Ranked: our most irresistible Christmas leftovers recipes

Festive food saviours

If you find yourself with a mountain of festive leftovers, you’re in luck. We’ve got a merry stash of sensational recipes perfect for using up the Christmas turkey, trimmings and even the pudding. With a little planning, some clever tips and a few hero ingredients, you can enjoy days of delicious meals that really do make the most of leftovers and minimise food waste.

Read on to discover 30 genius ways to use up every last scrap of your Christmas meal, counting down to our favourite recipe of all.

30. Turkey and squash laksa

Shredded turkey is given a new lease of life when matched with fragrant Malaysian flavours. This sweet and sour coconut noodle soup calls for shop-bought laksa paste, but if you can’t find it, sub in Thai red curry paste for a similarly delicious result. Don’t forget to add plenty of crunchy vegetables and fresh herbs to really beat the post-Christmas slump.

Get the recipe for turkey and squash laksa here

29. Christmas cottage pie

Those looking for a really comforting meal for the days between Christmas and New Year need this nourishing recipe in their life. A festive take on a British classic, this cottage pie–inspired dish incorporates every savoury ingredient left over from Christmas Day lunch. You can add in roast turkey (or whatever meat you have available), sprouts, carrots, roast potatoes and peas, as well as any other extras you have on hand. Finish with a layer of buttery mashed potatoes sprinkled with grated cheese and bake until golden brown and crispy on top.

Get the recipe for Christmas cottage pie 

28. Crispy sprout bowls with honey tahini dressing

Another great way to put those excess sprouts stashed in your fridge to delicious use is this simple, nourishing and utterly delicious dish. Brussels sprouts and leeks are sliced and baked until golden and tender, then served with salted honey walnuts and a zingy honey and tahini dressing. Enjoy this as a tasty lunch or hearty side dish alongside leftover meats.

Get the recipe for crispy sprout bowls with honey tahini dressing 

27. Turkey and cranberry tart

One of the easiest ways to use up Christmas odds and ends is in an ‘anything goes’ tart. Fill a ready-made shortcrust pastry case with shredded turkey meat or chopped ham (or both), pour over seasoned whisked eggs and dot cranberry sauce and leftover cheese across the top. Bake until the egg mix is set and the cheese golden and bubbling.

26. Ham and rice casserole

A low effort, comforting one-pot dish is exactly what we all need after Christmas. Our recipe for rice casserole is just the ticket and is very adaptable, too. The rice goes into an ovenproof dish uncooked and is mixed and baked with cooked ham (swap for turkey, if you like), vegetables (use frozen or leftover cooked veg), a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, stock and seasoning. A scattering of cheese is the perfect finishing touch.

Get the recipe for ham and rice casserole here

25. Goose vindaloo

This fantastic seasonal recipe sees goose take a starring role, so it's perfect if you've served the meat as your Christmas main. You can use any leftover goose meat (or, indeed, turkey) for this tasty dish, which is paired with a Brussels sprout and chestnut thoran (a dry vegetable curry) – again, you can use leftover veggies and chestnuts here and fry them up with the spices for a delicious side.

Get the recipe for goose vindaloo here

24. Mince pie streusel tart

If there's an unused jar of fruity mincemeat still lurking in the cupboard post-Christmas, try this new take on a mince pie. The tart incorporates a crunchy streusel (crumble-like) top and an aromatic filling that still feels fabulously festive. Leave to cool for 20 minutes before serving, cut into slices and finish with a light dusting of icing sugar.

Get the recipe for mince pie streusel tart here

23. Ham and egg linguine

Leftover ham, quick-to-cook linguine and a silky poached egg come together in this comforting dish that's ready in under 20 minutes. Everything speedily combines while the pasta is cooking, and the sauce incorporates some handy Christmas staples you'll likely have on hand. It's perfect for twirling around your fork while watching all the best festive TV shows.

Get the recipe for ham and egg linguine here

22. Turkey, chorizo and avocado hash

Incorporating both leftover roast potatoes and turkey, this spicy breakfast dish is sure to tempt you out of bed on a chilly morning, even if you're still cosied up in festive pyjamas. The hearty flavours are lifted by the creamy avocado and fragrant chopped coriander, while the chorizo provides a lovely sweet, smoky note. Finish with a fried egg, slices of avo and toast for a proper treat of a morning meal.

Get the recipe for turkey, chorizo and avocado hash here

21. Panettone French toast

Have heaps of Christmas panettone left over? You can swap white bread for slightly stale slices of the sweet Italian delicacy to make this gorgeous French toast dish. Our version – topped with fried, calvados-infused apple wedges, whipped cream and fresh apple matchsticks – is a truly indulgent brunch treat and is guaranteed to impress everyone at the breakfast table.

Get the recipe for French toast here

20. Ham and potato bake

Another simple idea that doesn't require much effort at all. For an indulgent leftovers dish, cube baked ham and mix with a cheesy white sauce, then top with sliced leftover potatoes and bake in the oven until golden and bubbling. You can swap the ham for shredded turkey meat and feel free to throw in leftover veg and stuffing too for an easy meal to enjoy in those quiet days between Christmas and New Year.

19. Vegan Christmas leftovers sandwich

There’s absolutely no need for vegetarians and vegans to miss out on the delight that is a leftovers sandwich post-Christmas. This tasty number is loaded with all the most delicious components of a vegan roast, with fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside stuffing patties ensuring that it really is a sandwich to remember. It's finished with cranberry sauce, leftover roasted veggies and pickled onions.

Get the recipe for the ultimate vegan leftovers Christmas sandwich here

18. Cheese and Brussels sprout scones

If you’ve got excess sprouts lying around, fear not. These seriously delicious scones are the perfect recipe for using up leftover Christmas cheese and Brussels sprouts. Brilliant as a cheesy alternative for brunch or lunch, these scones come together in just under an hour and are best enjoyed with a generous spreading of butter and your topping of choice (think fried or scrambled eggs, crispy bacon or sautéed mushrooms).

Get the recipe for cheese and Brussels sprout scones  

17. Beef noodle soup

Pile slices of leftover roast beef, plus crunchy beansprouts and pak choy, into a steaming bowl of noodle soup and you've got a warming meal guaranteed to fend off any lingering holiday illnesses. Not only is this fragrant broth quick to assemble, the aromatic spices, chilli, lime and coriander will awaken taste buds dulled by festive excess.

Get the recipe for beef noodle soup here

16. Cheese twirls

For an easy snack or canapé, why not try these seriously simple cheese twirls? Roll out a shop-bought packet of puff pastry and brush with beaten egg. Meanwhile, grate whatever leftover hard cheese you have on hand (Cheddar and Parmesan would work well here) and sprinkle over one half of the puff pastry. Then fold over the non-cheese covered pastry half and press down firmly. Using a knife or pizza cutter, slice the pastry into strips and twist to create a twirled effect. Transfer to a baking sheet, brush with egg wash again and bake for around 20 minutes in a medium oven, until golden and crispy.

15. Vegetable toad in the hole

There's nothing easier than popping leftover vegetables into a baking tin and pouring batter over the top for a festive – and vegetarian – riff on toad in the hole. To make it heartier, you could throw veggie sausages into the mix, too. If you fancy a meaty version, you can incorporate pigs in blankets and serve the dish smothered in gravy. When using cooked vegetables, follow the recipe below from step five onwards.

Get the recipe for vegetable toad in the hole here

14. Christmas pudding crumble

This ingenious crumble recipe uses leftover Christmas pudding to top a spiced apple base. Fresh (or even slightly past their best) cranberries make a delicious addition to the dish; just mix in with the apples when assembling. Serve with custard, ice cream, cream or all three – it is Christmas, after all.

Get the recipe for Christmas pudding crumble here

13. Turkey sandwich with gravy mayo

This recipe takes the classic Christmas leftovers sandwich to the next level, with gravy mayo and fiery ketchup bringing salty, spicy and savoury flavours to the festive table. Perfect for a lazy Boxing Day lunch, the sarnie is filled with turkey slices, crunchy salted crisps, spicy Tabasco sauce and mayonnaise mixed with leftover gravy.

Get the recipe for turkey sandwich with gravy mayo here

12. Cranberry sauce pancakes

Whether you like your cranberry sauce sweet and smooth or tart and chunky, it's a Christmas staple. Fortunately for those with leftover sauce, cranberries go brilliantly with a number of morning dishes. For the ultimate festive breakfast, heat cranberry sauce with pure maple syrup (to taste) in a saucepan until it thickens, then spoon over pancakes, waffles or French toast or stir into a warming bowl of porridge.

11. Turkey and ham casserole

You can make this simple casserole with turkey, ham or chicken (or a mixture of all three) and it will always turn out brilliantly. The topping, meanwhile, is made from stuffing ingredients and comes out of the oven wonderfully crunchy. Although this recipe uses just peas and spinach alongside the meat, you could also add any leftover vegetables you have, such as carrots or Brussels sprouts.

Get the recipe for turkey and ham casserole here

10. Panettone bread and butter pudding

Made with leftover panettone you might have lingering around after Christmas, this dessert is comfort in a bowl. It's also a luxurious upgrade on classic British bread and butter pudding, with buttered slices of the sweet Italian bread soaked in custard and baked. For a real treat, serve with an aromatic spiced clementine sauce (ideal for using up a glut of the seasonal fruit).

Get the recipe for panettone bread and butter pudding here

9. Breakfast hash

A one-pan hash is brilliantly low-effort but tastes delicious – especially if you're feeling fragile and exhausted from the day before. Fry up leftover potatoes and ham, stir in any extra Brussels sprouts or add chopped, cooked carrots. Crack a couple of eggs on top and cook until set. Serve scattered with fresh herbs and a side of toasted bread.

8. Cheese, cranberry and roast ham toastie

Use up several festive leftovers in one dish by building the ultimate Christmas toastie. Mix and match the meat (shredded ham or turkey would work well), add the odds and ends from your cheeseboard and finish with a generous dollop of cranberry sauce. Butter the exposed sides of the bread before grilling or browning in a frying pan until toasted and golden all over. Any cheese that melts well, like Cheddar, Gouda or Brie, will work beautifully, while crumbling in Stilton will add punchy flavour and texture.

7. Boxing Day pie

An excellent chuck-it-all-in dish, this pie incorporates pretty much all the leftovers from your Christmas dinner, including cooked meat, vegetables and even bread sauce. In truly thrifty fashion, chopped roast potatoes and Brussels sprouts make up the topping. You can easily make this vegetarian, throwing in leftovers from mains like nut roast or roasted squash, or just replacing the meat with extra veg.

Get the recipe for Boxing Day pie here

6. Roast beef sandwich

If you've served roast beef on Christmas Day, you're in for a treat – the leftovers form the basis of an all-time classic sandwich. Put together a take on a Reuben with wholegrain mustard, gherkins, caramelised onions and slices of cold roast beef. Don't forget to butter the fluffy white bread generously, too, for a seriously indulgent number guaranteed to impress everyone round the table.

5. Bubble and squeak

A classic leftovers dish, bubble and squeak is traditionally made with mashed potato and cabbage, but you can really add in anything you have to hand. Roughly chop sprouts, roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots and chestnuts, then stir in a little bread sauce. Mix everything together to form one giant sharing patty or mini bubble and squeak patties. Fry until golden and crispy on the outside and serve with fried or poached eggs.

4. Christmas leftovers tart

A roasted veg tart where the vegetables have already been roasted? Sounds like a winner to us. This is the perfect solution for using up leftover cooked vegetables and you can make life even easier with shop-bought shortcrust pastry. You could also swap the Cheddar for any firm or semi-soft goats' or blue cheese – ideal if you didn't quite manage to get through that wheel of Stilton.

Get the recipe for Christmas leftovers tart here

3. Festive full English

Prepare a generous fried breakfast (or brunch) as you normally would – fried mushrooms, tomatoes, eggs, bacon – but make it festive by replacing the sausages and black pudding with pigs in blankets and fried patties fashioned from leftover stuffing. You can also substitute bacon for slices of leftover ham and even serve with a dollop of cranberry or horseradish sauce.

2. Christmas mac ’n’ cheese

Not only can you throw all the odds and ends from your Christmas cheeseboard into this mac ’n’ cheese, but you can also add leftover turkey, chopped pigs in blankets, stuffing and Brussels sprouts (if you like). Oozy, cheesy, comforting and indulgent, it's an absolute winner of a festive dish and comes together in just 45 minutes.

Get the recipe for Christmas mac ’n’ cheese here

1. Leftovers turkey burger

This incredibly indulgent recipe requires a bit of effort before going to bed on Christmas Day, but we promise it's worth it. Leftover turkey leg meat is used for a confit and later piled into a bread bun, along with a potato rösti (also made from leftovers) and a fried egg. You can whip up the truffle mayo specified in the recipe or whisk leftover gravy into mayo. Don't worry if you don't have any fig jam – replace it with Christmas chutney instead.

Get the recipe for leftovers turkey burger here

Now discover how to turn holiday leftovers into brilliant breakfasts

Last updated by Lottie Woodrow.