Thanksgiving Egg Rolls: A Deliciously Unexpected Holiday Appetizer

Thanksgiving is a time for tradition, family, and, of course, an abundance of food. But sometimes, it’s fun to shake things up a bit and introduce a surprising new element to the feast. Enter the Thanksgiving Egg Roll – a crispy, savory appetizer that takes all the best flavors of Thanksgiving dinner and wraps them up in a delightful, portable package. This isn’t your typical Asian-inspired egg roll; this is a full-blown Thanksgiving celebration disguised as finger food!

These egg rolls are guaranteed to be a conversation starter and a crowd-pleaser. They’re a fantastic way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers (although they’re so good, you might want to make them from scratch!). Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to make, even if you’re not an expert in the kitchen.

## Why Thanksgiving Egg Rolls?

* **Unique and Fun:** They offer a playful twist on classic Thanksgiving flavors, adding an element of surprise to your holiday meal.
* **Perfect Appetizer:** They’re easy to handle and eat, making them ideal for parties and gatherings.
* **Great for Leftovers:** They’re a fantastic way to repurpose leftover turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and more.
* **Customizable:** You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your taste and dietary preferences.
* **Surprisingly Delicious:** The combination of savory Thanksgiving flavors and the crispy egg roll wrapper is simply irresistible.

## Ingredients:

This recipe is easily adaptable based on your Thanksgiving leftovers or what you prefer. The following is a suggested list of ingredients, but feel free to get creative!

* **Egg Roll Wrappers:** One package (about 20-25 wrappers). Spring roll wrappers can also be used for a lighter, crispier option.
* **Turkey:** 2 cups, cooked and shredded or diced. Leftover roasted turkey is perfect.
* **Stuffing:** 2 cups, cooked. Any type of stuffing will work, from classic bread stuffing to cornbread stuffing.
* **Mashed Potatoes:** 1 cup. Smooth, creamy mashed potatoes are best.
* **Cranberry Sauce:** ½ cup. Jellied or whole berry cranberry sauce both work well. If using jellied, consider chopping it up a bit.
* **Gravy:** ½ cup (plus extra for dipping). Turkey gravy is traditional, but chicken or vegetarian gravy can also be used.
* **Butter:** 2 tablespoons, melted.
* **Vegetable Oil:** For frying.
* **Optional Add-ins:**
* Cooked and crumbled sausage
* Cooked and diced sweet potatoes
* Green beans, chopped
* Corn kernels
* Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
* Chopped pecans or walnuts
* Fresh herbs (sage, thyme, parsley), chopped

## Equipment:

* Large skillet or deep fryer
* Large bowl
* Small bowl
* Whisk or fork
* Pastry brush (optional)
* Slotted spoon or tongs
* Paper towels

## Instructions:

Follow these detailed instructions to create the perfect Thanksgiving Egg Rolls:

### 1. Prepare the Filling:

* In a large bowl, combine the shredded or diced turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. Gently mix everything together until well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the filling mushy.
* If you’re using any optional add-ins, incorporate them into the filling at this stage. For example, you might add crumbled sausage, diced sweet potatoes, or chopped green beans. Taste the filling and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add a pinch of salt, pepper, or a dash of poultry seasoning.
* Add ½ cup of gravy to the filling. This will help bind the ingredients together and add moisture. If the filling seems too dry, add a little more gravy until it reaches a slightly sticky consistency. The filling should be moist enough to hold its shape but not so wet that it makes the egg roll wrappers soggy.

### 2. Assemble the Egg Rolls:

* Set up your workstation. Place the egg roll wrappers on a clean, dry surface. Have the bowl of filling within easy reach, along with a small bowl of water (this will be used to seal the egg rolls).
* Take one egg roll wrapper and position it so that one corner is pointing towards you (like a diamond). This is important for getting the correct folding pattern.
* Place about 2-3 tablespoons of filling in the center of the wrapper. Be careful not to overfill the wrapper, as this will make it difficult to seal and could cause it to burst during frying. A little goes a long way!
* Fold the bottom corner of the wrapper up and over the filling. Tuck it in tightly, pressing gently to secure the filling.
* Fold in the two side corners towards the center, overlapping them slightly. This creates a neat, enclosed package.
* Dab the top corner of the wrapper with a little water. This will act as a glue to seal the egg roll.
* Roll the egg roll up tightly, starting from the folded bottom corner and continuing until you reach the top corner. Press firmly to seal the edge. You should now have a tightly rolled egg roll.
* Repeat this process with the remaining wrappers and filling. As you finish each egg roll, place it on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Cover the finished egg rolls with a damp paper towel to keep them from drying out.

### 3. Fry the Egg Rolls:

* Pour enough vegetable oil into a large skillet or deep fryer to reach a depth of about 2-3 inches. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches a temperature of 350-375°F (175-190°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the oil by dropping a small piece of egg roll wrapper into it. If the wrapper sizzles and turns golden brown within a few seconds, the oil is ready.
* Carefully place a few egg rolls into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the skillet or fryer. Overcrowding will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy egg rolls.
* Fry the egg rolls for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to turn them over occasionally, ensuring they cook evenly on all sides.
* Remove the fried egg rolls from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain off any excess oil. This will help them stay crispy.
* Repeat this process with the remaining egg rolls, frying them in batches until they are all cooked.

### 4. Serve and Enjoy:

* Serve the Thanksgiving Egg Rolls hot, with extra gravy for dipping. You can also offer other dipping sauces, such as cranberry sauce, sweet chili sauce, or a spicy mayo.
* Garnish the egg rolls with fresh herbs, such as chopped parsley or sage, for a pop of color and flavor.
* Enjoy these delicious and unexpected Thanksgiving appetizers with your family and friends!

## Tips and Variations:

* **Baking Option:** For a healthier alternative, you can bake the egg rolls instead of frying them. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the assembled egg rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush them with melted butter or olive oil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy, turning them over halfway through the baking time. While they won’t be quite as crispy as fried egg rolls, they’ll still be delicious.
* **Air Fryer Option:** Air frying is another great way to get crispy egg rolls with less oil. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the assembled egg rolls in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy, flipping them over halfway through the cooking time.
* **Vegetarian/Vegan Option:** To make vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving Egg Rolls, simply substitute the turkey with cooked and crumbled plant-based sausage or tofu. Make sure to use vegetable broth or a vegan gravy alternative. You can also add extra vegetables to the filling, such as mushrooms, carrots, or celery.
* **Make-Ahead Option:** You can assemble the egg rolls ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before frying or baking. Be sure to cover them tightly with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out. You can also freeze the assembled egg rolls for longer storage. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. When ready to cook, fry or bake them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the filling for a spicy kick.
* **Sweet and Savory:** Drizzle the finished egg rolls with a little maple syrup or honey for a sweet and savory twist.
* **Dipping Sauce Variations:** Experiment with different dipping sauces to find your favorite combination. Some other great options include: honey mustard, ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or a spicy peanut sauce.

## Thanksgiving Egg Roll Recipe Card

**Yields:** Approximately 20-25 egg rolls
**Prep time:** 30 minutes
**Cook time:** 20 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1 package egg roll wrappers
* 2 cups cooked and shredded turkey
* 2 cups cooked stuffing
* 1 cup mashed potatoes
* ½ cup cranberry sauce
* ½ cup gravy (plus extra for dipping)
* 2 tablespoons melted butter
* Vegetable oil for frying
* Optional add-ins: sausage, sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, cheese, nuts, fresh herbs

**Instructions:**

1. Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, and any optional add-ins. Mix well.
2. Assemble the egg rolls: Place an egg roll wrapper on a clean surface with one corner pointing towards you. Place 2-3 tablespoons of filling in the center. Fold the bottom corner over the filling, then fold in the side corners. Dab the top corner with water and roll up tightly to seal.
3. Fry the egg rolls: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet or deep fryer to 350-375°F (175-190°C). Fry the egg rolls in batches for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
4. Serve and enjoy: Serve hot with extra gravy for dipping.

**Notes:**

* For baking, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush egg rolls with melted butter and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
* For air frying, preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Cook egg rolls for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown, flipping halfway through.
* Customize the filling with your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers or ingredients.

## Final Thoughts

Thanksgiving Egg Rolls are a fun, creative, and delicious way to celebrate the holiday. They’re perfect for using up leftovers, impressing your guests, and adding a touch of whimsy to your Thanksgiving feast. So, this year, why not try something new and give these Thanksgiving Egg Rolls a try? You might just start a new Thanksgiving tradition!

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!