Thanksgiving Leftover Paella with Cranberries
Brand Tone and Style said:
Thanksgiving Leftover Paella With Cranberries
A bold, post-Thanksgiving recipe that refuses to settle
The day after Thanksgiving is a crossroads. Most people give in to the predictable routine of reheating yesterday’s meal. But “typical” is exactly what we push against. This is the moment to rethink what leftover turkey recipes can be. To turn leftover stuffing, roasted vegetables, and cold containers into something vivid. Something with purpose. Something that doesn’t play by the usual holiday-reheat rules.
This Thanksgiving Leftover Paella is our answer. A fast, five-minute Rice Blends meal that stands up to every tired next-day recipe. It’s bright. It’s spirited. It’s the evolution of your holiday leftovers. And it proves that real change in the food system begins with the choices we make right now—starting with the ones sitting in your fridge.
If you came looking for easy Thanksgiving leftover recipes, leftover turkey ideas, or a way to turn leftover stuffing and vegetables into something brand new, you’re in the right place. This is how we challenge the status quo.
The Idea
Instead of reheating Thanksgiving leftovers, transform them. Build a dish with color, contrast, and intention. Sweet paprika cuts through the richness. Cranberries bring lift. Broth turns everything warm and grounded. And our Rice Blends tie the whole thing together in minutes.
This isn’t a leftover turkey recipe that feels like settling. It’s a full reset.
Ingredients
Serves five
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2 bags of It’s That Simple Rice Blend
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2 cups cooked turkey pieces, chopped
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2 cups leftover roasted vegetables
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1 cup leftover stuffing, loosely packed
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2 cups turkey or chicken broth
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 cup frozen peas
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1/4 cup dried cranberries
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1 teaspoon sweet paprika
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1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
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Turmeric or a pinch of saffron
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 medium onion, chopped
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
Heat a wide pan on medium and warm the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic. Let them soften and build aroma.
Add the sweet paprika, smoked paprika, and turmeric. Stir to open up the spices.
Fold in the turkey, roasted vegetables, and stuffing. Let them warm together.
Add 2 bags of It’s That Simple Rice Blend and the broth. Give one steady stir so everything spreads evenly. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Keep at medium heat. Rice Blends cook in about five minutes. Leave the pan uncovered. After four minutes sprinkle the peas and cranberries on top so they soften without collapsing.
When the liquid has mostly absorbed and the rice turns tender, turn off the heat and let the paella rest for two minutes. Taste and season with intention.
Serve warm with lemon wedges to brighten every bite.
Why This Dish Matters
You came looking for ways to use leftover turkey, leftover stuffing, and leftover vegetables. But this is more than another post-Thanksgiving recipe. It’s a shift in how we think about food. A push against waste. A reminder that everyday creativity can build something better than what came before.
This is how the movement lives—one purposeful meal at a time.
