Christmas is a time of abundance, but once the big day is over, you’re often left with a fridge stuffed with odds and ends. Whether it’s half a turkey, the last wedge of stilton, a handful of roasties or a lonesome slice of panettone, the festive season can quickly become a battle against food waste. And there’s nothing worse than spending your time and money on a glorious Christmas spread, only for half of it to end up in the bin a few days later. What if, instead, you could turn those leftovers into a trove of delicious, thrifty meals that will keep you well fed through to the New Year?
This is your definitive, one-stop guide to Christmas leftovers. Expect a varied, inspired selection of recipes for every leftover ingredient imaginable, from roast chicken and ham to potatoes, red cabbage, Christmas pudding and more. Whether you’re after quick snacks, hearty dinners or inventive desserts, there’s something here for everyone. No more endless turkey sandwiches and bubble & squeak (unless you want them!), no more waste and no more spending on new ingredients when your festive table has already provided plenty!
Scroll on to discover how to transform your Christmas extras into new family favourites, making the most of every last crumb and saving you money.
Leftover turkey
Nothing says Christmas like turkey, and nothing says Boxing Day like working out what to do with all the leftovers. Fortunately, turkey is versatile and lends itself to a huge variety of dishes.
1. Leftover turkey curry
Turn your leftover turkey into a creamy, gently spiced curry. Everything is cooked together in one pan to save on washing-up, and it marks a welcome change from traditional Christmas fare. Serve with rice and naan for a comforting Twixmas meal.
If you like the look of this, you’ll also love our turkey & parsnip curry. Or check out our chicken curry recipes collection for similar ideas.
2. Roast potato, turkey, sausage & stuffing pie
Combine leftover turkey, sausages, stuffing and roast potatoes in a bubbling, golden-topped pie. It’s an all-in-one homage to your Christmas dinner, plus it’s perfect for feeding a crowd.
We have plenty more Christmas pie recipes to revamp your leftovers.
3. Turkey ramen
Give your turkey a restorative twist by adding it to a fragrant broth with noodles, ginger and a jammy egg. This is a warming, nourishing bowl that’s ideal for curling up with during the post-Christmas slump and when you’re sick of eating picky bits.
See our collection of soothing chicken noodle soups for more recipe inspiration.
4. Best ever Christmas leftovers sandwich
Layer up turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing, roasties, pickled red cabbage and cranberry sauce between slices of bread for the ultimate Boxing Day sandwich. You could even serve with a little pot of hot gravy for dipping, if you like.
Try more of our Christmas sandwich recipes, like this oozing pan-fried camembert sandwich.
5. Turkey cobb salad
For something lighter, toss shredded turkey with sliced avocado, boiled eggs, pancetta, tomatoes and chicory. Drizzle over a tangy dressing for a salad that’s both substantial and refreshing.
You can find more seasonal salad ideas in our collection of winter salad recipes.
6. Leftover turkey loaded nachos
Scatter leftover turkey over tortilla chips with jalapeños, cheese and spring onions, repeat in layers then bake until warm and bubbling. Top with soured cream and jalapeños for a relaxed Twixmas diner or festive movie-night snack.
We’ve got plenty more movie night recipes and nacho recipes to choose from.
7. Turkey & lemongrass noodle soup
This vibrant, Asian-inspired noodle soup makes the most of leftover turkey, alongside red Thai curry paste, rice noodles and fresh herbs. Try it for a refreshing Twixmas dinner that’s hot, spicy and crunchy.
Or try our chicken noodle soup as a warming alternative.
8. Turkey pasta bake
Use up your leftover turkey (or chicken) to make this super-comforting and cheesy pasta bake. If there’s any spare from Christmas Day, you can top with a layer of pigs in blankets to take it to another level.
Discover more tried-and-tested pasta bake recipes to add to your repertoire.
9. Christmas leftovers pizza
Make leftover turkey and sausagemeat stuffing the stars of this colourful Christmas pizza – and to make it really easy, use a ready-made pizza base. A handful of other ingredients are all you need to whip up this fun festive mash-up.
Discover even more leftover Christmas turkey recipes.
Leftover ham & gammon
Whether you’ve glazed a whole gammon or simply have a few slices left from the buffet, ham is a brilliant base for hearty family meals.
10. Celeriac hash with ham hock & duck eggs
Rustle up a hearty hash for a fun way to use up lingering ham and root veg. You could try swapping the celeriac for parsnips, potatoes or Jerusalem artichokes, depending on what’s still left in the fridge.
Discover more ways to make a hearty brunch with our comforting hash recipes, including vegetarian, low-carb, gluten-free and Scandi-inspired options.
11. Pea & ham soup
Put your leftover Christmas ham to brilliant use with this simple yet soothing pea and ham soup, made in the slow cooker for extra depth of flavour. This recipe uses just six ingredients, and is best enjoyed with crusty bread for dunking.
See our pea & ham hock soup for a similar soup recipe.
12. Ham, leek & potato pie
Chunks of ham, soft leeks and creamy potatoes encased in golden puff pastry – this is comfort food at its best, and a fantastic way to use up festive leftovers. We’ve opted for a pack of shop-bought puff pastry to cut corners (you probably won’t fancy making pastry during the post-Christmas slump anyway).
Our hearty, deep-filled turkey & ham pie is another brilliant way to use up your leftovers.
13. Boxing Day scones
Bake up a batch of warm cheese and ham scones, perfect for welcoming last-minute guests or serving with soup. They’re a great way to use up both ham/gammon and any leftover cheese from your Christmas board – here we’ve used stilton.
Continue the festive activities with one of our Christmas baking recipes, such as these fudgy Christmas crinkle cookies.
14. Creamy ham & mushroom pasta bake
Mix leftover ham with mushrooms, pasta and a creamy sauce, then bake until golden and bubbling. It’s a family-friendly dish that’s easy to scale up or down, and if you wanted to up the veg content, you could add peas or sweetcorn to the sauce (you can also omit the ham altogether and stir through wilted spinach and crumbled blue cheese).
Dive into our collection of leftover ham recipes for more ways to revamp your leftovers.
Leftover potatoes
Potatoes are a staple of the Christmas table, and they’re just as delicious the next day.
15. Refried roasties
Give leftover roast potatoes a new lease of life by frying them with pickled onions, cayenne and thyme until crispy and golden. These make a simple, moreish snack or side to serve at your Christmas buffet.
See our ultimate collection of roast potato recipes for all your roastie needs.
16. Bubble & squeak cheesy bites
Use up roastie and veg leftovers to make these crispy veggie morsels. Try serving with fried eggs and beans or kimchi for an exciting Twixmas lunch, or simply with ketchup for dunking. This recipe can be easily doubled/halved, plus you can freeze any leftovers.
Bubble & squeak is a classic for a reason. See our full collection of bubble & squeak recipes for plenty of ideas.
17. Bombay potato omelette
Craving spice? Zhuzh up your leftovers by folding roasties into an Indian-inspired omelette, finished with a dollop of yogurt or raita and a drizzle of chilli sauce.
See our full collection of omelette recipes for more ways to rethink leftover ingredients.
18. Baked potato skins with brie & truffle
Roast potatoes get the ultimate Boxing Day makeover with this easy dish from Tom Kerridge. They are transformed into luxury potato skins with brie and truffle – the truffle is optional, but Christmas is a time to indulge, after all.
Left wanting more? Dive into our full collection of leftover potato recipes.
Leftover cheese
The cheeseboard is a Christmas tradition, but there’s always a bit left behind. Don’t let those precious crumbs go to waste!
19. Molten cheeseboard fondue
Turn your cheeseboard leftovers into a retro fondue. Melt them with white wine, mustard and a grating of nutmeg, then dip in bread, veg or even cold meats. It makes perfect party food and it’s ready in just 20 minutes.
See our full collection of fondue recipes for more inspired cheesy creations.
20. Cheeseboard macaroni cheese
Gather up any odds and ends of cheese – cheddar, blue, brie, camembert, you name it – and melt them into a rich, creamy macaroni cheese.
If you like the look of this recipe, you’ll love our cheeseboard mac ’n’ cheese with cracker breadcrumbs, which features a topping made from leftover crackers for extra crunch.
21. Cheeseboard & onion tart
This vegetarian tart sees a mix of blue, creamy and hard cheeses combined with caramelised onions in a pastry case. Try it for a satisfying lunch, dinner or as part of a Christmas buffet.
Discover our selection of vibrant vegetable tarts for more pastry inspiration.
22. Pan-fried camembert sandwich
Oozing with gooey camembert and topped with cranberry sauce for a Christmas kick, this toastie is anything but ordinary. The simplicity of the recipe means it’s ready to eat in around five minutes.
Still experiencing cheese cravings? Browse our full collection of leftover cheese recipes.
Leftover red cabbage & other vegetables
Christmas sides are often the first to be abandoned in the fridge, but they can be the start of something new.
23. Christmas lasagne
This epic festive lasagne does its bit to reduce food waste by using up leftover roasted parsnips. It then takes it to a whole new level, with a cinnamon-spiced beef ragu and a chestnut béchamel. Dark chocolate adds a wonderful richness to the ragu, too.
Like the look of this? Discover more lasagne recipes.
24. Red cabbage, cauliflower & coconut dhal
Transform leftover red cabbage and cauliflower into a nourishing dhal with coconut milk and warming spices. It’s healthy, filling and vegan-friendly, too.
Vegans needn’t miss out at Christmas – our flavourful vegan Christmas recipes, from snacks and mains to puds, ensure they’re catered for.
25. Brussels sprout slaw
If you’ve got a handful of uncooked sprouts left, shred them and toss with red cabbage, carrot and a tangy dressing for a crunchy winter slaw to serve alongside cold cuts on Boxing Day.
Sprout fans are in serious luck with our top collection of Brussels sprout recipes.
26. Root veg lentil bowl with herb pistou
Roast any leftover carrots, parsnips or other roots, then serve over puy lentils with a fresh herb sauce. Try it for a lighter, meat-free option in the days after Christmas.
Discover more lighter meals in our collection of healthy Christmas recipes.
Leftover Christmas pudding, cake & mince pies
The sweet centrepieces of Christmas can be transformed into brand new treats.
27. Christmas pudding trifle
Layer crumbled Christmas pudding leftovers with Grand Marnier-soaked oranges, custard and lightly whipped cream for a truly showstopping dessert. You can make this a day in advance, if you like, and chill until ready to serve.
Trifles are a popular part of Christmas feasting. Take your pick from our ultimate collection of Christmas trifle recipes.
28. Easy Christmas pudding ice cream
Stir chunks of Christmas pudding into homemade vanilla ice cream, then freeze for a rich, fruity treat that keeps well into January. You’ll be extra proud of this one.
If you like the sound of this, you’re guaranteed to love the look of this Christmas ice cream bombe.
29. Rye Christmas pudding cookies
Mix leftover Christmas pudding into rye flour cookie dough for soft biscuits with festive flavour in every bite. Even Christmas pudding sceptics will be swayed by these buttery delights.
Browse our collection of leftover Christmas pudding recipes for more thrifty ideas.
30. Panettone pudding
If your panettone is going stale, soak it in a mix of eggs, cream and vanilla, then bake until golden. Dust with icing sugar and serve with spoonfuls of whipped cream for a luxurious spin on bread-and-butter pudding.
See our guide to the best leftover Christmas desserts for more ideas, including our mince pie cheesecake, mince pie truffles and mince pie brownies.
Tips for using up every last bit
Bread and crackers: blitz stale bread or crackers into breadcrumbs for a great coating for fried or baked fish, or even as a crispy topping for macaroni cheese.
Fruit and nuts: add any leftover dried fruit or nuts to couscous, salads or porridge for a festive twist.
Veg peelings: turn peelings into homemade vegetable crisps or add to stocks for extra flavour.
