A Playbook For Thanksgiving Leftovers (For The Culture)

If you're anything like me, then you have already eaten Thanksgiving leftovers for breakfast and lunch today. 

Let’s back up a bit to recap. 

The Anticipation 

Yesterday, the moment we had waited for all year came and went: the last Thursday in November. The sacred day when a forkful of mac and cheese and yams and stuffing piled should have sent you into instant euphoria. The only day to celebrate eating 2nds, 3rds and 4ths (if you’re greedy), eating yourself into a itis coma. Each bite, each chew and each swallow hopefully was savored.

This wasn’t just Sunday dinner on a Thursday; it was Thanksgiving dinner. And if it went well, which I’m sure it did because my tl was proof of that (even though we were all eating the same meal), I know you made it count.

But now that we have that out of the way, a few cultural questions arise: How long do we eat Thanksgiving leftovers? Do we eat them until they’re gone? Or are we one and done with them? 

To understand this cultural dilemma, we have to revisit the rules that we were raised on and hopefully find a solution from there. 

The Rules That Raised Us 

Growing up in my household, there were three rules you were never to break: 

1. No talking or playing during a thunderstorm. (That’s God’s time to handle His business). 

2. No running in and out of the front door (Don’t let the good air out). 

3. Eat all the meat off the chicken (Aka no wasting food).

Now, if you can identify with at least two of the three, then you will understand the weight of this dilemma. Rule # 3 was a punishable offence never to break. Wasting food could get you banished from the kitchen and excommunicated by your family and the ancestors.

A New Day And Era

But it’s 2025, traditions are constantly being ratified, health is wealth and grocery prices are higher than gas prices. What do we really do with leftovers?  

Like many of you, I was raised with the mindset that if it's on your plate or in the refrigerator, then it shouldn't be wasted.  I work hard for that food is what replays in my mind every time I throw away food in the trash can. So my confusion is warranted when I not only hear people say they hate Thanksgiving leftovers, but also when I see people comfortable with throwing food away.

I don't have all the answers, but in true Wallace Lane fashion, I do have a theory, and also a proposed new playbook. (Disclaimer: these are just my thoughts). 

 A Playbook For Leftovers (For The Culture) 

First off: Eat those leftovers!!! Eat again!!! And eat some more! But also realize we are free family. We don’t have to eat ourselves into oblivion anymore. 

Old folks snapped when they said, “ Your eyes are bigger than your stomach.” So indulge in the holiday aftermath, but be aware of your health and fitness goals and your wellness journey. Holidays are hard to bounce back from, and discipline is hard to gain and easy to lose. Simply, be responsible for your leftovers and don’t leftover shame ( yes, I made that word up) anyone else.  

The Revised and Official Leftover Timeline: 

Here it is. Take Notes:

Friday: Peak Day. Plies said it first. This is the peak leftover day when the food will be hitting the most. I’m not sure the science behind it, but it's like this every year. 

Saturday: Borderline Last Day. Thanksgiving leftovers are still fire, but the daunting task of going through the refrigerator and heating everything up slows down the momentum and appetite for them. Saturday is the borderline last day for leftovers.

Sunday: Official Last Day. Considering that Thanksgiving dinner is “Sunday” type food, leftovers are perfectly fine for this day. 

Monday: Expiration Day. That’s between you and God.  

Final Thoughts

Let’s be real, part of the reason we don’t have an affection for leftovers is that there is no anticipation of Thanksgiving food. With the rise in popularity of Friendsgiving and now, with something called Girlfriendsgiving, we're all eating Thanksgiving food for two weeks straight. It’s no wonder we hate leftovers. 

At least now, this timeline gives us a little more structure until next year. 

Bonus

I ate a slice of sweet potato pie for the first time since I was a child yesterday (don’t take my Black card), and it was pretty good.