Level Up Your Thanksgiving Leftovers with TikTok's Stuffing Waffle
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For those of you who are already looking forward to the days-worth of Thanksgiving leftovers (or worrying about how you'll get through a fridge full of 'em), TikTok's got you covered. And while the 'Tok is typically a treasure trove of creative recipes, the platform is particularly packed with post-Thanksgiving creations — and the leftover stuffing waffle is arguably the best.
Though it first began popping up on TikTok last year, this genius trend — which involves putting leftover stuffing into a waffle maker (hence, "stuffing waffle") and then topping the finished product with whatever additional eats you have on hand — has seemingly picked up steam this year, with users coming up with innovative takes on the post-Thanksgiving treat. Not only does the dish give you an excuse to dust off that trusty waffle maker (or snag one (Buy It, $18 $30, amazon.com) while sales are in full swing) but it is also a downright delicious way to make all those lingering leftovers disappear. And guess what? You can make the stuffing waffle in a matter of minutes — that is, of course, as long as your waffle maker preheats rather quickly. (Related: How to Transform Last Night's Leftovers Into a Drool-Worthy New Meal)
To prep, simply spray your waffle maker with a non-stick spray or oil (if the device requires it) and allow it to preheat. In the meantime, you can easily whip up your DIY stuffing batter. TikTok user @thepalatablelife recommends adding in one egg for every two cups of stuffing and then mixing it all together in a bowl. Not a fan of eggs? No problem. You can sub for a little bit of chicken or vegetable broth/stock. Just be sure to include the wet component because the stuffing waffle can fall apart if there's nothing there to help bind it all together. Once the gadget is good to go, you can either use your hands to form a small waffle patty or continue to follow @thepalatablelife's lead by using (what looks like) an ice cream scooper to plop about 1 cup of the mixture onto the waffle iron. Cook your stuffing waffle according to the recommended time on your specific device.
From there, gather your other leftovers of choice and reheat them in the microwave while your waffle cooks. (Theoretically, you could also warm them up in the oven but that'll definitely make the entire process longer.) Once your waffle is crispy and golden brown, it's time to top it with the additional post-feast eats and dig in.
When it comes to this Thanksgiving leftover dish, the possibilities are truly endless. Take, for example, @erinsgranola, who topped her stuffing waffle with a scoop of mashed potatoes, a few slices of turkey, a dollop of cranberry sauce, and a heap of gravy for good measure. Meanwhile, @itairashanice really capitalized on the idea that waffles are a breakfast food, layering on ham, a fried egg, and gravy for a dreamy morning meal.
And then there's @cookingwithchrissyt, who the ante by creating a Thanksgiving leftover waffle sandwich with mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry mayo, turkey, and sweet potatoes in between two crisp waffles. Even Butterball (aka the turkey experts) got in on the fun, sharing their recipe for a stuffing waffle sandwich because that leftover turkey isn't gonna eat itself, you know.
As if you still needed another reason to transform your Thanksgiving leftovers with this recipe, you can search #stuffingwaffle or "Thanksgiving waffle" on TikTok for countless more mouth-watering clips. Breakfast on Black Friday? That ish never tasted so good. (Up next: Turn Your Thanksgiving Leftovers Into This Healthy Grain Bowl)
