Ideas for a fridge packed with leftovers from Christmas feasting
Once Boxing Day arrives and the flurry of the festive season has calmed, there’ll likely be plenty of leftovers in the fridge or freezer from your Christmas family meals. “I always make sure I’ve got a few essentials on hand, such as eggs, milk and bread, and my favourite spices and herbs,” Fresh Ideas Magazine Manager Nicky Harper suggests. With leftovers a-plenty and some essentials at the ready, there’s no need to head to the shops to keep your family fed. Here, Nicky shares her handy tips and recipe picks for how to use up your Christmas leftovers such as ham, turkey, veggies and more. These recipes mean less food waste, plus help you save time and spend less. Get inspired by these fuss-free recipes; it’s your turn to relax and ease into the rest of summer.
01
Fab frittata and quick quiche
The versatile frittata and its sister, the quiche, are the ultimate way to reinvent extras. Try a super easy leftover ham frittata, or why not spice things up with a Bombay-style potato frittata to use up your leftover roasted potatoes? This zucchini, carrot and kale frittata comes with some crunch, while these single-serve frittatas are perfect for a picnic and can be customised with whichever meat, veg and leafy herbs you have leftover. If you like your frittata with a crust, there are plenty of quiche recipes to try, from a traditional quiche Lorraine that works just as well with leftover ham as bacon, to mini wonton quiches for a lazy summer snack. Don’t be afraid to experiment by using the ingredients you have on hand – remember that’s what leftovers are for!
02
Redefine leftover bread and pastries
When your freezer is full and there’s leftover bread on the kitchen countertop, turn it into creamy bread and butter pudding. Try our quick and easy recipes like blueberry bread and butter pudding or chocolate bread and butter pudding. Have some spare pastries or croissants leftover from a festive breakfast? “Don’t throw away day-old pastries,” says Nicky. “Instead, use them in this indulgent sourdough croissant French toast pudding, or try a savoury pudding like this mushroom and kale croissant pudding.”
Want more? See more ways to use up leftover bread.
03
Refresh your bacon and egg breakfast
Swap out your bacon for leftover Christmas ham with these hearty breakfast or brunch ideas. Try this eggs benedict with maple ham, or a twist on green eggs and ham. You could even give your morning start an extra kick with some ham, sriracha and egg tostadas.
04
Super salads
Christmas leftovers can turn a simple salad into a magnificent meal. Use leftover roast vegetables; Christmas ham, turkey, lamb or pork; and any herbs, seeds, nuts and dressings you’ve got in your cupboard or fridge. Roughly shred or slice the meat of your choice and simply throw everything together. No dressing on hand? No problem. Nicky’s tip: Whip up this basic mustard vinaigrette using just olive oil, vinegar, seeded mustard and garlic if you want an extra zing.
05
Stack up sandwiches, toasties and wraps
One of the easiest (and best!) ways to enjoy Christmas leftovers is between two slices of bread (or rolled into a wrap). A Boxing Day sandwich or toastie stacked with leftover veggies and meats from the day before really hits the spot, like this leftover roast pork, pesto and slaw ciabatta or best-ever ham and cheese toastie. Recreate your turkey dinner with leftover cranberry sauce and a thick slice of brie for a very festive toastie – you won’t be disappointed!
06
Perfect your pasta with tasty leftovers
Adding leftover ham, roast meats, vegetables and even leftover cheese to your favourite creamy or tomato-based pasta recipes will make whipping up post-celebration dinners a breeze. “I like to make this tasty one-pot ham and mushroom pasta for an easy family dinner,” shares Nicky. “Or I swap the chicken out for some leftover Christmas turkey in this fan-favourite chicken pesto pasta.”
07
Leftover mains to impressive starters
Leftovers from your main meal can be completely reinvented into delectable appetisers and entrees. Remaining Christmas ham and roast turkey are a moorish addition to bites like pull-apart ham bombs or air-fryer turkey and stuffing croquettes. Snacking gets the Boxing Day treatment, too, with ham, mustard and spinach scrolls or leftover turkey and cheese pasties. And because no one ever wants to throw away cheese unless it’s absolutely necessary, repurpose leftover chunks of cheese from your Christmas grazing platter to create a cheese board galette with in-season nectarines.
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08
Give leftover fruit a makeover
Need to use up those leftover Christmas berries? Prepare a brilliant brekkie using the extra berries in this overnight oats berry parfait recipe. Whip it up the night before so you’re all set for a delicious and fuss-free breakfast the following day. For something really special on Boxing Day, prepare pancake cereal with maple syrup berries. But be warned – you might need to make another batch as everyone will want seconds!
09
Revamp leftover Christmas pudding and cake
After the big day, turn leftover pudding into a festive raspberry and pudding ice-cream. Got extra Christmas fruitcake or shortbread? Crumble them up and stir through vanilla ice-cream, or whatever flavour you fancy. You could also use up Christmas cake in individual mixed berry martini trifles for post-Christmas celebrations such as New Year’s Eve, or try this fruitcake rocky road, the sweetest gift to give to any host.
10
Versatile vegetable breakie
Transform any leftover Christmas roast vegetables into a veggie-packed shakshuka for a hearty Boxing Day breakfast or long brunch. This recipe uses roast pumpkin, carrot, red onion, zucchini and Brussels sprout, but you can use any leftover roast veggies you like in this versatile dish.