Heinz Launches ‘Friends’-Inspired Leftover Gravy for Sandwiches
Heinz is tapping into a '90s sitcom for its latest product. Inspired by Ross Geller's Moist Maker sandwich from Friends, the company created Leftover Gravy sauce specifically designed for Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches.
The Leftover Gravy, according to Heinz, "transforms the Thanksgiving staple into a condiment perfectly poised for the ultimate leftover sandwich."
Made with real turkey broth and "delivering a rich, smooth, homemade taste," the sauce comes in a squeezable bottle. Heinz says it's the "perfect addition to every feast – and leftover meal," offering a "deliciously nostalgic leftover sandwich" with bread generously soaked in gravy.
"While Heinz Gravy has always been a fan favorite on the Thanksgiving table, we decided to focus our attention on the day after ritual—because we all know leftovers are the best part and our unmistakably rich and smooth gravy makes them that much better," said Jamie Mack, Associate Director of Brand Communications for Heinz U.S.
The company is "celebrating the fans who share an irrational love of the nostalgic sandwich by providing the key to a delicious day-after sandwich."
The Friends Connection
The Moist Maker appeared in Season 5 Episode 9, "The One With Ross' Sandwich." Ross's sister Monica makes it every year using Thanksgiving leftovers. The secret ingredient is "an extra slice of gravy-soaked bread in the middle" that Ross calls the "moist maker."
In the episode, Ross becomes unhinged after someone at work eats his sandwich. The episode aired in 1998. Twenty-seven years later, Heinz decided this warranted a dedicated product.
How to Get It
Heinz's Leftover Gravy sauce launches Tuesday, November 18, in a 12-ounce squeezable bottle exclusively online through Walmart. But there's a catch—it's not for sale individually.
You have to purchase Heinz Homestyle Turkey Gravy for $1.88 first. Only those who buy a jar of regular gravy online will receive a limited-edition Heinz Leftover Gravy Kit with a Leftover Gravy squeezable bottle and a recipe card for the "Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich" for free while supplies last.
"Fans can get a jar of gravy for the big feast and the day after, making it easier than ever to make a leftover sandwich just as craveable as the feast itself," Heinz said.
The Reality Check
Heinz made a special gravy specifically for sandwiches. Regular gravy apparently doesn't work as well on sandwiches, according to this product's existence.
The squeezable bottle is the innovation here. Makes it easier to soak bread with gravy without ladling it from a jar. Revolutionary? Not exactly. Convenient? Sure.
The Friends tie-in is pure nostalgia marketing. The show's been off the air for over 20 years, but Ross's sandwich meltdown remains memorable enough that Heinz thinks it'll sell gravy.
And they're probably right. People love Friends. People love Thanksgiving leftovers. Combining the two through a limited-edition condiment makes sense from a marketing perspective, even if it's just regular gravy in a different bottle with a TV show reference.
Why This Exists
Thanksgiving leftovers are big business. Everyone makes turkey sandwiches the day after. Adding gravy to those sandwiches isn't a new concept—people have been doing it for decades.
Heinz is just packaging it differently and slapping a Friends reference on it. The Leftover Gravy Kit comes with a recipe card for the "Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich," which presumably tells you to put turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy-soaked bread between two slices of bread.
Not exactly revolutionary culinary advice. But it's branded, it's nostalgic, and it's limited edition. That's enough to move product.
The Leftover Sandwich Economy
This product highlights how much food companies focus on Thanksgiving leftovers. Not just the feast itself—the days after when everyone's eating turkey sandwiches and reheated sides.
Heinz already sells regular gravy for Thanksgiving dinner. Now they're selling special gravy specifically for the sandwiches you make afterwards. Different packaging, same basic product, new use case.
Smart? Definitely. Necessary? Questionable. Will people buy it? Probably, because it's limited edition and references a beloved TV show.
The requirement to purchase regular gravy first to get the Leftover Gravy Kit is clever marketing. Forces customers to buy two gravy products instead of one. Can't get the limited edition without buying the regular version first.
The Bottom Line
Heinz made gravy in a squeezable bottle inspired by a sandwich from Friends. Available exclusively through Walmart as a free add-on when you buy regular gravy. Limited quantities, Thanksgiving timing, nostalgia factor.
If you want it, buy Heinz Homestyle Turkey Gravy from Walmart starting November 18. You'll get the Leftover Gravy Kit free while supplies last. Then you can make Ross's Moist Maker sandwich and relive a sitcom moment from 1998.
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