Then you’ll want to check out these Christmas leftovers recipes. We always overdo it at Christmas. We cook and cook and bake and bake and end up making way too much food that the whole family can’t possibly eat in a single meal. Then, we have all of these leftovers that taste great for one or two meals. After that, though, we usually start to get tired of them. With these Christmas leftovers recipes, though, you can turn your leftovers into something new and exciting so that it doesn’t feel like you’re eating the same old thing.
25 Easy Ways To Use Up Christmas Leftovers
1. Leftover Cranberry Sauce Overnight Oats
Who knew that leftover cranberry sauce could be such a sweet and colorful way to liven up your morning bowl of oatmeal?! All you’ll need are rolled oats, chia seeds, your favorite milk, Greek yogurt, cranberry sauce, and chopped walnuts for the topping. Mix everything and stick it in the fridge overnight. Warm it up the following day for a quick and easy way to make breakfast.
2. Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes
Think of these less like pancakes and more like cheesy, crispy fritters. Yes, they’re absolutely as good as they sound. They’re also simple to whip up. As long as you have leftover mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, scallions, flour, oil, and an egg, you can have them ready in less than 30 minutes. Top them with sour cream, some scallions or chives, and whatever else you like for a savory, crunchy treat.
3. Mashed Sweet Potato Cakes
Here are some more crunchy, savory potato cakes. You’ll make these with sweet potatoes instead of mashed potatoes, so they’ll be a bit lighter and sweeter. Both options are equally scrumptious, though.
4. Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Croquettes
I love these tasty, crunchy croquettes because they almost taste like an entire Christmas dinner in one tiny package. You have your stuffing, your turkey, and your cranberry sauce vinaigrette all in one! Plus, it’s much easier and less messy to eat croquette-style.
5. Leftover Ham Lasagna
So far, these recipes have been pretty straightforward. It’s always easy to find things to make with dressing, turkey, cranberry sauce, and potatoes. But what about when you have half a baked ham leftover?! Why, you make lasagna, of course! I know ham may not seem like a typical lasagna ingredient, but this cheesy, meaty lasagna is incredible. Your whole family will love it.
6. Leftover Ham and Potato Casserole
Ham and potato casserole is another excellent option for ridding yourself of excess baked ham. It’s a savory, cheesy masterpiece that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.
7. Eggnog Latte
If you have leftover eggnog, add it and some milk and sugar to your morning cup of Joe. It makes it rich, creamy, and entirely decadent, especially if you add whipped cream and nutmeg. Just be sure you aren’t headed off to work if you use the spiked eggnog.
8. Leftover Christmas Lunch Patties with Gochujang Mayo
You can call them fritters, patties, latkes, or whatever else you want to call them. Either way, these flavorful, herby snacks are unbelievably good. They’re also pretty healthy for you, considering all the veggies and protein you’ll pack into them. Don’t let that crazy long ingredients list scare you off, either. The thing to remember about these is that you can pretty much use whatever leftovers you have. Feel free to stick to the recipe as-is or do some swapping out. If you don’t have any leftover Brussels sprouts and cabbage, substitute your favorite green and leafy veggies. Your herbs, garlic, and ginger provide most of the flavor, anyway. Plus, the gochujang mayonnaise is divine.
9. Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins
These fluffy, crumbly muffins are tart, tangy, and overflowing with spectacular cranberry flavor, and you can make half a dozen of them in just 35 minutes. Whether you’re looking for a day-after-Christmas breakfast treat or a mid-day snack, these are the way to go.
10. Fruit Cake Bread Pudding
Fruit cake has fallen somewhat out of fashion over the years. It’s now more of a tired holiday joke in sitcoms than anything else. Still, some families appreciate a good fruit cake, while others like to give them as gifts. Most of the time, they don’t get eaten entirely, though. If you have leftover fruit cake this year, turn it into deliciously decadent bread pudding. It takes less than an hour to make and uses only 10 ingredients.
11. Leftover Turkey Sandwich
I know what you’re thinking: “Leftover turkey sandwich?! What’s to know?! Slap your turkey between two pieces of bread and call it a day!” But this turkey sandwich is so much better than that. It features buttered bread grilled to perfection, sauteed onions, gouda cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and more. One bite of this sandwich, and you’ll swear you ordered it from a five-star restaurant. There’s nothing “leftover” about its taste.
12. Leftover Stuffing Waffles
These five-ingredient waffles will help you use up your leftover stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy. All you’ll need is a waffle maker and about 15 minutes.
13. Loaded Mashed Potato Balls
These loaded mashed potato balls are the simplest, cleanest, and crunchiest way to enjoy loaded mashed potatoes. The outside of each one is a golden-brown ball of crispy perfection, but the inside is a warm and creamy mixture of potatoes, bacon, chives, cheese, and more. These make the perfect appetizer or an excellent side dish to just about anything.
14. Leftover Turkey Soup
This chunky, brothy soup is like chicken noodle soup; only you’ll make it with turkey instead of chicken, and there are no actual noodles. Other than that, it’s just like chicken noodle soup. Seriously, though, it’s incredible. It has big chunks of turkey, plenty of herbs, and tender carrots, celery, and onions. It’s especially tasty if you’re suffering from a winter cold.
15. Leftover Cranberry Sauce and Apple Crisp
This dessert tastes and has the texture of the traditional apple crisp, but you’ll add your leftover cranberry sauce for extra tanginess and color. It’s still phenomenal, and it looks even prettier than the original. Although it’s super easy to make, it’s sure to wow a crowd.
16. Leftover Cranberry Sauce Bars
If you’re looking for a sweet and tangy breakfast bar, give these cranberry sauce bars a try. They’re crunchy and sweetened by brown sugar and cinnamon. The cranberry sauce, though, gives them a delightfully tart kick that’ll wake you right up in the mornings.
17. Roasted Turkey Ramen
If you had any doubt that ramen isn’t just for broke college kids anymore, then this roasted turkey ramen should set your mind at ease. With shitake mushrooms, garlic, various sauces and broths, turkey, scallions, eggs, and more, this ramen has a lot going on. It looks more like a gourmet meal than something out of a cardboard box. Trust me. Even if you think you don’t care for ramen, you’ll want to give this one a try.
18. Roasted Vegetable Pasta
If you have a lot of leftover grilled or roasted veggies, this roasted veggie pasta is a fantastic way to use them up in one fell swoop. All you’ll need is pasta, olive oil, shallots, mushrooms, veggies, salt, and pepper. Top it all with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and parsley for extra yumminess.
19. Leftover Turkey Tacos
Turkey tacos may not be the norm, but they’re certainly delicious, and since your turkey is already cooked, it shouldn’t take you longer than 20 minutes to pull these together. Warm your tortillas, and add all your favorite toppings for a terrific turkey taco Tuesday.
20. Ham Pot Pie
There’s no way around the fact that pot pies are a lot of work. That’s primarily because of the sheer number of ingredients you’ll add to them. Even so, this one takes only 30 minutes of prep and another 30 minutes to bake. Once you get one bite of that savory, buttery crust and creamy, chunky filling, you’ll realize it was well worth it.
21. Leftover Turkey Chili
You can pull together this chunky, hearty, leftover turkey chili in just 30 minutes. Don’t think for a second that it’s lacking in flavor just because you’re using leftovers. It has everything you could possibly want in your chili – pintos, kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, onions, peppers, all kinds of herbs, and, of course, the turkey. Top it with cheese, chives, and all your favorite chili toppings for a stick-to-your-ribs dinner that’ll keep you full all night.
22. Eggnog Pancakes
If you’re in the mood for sweet pancakes instead of savory ones, put away the potatoes and break out the eggnog. You can have these thick, fluffy pancakes ready to eat in just 20 minutes, and all you’ll need is flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, eggnog, milk, oil, and an egg. Top them with syrup, whipped cream, your favorite berries, or all three! They won’t disappoint!
23. Christmas Rocky Road
I can’t even begin to tell you how insanely amazing this Christmas rocky road is. It’s truly out of this world. You’ll make it with the sweetest, most indulgent Christmas leftovers on your table: chocolates, butter, Christmas cake, pudding, Christmas biscuits, nuts, dried fruit, nougat, etc. Yes, they are a sugar coma waiting to happen, but OMG, are they superb!
24. Cornbread Pudding
Cornbread pudding is the savory equivalent to bread pudding. You’ll mix and make it with eggs, parsley, cheese, and plenty of herbs. It’s a cheesy mess, but every bite is one you’ll want to savor.
25. Candy Cane Snowballs
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t always have way more peppermints after Christmas than they know what to do with, and I’m sure you’re the same way. If so, you’re in luck because these seven-ingredient candy cane snowballs are quick, easy, and delightfully sweet and minty. Click on a star to rate it!
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