After a fun Christmas lunch or dinner on the 25th, it’s inevitable, but we all end up with a fridge full of leftovers.
Instead of throwing away the glazed ham or roast turkey, how about making another meal on Boxing day with what’s left. Because, if you don’t use them, you’ll be binning them – and who wants to waste perfectly good food that you spent hours cooking.
Whether you’re seeking comfort in a toastie after a few too many champagnes the night before, or you’d like a fresh and light salad for lunch, we have you covered with our 15 best Christmas leftover recipes that require minimum prep and cooking.
Best Christmas leftover recipes
1. Breakfast pizza
Swap tomato paste with beetroot relish to pair perfectly with salty ham, gooey egg and fresh herbs.
2. Roast turkey toastie with cranberry and brie
This warm toastie might just be better than the original meal. It’s a great way to use up leftover turkey, but better yet can even use up leftover brie from the cheeseboard!
3. Maple-glazed HLT sandwich
The best sandwiches are the ones someone else makes for you, so don’t be shy – put in your request (Give them this recipe!)
4. Roast lamb, caramelised onion and pea pasta bakes
Forget bubble-and-squeak, this is leftover lamb’s new favourite place to be, tossed in a sauce and relish.
5. Rice bowl with ginger dressing
The secret to this Asian-inspired dressing is pickled ginger and its juice. Great for drizzling over roast chook.
6. Warm roast vegetable and chorizo salad
Big, hearty and full of flavour, with a great crunch of thanks to a handful of mixed nuts from yesterday’s nibbles.
7. Turkey salad with herby hummus
Instead of having a container full of leftover turkey in the fridge, how about making a fresh summer salad with a divine herby hummus.
8. Roast sweet potato and ham salad
A salad that gets rid of leftover glazed ham, roast onion, sweet potato wedges and almonds? Count us in.
9. Boxing Day sundae
Just in case you haven’t had enough of the sweet stuff, these glasses are full of desserts you dreamt of on Christmas Day.
10. Ham and pineapple pizza scrolls
Scroll up, scroll up! Getting bored with the usual Hawaiian pizza but still love the flavour combo? This clever idea will liven things up on Boxing Day and beyond.
11. Ham and zucchini snacks
These irresistible little bites are perfect for using up any leftover ham and vegies in the fridge.
12. Freeform ham and cheese tarts
You can throw almost anything from the fridge (including the Christmas ham or turkey) into these ricotta tarts with their ready-made puff pastry crust.
13. Ham and Potato Rostis
Healthier than deep-fried frozen hash browns, these potato rostis are delicious and packed full of protein, we would say it’s a win-win!
14. Corn fritters with hand‑cut ham and avocado
This is the new big breakfast by Karen Martini! To make it even bigger, add poached eggs.
15. Savoury Ham and Chargrilled Vegetable Bake
The goodness of chargrilled vegetables immersed in a tasty egg-based bake. Yum!
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