What to Do With Christmas Leftovers (That Isn't Another Turkey Sandwich)
By Boxing Day afternoon, nobody wants another turkey sandwich. Eight easy ways to turn Christmas leftovers into meals you'll actually look forward to.
In this guide
It’s the 27th of December. The fridge is a game of Tetris. There’s half a turkey, a mountain of sprouts, a tub of roast potatoes, and a jug of gravy nobody remembers making.
You could have another turkey sandwich. Or you could turn the lot into something you actually want to eat.
What’s in your fridge, and what to make
| You’ve got… | Make | Broth to use |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | Congee, noodle soup, risotto or pie | Beef Marrow or Chicken + Veg |
| Roast potatoes and veg | Bubble and squeak or a thick soup | Chicken + Veg |
| Sprouts | Bubble and squeak, or fried with bacon | A spoonful of any broth |
| Roasting juices | Proper gravy in minutes | Beef Marrow |
| Ham | Turkey and ham pie | Any broth, in the sauce |
Eight ways to use your leftovers
1. Turkey congee
Simmer rice slowly in Chicken + Veg broth until it’s soft and silky, then stir through shredded turkey. Finish with ginger, spring onion and a little soy sauce. After days of rich food, it’s exactly what your body is asking for.
2. Proper bubble and squeak
Mash leftover potatoes with chopped sprouts and cabbage, add a spoonful of broth powder for depth, then fry in patties until golden and crisp. Top with a fried egg.
3. Leftover veg soup
Roast parsnips, carrots and potatoes blend into a beautifully thick soup. Simmer them in Chicken + Veg broth, blitz until smooth and season to taste.
4. Turkey noodle soup
Shredded turkey, noodles, greens and a mug’s worth of Beef Marrow or Chicken + Veg. A proper bowl in ten minutes.
5. Turkey and ham pie
Make a quick sauce with butter, flour, milk and a spoonful of broth powder, fold in your leftover meat and veg, top with pastry and bake.
6. Boxing Day risotto
Cook arborio rice in Chicken + Veg broth, then stir through turkey, peas and plenty of parmesan.
7. Boxing Day gravy
Gravy jug empty? Whisk a spoonful of Beef Marrow into the roasting juices with a little flour and hot water, and you’ll have rich, proper gravy in minutes, with no stock pot simmering all afternoon.
8. Sprouts, redeemed
Shred leftover sprouts and fry them hard with bacon and chestnuts until crispy at the edges. Even the sprout sceptics come round.
How long do Christmas leftovers keep?
Food safety matters more than ever when the fridge is this full. Follow the Food Standards Agency’s guidance:
Cover and get them into the fridge.
Or freeze them.
Until steaming hot all the way through.
Not on the side.
If in doubt, throw it out.
A word for the dog
It’s tempting to share the leftovers, but turkey skin, cooked bones, stuffing and gravy aren’t safe for dogs. Stuffing and gravy usually contain onion, and cooked bones can splinter. Give them their own treat instead, like our pet broth pupsicles.
Questions people ask
How long does leftover turkey last?
Eat leftover turkey within two days of cooking, or freeze it. Cool it quickly and keep it covered in the fridge.
Can I freeze Christmas leftovers?
Yes. Most cooked meat, roast veg and soups freeze well. Defrost in the fridge and reheat until steaming hot.
Can dogs eat turkey leftovers?
Plain cooked turkey meat without skin, bones or seasoning is generally fine in small amounts. Skip the stuffing, gravy and bones.
Your leftovers’ best friend
Chicken + Veg is the cook’s broth: award-winning, made with free-range chicken, with no salt added, perfect for congee, risotto and soup. For richer bowls, add Beef Marrow.
Related Reading
- Winter warmer drinks that aren’t hot chocolate
- How long does bone broth powder last?
- 10-minute broth ramen (The Broth Kitchen)
Sources & Further Reading
