Leftover Thanksgiving Meal Ideas
Still entertaining family and friends after Thanksgiving? Don’t sweat feeding the masses. Use up Thanksgiving leftovers to keep everyone happy. And even keep it healthy! This menu easily fits into the See Daily Recommendations for a Healthy, Balanced Diet
Tip: Eating small, frequent meals (including snacks) is important so adjust your calorie intake by increasing or decreasing your portion sizes at your main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Things to Remember …
Make Half Your Grains Whole
Vary Your Veggies
Focus on Fruits
Consume Calcium-Rich Foods
Go Lean with Protein
| Meal |  |
Ingredients | |
Calories/Serving |
| Breakfast |  |
Bell Pepper & Onion Strata w/Fresh Salsa, Cantaloupe, Coffee, Milk 1 serving Bell Pepper and Onion Strata with Fresh Salsa Use leftover dinner rolls in place of bread, just slice in half or thirds Use leftover veggie tray for the salsa and in the strata 1 cup cantaloupe, diced 1 cup (8oz) coffee 1 cup (8oz) milk, nonfat |
|
377 Calories |
 |
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| Lunch | |
Tarragon & Leftover Turkey Salad, Apple & Fennel Soup, Milk 1 serving Tarragon and Turkey Salad Use leftover turkey in this salad 1 serving Apple and Fennel Soup Substitute chicken broth with homemade turkey broth 1 cup (8oz) milk, nonfat |
|
457 Calories |
|
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| Dinner | |
Spinach & Pesto Pasta, Arugula & Red Onion Salad 1 serving Spinach and Pesto Pasta Use leftover veggies and any cheese from leftover appetizers that suits your taste 1 serving Arugula and Red Onion Salad Mix in leftover salad greens that are not mixed with any dressing 2 cups (16oz) water |
|
598 Calories |
|
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| Snack #1 | |
1 ounce cheddar cheese, reduced-fat 8 wheat cracker, thin style ½ medium apple, sliced 2 cups (16oz) water |
|
210 Calories |
|
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| Snack #2 | |
1 serving Bruschetta with Roasted Sweet Red Peppers Use any leftover crusty bread and slice accordingly 2 cups (16oz) water |
|
249 Calories |
|
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| Snack #3 | |
1 serving Apricot Yogurt Parfaits 1 cup (8oz) tea, decaffeinated |
|
134 Calories |
| Total Calories: 2,024 | ||
| % Fat: 28% % Saturated Fat: 6% % Carbohydrate: 50% % Protein: 21% |
Sodium: 1756 mg Cholesterol: 282 mg Fiber: 33g Vitamin A: 207% Vitamin C: 343% Calcium: 158% |
Grains: 5 ½ ounces Vegetables: 5 ¼ cups Fruits: 3 cups Milk: 3 ½ cups Meat and Beans: 4 ½ ounces |
Visit ChooseMyPlate.gov to determine your daily calorie recommendation.
- Protein: 10-35%
- Carbohydrates: 45-65%
- Fats: 20-35%
- Saturated fat: <10% of calories
- Total fat: <35% of calories (unless naturally occurring)
- Cholesterol: <300 mg
- Sodium: <2,300 mg*
- Fiber: 28g/2,000 calories
- Water: 64 oz/day
*Further reduce intake of sodium to 1,500 mg among persons who are 51 or older and those of any age who are African American or have hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.
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