Ideas for Christmas Leftovers: Delicious Ways to Enjoy Holiday Favorites Again
Once Christmas dinner is over, you’ll be left with the inevitable: leftovers. Instead of stretching your stretchy pants beyond their breaking point by trying to eat all the turkey and cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes on your table, keep those festive extras in your fridge and just plan the next day’s meals with a reimagining of these holiday favorites.
Christmas Leftovers Recipes
Here are some delicious, and inventive ways to turn your Christmas leftovers into edible penny savers!
Breakfast Stuffing Waffles
Still have some stuffing left but no more turkey? Why not make stuffing waffles? Grease up the waffle maker and press your leftover stuffing into it. Top it with a fried egg, a drizzle of gravy and bacon for that extra crunch.
Here’s another stuffing waffle recipe from the Food Network.
Turkey and Cranberry Sandwich
For an easy but extra sandwich, stack a slice of turkey, cranberry sauce, and a slice of cheese between two slices of bread. Grill it until the cheese melts or until the bread becomes toasty.
Or, if you’re feeling fancy or you want to show off your cooking skills, why not try and copy Jamie Oliver’s Christmas turkey sandwich?
Ham and Cheese Omelet
Do you have leftover ham and your fridge is not without eggs and cheese? Your next meal is a no-brainer! Scramble some eggs, toss in diced ham, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Fold it like you’re on a cooking show with Gordon Ramsay then eat your specialty with a buttered baguette and cup of coffee giving off the vibes of eating a Parisian breakfast.
Turkey Tacos
If it’s Tuesday, skip the stuffing waffle and turkey sandwich and opt for a turkey taco instead! Throw some turkey and stuffing into a taco, add cranberry sauce, and top with a dollop (or more!) of sour cream. Congratulations! You’re now a festive fusion cuisine chef! Delicioso!
Mashed Potato Pancakes
Mix mashed potatoes with egg and shredded cheese. Form into patties and fry until golden brown. Serve with gravy, honey, cranberry sauce, or whatever can trick you into eating your Christmas leftovers.
Christmas Leftover Casserole
If you want to get rid of all your leftovers in one go, layer mashed potatoes, turkey, veggies, stuffing, and gravy in a baking dish. Bake until bubbly. It’s basically Christmas dinner again—but in a different form (and hopefully, in a clean baking dish). Does it look like a 5-year-old prepared it? Yes. Is it delicious? Absolutely.
Cranberry and Brie Puff Pastry
Spoon some cranberry sauce and Brie (or whatever cheese you have lying around as long as they’re not moldy!), fold them up, and bake until golden. These little bites are perfect for when you need a snack that you want to post to your socials or if you’re trying to impress guests. You can switch puff pastry with sliced toast bread or any baked pastry you have if you don’t have the patience to wait for your oven’s ding.
Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Mix leftover turkey with veggies and gravy, then spread mashed potatoes on top. Bake until the top is golden and crispy. Enjoy the pie while watching Home Alone for the 11th time, or why not try these Netflix Christmas films instead?
Christmas leftovers don’t have to be a repeat or reheat of what you had during Christmas dinner. With a little creativity (and a lot of cheese), you can turn your leftovers into an extension of the Christmas dinner itself (eating the same Christmas meal without having to deal with your nosy relatives? Sign us up!)
And hey, even if your leftover creation flops, at least you’ve still got your store-bought chocolate bourbon pecan pie!
