Delectable Gobbler Cobbler: A Thanksgiving Leftover Transformation

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and chances are, your refrigerator is overflowing with delicious leftovers. While turkey sandwiches are a classic, let’s face it, they can get a little monotonous after a while. So, what to do with all that leftover turkey, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce? The answer: **Gobbler Cobbler!**

This isn’t your grandma’s fruit cobbler. Think savory, comforting, and utterly satisfying. Gobbler Cobbler is a creative and incredibly flavorful way to repurpose your Thanksgiving feast into a brand new culinary masterpiece. It’s essentially a turkey pot pie with a rustic, biscuit-like topping, packed with all the familiar flavors of Thanksgiving in every bite.

This guide will walk you through a step-by-step recipe for creating the ultimate Gobbler Cobbler, complete with tips, tricks, and variations to suit your taste.

## What is Gobbler Cobbler?

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s clarify what we mean by Gobbler Cobbler. Imagine a traditional pot pie, but instead of chicken or beef, the filling is a medley of leftover Thanksgiving goodness. We’re talking shredded turkey, savory stuffing, flavorful gravy, and a touch of sweet-tart cranberry sauce. This flavorful mixture is then topped with a golden-brown, biscuit-like crust, creating a comforting and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a post-Thanksgiving meal.

The beauty of Gobbler Cobbler lies in its versatility. You can customize the filling to your liking, using whatever leftovers you have on hand. And the crust can be made from scratch or, for a quicker option, you can use store-bought biscuit dough.

## Why You’ll Love Gobbler Cobbler

* **Delicious and Flavorful:** Gobbler Cobbler is packed with the comforting flavors of Thanksgiving, making it a truly satisfying meal.
* **Creative Use of Leftovers:** Say goodbye to food waste! This recipe transforms your Thanksgiving leftovers into a brand new and exciting dish.
* **Easy to Customize:** The filling and crust can be easily adapted to your liking, making it a versatile recipe for any palate.
* **Comfort Food at its Finest:** A warm and hearty dish that’s perfect for a chilly evening.
* **Impress Your Guests:** Show off your culinary creativity with this unique and unexpected recipe.

## The Ultimate Gobbler Cobbler Recipe

Here’s a detailed recipe for making a Gobbler Cobbler that will have everyone asking for seconds:

**Prep Time:** 30 minutes

**Cook Time:** 45 minutes

**Yields:** 6-8 servings

**Ingredients:**

**For the Filling:**

* 4 cups shredded cooked turkey (leftover Thanksgiving turkey)
* 2 cups leftover stuffing, crumbled
* 2 cups leftover gravy (turkey gravy or chicken gravy)
* 1 cup leftover cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied)
* 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn), fresh or frozen
* 1/2 cup chopped onion
* 1/2 cup chopped celery
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening gravy)
* 1/2 cup chicken broth (if gravy is too thick)

**For the Biscuit Topping:**

* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 tablespoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* 3/4 cup milk (or buttermilk for a tangier flavor)
* 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash, optional)
* 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash, optional)

**Equipment:**

* Large skillet or Dutch oven
* 9×13 inch baking dish (or similar size)
* Mixing bowls
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Pastry blender or fork (for biscuit topping)

**Instructions:**

**1. Prepare the Filling:**

* **Sauté Vegetables:** In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and celery and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
* **Add Turkey and Seasonings:** Add the shredded turkey, crumbled stuffing, mixed vegetables, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
* **Incorporate Gravy and Cranberry Sauce:** Pour in the leftover gravy and cranberry sauce. Stir gently to incorporate all the ingredients. If the gravy is too thick, add a little chicken broth to thin it out to your desired consistency.
* **Thicken (Optional):** If you prefer a thicker filling, whisk the flour with a little cold water to create a slurry. Gradually add the slurry to the skillet, stirring constantly, until the filling thickens slightly. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat.
* **Taste and Adjust:** Taste the filling and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, thyme, or sage to your liking.

**2. Prepare the Biscuit Topping:**

* **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
* **Cut in the Butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter should be in small, visible pieces.
* **Add the Milk:** Gradually add the milk to the flour mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix the dough. It should be slightly sticky.
* **Shape the Biscuits:** Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat the dough into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Use a biscuit cutter or a knife to cut out biscuits. You can also simply drop spoonfuls of dough onto the filling for a more rustic look.

**3. Assemble and Bake:**

* **Pour Filling into Baking Dish:** Pour the turkey filling into the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
* **Arrange Biscuits on Top:** Arrange the biscuits on top of the filling, leaving a small space between each biscuit.
* **Egg Wash (Optional):** In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Brush the tops of the biscuits with the egg wash for a golden-brown finish.
* **Bake:** Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30-45 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Start checking at 30 minutes and tent with foil if the biscuits are browning too quickly.
* **Let Cool:** Let the Gobbler Cobbler cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. This will allow the filling to set slightly.

**4. Serve and Enjoy:**

* Serve the Gobbler Cobbler warm, either on its own or with a side salad. Garnish with fresh herbs, such as parsley or thyme, if desired.
* Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

## Tips and Tricks for the Best Gobbler Cobbler

* **Don’t Overmix the Biscuit Dough:** Overmixing will result in tough biscuits. Mix the dough until just combined.
* **Use Cold Butter:** Cold butter is essential for creating flaky biscuits. Make sure the butter is very cold before cutting it into the flour.
* **Adjust the Seasonings:** Taste the filling and adjust the seasonings to your liking. Don’t be afraid to add more salt, pepper, or herbs.
* **Use Store-Bought Biscuit Dough (for a quicker option):** If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought biscuit dough instead of making it from scratch. Just be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly.
* **Add Cheese:** For an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese or Gruyere cheese over the filling before adding the biscuit topping.
* **Make it Spicy:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the filling for a little heat.
* **Use Different Vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables to the filling, such as green beans, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes.
* **Cranberry Sauce Swirl:** For a beautiful presentation and added burst of flavor, swirl a little extra cranberry sauce over the filling before topping with the biscuits.
* **Herbs:** Fresh herbs like sage, thyme, rosemary and parsley can add great flavor to this dish.

## Variations and Adaptations

The beauty of Gobbler Cobbler is that it’s incredibly versatile. You can easily adapt the recipe to your liking, using whatever leftovers you have on hand.

Here are a few ideas for variations:

* **Sweet Potato Gobbler Cobbler:** Add cooked sweet potatoes to the filling for a touch of sweetness.
* **Green Bean Gobbler Cobbler:** Add cooked green beans to the filling for added texture and flavor.
* **Brussels Sprouts Gobbler Cobbler:** Add shredded Brussels sprouts to the filling for a unique and flavorful twist.
* **Stuffing Variations:** Experiment with different types of stuffing. Cornbread stuffing, sausage stuffing, or wild rice stuffing would all work well.
* **Crust Variations:** Instead of biscuit dough, you can use puff pastry, pie crust, or even mashed potatoes for the topping.
* **Vegan Gobbler Cobbler:** Use plant-based turkey substitutes, vegetable broth instead of gravy, and vegan biscuit dough for a completely vegan version.

## Serving Suggestions

Gobbler Cobbler is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a side salad or a simple vegetable dish.

Here are a few serving suggestions:

* **Green Salad:** A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing will provide a refreshing contrast to the rich and savory cobbler.
* **Roasted Vegetables:** Roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts, are a healthy and flavorful side dish.
* **Mashed Sweet Potatoes:** Mashed sweet potatoes add a touch of sweetness to the meal.
* **Extra Gravy:** Serve with a side of warm gravy for dipping.
* **Cranberry Sauce:** Offer extra cranberry sauce for those who like a sweeter flavor.

## Storage and Reheating

* **Storage:** Store leftover Gobbler Cobbler in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the cobbler in the oven or microwave. To reheat in the oven, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. To reheat in the microwave, heat on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.

## Conclusion

Gobbler Cobbler is a delicious, creative, and easy way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers. It’s a comforting and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a post-Thanksgiving meal. With its customizable filling and rustic biscuit topping, Gobbler Cobbler is sure to become a new family favorite. So, gather your leftovers, preheat your oven, and get ready to transform your Thanksgiving feast into a culinary masterpiece!

Enjoy your Gobbler Cobbler! This recipe brings new life and excitement to the traditional Thanksgiving leftovers. It is a definite crowd pleaser, so gather those leftovers and create something new and wonderful today. You will be so glad you did!