Easy Leftover Thanksgiving Stuffing Hot Dogs

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Indulge in these insanely good leftover Thanksgiving Stuffing Hot Dogs, loaded with savory stuffing, zippy mustard, and gooey melted cheese. The perfect post-Thanksgiving day meal to please a crowd!

The age-old question…what to do with all those Thanksgiving leftovers? At my house, we certainly love round two, three, and maybe even round four of the classic Thanksgiving feast. But by the fifth meal, we need some creative ways to shove the same old stuffing down our kids’ throats. Enter: Leftover Thanksgiving Stuffing Hot Dogs.

Blending one of the most popular American savory treats with iconic Thanksgiving stuffing is a no-brainer.  This combination of savory hot dogs, moist stuffing, tangy mustard, and gooey American Cheese is so delicious you may just replace the Turkey.

Ingredient Notes:

• HOT DOGS. I typically go with uncured Beef franks, but use your favorite. Vegetarian Hot Dogs work great too.
• BUNS: I recommend a sturdier bun like a Hoagie Bun or Sausage Roll. These have a better structure to hold it all together and are larger so they can hold more stuffing (more stuffing is always better).
• AMERICAN CHEESE. Trust me. This makes it. But if you really can’t stand the stuff standard cheddar will work too.
• MUSTARD. Plain Yellow mustard will give you that nice tangy zip of a traditional hot dog. But my favorite Thanksgiving mustard is Beaver Cranberry Mustard. It’s sweet, tangy, and oh-so delicious!

How to make leftover Thanksgiving Stuffing Hot Dogs:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Add your hot dogs to a skillet on the stove and brown. If they are not fully cooked, be sure to follow the instructions on the package for cooking them first.
3. Meanwhile, re-heat your leftover stuffing.
4. Coat the inside of the buns with mayonnaise and arrange them open-face on a parchment-lined baking sheet. I love the Nordicware baking sheet, and use it for everything!
5. Slice your browned hot dogs lengthwise and place them on top of the buns
6. Add a generous helping of stuffing on top.
7. Cut American cheese slices into strips and place 3-4 strips on top of the stuffing.
8. Toast in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges are browned and toasty.
9. Remove from oven and add the mustard, green onions, and dill relish if desired.
10. Serve immediately.

Now after serving your guests the umpteenth meal with a smile, be sure to take some time out and refresh yourself with a Cranberry Cinnamon Whiskey Sour. You’ll be thankful you did.

Common Questions:

What stuffing is best?

For leftover Thanksgiving stuffing hot dogs I recommend traditional simple stuffing. It is honestly the best for this recipe, as it has all the classic Thanksgiving stuffing flavors and is easy to make. Opting for a recipe with small, dried breadcrumbs will work better for loading it in your hot dog and keeping it there. Large chunks of bread tend to get a bit unruly and also tend to be drier. Using sourdough or cornbread stuffing will also result in a different flavor profile, so be aware of this.

Personally, I am a fan of using a boxed stuffing mix (basically just pre-seasoned dried breadcrumbs) and adding fresh onions and celery. This saves so much time, which is essential on such a busy cooking day. Mrs. Cubbison’s is my favorite stuffing mix, and you can find it at most grocery stores. It’s super easy to make and tastes great in this leftover Thanksgiving Stuffing Hot Dog recipe.

Stuffing Fun Facts:

• About 50% of Americans stuff their Thanksgiving birds with stuffing.
• November 21st is National Stuffing Day.
• The brand Stove Top introduced their famous boxed stuffing in 1972.
• There is no evidence to support that stuffing was served at the first Thanksgiving. For more Thanksgiving history check out the First Thanksgiving Meal from The History Channel.

How long is leftover stuffing good for?

You should probably eat it within 4 days (stored properly in the fridge) for optimum freshness, though I know I’ve gone longer. This recipe is perfect for stuffing that is 3-4 days old.

Is this recipe good for a crowd?

Yes! You can make one hot dog for yourself or easily serve 6 or more at a time depending on the size of the baking tray you are using and how tightly you squeeze them in. This is a great post-Thanksgiving meal to serve all those relatives still hanging around.

Can this recipe be made Vegan?

Yes. Assuming you already made vegan stuffing…just substitute the hot dogs, cheese, and mayo for vegan varieties that you prefer. Leftover Thanksgiving stuffing hot dogs are super easy to customize to please everyone at the table.

Don’t forget to serve up some Apple Pie for dessert. And if you need another easy crowd pleaser this Reese’s Pieces Caramel Popcorn recipe is super quick and easy to make in large batches.

Now Milton, let's not be greedy. Share it!