10 of the Best Ways To Use Your Christmas Leftovers

Christmas is a time of love, joy… and food, lots of it. At Sorted we love a Christmas dinner as much as anyone, and maybe even more! But when the big day is over and you’re left with mountains of odd roast bits, it can be hard to know what to do with it all.

We couldn’t stand having all that food go to waste, and you probably couldn’t stand having your third reheated roast dinner in a row. Well, luckily we’re here to help you keep your leftovers interesting this year! Read on...

1. Bubble + Squeak

It’s your classic Christmas leftover dish in the UK, and for good reason! Bubble + squeak is traditionally cabbage, potatoes and meat, but you can chuck pretty much any of your leftover veggies in there. Fry up peas, swede, carrots or sprouts with onions and butter. Our top tip? Level it up with a poached egg on top!

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2. Coronation Turkey

Thought coronation turkey was a bit naff? Think again. Give the retro classic a modern twist by swapping out the mayo for crème fraîche and yoghurt, and get creative with your spices - try toasting cumin seeds, coriander seeds, mustard seeds and cassia, then blending with plenty of turmeric to create your own curry powder! Coronation turkey is great with jacket potatoes, green salad or - you guessed it - in a hearty sandwich.

3. Potato Pancakes

If bubble + squeak just isn’t for you, give potato pancakes a go instead! Mix 200g mashed potato, 50g self-raising flour, ½ tsp baking powder, 2 eggs and a pinch of salt in a large bowl, then beat in 100ml milk until smooth. Fry small ladlefuls of your batter for 1-2 minutes, then serve your finished pancakes with bacon, eggs and beans - the ultimate post-Christmas brekkie for 2.

4. Pasta with Turkey + Chestnut Ragu

Turkey a bit dry this year? You’ve got a second chance! Give your turkey leftovers a new lease of life with a rich tomato and chestnut sauce - pop the leftover leg meat in a ragu and stir it through your fave pasta for a totally new dish.

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5. Chicken Egg-Fried Rice

The combo of stir-fried veggies, scrambled egg and rice is already pretty foolproof, but you can also add your leftover Christmas meat to egg-fried rice for a quick but delicious midweek fix. We’ve gone for pulled chicken in ours but pretty much any meat will work! Just make sure you top it with loads of soy sauce.

Check out the ‘Christmas Cracker’ Meal Pack

6. Leftover Mac ‘n’ Cheese

A classic comfort dish that’s easily upgraded with a few seasonal additions. Got a bit tired of your roast turkey? Couldn’t quite manage all your sprouts? Didn’t get round to the cheeseboard this year? Good news, because they can all be used in mac ‘n’ cheese! It’s such a versatile option, whatever your leftovers.

Get started on your mac ‘n’ cheese with the ultimate cheese sauce in this handy video. Take Ebbers’ advice: make sure you add your milk slowly at first, and keep stirring as you go.

7. Brussels Sprout Pasta Bake

If the boiled sprouts on Christmas day weren’t really your thing (what?!), try whacking ‘em in a pasta bake instead. Combined with plenty of salty pancetta and cheese, you might even start to like them!

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8. Turkey Banh Mi

It’s no secret that we LOVE a banh mi, and this one is no exception. If you’re not already familiar with it, banh mi is a type of sandwich that originates from Vietnam, usually filled with meat and vegetables. Post Christmas we recommend you load up your baguette with leftover turkey or chicken, pickled veg, chilli and plenty of coriander. Why have a boring leftover sandwich when you can have banh mi?!

9. Leftover Veg Frittata

Go Italian with a frittata! Frittatas are pretty similar to French omelettes, except they're cooked on both sides rather than just the one. Plus, unlike omelettes they’re also great served at room temperature, making them perfect for sharing - or for future meals! Chop your leftover Christmas veggies and potatoes into chunks and fry them in oil before adding beaten eggs. Add a little feta and some fresh herbs like parsley for an unforgettable frittata.

10. Mince Pie Ice Cream

And now for something sweet… Even your extra mince pies can be transformed into something new! And it’s super simple - combine 500g custard with 25ml brandy in a freezer proof tub and stir in the mincemeat from 2 pies. Stick it in the freezer for an hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Crumble the pastry into the mixture, return it to the freezer for 2-3 hours and then serve!

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