Thanksgiving is the holiday that keeps on giving. It provides a proper two-fer of anticipation. First, you get to look forward to the actual day, that third November Thursday, a beacon of fowl felicity in the dark, post-Daylight Savings Time days. And then. And then! Friday arrives. It’s time for leftovers.
We're talkin' the Tetris tupperwares of stuffing and mashed potatoes, congealed gravy yearning to be warmed, the cranberry sauce you definitely don't want to eat anymore but also don't want to waste. You can, of course, mix all these beautiful ingredients in a bowl and microwave them for a classic day-after-Thanksgiving pile. Or, you can get creative.
Allow sausage to enter the chat. The Sausage Project's links can go anywhere roasted chicken goes, and and unlike turkey, they stay juicy long after your relatives have left. Follow along with these pseudo-recipes to transform your T-day leftovers into flavor-blasted, eye-popping, expectation-defying wonders that’ll have you rethinking your standard turkey sandwich.
Stuffing Waffles
If you've never waffled your stuffing, you're missing out on one of life's great textural experiences. The waffle iron transforms yesterday's soggy bread situation into crispy, golden-brown ridges and ditches perfect for gravy. If your stuffing already contains sausage (and it really should!), go forth; if not, sauté Italian Herb Chicken Sausage or Classic Roasted Chicken Sausage out of the casing, then crumble it into the mixture.
Make it yourself: Serious Eat's version nails the technique. Pro tip: add a beaten egg to the mix for extra protein and better binding.
The Thanksgiving Dog
This is an obvious move, but it's a correct move nonetheless. Procure a hot dog bun or, if you have them, a trio of still-connected pull-apart rolls. Toast the bread with butter lay down a cooked chicken sausage, and then decorate it with a scoop of warmed stuffing, a drizzle of gravy, and a dollop of cranberry.
Make it yourself: The technique is simple, but if you need inspiration, Brass Pine will show you the way. Add cheese if you're nasty!
Mashed Potato Pierogies
Mix left over pomme puree with some diced Melty Cheddar Chicken Sausage, wrap them in dumpling wrappers (or make your own dough if you're ambitious), then pan-fry them in butter. Serve them with sour cream and caramelized onions for a Polish twist on Thanksgiving flavor.
Make it yourself: Bon Appetit walks you through the basics.
Thanksgiving Poutine
Poutine can be composed of anything as long as it has three things—fries, cheese curds, and gravy—and you already have the gravy. Start with frozen sweet potato fries (or regular fries, or tater tots—we're not your parents), get them nice and crispy, then pile on the good stuff: mashed potatoes (yes, we're encouraging double potatoes), gravy, stuffing, maybe a little cranberry sauce, chicken sausage coins, and cheese curds. Add some turkey too and you’re ⅔ of the way to a turducken poutine!
Make it yourself: Savoring the Good has a good template. Pile high and don't look back.
Thanksgiving Breakfast Hash
There’s fall hash, then there’s this. Dice up some potatoes (or use leftover roasted ones), crisp them up in a pan with butter, then add diced chicken sausage, chopped turkey, and any vegetables that made it to the fridge after dinner (Brussels sprouts, green beans, whatever). Top it with a fried egg and gravy.
Make it yourself: This breakfast hash recipe from Family Food on the Table gives a solid foundation that you can build on.
Turkey, Lentil, and Sausage Soup
This one’s for those among us who want to feel a little lighter after eating so much pie. Strip whatever meat remains from the turkey carcass, then toss the bones into a pot with water and aromatics, and simmer into stock. Once your stock is ready, sauté crumbled chicken sausage in a Dutch oven, then add diced onions, carrots, and celery. Add a cup of dried lentils, and pour in enough stock to cover everything. Simmer for about 20 minutes, until the lentils are tender, then add a few fistfuls of spinach and stir until wilted. Stir in a cup or two of leftover mashed potatoes to thicken the concoction into a hearty stew.
Make it yourself: Get your stock right, and all else will follow.
Thanksgiving Egg Rolls
Crafting the perfect Thanksgiving forkful—a little bit of everything in one magical bite—requires precision. That’s why the day-after turkey sandwich reigns supreme. But hear us out: the humble wonton wrapper might actually be the true hero of Black Friday. Load it up with whatever leftovers made it into the fridge—stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans—and then layer in the secret weapon: strips of Classic Roasted Chicken Sausage, cut to match the wrapper’s length so every bite delivers the perfect poultry pop.
Air-fry until crisp and golden, and suddenly you’ve got a bite-sized Thanksgiving greatest-hits reel. And the coup de grâce? That leftover gravy becomes the dipping sauce of your dreams
Make it yourself: Persnickety Plates has the technique locked up.
Thanksgiving Baked Ziti
Does this make sense? Not really. Does it sound delicious anyway? Ya. Boil and drain some ziti, brown some Italian sausage, then mix it all with chopped turkey, red sauce, and ricotta mixed with leftover mashed potatoes for extra creaminess. Dump it in a baking dish, cover with an unreasonable amount of mozzarella and Parmesan, and bake until it's bubbling and golden.
Make it yourself: AllRecipes has basic ziti instructions that you can adapt.
Deep-Fried Thanksgiving Croquettes
If you happen to have a deep fryer (or a Dutch oven and a thermometer), this is your moment. Take the chicken sausage out of the casing, cook it up, then roll it into balls with any and all leftovers you can get your meaty little fingers on—mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans, stuffing—follow your heart. Coat them in breadcrumbs, and fry until golden and crispy, and hope you've created a croquette better than the sum of its parts.
Make it yourself: Cooking with Chef Brian knows what’s up.
Keep the Feast Going
Thanksgiving leftovers are a gift that keeps going—and with a little creativity (and a pack of The Sausage Project’s juicy links)—they become the best part of the holiday. Throw sausage on a pizza with mounts of potatoes and gravy for sauce. Make a strata with the stuffing and some Italian Herb action for the ultimate recycled breakfast. Throw your cranberry sauce in a puff pastry cup with sausage and cheese for a poppable charcuterie board. The possibilities are truly endless.
No matter your craving, sausage supercharges the classics with flavor, protein, and zero extra stress. With the right sausage and a little kitchen playtime, Thanksgiving can stay delicious all weekend long.