What to do with your Christmas leftovers

Traditionally post-Christmas we all enjoy (or endure) the leftovers – turkey sandwiches, turkey curry, whatever weird recipe your cousin saw on then Food Network in the run up to Christmas. Here we explore some imaginative, tasty ways to better use our Christmas dinner leftovers.

Date:

1 December, 2023

Waste not, want not

When Christmas Day is said and done, it’s likely our homes are chock-a-block with leftovers of all kinds. According to research, 7 MILLION tonnes of food is thrown away! This works out as whopping 2 million turkeys, 5 million Christmas puddings and 74 million mince pies. Rather than binning it, we can and should make use of all that food.

Feast your eyes

No matter how many people are around the table, there always seems to be plenty of turkey meat left to chow down on over Boxing Day and beyond. It’s fair to say we all soon tire of turkey sandwiches, so let’s switch it up by experimenting! There’s the hearty next level turkey & ham pie, made easier by using shop-bought pastry (Paul Hollywood doesn’t need to know). If spice is your thing, spicy turkey noodles are a must. This dish is easy to make, plus it’s super quick to whip up in a rush.

Delight the senses

Jamie Oliver has a load of delicious recipes for Christmas leftovers on his website. Here are a few top picks that aren’t too tricky to make.

Cranberry & pistachio nut roast. Perfect for veggies, this dish mixes savoury and sweet for a truly scrumptious outcome.
Turkey sloppy Joes. This mouth-watering American-style burger is an all-in-one cure for Boxing Day hangovers.
Christmas carbonara. A tried and true classic with a festive twist, everyone will love this new take on the pasta dish.
Gluten-free curried veg pie. Leftover veg is always a win, especially when a dash of spice is added.

It's a treat

Do you have a sweet tooth? Try the recipe for these yummy Christmas truffles, which make great gifts for our friends and family. Brookies are another tasty alternative, a combination of cookies and brownies – yummy! Peppermint candy canes are fun, an absolute staple of the festive period with their Christmassy colours. Plus, they’re really easy to make and are perfect for a last-minute snack.

Stuff your face

Here are some more tips on what to do with our leftover Christmas dinners from Tesco.

Mulled wine granite. This frozen dessert is an extra special treat for those with a fondness for festive drink.
Keeping up with the cranberries. Bought too many? There are a million and one ways to use them, from puddings to vodka punch.
Croque madame. A great way to use up gammon and ham, this breakfast meal is stodgy and will keep you warm on a winter’s day.
Cheese galore. We all love a good Christmas cheeseboard, but there’s always a few left untouched – use them in your cooking in place of cheese you’d ordinarily use.

Resource pantry

Below is a list of Christmas leftover resources, from recipes to top tips from professionals.