The Ultimate Vegetarian Meatloaf & Cranberry Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich: An Easy & Delicious Post-Holiday Treat
Thanksgiving is a feast of gratitude, family, and, let’s be honest, an abundance of incredible food. While the main meal is a highlight, the true joy often begins the day after, when the bounty of leftovers transforms into new, equally delightful creations. Enter the Vegetarian Meatloaf and Cranberry Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich – the absolute perfect way to embrace your post-holiday cravings. This isn’t just any sandwich; it’s a symphony of flavors, incredibly easy to prepare, and undeniably delicious. Forget boring cold plates; this sandwich elevates your Thanksgiving remnants into a culinary experience you’ll look forward to year after year.
For those of us immersed in the food blogging world, Thanksgiving isn’t just a single day; it’s an extended season of celebration. We often test recipes, shoot mouth-watering photos, and then celebrate the actual holiday – sometimes repeating the entire process multiple times! This unique cycle means we gain unparalleled experience with holiday dishes, especially when it comes to reinventing leftovers. So, trust me when I say, I’ve had more than my fair share of “Thanksgivings,” and through extensive (and delicious) experimentation, I’ve perfected the art of the Thanksgiving leftover sandwich. This recipe is a culmination of those experiences, designed to bring you the best possible post-holiday meal.
This sandwich truly is the hero of post-Thanksgiving day lunches and dinners. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel resourceful, creative, and utterly satisfied, without any additional stress during an already busy time of year.
The main reason I adore this particular sandwich is its sheer simplicity. There’s no need to embark on a full-blown cooking session. All the hard work has already been done! With just two slices of your favorite bread and a few minutes of assembly and heating, you can transform your fridge’s contents into a gourmet experience. This recipe is wonderfully adaptable to your kitchen setup. If you’re lucky enough to own a toaster oven, you can easily bypass the pan-grilled method for an equally satisfying result. And don’t fret if you don’t have a specific ingredient like goat cheese; any soft, melty cheese you have on hand will work beautifully. Similarly, fresh sage or basil can be substituted with other greens or simply omitted – the core flavors are robust enough to shine through. If you opt for delicate salad greens, remember to add them after toasting for that perfect fresh crunch.
It genuinely is that straightforward. This recipe is about maximizing flavor with minimal effort, celebrating the convenience and deliciousness of your holiday spread.
Harmonizing Holiday Flavors in Every Bite
The magic of this Thanksgiving leftover sandwich lies in how effortlessly all the unique holiday flavors coalesce. The savory depth of the vegetarian meatloaf finds its perfect companion in the bright, sweet, and slightly tart cranberry sauce. It’s a classic pairing that transcends the dinner table and truly shines when nestled between two slices of toasted bread. The addition of a soft, tangy cheese – like a creamy vegan goat cheese or a mild vegan feta – cuts through the sweetness of the cranberry, providing a delightful balance and a luscious texture. This interplay of sweet, savory, and tangy notes is what makes each bite so incredibly satisfying.
Fresh greens, such as basil or sage, don’t just add a pop of color; they introduce a subtle, earthy flavor that grounds the richness of the other components, offering a refreshing neutrality. And let’s not forget the crucial touch of vegan butter on the bread. This seemingly small detail is paramount for achieving that irresistible, golden-brown crust and a rich, buttery taste reminiscent of your favorite deli sandwiches. It transforms a simple leftover assembly into a gourmet grilled sandwich experience. With such a thoughtful combination of ingredients, you truly can’t go wrong with this beautiful and flavorful creation.
Customization and Tips for Your Perfect Sandwich
One of the greatest joys of a sandwich recipe, especially one designed for leftovers, is its inherent flexibility. While our recipe provides a fantastic baseline, feel free to get creative with what you have!
- Bread Choices: While whole wheat bread offers a hearty foundation, don’t hesitate to experiment with other varieties. Sourdough can add a delightful tang, a rustic baguette offers a chewier texture, or even a soft brioche for a touch of indulgence. For a gluten-free option, simply choose your favorite gluten-free bread.
- Cheese Variations: If vegan goat cheese isn’t available, a slice of smoky vegan provolone, a creamy vegan cheddar, or even a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy umami flavor can be excellent substitutes. The goal is a melty, flavorful component that adds richness.
- Herb & Green Additions: Beyond sage and basil, consider a few sprigs of fresh rosemary for an aromatic twist, or a handful of peppery arugula or delicate spinach for added freshness and a slight bite. Remember to add any delicate greens after the sandwich is toasted to prevent them from wilting excessively.
- Heating Methods: A well-buttered pan over medium heat will give you that classic grilled cheese-like crust. For convenience, a toaster oven or even a panini press will work wonders, ensuring an evenly heated interior and crispy exterior. The key is to heat until the cheese is melty and the meatloaf is warm through.
To achieve the ultimate vegetarian meatloaf sandwich, here are a few extra tips:
- Even Slices: Ensure your vegetarian meatloaf is sliced evenly for consistent heating and a well-structured sandwich.
- Don’t Overstuff: While tempting to pack it high, an overly stuffed sandwich can be difficult to manage and may not heat through properly.
- Butter Both Sides: Brushing vegan butter on the outside of both slices of bread is crucial for that perfect golden crisp and rich flavor.
- Serve Warm: This sandwich is best enjoyed immediately after preparation, while the cheese is gooey and the bread is perfectly toasted.
P.S. Here are some of the items I used to make this recipe if you’d like to use them too:
| WHAT YOU’LL NEED // SHOP MY FAVORITE INGREDIENTS & PREP PRODUCTS |
This sandwich is more than just a quick meal; it’s a celebration of comfort food, a testament to culinary creativity, and a delicious way to extend the joy of your Thanksgiving feast. It’s hearty enough for a main course, yet quick enough for a satisfying snack. Make this a new tradition in your household, and prepare to fall in love with your Thanksgiving leftovers all over again.
If you try this Vegetarian Meatloaf and Cranberry Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich, please let me know in the comment section below, or tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #jessicainthekitchen! For more exclusive recipes, follow me on Instagram AND on Snapchat: jessinkitchen.
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Vegetarian Meatloaf and Cranberry Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich
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Ingredients
Vegetarian Meatloaf and Cranberry Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich
- 2 slices whole wheat bread, or bread of choice
- 1/2 tablespoon vegan butter, optional
- 3 tablespoons cranberry sauce
- 1 slice vegan meatloaf
- 1 tablespoon soft vegan cheese, like a vegan goat cheese or soft vegan feta
- 1 slice vegan mozzarella cheese
- A few slices sage/basil
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme
- chopped parsley
Instructions
Vegetarian Meatloaf and Cranberry Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich
- Butter each outer side of each slide of bread with the vegan butter.
- Spread the inside of the slices with the cranberry, sauce.
Layering Process:
- Crumble the meatloaf and top cranberry sauce, then the cheese, then the sage/basil, thyme and parsley. Add second slice on top.
- In a pan over medium heat, add the sandwich. Heat through until slice is toasted and sandwich is warm. Flip and do the same for the second slice until sandwich is hot.
- Remove, slice in half or quarters and enjoy!
Notes
- TO MAKE IT GLUTEN FREE Just use gluten free bread! You can even make a gluten free cornbread loaf
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.