 at a time, turning occasionally. Fry until the egg rolls are golden brown, approximately 2 minutes. Place on paper towels to drain and cool.
- Serve immediately with the cranberry dipping sauce.
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By now you know alllll about the ridiculously amazing collaboration known as Blogsgiving Dinner! Co-hosting this event with Susannah from Feast + West has been a dream come true. I mean, over 50 recipes for Thanksgiving in one week from 20 talented food bloggers? WOW! Thanksgiving seriously needs to get here NOW.
Just like a traditional progressive dinner, Monday we shared cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and soups. Wednesday we shared entrees, salads and side dishes. FINALLY it’s the day everyone’s been waiting for – desserts, after-dinner drinks, and leftovers! Time to put your stretchy pants on… Here’s today’s menu:
Dessert
Grandma’s Pecan Pie from The Wetherills Say I Do
Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting from My Cooking Spot
Gluten-Free Apple Berry Crumble from Twin Stripe
Paleo Pumpkin Pudding from Wit Wisdom Food
Cranberry Almond Coconut Bars from Love & Flour
Poached Pears with Salted Maple Caramel Syrup from Home at Six
Sweet Potato Pie from Think Fruitful
Gluten-Free Acorn Squash Spice Bars from I Cook. I Eat. It’s Life.
Drunken Pecan Pie Bars from The Speckled Palate
Butter Pecan Cupcakes from Glamour Girl Gourmet
After-Dinner Drinks
Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider from A Savory Feast
Cranberry Bourbon Granita from Feast + West
Leftovers
Cheesy Potato Croquettes from Hello Little Home
Freezer-Friendly Turkey and Rice Casserole from Betty Becca
Stuffed Crescents with Thanksgiving Leftovers from My Cooking Spot
Grace says
Oh my goodness! These look so good. Wish I could have some delivered to me right now. Great idea!
Meghan B. says
Thank you Grace!
Jenna @ A Savory Feast says
This is a brilliant idea! I usually just make sandwiches with the leftovers, but this is the next level! I need to remember to try this.
Meghan B. says
Thank you Jenna! 🙂
Jennifer Stewart says
These are such a great idea! I love that you can use all your leftovers, whatever they may be! Ill be using this as an appetizer on Saturday!
Jill says
These look so good! I have leftover phyllo dough, so if it hasn’t already dried out, I might try using that as a wrapper.
Meghan B. says
Ooo that’s such a good idea Jill!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate says
Welp, Meghan, you’ve got me sold on these leftover eggrolls, and I’m SO SAD that I didn’t see this until now… so I’m saving it until next year. Or until we have a roasted turkey again. 😉 What a brilliant idea!
Laurie says
Just wondering if you could freeze these when done? Would that be before or after cooking?
Meghan B. says
You could definitely freeze these once you’ve made them! I would recommend freezing them before you fry them. They’ll taste fresher when you are ready to eat them. All you’d have to do is fry them a couple minutes longer than the recipe instructs! 🙂
marianne bianco says
can you reheat in oven or microwave?
Meghan B. says
You can! I would definitely recommend the oven because the microwave makes the wrappers a little less crispy. Start with 350 degrees for about 5 to 10 minutes!
Casey says
About about baking them instead? Has anyone try that?
Meghan B. says
I haven’t tried baking them but I am sure that would work! Simply lightly coat egg rolls with cooking spray, and place them seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown!
Jan Mowbray says
What fabulous idea but could you not just mix everything together and place a spoonful on the wrapper and roll away, to save a several steps?
Jan Mowbray says
HI, I made your recipe today. What a fantastic idea and very good. To make it easier (for me), I pulsed everything together in the food processor. I had only 1 c. mashed potatoes so I added in 1 c. mashed turnip and carrot. I used close to 1/4 c. of the mixture for each wrapper, rolled them up per your instructions. I cooked a few to try with a friend for lunch today, and while very good, we decided they needed little something, so for the next batch I added a little curry powder, 1/4 tsp salt and a pinch of pepper.
This addition made them even better.
They freeze very well. Thanks for the great idea for using up leftovers.
Meghan Y. says
I am so happy to hear that you liked it! Interesting that you blended everything together – I might have to try that and see how it turns out! Curry powder sounds like a fun addition!
Krista says
I’m making these for the second year in a row, because they are that good! Thanks for an easy and fun recipe for Thanksgiving leftovers!