Healthy Sandwiches You Can Make with Your Holiday Leftovers

Food is one of the things that people look forward to most at holiday parties. At first, that is.

When you reheat the same dish day after day, leftovers lose their appeal quickly. This can lead to food waste. The American Chemistry Council surveyed Americans and found that more than three-quarters of them threw away bits every month. More than half did it weekly.

You can transform leftovers into a new and delicious meal, saving you time and money by not having to cook from scratch. Sandwiches are one of the most versatile and tasty meals you can make from leftovers.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), almost half of Americans consume a sandwich daily—Department of Agriculture (USDA). Plus, you can customize your sandwich based on the ingredients you have and what you like to eat. Do you have some extra vegetables? Add them to the top. Do you prefer Dijon to be grainy or coarse mustard? Switch to grainy mustard. Use whole grain bread whenever possible and as many fruits or vegetables as possible to make the healthiest sandwiches. Here are three delicious recipes you can make with leftovers from the holidays.

The Ultimate Leftover Ham Sandwich

Many holiday parties feature roasted ham on the table. Sliced ham is a great way to add protein to a sandwich. According to USDA, fresh lettuce provides crunchiness and fiber, while whole-wheat toast helps provide the B vitamins and whole grains your body requires. Sweet spreads go well with the salty meat. Remember that ham is a delicious addition to Breakfast Sandwiches!

Ingredients

Four slices of whole-wheat bread

Four pieces of leftover deli ham or four thinly sliced 4 oz leftover ham

Red-leaf lettuce, two large leaves

1/3 cup leftover stuffing

2 tbsp strawberry jam (or your favorite flavor)

Directions

1Divide the jam, ham, lettuce, and stuffing evenly between the two sandwiches.

Leftover Turkey Sandwich

According to UMass Dartmouth, cranberry sauce is sweet and full of antioxidants. It’s easier to make cranberry marmalade. This is a great way to reduce the amount of sugar added.

Ingredients

Two slices of whole-grain bread

 3 oz. leftover turkey breast, skinless and thinly sliced

 1/4 cup homemade cranberry or cranberry sauce

 2 tbsp goat cheese, crumbled

 1/2 cup lettuce

Directions

1Place both slices of bread on a plate and toast them. Add turkey, cranberry, goat cheese, and lettuce to one slice of bread. Enjoy! Top the second slice of toast with your turkey, cranberry sauce, goat cheese, and lettuce.