How to use up Christmas leftovers

Even when festivities are over, there's no need to throw away any food. These are our top tips for using up Christmas leftovers.

If you've still got a mound of food left in the fridge on Boxing Day, don't worry – there are plenty of delicious things you can make, from turkey pies to Christmas pudding crumbles, after the big day.

Turkey

Turkey, chorizo and avocado hash

Incorporating leftover roast potatoes and turkey, this spicy breakfast dish is sure to tempt you out of bed on a cold morning.

Turkey, chorizo and avocado hash (Image: Sainsbury's/loveFOOD)
Sainsbury's/loveFOOD

Leftover turkey sandwich with gravy mayo

Salty, spicy and savoury, this couldn't more well suited for a lazy Boxing Day lunch. Filled with crunchy salted crisps, spicy Tabasco sauce and savoury mayonnaise made with leftover gravy, it's the ultimate turkey sandwich.

Turkey and squash laksa

Add Malaysian flavours to shredded turkey in a sweet and sour coconut noodle soup that takes just 45 minutes to make.

Turkey and squash laksa (Image: Waitrose & Partners/loveFOOD)
Waitrose & Partners/loveFOOD

Turkey and ham casserole

You can make this simple casserole with either turkey, ham or chicken, or a mixture, and the topping is made from stuffing ingredients that comes out of the oven wonderfully crunchy. Although this recipe uses just peas and spinach for the filling alongside the meat, you could also use up any leftover root veg like carrots or Brussels sprouts.

Ham and other meats

Boxing Day pie

An excellent chuck-it-all-in recipe, this Boxing Day pie incorporates pretty much all the leftovers from your Christmas dinner, including any cooked meat, cooked vegetables and even bread sauce.

Ham and egg linguine

Leftover gammon, quick-to-cook linguine and a silky poached egg come together in this comforting dish that's ready in under 20 minutes.

Leftover ham and egg linguine (Image: )
Waitrose & Partners/loveFOOD

Goose vindaloo

This is a fantastic and seasonal recipe where goose breast takes centre stage. You can use any leftover goose meat for this dish and pair it with a Brussels sprout and chestnut thoran – a dry vegetable curry.

Christmas mac 'n' cheese

Not only can you throw all the odds and ends from your Christmas cheeseboard into this mac 'n' cheese, you can also add leftover turkey, pigs in blankets and stuffing.

Christmas mac 'n' cheese (Image: Sainsbury's/loveFOOD)
Sainsbury's/loveFOOD

Vegetables

Comté and Brussels sprouts gratin

Nutty Comté and sprouts are a match made in heaven. Add pancetta and thyme, and you're heading for leftover perfection.

Comte and Brussels sprouts gratin (Image: Comté Recipes/loveFOOD)
Comté Recipes/loveFOOD

Spanish potato and egg hash

This simple one-pan traybake is a doddle to make and will use up leftover potatoes. Just skip the first step of roasting the potatoes separately and you'll have a delicious breakfast or brunch dish ready in just over 20 minutes.

Leftover vegetable tart

The perfect solution for using up leftover vegetables: turn them into a delicious shortcrust tart with Cheddar, goats' cheese or blue cheese.

Leftover vegetable tart (Image: Waitrose & Partners/loveFOOD)
Waitrose & Partners/loveFOOD

Desserts

Christmas pudding crumble

This ingenious recipe uses leftover Christmas pudding in the topping for a spiced Bramley apple crumble.

Christmas pudding crumble (Image: Sainsbury's/loveFOOD)
Sainsbury's/loveFOOD

Panettone bread and butter pudding

Made with leftover panettone you might have lingering around after Christmas, this recipe is a great way of using up any bits left uneaten. Served with an aromatic spiced clementine sauce, it'll fill the house with lovely seasonal aromas of citrus and spice too.