Leftover Stuffing Cakes are an irresistible way to breathe new life into your holiday leftovers. This easy and quick recipe transforms your Thanksgiving stuffing into crispy, savory cakes that are pan-fried to perfection in butter. Whether you’re looking for a fun side dish or a unique way to enjoy your leftovers, these stuffing cakes offer a delightful combination of texture and flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds.
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Why You’ll Love Leftover Stuffing Cakes
Leftover Stuffing Cakes are the perfect solution to transform your Thanksgiving stuffing into a new, delicious dish. These cakes are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with all the flavors of your favorite stuffing. With minimal ingredients and simple instructions, this recipe is a convenient, satisfying way to enjoy your holiday leftovers.
Not only is this recipe quick and easy to make, but it also helps you use up those extra Thanksgiving sides, especially stuffing. These cakes can be served as a side dish, or even as a main course paired with a light salad. Plus, they’re versatile and can be enjoyed year-round, even when you don’t have leftover stuffing on hand.
Ingredients for Leftover Stuffing Cakes
Here are the key ingredients you’ll need to make these flavorful stuffing cakes:
• Leftover Stuffing: This is the star ingredient! You can use your homemade stuffing or opt for a boxed variety like Stove Top if you don’t have leftovers.
• Egg: Helps bind the mixture together, giving the cakes their structure.
• Whole Milk or Cream: Adds moisture and a rich texture to the cakes.
• Salt and Pepper: Season to taste for a perfect balance of flavors.
• Butter: For frying the cakes to crispy perfection.
• Leftover Turkey Gravy: For drizzling over the cakes. If you don’t have gravy, make a simple brown gravy as an alternative.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions for Leftover Stuffing Cakes
If you’re looking for variations or have dietary restrictions, here are some substitutions you can try:
• Gluten-Free Stuffing: If you’re gluten-sensitive, you can easily make these cakes with gluten-free stuffing mix.
• Vegetarian Version: Skip the turkey gravy and add a vegetarian-friendly sauce like mushroom gravy or a tangy cranberry sauce.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute the milk or cream with a dairy-free alternative like almond milk or coconut milk, and use dairy-free butter for frying.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Leftover Stuffing Cakes
Follow these easy steps to make the perfect Leftover Stuffing Cakes:
- Prepare the Stuffing: Place your leftover stuffing in a large bowl. If your stuffing contains larger chunks of bread or sausage, pulse it a few times in a food processor to break it down into smaller, uniform pieces. If your stuffing is already finely crumbled, you can skip this step.
- Mix the Ingredients: Add one beaten egg and two tablespoons of whole milk or cream to the stuffing. Mix everything together until the ingredients are well combined. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Form the Cakes: Shape the stuffing mixture into small cakes, similar to the size of a crab cake. You should be able to form about 4-5 cakes with 3 cups of stuffing.
- Chill the Cakes: Place the formed cakes on a plate and refrigerate them for at least an hour. This step helps the cakes firm up, making them easier to fry without falling apart.
- Fry the Cakes: Heat 4 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted and is sizzling, carefully place the stuffing cakes in the skillet. Fry them for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and heated through on the inside.
- Serve: Once cooked, remove the cakes from the skillet and serve them hot. Drizzle with leftover turkey gravy or your favorite brown gravy for a savory finish.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Stuffing Cakes
• Don’t Skip the Chilling: Let the cakes chill in the fridge before frying. This helps them maintain their shape and prevents them from falling apart while cooking.
• Use Enough Butter: Frying the cakes in butter creates that crispy golden crust, so don’t skimp on the butter for the best texture.
• Check for Crispiness: Be sure to check that the cakes are crispy on both sides before removing them from the skillet. You can test one cake first to ensure it’s perfectly crispy.
• Gravy Makes the Difference: Don’t forget to top your stuffing cakes with a generous amount of gravy! It enhances the flavor and adds moisture to the cakes.
Pairing Ideas and Variations for Leftover Stuffing Cakes
Leftover Stuffing Cakes are wonderfully versatile. Here are some delicious ways to serve them:
• Side Dish for Turkey: Serve these stuffing cakes alongside your leftover turkey for a complete holiday meal.
• Sandwich Option: Use the stuffing cakes as a filling for a unique sandwich. Add some cranberry sauce and lettuce for extra flavor.
• Topping Ideas: Top with fried eggs for a hearty breakfast or brunch, or serve with a side of roasted vegetables for a light dinner.
• Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the stuffing cakes ahead of time and freeze them. Just freeze the uncooked cakes on a baking sheet and transfer them to a freezer bag once frozen. To cook, simply fry from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Why Leftover Stuffing Cakes Are a Great Choice
These Leftover Stuffing Cakes are a great way to use up your leftover stuffing, especially after a big Thanksgiving feast. Not only do they help minimize food waste, but they’re also a fun way to transform a classic dish into something new and exciting. Whether served as a side dish or as a main course with gravy, these stuffing cakes are sure to become a favorite in your household.
Now that you know how to make these crispy, savory Leftover Stuffing Cakes, give them a try the next time you have leftovers. They’re quick, easy, and a delightful way to enjoy your holiday favorites long after the big feast is over!
Conclusion: A Delicious Way to Repurpose Leftover Stuffing
Leftover Stuffing Cakes are a fantastic and easy way to reinvent your Thanksgiving leftovers, offering a crispy, savory treat that can be enjoyed any time of the year. With minimal ingredients and simple preparation, these cakes are a family-friendly recipe that turns your leftover stuffing into a flavorful dish that will have everyone coming back for more. Whether served with turkey gravy, used as a side, or enjoyed as a snack, these stuffing cakes are sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen. Give them a try, and enjoy the delicious transformation of your Thanksgiving leftovers!
FAQs about Leftover Stuffing Cakes
Can I use store-bought stuffing for Leftover Stuffing Cakes?
Yes, you can use store-bought stuffing like Stove Top for this recipe. Simply prepare the stuffing according to the package instructions and then proceed with forming the cakes. Using boxed stuffing is a great shortcut if you don’t have leftover homemade stuffing.
How can I make these cakes without eggs?
If you need to make these Leftover Stuffing Cakes without eggs, you can use a flaxseed meal or chia seed mixture as an egg replacement. Mix one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken, then add it to your stuffing mixture.
Can I make Leftover Stuffing Cakes ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the cakes ahead of time! Form the cakes and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before frying. If you need to store them longer, you can freeze the uncooked cakes on a baking sheet and transfer them to a freezer bag once frozen. When ready to cook, fry them directly from the freezer.
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Leftover Stuffing Cakes
- Total Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Leftover Stuffing Cakes are a crispy, savory way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers. These delicious cakes are pan-fried in butter for a golden, crunchy exterior and soft, flavorful inside. Topped with leftover turkey gravy, they make a perfect side dish or snack that everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 3 cups leftover stuffing
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons whole milk or cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons butter
- Leftover turkey gravy (or brown gravy)
Instructions
- Place leftover stuffing in a bowl. If your stuffing has large pieces of bread or sausage, pulse it in a food processor to make it smaller.
- Add the beaten egg and milk or cream to the stuffing and mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Form the mixture into cakes, about the size of a crab cake, and refrigerate for at least an hour (or up to overnight) to firm them up.
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Fry the cakes for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve with warm turkey gravy or brown gravy.
Notes
- Ensure the cakes are chilled before frying to prevent them from falling apart.
- If your stuffing is too dry, add a little more milk or cream to bind the mixture.
- You can freeze uncooked cakes for later use. Fry them directly from frozen, adding extra time if necessary.
- For extra flavor, serve with cranberry sauce or a side salad.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffing cake
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
