Healthy Christmas leftovers recipes (2024)

Showing 1 to 24 of 32 results

  • A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.47 ratings

    Use up leftover roast or ready-cooked chicken in this healthy and warming soup, spiced with cumin and chilli

    • 25 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
  • Turkey larb bowls

    A star rating of 5 out of 5.2 ratings

    Use up leftover Christmas turkey in this dish. After all the feasting, something crunchy and fresh with a little heat is just the ticket for Boxing Day

    • 45 mins
    • Easy
  • Moroccan roasted vegetable soup

    A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.48 ratings

    Roasted roots are perfect for making soup- we used parsnips, butternut squash and carrots, flavoured with ras el hanout spice mix

    • 55 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
    • Vegetarian
  • Turkey stew

    A star rating of 4.6 out of 5.47 ratings

    Go classic with your turkey leftovers and whip up this healthy spice-filled stew with peppers and tomatoes

    • 20 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-free
  • Turkey minestrone

    A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.5 ratings

    A warm and comforting turkey soup recipe to put your Christmas leftovers to good use. Easy to prepare and low fat, this soup is a perfect post-Christmas pick me up

    • 1 hr 5 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
  • Warm cauliflower salad

    A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.51 ratings

    Cauliflower is often overlooked, but try it roasted in this winter salad for a plateful of crunchy goodness

    • 50 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
    • Vegetarian
  • A star rating of 4 out of 5.12 ratings

    Do something different with your eggs and smoked salmon by baking into a bread roll for an extra special brunch

    • 20 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
  • Toasted sesame sprouts

    A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.2 ratings

    Flavour versatile brussels sprouts with mirin, soy, sesame and chilli and serve as a healthy side dish

    • 20 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
    • Vegetarian
  • A star rating of 3.7 out of 5.6 ratings

    Brussels sprouts aren’t just for Christmas – add them to a healthy noodle pot for extra nutrition and crunch

    • 30 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
  • Turkey cobb salad

    A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings

    Enjoy this turkey cobb salad as a healthy party platter to use up Christmas leftovers. It's full of vibrant flavours like pancetta, avocado, eggs, chicory and tomatoes

    • 37 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-free
  • A star rating of 4 out of 5.4 ratings

    Pea, ham and parsley are one of life's great combinations - this green salad with mustard dressing is simple, fresh and healthy

    • 25 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
  • Boxing Day soup

    A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.11 ratings

    Use up your leftover Christmas Day vegetables to make this healthy, comforting winter soup. It's a great way to get a bit of goodness after all the festive excess

    • 45 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
    • Vegetarian
  • Spicy vegetable egg fried rice

    A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.13 ratings

    Spice up your vegetarian fried rice with this easy recipe and feel free to mix things up with different veg

    • 30 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
    • Vegetarian
  • A star rating of 4.1 out of 5.9 ratings

    This bubble & squeak with sprouts, bacon and potato needn't be relegated to leftovers – it makes a great alternative to roasties

    • 50 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
  • A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.6 ratings

    A delicious, easy and superhealthy treat - counts as one of your 5-a-day

    • 5 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
  • A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.7 ratings

    Use up leftover Christmas fruit and nuts in this superhealthy and super quick meal

    • 25 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
    • Vegetarian
  • Turkey noodle soup

    A star rating of 4.2 out of 5.13 ratings

    Healthy, cheap and quick - this soup is a great way to use up leftover turkey or chicken

    • 20 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
  • Moroccan turkey salad

    A star rating of 3.3 out of 5.4 ratings

    Use up abundant roast meat in a healthy salad with aubergine, tomatoes, pomegranate and mint

    • 35 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
  • Cranberry chicken salad

    A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.4 ratings

    Use up leftover cranberry sauce in this healthy salad. Add a can of cannellini beans if you want to bulk it up

    • 25 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
  • A star rating of 4.2 out of 5.26 ratings

    Use up a leftover chunk of ham in this healthy, but hearty, family supper

    • 40 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
  • A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.3 ratings

    This is a delicious accompaniment to Christmas dinner, but is also a great way to use up those leftover cooked sprouts

    • 35 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
    • Vegetarian
  • Turkey tonnato salad

    A star rating of 5 out of 5.2 ratings

    Tuna mayo on turkey may sound like an odd combination, but trust us! This Italian-style light lunch dish is the perfect remedy for Christmas excesses

    • 10 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-free
Healthy Christmas leftovers recipes (2024)

FAQs

What foods are better as leftovers? ›

  • Meatloaf. Though meatloaf is often restricted to the weeknight dinner table, it is a powerhouse leftover. ...
  • Lasagna. Sure, there's nothing better than lasagna coming out of the oven hot with bubbling cheese. ...
  • Pulled Pork. ...
  • Beef Stew. ...
  • Chili. ...
  • Frittatas, Quiches and Tarts.

Are Christmas leftovers still good? ›

Your guide to post-holiday food safety. Health officials recommend eating or freezing turkey and other leftovers within three to four days.

How do I get the most out of my leftovers? ›

Here are some ideas to help with that:
  1. Rice + veggies + eggs = fried rice.
  2. Roast chicken leftovers = chicken salad.
  3. Turn soup into a casserole.
  4. Turn leftovers into tacos or burritos.
  5. Make a pizza.
  6. Whip up a frittata or quiche.
  7. Combine veggies, starch, and protein for a hash.
Oct 23, 2023

What can you make with kitchen leftovers? ›

12 Creative Ways to Repurpose Food Scraps into Something...
  • Use Almost-Empty Jars for Sauces.
  • Put a Cheese Rind in Your Soup.
  • Turn Citrus Peels into Candy.
  • Repurpose Bottom-of-the-Bag Crumbs as Toppings and Coatings.
  • Freeze Herbs for a Burst of Flavor in Your Dishes.
  • Give Fruit New Life Before It's Too Far Gone.
May 2, 2024

What do most restaurants do with leftover food? ›

Many restaurants cook with fresh ingredients, but what they don't use is often saved for another day or sold to other restaurants for a cut price. Some establishments will give them to their employees to take home to ensure the food isn't wasted.

Are leftovers still nutritious? ›

To put it simply, leftover food can be a boon in this time-pressed world. But the question here is, are you storing it right? You heard us right. Experts state that if not kept properly, these foods lose their nutritional value and can become harmful after a while.

What is the difference between leftover and leftovers? ›

Not sure the best trick to use, but the first part might just be to remember that leftovers is the noun form, leftover is the adjective form, and left over is the phrase that's used after. So the leftover food can be called leftovers if it's the food that is left over after a meal.

Why is leftover food so good? ›

Food develops new flavour molecules, and for us, that means it tastes better. According to the study, proteins may further breakdown when the leftovers are reheated, producing new flavours which wouldn't have been there when the food was freshly cooked. Think of spaghetti bolognese. Or a pot of curry.

When should you throw out Christmas leftovers? ›

Food experts said that leftovers should only last three to four days, but when in doubt, you should throw them out.

How long can you eat Christmas leftovers? ›

Leftovers stored in the fridge should be eaten within three days. When freezing Christmas meats or stuffing, wrap them in heavy freezer wrap and put them in a container suitable for your freezer.

How many days after Christmas can you eat leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

What is the 2 2 2 rule for leftovers? ›

Non-profit organisation Love Food, Hate Waste recommends the 2:2:2 rule. Two hours to get them in the fridge. Two days to eat them once they're in there. Or freeze them for up to two months.

What percentage of people eat leftovers? ›

This percentage could be even higher after Thanksgiving, with uneaten turkey and succulent side dishes beckoning from the refrigerator after the main meal. About half of Americans (48%) say they commonly use leftovers as ingredients in new meals at least weekly.

Why do I refuse to eat leftovers? ›

Some people feel they're “racing against rot,” explained Helen Zoe Veit, associate professor at Michigan State University and author of “Modern Food, Moral Food.” Many are nervous about whether food is still safe to eat ― anyone who has had food poisoning can relate.

What leftovers heat up well? ›

Thinks stews and bakes, not fried food

Dishes that contain a good amount of liquid—think stews, braises or anything made in a slow cooker—make excellent leftovers, because their flavors tend to deepen and improve over time and the liquid prevents them from drying out.

Is meal prepping eating leftovers? ›

The Difference Between Leftovers And Meal Prep

Leftovers are usually unintentional and that's part of why they may be less desirable. Meal prep, on the other hand, is very intentional. You're making food with the purpose of eating it in the future because you want to, not because you have to.

How long does leftover dinner last? ›

Discard all perishable foods, such as meat, poultry, eggs, side dishes, or casseroles, left at room temperature longer than two hours; one hour in room temperatures above 90 °F. Once leftovers are stored safely, they will remain safe three to four days.

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