A beautiful roast turkey is a staple centrepiece for most Christmas celebrations, but once Boxing Day comes around, it’s time to get creative with your turkey leftovers. “For me, once Christmas lunch is over, the fun really begins,” says Fresh Ideas expert José. “There are plenty of ways to make leftover turkey meat go further. Shred it into salads, get creative with croquettes, and add it to a stir-fry or casserole.” Keep reading for easy, time-saving recipes, and experiment with handy tips to make your roast turkey go further.
Storage tips
Cut turkey meat from the carcass into small, even pieces so it cools down as quickly as possible, then store leftover turkey in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three days. Keep the meat separate from stuffing and any other leftover sides. “If you’re planning to freeze leftover meat, divide it up into portions,” recommends José. “That way, you’ll only need to defrost what you need when you need it, saving time and money.” You can freeze leftover turkey in an airtight container for up to three months.
Leftover stuffing tips
Once cooled, add any leftover stuffing to an airtight container to prevent drying out. Leftover stuffing can be kept in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to one month. To reheat cooked stuffing, bring it to room temperature, spread it out in a baking tray, and bake covered for 30 to 40 minutes until heated through. Remove the cover for the last 10 minutes if you’re after a crisp top. You can also turn leftover stuffing into croquettes and stuffing balls or hero leftovers in a tart.
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Layer up the flavour
Savvy sandwich fans are probably already committed to the classic turkey-and-cranberry sauce combo of a club sandwich, but having leftover turkey in the fridge enables many creative sandwich options.
Add a smoky hit by spreading chipotle mayonnaise on wholegrain bread, then layering it with slices of turkey, crisp bacon (or even leftover Christmas ham!) and cheddar cheese. Or combine your Christmas roast leftovers to make the ultimate meat-lovers toastie.
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From mains to snacks
Turn your Christmas main into summer holiday snacks. And if you’re planning a party, making a selection of these recipes will stretch out your turkey leftovers — a great way to avoid waste and cut costs when you’re feeding a crowd.
These air-fryer croquettes help use up turkey as well as leftover stuffing, veggies and cranberry sauce. No air fryer? You can also bake them, or you can try this dutch baby topped with leftover turkey and cranberry sauce. Frozen pastry on hand makes these turkey and cheese pasties a breeze, and you can simply replace mince with shredded turkey in these cherry and pistachio sausage rolls.
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One-bowl wonders
Use up leftover Christmas turkey in a spicy turkey and cashew noodle dish, a bowl of turkey chow mein noodles or a veggie-packed stir-fry. Using leftover turkey breast means you can cut down on your stir-fry prep time: simply shred your meat and toss it in a garlic, ginger and chilli marinade, before stir-frying.
For a selection of summery salads to keep things cool, shred turkey into a salad bowl with Mexican flavours, try a winning turkey Waldorf salad, and use up more Christmas leftovers including turkey, veggies and cranberry sauce in this potato salad.
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Turkey pasta bakes and sauces
For an easy way to add some protein to your pasta dishes, stir shredded or diced leftover turkey into your favourite sauce. You can then serve it over pasta or use it as the base to a cheesy pasta bake.
Turkey Tetrazzini is a popular baked pasta dish used for Thanksgiving leftovers in the USA, so why not give it a try? Or if you’re after something with more of a kick, make this turkey lasagne with Mexican flavours. In this recipe, you can easily swap turkey mince for shredded turkey and stir it into the sauteed onions and garlic to coat it with the spices. Cook for 1-2 minutes, just before you add the black beans and chopped tomatoes.
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Perfect for soup, stew and casserole
While you may not feel like warming, hearty meals in the summer, you can plan ahead for the school year and meal prep some soups, stews or casseroles to freeze. Save these recipes and use your frozen leftover cooked turkey later on, or make a batch during the holidays to freeze for up to three months.
Shredded leftover turkey can be an easy swap in any soup, stew or casserole that calls for chicken, or stir it through a hearty vegetable soup. It’s a great way to add flavour and keep your turkey moist. You can also add turkey to a stew to then be used in a pot pie and pasties, or try it stewed in a French cassoulet with veggies, beans and bacon.