Thanksgiving Potato Skins with Turkey, Stuffing, and Cranberry Sauce Recipe

If you’re anything like me, you love finding creative ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers that actually taste amazing. This Thanksgiving Potato Skins with Turkey, Stuffing, and Cranberry Sauce Recipe is absolutely fan-freaking-tastic—crispy potato skins loaded with all those classic holiday flavors in every bite. It’s the perfect little indulgence when you want something quick but still feels festive and special. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll wonder why leftover turkey and stuffing aren’t part of regular snacking!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient works together to recreate those classic Thanksgiving flavors in bite-sized form. When you grab your potatoes, go for russet—they crisp up beautifully. And don’t skip the sharp white cheddar; it adds a fantastic tang that balances the richness.

• Russet potatoes: Choose firm, small to medium-sized for evenly cooked, crispy skins.
• Extra-virgin olive oil: Gives the skins a gorgeous golden finish without overpowering the flavor.
• Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the flavors.
• Leftover mashed potatoes: Helps keep the filling soft and creamy—don’t throw those away!
• Leftover turkey: Shredded or chopped, it’s the protein star of this recipe.
• Leftover stuffing: Adds moistness and those fragrant herbs and spices we all adore.
• Sharp white cheddar: Melts beautifully and gives a rich, tangy punch.
• Cranberry sauce: The sweet-tart contrast is what makes this recipe sing.
• Chives: A fresh garnish that adds color and a mild oniony bite.

Variations

I love that this recipe is super adaptable depending on what leftovers you have or your dietary preferences. Feel free to tweak the components to suit your taste or what’s hanging out in your fridge!

• Use turkey sausage instead of leftover turkey: I tried this once when I didn’t have turkey on hand, and the flavors were still spot on.
• Swap cheddar for pepper jack: For a little kick, pepper jack brings a delicious spicy note that pairs well with the cranberry sauce.
• Make it vegetarian: Replace turkey with sautéed mushrooms and use veggie stuffing for a meatless twist that still nails that cozy vibe.
• Add a drizzle of gravy: If you want to turn up the comfort factor, a spoonful of warm gravy on top makes everyone swoon.

How to Make Thanksgiving Potato Skins with Turkey, Stuffing, and Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Roast the Potatoes Until Tender

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F. Scrub those russet potatoes clean and poke each one 5 or 6 times with a fork—that helps steam escape during baking. Pop them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for about 50 to 60 minutes, or until you can easily slide a knife in without resistance. This step is key to getting skins crispy but insides tender. Once done, let them cool on the baking sheet—warm potatoes are easier to handle.

Step 2: Scoop Out the Potato Flesh and Prep the Skins

Slice each potato in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, gently scoop out most of the potato flesh, leaving about a 1/4-inch border so the skins hold their shape. Don’t toss that potato flesh—it’s perfect for another mash or soup! Brush the inside and outside of each potato skin lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle with kosher salt. This little step ensures maximum crispiness and flavor.

Step 3: Crisp the Skins in the Oven

Lower the oven temperature to 400°F now. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and arrange the potato skins skin side down—this lets the air get around them so they crisp without getting soggy. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes until they just begin to crisp up. Let them cool slightly before filling; otherwise, the filling step can get messy!

Step 4: Load Up with Leftover Goodness

Now comes the fun part. Layer each potato skin with mashed potatoes first, then turkey, and finish with stuffing. Top everything with that gorgeous sharp cheddar cheese. Pop them back in the oven and roast for about 15 minutes, until the cheese melts and the filling is warmed through. Your kitchen will smell like the holidays in no time!

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Arrange your loaded potato skins on a platter, dollop each with a spoonful of cranberry sauce, and sprinkle with sliced chives for freshness and color. These bites are perfect for sharing, snacking, or even serving as a fun appetizer before your main meal.

How to Serve Thanksgiving Potato Skins with Turkey, Stuffing, and Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I always top with cranberry sauce because it adds a burst of sweetness and tang that balances the savory layers. Fresh chives are my go-to garnish for color and a fresh bite—sometimes I even add a dollop of sour cream for extra creaminess.

Side Dishes

These potato skins are great as an appetizer or side, so I love pairing them with a crisp green salad with vinaigrette to cut through the richness, or some roasted Brussels sprouts. They also play nicely alongside a bowl of creamy butternut squash soup.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve served these in mini muffin tins for perfect individual portions, making them easy for guests to grab. Another time, I layered them on a festive platter with fresh herbs and cranberries scattered around—picture-perfect and seriously tempting!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’ve got leftovers (not that I think there will be many!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually layer parchment between potato skins if stacking to keep them from sticking together.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these before by wrapping them tightly in foil and placing in a freezer-safe container. They hold up well for about a month—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To crisp them back up, I reheat in a 375°F oven on a baking sheet for about 15 minutes. This revives the crispy edges and melts the cheese nicely without making the skins soggy like a microwave might.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Thanksgiving Potato Skins with Turkey, Stuffing, and Cranberry Sauce Recipe truly became a holiday favorite in my house. It’s such a fun way to breathe new life into leftovers and enjoy all those comforting flavors in one crispy, cheesy bite. I hope you have as much fun making and eating these as I do sharing them with my family and friends—give it a try, and I promise it’ll become your go-to Thanksgiving leftover hack too!

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