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Brilliant Christmas Leftover Ideas To Use Everything
Is your fridge packed with containers of delicious food, but your energy for cooking is completely gone? You’re not alone. After the big feast, facing a mountain of Christmas leftovers can feel more like a chore than a blessing, and the thought of wasting precious food feels terrible.
Christmas Leftover Recipes are dishes specifically designed to creatively repurpose the food remaining after your holiday meal. This guide is your solution to that overwhelming feeling. We’ll turn that chore into an exciting culinary opportunity, helping you reduce food waste and save money without spending hours in the kitchen.
This guide offers brilliant, easy recipes to transform everything from turkey and ham to vegetables and even the cheese board into new, exciting dishes. You will discover how to reinvent your holiday food into comforting pies, speedy weeknight dinners, and even fun tacos. Get ready to look at your leftovers with fresh eyes.
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Feeling Overwhelmed by a Fridge Full of Holiday Food?
The post-Christmas food dilemma is real. You have a fridge packed with precious leftovers, but your motivation for complex cooking has vanished. That feeling of being overwhelmed is completely valid. The last thing you want is for that delicious turkey, ham, and all the trimmings to go to waste, but the thought of another huge cooking session is exhausting.
This is where the magic of creative recipes comes in. Forget just reheating a plate of the same meal. We’re talking about simple, delicious transformations. This collection of brilliant ideas is designed to make using your Christmas leftovers easy and exciting. Think of it not as a problem to solve, but as a chance to create effortless, festive leftover meals that keep the holiday spirit alive without the stress.
9 Brilliant Christmas Leftover Ideas To Use Everything Up
Here you’ll find a fantastic collection of recipes for Christmas leftovers, from comforting classics to clever new twists. Each idea is designed to be simple and use up as much of your existing holiday food as possible. We’ve covered everything from leftover turkey and ham to roast potatoes, brussels sprouts, and even the cheese board.
- 1. The Ultimate Comfort: Classic Leftover Turkey & Ham Pie
- 2. Speedy Ham & Veg Fried Rice
- 3. Crispy Roast Potato & Stuffing Hash
- 4. Creamy & Quick Brussels Sprout & Bacon Pasta
- 5. 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Glazed Meatballs
- 6. Genius Pigs in Blankets Tacos
- 7. The Ultimate Boxing Day Sandwich
- 8. Decadent 5-Cheese Board Mac & Cheese
- 9. Easy No-Bake Christmas Pudding Trifle
1. The Ultimate Comfort: Classic Leftover Turkey & Ham Pie
Pin this comforting pie recipe for a rainy day!
This Boxing Day pie recipe is the perfect all-in-one solution. It combines your shredded leftover turkey, diced ham, and any remaining vegetables in a rich, creamy filling made from leftover gravy. Topped with a flaky puff pastry crust, it’s the ultimate comforting meal that uses up multiple leftovers in one go.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups chopped leftover turkey
- 1 cup diced leftover ham or gammon
- 1 cup leftover mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, sprouts)
- 1 ½ cups leftover gravy, warmed (or a quick white sauce)
- 1 sheet of ready-rolled puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten, for egg wash
- A high-quality, 9-inch deep-fill ceramic pie dish
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, gently mix the leftover turkey, ham, and vegetables.
- Pour over the warm gravy and stir until everything is coated. If your gravy is very thick, add a splash of milk or stock.
- Spoon the filling into your pie dish.
- Lay the puff pastry sheet over the top and trim the edges. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
- Brush the pastry all over with the beaten egg and make a couple of small slits in the top for steam to escape.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot.
Pro-Tip: If you don’t have enough gravy, make a quick roux with 2 tbsp each of butter and flour, then slowly whisk in 1 ½ cups of warm milk until thickened. Season well with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
2. Speedy Ham & Veg Fried Rice
Save this 15-minute dinner idea!
When you need a quick leftover meal, this is it. This flavorful fried rice comes together in minutes and is perfect for using up savory diced ham and any finely chopped leftover vegetables. The key is using cold, day-old rice and a hot wok to get that perfect texture.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced leftover ham
- 1 cup finely chopped leftover vegetables (carrots, parsnips, sprouts, peas)
- 3 cups cooked and chilled rice (day-old rice works best)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- A large, high-heat carbon steel wok or skillet
Instructions:
- Heat the sesame oil in the wok over high heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the diced ham and chopped vegetables, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Add the cold rice to the wok, breaking up any clumps with your spoon. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the rice is hot.
- Drizzle over the soy sauce and oyster sauce, tossing everything to combine well.
- Push the rice to one side of the wok. Pour the beaten eggs into the empty side and scramble until just cooked.
- Mix the scrambled egg into the rice and serve immediately, garnished with sliced spring onions.
Lesson Learned: Using cold, day-old rice is the secret to perfect fried rice. Warm or freshly cooked rice will turn mushy.
3. Crispy Roast Potato & Stuffing Hash
Pin this perfect Boxing Day brunch recipe!
This breakfast hash is the ultimate Boxing Day brunch. It transforms leftover roast potatoes and savory stuffing into a crispy, satisfying meal. By pressing the mixture into a hot skillet, you create an irresistible golden-brown crust. Topped with a fried egg with a runny yolk, it’s a simple and delicious way to start the day.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups chopped leftover roast potatoes
- 1 cup crumbled leftover stuffing
- 2-4 eggs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- A 12-inch heavy-bottomed non-stick skillet
Instructions:
- Heat the olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add the chopped roast potatoes and crumbled stuffing to the skillet. Use a spatula to press the mixture down into an even layer.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes without stirring to allow a crispy, golden-brown crust to form on the bottom.
- Flip the hash in sections and cook for another 5 minutes until crispy all over.
- While the hash is cooking, fry the eggs in a separate pan to your liking.
- Season the hash with salt and pepper, then serve immediately topped with a fried egg.
Pro-Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan. A single, even layer is crucial for getting those delicious crispy bits. If you have a lot of leftovers, cook the hash in two batches.
4. Creamy & Quick Brussels Sprout & Bacon Pasta
Save this recipe to finally use up those sprouts!
This inventive pasta dish is the answer to the question “what to do with leftover brussels sprouts?” By shredding the cooked sprouts and pairing them with crispy, salty bacon in a rich cream sauce, you create an easy leftover dinner that’s surprisingly delicious. It’s a fantastic way to win over anyone who thinks they don’t like sprouts.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta (tagliatelle or pappardelle work well)
- 4 strips of bacon or pancetta, diced
- 1 cup leftover Brussels sprouts, finely shredded or chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- A high-sided sauté pan perfect for tossing pasta
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions.
- While the pasta cooks, add the diced bacon to a large, cold sauté pan. Cook over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Add the shredded sprouts and minced garlic to the bacon fat. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the sprouts are wilted and tender.
- Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir gently and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Just before draining the pasta, reserve about ½ cup of the starchy cooking water.
- Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the cream sauce. Add the crispy bacon back in.
- Add a splash of the reserved pasta water and toss everything together until the pasta is coated in a glossy sauce. Serve immediately with lots of grated Parmesan.
Lesson Learned: Shredding the leftover sprouts helps them integrate into the sauce perfectly and mellows their flavor, converting even sprout-haters.
5. 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Glazed Meatballs
Pin this incredibly easy appetizer hack!
Have half a jar of cranberry sauce you don’t know what to do with? This is one of the easiest leftover cranberry sauce uses you’ll find. It’s a simple “dump and go” slow cooker appetizer that combines leftover cranberry sauce, chili sauce, and frozen meatballs to create a sweet and tangy crowd-pleaser with minimal effort.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup leftover cranberry sauce
- 1 cup chili sauce (the kind found near the ketchup)
- 1 bag (approx. 24 oz) of frozen, pre-cooked meatballs
- A 2-quart or similar small slow cooker
Instructions:
- In the basin of your slow cooker, whisk together the leftover cranberry sauce and the chili sauce until well combined.
- Add the frozen meatballs and stir gently to coat them all in the sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours, until the meatballs are heated through.
- Stir once or twice during cooking if possible.
- Set the slow cooker to “warm” and serve the meatballs directly from the pot with toothpicks for an easy party appetizer.
Pro-Tip: For a smokier flavor, add a tablespoon of your favorite BBQ sauce to the cranberry and chili sauce mixture.
6. Genius Pigs in Blankets Tacos
Save this fun and unexpected leftover taco idea!
For a truly creative leftover recipe, try these Christmas tacos. This fun and non-traditional idea uses chopped pigs in blankets as the “meat” filling. Paired with melted Brie and a quick salsa made from leftover cranberry sauce, it’s a delicious fusion of festive and fun.
Ingredients:
- 8-10 leftover pigs in blankets, roughly chopped
- 6 small flour or corn tortillas
- 4 oz Brie cheese, sliced
- For the Cranberry Salsa: ½ cup leftover cranberry sauce, 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 small jalapeño (finely diced, optional)
- Shredded lettuce for serving
- Taco holder stands for easy assembly and serving
Instructions:
- First, make the quick cranberry salsa by mixing the cranberry sauce, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapeño in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Warm the chopped pigs in blankets in a dry skillet over medium heat until heated through.
- Warm the tortillas one by one in the same skillet or in the microwave.
- To assemble, lay a slice or two of Brie cheese on each warm tortilla. Top with a spoonful of the warm, chopped pigs in blankets. The heat will soften the cheese.
- Top with shredded lettuce and a generous drizzle of the cranberry salsa.
- Serve immediately, using taco holders to keep them upright.
Lesson Learned: The combination of salty bacon, savory sausage, creamy brie, and sweet-tart cranberry salsa is surprisingly delicious. Don’t skip the fresh cilantro and lime juice—they cut through the richness.
7. The Ultimate Boxing Day Sandwich
Pin the only Boxing Day sandwich recipe you’ll ever need!
It’s not truly Boxing Day without the ultimate leftover turkey sandwich. This recipe shows you how to build the perfect Christmas sandwich, layering thick slices of turkey, herby stuffing, and sweet cranberry sauce between sturdy, toasted bread. For the full experience, serve it with a small pot of warm leftover gravy for dipping.
Ingredients:
- 2 thick slices of sturdy bread (sourdough or bloomer is great)
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- A handful of lettuce or rocket
- 3-4 thick slices of leftover turkey
- 2 tbsp leftover cranberry sauce
- 2-3 tbsp leftover stuffing, warmed slightly
- Optional: sliced leftover ham, a slice of cheese, crispy bacon
- A small pot of warm leftover gravy for dipping
- A countertop panini press for the perfect melt and toast
Instructions:
- Lightly toast your bread slices.
- Spread mayonnaise on one slice of the toasted bread and top with the lettuce.
- On the other slice of bread, spread the cranberry sauce.
- Layer the turkey (and ham/bacon, if using) onto the mayonnaise-covered slice.
- Gently crumble or spread the warm stuffing over the turkey.
- Place the cranberry sauce-covered slice on top to complete the sandwich.
- For a truly decadent experience, press the entire sandwich in a panini press until golden and the fillings are warm.
- Cut the sandwich in half diagonally and serve immediately with a pot of hot gravy for dipping.
Pro-Tip: The secret to the best leftover sandwich is the “moist-maker”—a middle slice of bread soaked in gravy. If you’re building a true monster sandwich, add this layer for ultimate flavor and moisture.
8. Decadent 5-Cheese Board Mac & Cheese
Save this genius idea for your leftover cheese board!
Don’t let those small, awkward pieces from your Christmas cheese board go to waste! This leftover mac and cheese recipe is the perfect way to use them up. By grating a mix of cheeses into a creamy béchamel sauce, you create a dish with an incredible depth of flavor. Topped with crispy breadcrumbs and baked until golden, it’s the ultimate comfort food.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk, warmed
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 ½ cups grated leftover cheese (a mix of cheddar, brie without the rind, stilton, etc.)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs for topping
- An oven-safe 10-inch cast iron skillet for a rustic bake
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente, then drain.
- While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large saucepan or the cast iron skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to make a roux.
- Gradually pour in the warm milk, whisking constantly until the sauce is smooth and thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and 2 cups of the grated cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is velvety.
- Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
- If using a skillet, top the mac and cheese with the remaining ½ cup of cheese and the Panko breadcrumbs. If you used a saucepan, transfer to a baking dish first.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Lesson Learned: Don’t be afraid to mix strong cheeses like stilton or other blue cheeses with milder ones like cheddar or brie. The mix creates an incredible depth of flavor you can’t get with a single cheese.
9. Easy No-Bake Christmas Pudding Trifle
Pin this show-stopping dessert hack for your leftover pudding!
Transform your rich, leftover Christmas pudding into a light and elegant no-bake dessert. This Christmas trifle recipe layers crumbled pudding with ready-made custard, fruit, and whipped cream for a show-stopping finale that requires no cooking at all. It’s a fantastic way to give your leftover dessert a new lease on life.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups crumbled leftover Christmas pudding or cake
- 2-3 tbsp sherry, brandy, or orange juice (optional)
- 1 large can of mandarin oranges or a punnet of fresh raspberries
- 2 cups ready-made thick vanilla custard
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- A classic large glass trifle bowl to show off the layers
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Arrange half of the crumbled Christmas pudding in the bottom of the trifle bowl. Drizzle with half of the sherry or orange juice, if using.
- Layer half of the fruit over the pudding, followed by half of the custard.
- Spread half of the whipped cream over the custard layer.
- Repeat the layers: the remaining pudding (and sherry), the remaining fruit, the remaining custard, and finally, top with the remaining whipped cream.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Before serving, you can decorate the top with chocolate shavings, toasted almonds, or a few festive sprinkles.
Pro-Tip: For the best-looking layers, use a spatula to gently spread the custard and cream right to the edges of the glass bowl. Chilling is essential, as it turns a collection of ingredients into a cohesive, delicious dessert.
Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Using Christmas Leftovers
- Think Transformation, Not Reheating: The best leftover dishes have a new flavor profile. Turn turkey into a pie or curry, and ham into fried rice.
- Embrace All Leftovers: Don’t forget about the sides and extras! Roast potatoes make a fantastic hash, and leftover cheese can be transformed into a decadent mac & cheese.
- Get Creative: Leftovers are a chance to have fun. Try unexpected combinations like pigs in blankets tacos or a Christmas pudding trifle.
- Prioritize Food Safety: Always cool, store, and reheat leftovers properly. When in doubt, it’s better to be safe and discard food.
- The Freezer is Your Friend: If you can’t eat it all in 3-4 days, portion leftovers and freeze them for easy meals in November.
People Also Ask About Christmas Leftovers
How long are Christmas leftovers good for?
Generally, Christmas leftovers are safe to eat for 3 to 4 days when stored correctly in an airtight container in a refrigerator set to 40°F (4°C) or below. You should always cool leftovers as quickly as possible (within 2 hours) before refrigerating to prevent bacterial growth.
What’s the best way to reheat turkey so it doesn’t dry out?
The best way to reheat turkey is low and slow with moisture. Place slices in an oven-safe dish with a splash of leftover gravy or chicken broth, cover with foil, and warm in a 325°F (160°C) oven for about 20 minutes. This method gently reheats the meat while keeping it juicy.
Can you freeze leftover roast potatoes?
Yes, you can freeze leftover roast potatoes, and they reheat surprisingly well. For the best results, let them cool completely, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. Reheat them in a hot oven or an air fryer to make them crispy again.
Is it safe to reheat Christmas leftovers more than once?
No, it is not recommended to reheat leftovers more than once. From a food safety standpoint, each cycle of cooling and reheating increases the risk of harmful bacteria growth. It’s best practice to only take out and reheat the portion you plan to eat.
Final Thoughts
Your Christmas leftovers are more than just remnants of a feast; they’re the building blocks for days of easy, comforting, and inventive meals. By thinking beyond simply reheating, you can reduce food waste, save money, and keep the festive spirit going. We hope these ideas inspire you to look at your packed fridge with excitement instead of dread.
What’s your family’s absolute favorite way to use up Christmas leftovers? Share your traditions and genius hacks in the comments below
Last update on 2025-11-13 at 08:30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
