Christmas leftovers recipes are the best part of the day after the feast, when the fridge is full and nobody wants to cook. The turkey, ham, roast potatoes, vegetables and even the Christmas pudding can all become delicious second meals with a little imagination. These twelve ideas turn what is left of Christmas dinner into lunches and suppers that feel like new dishes rather than repeats.

Key Facts

• Use cooked turkey and ham within: 3 to 4 days in the fridge
• Use cooked vegetables and stuffing within: 3 to 4 days in the fridge
• Freeze leftovers within: 1 to 2 days of cooking, for best quality
• Reheating rule: heat leftovers until steaming hot throughout, and reheat only once
• Best first step: divide leftovers into meal-sized portions before refrigerating
• Golden rule: when in doubt about a leftover, throw it out

Before You Start: Store Leftovers Safely

Good leftovers cooking starts with how you store the food. Cool cooked food quickly — within two hours of serving — and get it into the fridge in shallow, covered containers. Shallow containers cool faster, which keeps food safer. Carve the turkey off the bone before storing it, and keep stuffing separate.

Knowing how long each item keeps is the key to planning your meals. The official cold food storage chart from FoodSafety.gov lists storage times for cooked meat, poultry, ham, pies and leftovers, and it is the most reliable reference to check before you cook. As a general guide, cooked turkey, ham and most leftovers keep for 3 to 4 days in the fridge, and 2 to 6 months in the freezer. Label containers with the date so there is no guessing later.

1. Bubble and Squeak

The classic Boxing Day dish, and still one of the best Christmas leftovers recipes. Mash leftover roast potatoes with leftover cabbage, sprouts or other cooked vegetables, season well, and fry in a little butter or oil until crisp and golden. Press the mixture down firmly, leave it alone so a crust forms, then flip it in sections and fry the other side. Serve with a fried egg on top, or alongside cold ham and pickles.

2. Turkey Curry

A mild, creamy curry is the kindest thing you can do to leftover turkey. Fry an onion, garlic and ginger, add a spoonful of curry paste or powder, then stir in a tin of chopped tomatoes and a splash of coconut milk or cream. Add shredded turkey and simmer gently until heated through. Serve with rice or warm naan bread.

3. Christmas Ham and Cheese Pie

Leftover ham makes a rich, satisfying pie. Dice the ham, mix it with a little leftover cheese sauce or a simple white sauce, and add any leftover leeks, mushrooms or peas. Spoon the mixture into a pie dish, cover with shortcrust or puff pastry, and bake until golden. If you made the ham from our Christmas ham recipe, the glazed edges add a lovely sweetness to the filling. A slice of this pie with a green salad makes an easy lunch.

4. Turkey and Stuffing Sandwich, Done Properly

The Christmas sandwich deserves more care than cold turkey slapped between two slices of bread. Warm the turkey gently in a little gravy, spread cranberry sauce on one slice and a little mayonnaise on the other, and layer in stuffing, a slice of cold roast potato cut thin, and a few leaves of salad. Toasting the bread first keeps it from going soggy, and warming the filling makes the whole thing taste freshly made. This is the sandwich to make when guests drop by.

5. Festive Soup From Roast Vegetables

Roast parsnips, carrots, sprouts and potatoes blend into a wonderful soup. Warm a little butter or oil in a large pan, add the vegetables with a chopped onion, pour in stock, and simmer for 15 minutes before blending until smooth. A swirl of cream and some crumbled leftover stuffing on top turn it into something special. This soup freezes well, so make a big batch.

6. Turkey Tetrazzini

This comforting pasta bake uses up turkey, mushrooms and any leftover cream or cheese sauce. Cook spaghetti, then toss it with shredded turkey, sliced mushrooms softened in butter, and a creamy sauce made from milk, stock and grated cheese. Tip it into a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and extra cheese, and bake until bubbling and golden. It feeds a crowd and reheats well.

7. Ham and Potato Hash

Dice leftover ham and roast potatoes, fry them together in a hot pan with a chopped onion and a little oil, and let the potatoes crisp up before turning. Add leftover sprouts or cabbage for colour and flavour. Make a well in the middle of each portion and crack in an egg, then cover the pan until the egg is just set. This is a hearty breakfast that uses up a surprising amount of leftovers in one pan.

8. Christmas Pudding Ice Cream

Leftover Christmas pudding should never be wasted. Crumble it into softly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, fold in a spoonful of brandy butter if you have it, and freeze in a lined loaf tin. Sliced and served with a little warm custard or a drizzle of caramel sauce, it tastes like a completely new dessert. The same trick works with crumbled mince pies or leftover Christmas cake.

9. Turkey Fried Rice

Cold rice is the secret to good fried rice, and the days after Christmas usually provide it. Fry a chopped onion, garlic and any leftover vegetables in a little oil, push them to the side of the pan, scramble an egg, then add the rice and shredded turkey. Season with soy sauce, a little sesame oil and a pinch of chilli flakes. It is quick, filling and a welcome change from rich festive food.

10. Boxing Day Ploughman’s Board

When nobody wants to cook, a ploughman’s board is the answer. Arrange cold ham and turkey, cheese, pickles, chutney, bread, apples and leftover roast potatoes on a large board and let everyone help themselves. Add a few slices of Christmas cake or mince pies for the sweet side of the board. It takes ten minutes to assemble and uses up a little of everything at once.

11. Stuffing-Stuffed Mushrooms

Large flat mushrooms make excellent cups for leftover stuffing. Remove the stalks, brush the mushrooms with oil, fill them generously with stuffing mixed with a little grated cheese, and bake until the mushrooms are tender and the tops are golden. They work as a light lunch with a salad.

12. Turkey and Cranberry Quesadillas

A quick, crowd-pleasing way to use up the last of the turkey and cranberry sauce. Lay a tortilla flat, scatter shredded turkey and grated cheese over half of it, add a spoonful of cranberry sauce, fold it over and fry in a dry pan until crisp and the cheese has melted. Cut into wedges and serve with a little soured cream. It is ready in minutes.

What to Freeze and What to Eat First

Eat dishes containing stuffing, gravy and cooked vegetables first, as they keep for only 3 to 4 days. Plain cooked turkey and ham freeze well: wrap portions tightly, label them with the date, and use them within 2 to 6 months. Soups, curries and pasta bakes also freeze well and make easy meals for January evenings. Do not freeze food that has already been reheated once, and never refreeze food that has been thawed and cooked again. Our Christmas dinner menu helps you cook the right quantities in the first place.

Our Thanksgiving leftovers recipes use many of the same ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Christmas leftovers last in the fridge?

Cooked turkey, ham, stuffing and most cooked vegetables keep for 3 to 4 days in the fridge, stored in covered containers. Check the FoodSafety.gov cold food storage chart for specific items, and throw out anything that has been left out for more than two hours.

Can I freeze leftover turkey?

Yes. Carve the meat off the bone, divide it into meal-sized portions, wrap tightly and freeze within 1 to 2 days of cooking. It keeps well for 2 to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and use within a day or two.

How many times can I reheat Christmas leftovers?

Reheat leftovers only once, and heat them until steaming hot all the way through. Do not reheat the same food a second time, and never reheat food that has been sitting at room temperature for hours.

What can I do with leftover Christmas pudding?

Crumble it into ice cream, fold it into a trifle with custard and cream, or warm slices gently and serve with brandy butter. It also freezes well in slices for later.

Is it safe to eat stuffing cooked inside the turkey?

Stuffing cooked inside the bird needs to reach a safe temperature throughout, and leftovers should be removed from the turkey and stored separately.

What is the best way to use up leftover ham?

Ham is one of the most versatile leftovers. Use it in a pie, a hash, a soup, sandwiches or a ploughman’s board.