Day After Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

by Rachelon Nov 23, 2014 (updated Feb 5, 2024) 17 comments

Day After Thanksgiving Recipes (1)

I’m sure you have your Thanksgiving menu set, but what about the day after or the weekend after for that matter? You need leftover ideas! Ditch the standard turkey noodle soup this year and try something new!

Below are some personal favorites that either call for Thanksgiving leftovers in the ingredients OR you can very easily swap out chicken for turkey and have an easy and tasty new recipe. From pizza, to pasta and lots of slow cooker soup recipes, I have you covered! And in addition to those delicious must make lunch and dinner ideas, I have a bunch of flavorful breakfast recipes for you too! It’s the most important meal of the day, let’s make it count!

Easy and flavorful food to enjoy while you recuperate from Black Friday shopping, hosting Thanksgiving or just while you’re lounging around enjoying the day.

**swap out chicken for leftover turkey in all of the below recipes!

PIZZA:

  • Leftover Thanksgiving turkey pizza <<-- lots of leftovers!
  • Three cheese pan pizza
  • Chicken enchilada pizza <<-- a personal favorite. Try it, you'll love it!
  • Taco pizza: two ways
  • Whole wheat buffalo chicken pizza
  • Bacon basil pesto and chicken pizza
  • Loaded mashed potato pizza <<-- leftover mashed potatoes!
  • Cajun chicken pizza
  • Bacon and barbecue chicken pizza
  • Barbecue chicken pizza with bacon and corn <<-- leftover corn!
  • PASTA AND MORE:

  • Barbecue chicken enchiladas
  • Spinach ricotta stuffed shells
  • Spicy sausage lasagna
  • Pesto chicken lasagna rolls
  • Parmesan potato bread <<-- leftover mashed potatoes!
  • Southwestern chili taco salad with chipotle ranch dressing
  • SLOW COOKER:

  • Thanksgiving turkey and mashed potato chowder
  • Turkey and stuffing dumpling soup
  • Turkey and potato chowder
  • Chicken tortilla soup <<-- The absolute best. If you haven't tried it yet, you must!
  • Chicken pie soup
  • Chicken enchilada soup
  • Pumpkin beer chili
  • Spicy white chicken chili
  • Beef and white bean stew <<-- In case you're looking for something other than turkey!
  • Two bean buffalo chicken chili
  • New England clam chowder
  • Italian wedding soup
  • Loaded potato soup <<-- Like your favorite loaded potato but in soup form!
  • BREAKFAST:

  • Pumpkin streusel muffins
  • Apple cider donut muffins <<-- You have to try these!
  • Funfetti cake batter pancakes
  • Overnight apple gingerbread cinnamon rolls <<-- Super easy, moist and FULL of flavor!
  • Biscoff granola
  • Apple pumpkin gingerbread muffins
  • Make ahead freezer waffles <<-- Prep it, freeze it and toast it when you want some!
  • Perfect breakfast potatoes
  • STILL HUNGRY?
    Check out my Leftovers Pinterest board for even more tasty ideas!

    Recipe Roundups

    by Rachel on Nov 23, 2014 (updated Feb 5, 2024)

    17 comments Leave a comment »

    17 comments on “Day After Thanksgiving Recipes”

    1. Emily @ Life on Food Reply

      I am hoping there are leftovers come Friday. Great list!

      • Rachel

        Thanks Emily! Here’s to hoping :)

    2. Julie @ Table for Two Reply

      Love these ideas! I’m going to have to show MIL and see if she’ll want to make some of these :) I’m leaning towards maybe one of each..haha just kidding – she’d flip out. But that pizza is high on my list!!

      • Rachel

        Yes, you must!! :) I may have to steal some leftovers from my mom to make some more pizza this weekend ;)

    3. Amy+@+A+Healthy+Life+For+Me Reply

      Nice round up!!

    4. Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet Reply

      Your pizza is definitely one of my favorite ideas for Thanksgiving leftovers! Loving this round up! Pinned!

      • Rachel

        Thanks Anna!

    5. nicole+@+I+am+a+Honey+Bee Reply

      such a good list! And it reminds me that I have have to make pizza soon. It’s been too long

    6. Amanda Reply

      This is a great list!

      • Rachel

        Thanks Amanda!

    7. Amy (Savory Moments) Reply

      These all sound delicious – I love all the different pizzas you have here! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

      • Rachel

        Thanks Amy!

    8. Jocelyn@Brucrewlife Reply

      Such a fantastic list, girl! :) There’s a recipe for everything!

      • Rachel

        Thanks Jocelyn!

    9. Kris Marie Reply

      Hi, do you have an email link so I can sign up for recipes? I’ve spent two hours looking at all your splendid recipes!! I’m going to make the pumpkin snack cake today! Thank you, Rachel!

      • Rachel

        So glad you’ve found me! As far as the link goes…you’ll need to access my site via desktop to see the email subscribe option, which is located on the right side of your screen and at the very bottom. Follow the requested steps, including any opt-in or check your email type steps. Enjoy the snack cake!! :)

    Leave a comment »

    Day After Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    What to make for dinner after Thanksgiving? ›

    11 Light Meals to Help You Reset After Thanksgiving
    • Cauliflower Fried Rice. ...
    • Smoky Chickpea, Red Lentil & Vegetable Soup. ...
    • Shrimp Saganaki (Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes & Feta) ...
    • Thai-Inspired Chicken & Rice Noodle Soup. ...
    • Turkey Meatloaf. ...
    • Tuna Poke Bowls. ...
    • Thai-Style Minced Chicken Lettuce Cups. ...
    • Chicken Curry.

    What is made from Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

    Instead, try turning your leftovers into a casserole, like our turkey divan, our chicken stuffing casserole, or our turkey pot pie; a soup, like our turkey noodle soup, our leftover turkey & wild rice soup, or our homemade turkey stock (made from your turkey carcass); or something lighter or more flavorful than before, ...

    How to deal with Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

    The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.

    How long after Thanksgiving is it safe to eat the ham? ›

    Those popular spiral-cut hams or any store-wrapped cooked ham will last three to four days in the fridge. Cooked country hams will last a bit longer, up to a week. Do: Wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigerating. If you choose to freeze, it will be good for one to two months.

    What to do the day after Thanksgiving? ›

    7 Fun Things to Do After Thanksgiving
    • Host a game night. Ask guests to bring their favorite board game. ...
    • Head outdoors. ...
    • Create a family scrapbook. ...
    • Write thankful letters. ...
    • Decorate for the holidays. ...
    • Volunteer together. ...
    • Organize a talent show.

    What is an alternative to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner? ›

    So go ahead and shake things up this Thanksgiving with one of these flavorful alternatives to cooking up a whole bird this year, like mushroom, Gruyère, & spinach-stuffed pork tenderloin, vegan mushroom pot pie, or a juicy prime rib. We're not sure how it happened, but Team Delish is all about a Thanksgiving lasagna.

    What is the day after Thanksgiving usually called? ›

    Black Friday, the day following Thanksgiving, has evolved into one of the busiest shopping days in the United States. Contrary to popular belief that the term originated from businesses going from "in the red" to "in the black" in profits after Thanksgiving, it actually traces back to 1960s Philadelphia.

    What two food items were not present at the original Thanksgiving? ›

    It is also worth noting what was not present at the first Thanksgiving feast. There were no cloudlike heaps of mashed potatoes, since white potatoes had not yet crossed over from South America. There was no gravy either, since the colonists didn't yet have mills to produce flour.

    What are 4 commonly consumed foods at Thanksgiving other than turkey? ›

    Cornish game hen, goose, duck, ham, beef, salmon, and mushroom recipes make worthy centerpieces for holiday meals.

    How do you recover the day after Thanksgiving? ›

    How to recover from a Thanksgiving feast
    1. Don't try to “make up for” your feast with a famine. ...
    2. Give away the leftovers! ...
    3. Forego the food courts on post-Thanksgiving shopping days. ...
    4. Don't forget your water bottle. ...
    5. Keep up with exercise. ...
    6. Get plenty of sleep.
    Nov 25, 2023

    What percentage of people prefer Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

    Apparently I'm in the minority, as this poll reported that 80 percent of Americans prefer the leftover version.

    What is the best way to reheat Thanksgiving leftovers? ›

    Transfer the turkey and mashed potatoes into oven-safe dishes, add a little stock to the turkey and butter to the potatoes, and cover both dishes. Reheat them together for about 30 minutes at 350°F. You're winning the leftover dinner game right now.

    Why is my deli ham slimy but smells fine? ›

    Get rid of it. Slimy, super-wet, or oily textures on the outside of your ham might indicate bacteria growth. Juice can just be congealed oils, so use your senses to see if anything else is off. Slimy ham that's growing bacteria will usually have a smell that indicates spoilage.

    Is a 2 year old frozen ham still good? ›

    Freezer storage time is for quality only. Frozen hams remain safe indefinitely. For more information, see Ham and Food Safety.

    Can 7 day old ham be eaten? ›

    Once you open a package of ham, or if it comes open — like if it was sliced at the deli counter— you can safely eat your leftovers for up to five days. In addition to these dates, it's always best to stick to the use-by date printed on the ham's package.

    What do you need after a big meal on Thanksgiving? ›

    Wait 30 minutes and take a walk

    Getting in some movement can help alleviate sleepiness and the feeling of fullness. Plus, after an indulgent meal and a day inside, getting some fresh air can be just what you need.

    What to make for a thank you dinner? ›

    Thank You For Dinner
    1. Apple Cider Chicken Marsala with Wild Rice Pilaf. Tatia Monroe. ...
    2. 45 of My Favorite Fall Dinners! ...
    3. Pumpkin Risotto with Bacon & Parmesan - The Original Dish. ...
    4. Red Wine Beef Stew with Potatoes and Carrots Recipe | The Feedfeed. ...
    5. Bandeja Paisa Recipe. ...
    6. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions.

    How do you recover from Thanksgiving dinner? ›

    5 Ways to Have Better Digestion
    1. Start with Hydration: Begin your post-meal recovery by sipping on water or herbal tea. ...
    2. Gentle Movement: After your meal, consider going for a leisurely walk with family and friends. ...
    3. Herbal Assistance: Certain herbs have been used for digestion relief for centuries.

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