After Thanksgiving, nobody wants to look at turkey, stuffing, or mashed potatoes for a while. You’ve done your time with gravy-soaked everything, and it’s time to give your oven and your taste buds a break. This is the time for fast, flavorful dinners that don’t feel like leftovers reincarnated. These meals are bold, quick to make, and won’t remind you of cranberry sauce. Whether it’s one-pan wonders, stir-fries, or takeout favorites you can whip up at home, these recipes will rescue you from the post-holiday food coma.
Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Steak and shrimp fajitas keep it simple with one pan and zero hassle. Ready in 20 minutes, this quick surf-and-turf dinner is great when you’re ready to leave Thanksgiving flavors behind.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Smashed White Bean Quesadillas
These white bean and kale quesadillas are packed with cheddar and topped with creamy BBQ sauce. Perfect for an easy, meatless dinner that doesn’t feel like a repeat of leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Smashed White Bean Quesadillas
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Skip the takeout and let your slow cooker handle dinner. This honey garlic chicken is coated in a sticky-sweet sauce with chunks of pineapple that keep it interesting. It’s an easy win for any weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Fried Chicken Tacos
Crispy fried chicken tacos bring together two favorites: Southern comfort food and Mexican flair. Quick to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken Tacos
Instant Pot Tomato & White Beans
A hearty, no-fuss dinner made in minutes with the Instant Pot. These tomato and white beans are perfect served over toast and are an easy way to switch up your routine after the holiday rush.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Tomato & White Beans
Soba Noodle Pasta
Soba noodles are an easy, budget-friendly dinner. Toss them with onions and a soft-boiled egg for a simple meal that’s perfect when you’ve had enough of heavy holiday spreads.
Get the Recipe: Soba Noodle Pasta
Shrimp Lo Mein
Shrimp lo mein is fast, flavorful, and made in just 20 minutes. With juicy shrimp, veggies, and noodles tossed in a rich sauce, it’s everything you love about takeout without leaving the house.
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Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry
This shaved beef stir fry comes together fast with thinly sliced beef and broccoli tossed in a bold sauce. A quick and easy dinner that beats anything you’d grab to-go.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
Taco-seasoned ground beef, veggies, and one pan—this Mexican skillet is ready in 30 minutes and is great when you need dinner fast and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms come together in this quick stir fry. The Asian-inspired sauce keeps things simple but bold.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Sweet & Sour Tofu
Crispy tofu coated in a sticky sweet-and-sour sauce—this vegetarian takeout favorite is ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for a fast, satisfying dinner at home.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Sour Tofu
Cod Piccata
Cod fillets take on a tangy upgrade with lemon juice, capers, and shallots. A quick pan-fry makes this seafood dinner light but big on flavor—no heavy holiday vibes here.
Get the Recipe: Cod Piccata
Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
A cheesy casserole loaded with ground beef, black beans, peppers, and cauliflower rice. Ready in 40 minutes, this dish is easy to prep and packed with flavor for a no-stress weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
Sausage Stuffed Peppers
Bell peppers stuffed with sausage, spinach, rice, and ricotta, topped with parmesan for a cheesy finish. These are great for a hearty, complete meal that feels fresh and balanced after holiday feasting.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Peppers
Greek Brown Rice Bowls
These bowls combine gyro-inspired lamb, pickled onions, cucumbers, and feta over brown rice. A quick, colorful dinner that’s easy to throw together and a refreshing change from heavier meals.
Get the Recipe: Greek Brown Rice Bowls