Is it too early to be thinking about Christmas leftovers…?
With Christmas fast approaching, you’re no doubt making all kinds of plans for the feasts and frivolity! For many, the food is a huge focal point of the festivities, bringing loves ones together, and a chance to celebrate family traditions. From traditional turkey to old-school Christmas pudding, Grandma’s trifle to Dad’s “I’ve got a new recipe this year!” sprouts, your fridge is likely to be fuller than ever at Christmas time.
Knowing the vast amount of food that often goes to waste around the holidays, we’re bringing you some Christmas leftovers inspiration so you can not only plan ahead to make the most of your delicious food, but avoid waste and save a few pennies along the way!
Preparation is everything
The key to avoiding waste is making a plan whilst the food is still fresh. After your main event, make a list of what you have leftover and try to work out what you might be able to use in the next few days. If you’re in doubt, freeze it! Make note of what’s going into the freezer so you don’t forget, and label up your Tupperware or freezer bags clearly to set yourself up for success.

Meal-Prep
If you have enough Christmas leftovers to make up a whole meal, consider putting this together in a Tupperware and freezing as-is. Future-you will thank you when you have a whole made-up Christmas dinner in the coming weeks!
Christmas Leftover: Our Recipes
Left with one or two specific things? Check out our special Christmas leftover recipes and whip up an impressive dish with your remaining food.
Next-Level Turkey Sandwiches
Leftover turkey that’s going a little dry? Try this hack for next-level turkey sandwiches for a Boxing Day (and beyond!) hearty lunch.
Christmas leftovers:
Turkey
Gravy (optional – you can make fresh, or use instant if needed)
Stuffing
Cranberry sauce
Additional ingredients:
Bread
1. Slice your turkey.
2. Gently warm a little gravy in a frying pan. Add a tiny bit of butter or water if you need to adjust the consistency or flavour.
3. Place the turkey slices in the gravy, and gently warm up the slices as they soak up the gravy juices.
4. If you have stuffing, slice it up and heat if desired.
5. Cut thick slices of your favourite bread and spread with a thin layer of cranberry jam or sauce.
6. Once all fo the gravy is soaked into the turkey, remove from the heat.
7. Layer up your sandwich and enjoy!
Any-way Bubble and Squeak
This badass bubble and squeak-style dish is perfect as a side for a dinner, but also makes a mean breakfast. Serve with sausages, baked beans – you name it!
Christmas leftovers:
Roast Potatoes
Sprouts
Additional ingredients:
Bacon
Garlic
1. Place a pan on the stove and add a small amount of oil or butter.
2. Cut up a couple of rashers of bacon very small, crush a couple of garlic cloves, and add to the pan.
3. Dice up the sprouts, and add to the frying pan, gently frying with the bacon until soft.
4. Meanwhile, chop up the potatoes and microwave until heated through.
5. Turn off the heat on the frying pan, add the potatoes, and mix everything together until the potatoes break apart and start to resemble chunky mash.
6. Serve as-is, or spoon into a dish and bake in the over or air fryer until the top is crispy.
Festive Fruit and Yoghurt Cup
For a Christmassy twist on your go-to breakfast, try this yoghurt pot! When it comes to leftover nuts in particular it can be easy to over indulge. This is a great way to be sensible with portion size and have just a few with your breakfast. Be mindful with proportions in this recipe – the main character should be the fruit and yoghurt – with the Christmas pudding and nuts as a tasty bottom and top of the pot!
Christmas leftovers:
Christmas Pudding or fruitcake
Nuts
Additional ingredients:
Fresh Fruit
Greek Yoghurt or Skyr
Oats
1. Grab your favourite jar or Tupperware pot. Crumble up a small amount of Christmas pudding and pop it in the bottom of the jar.
2. Add a layer of fresh fruit. If you have anything leftover, go for that! If not, sliced peaches or berries can wrk really well.
3. Next, spoon in your yoghurt or skyr. For a heartier breakfast, you could even add combine some rolled porridge oats with the yoghurt first, and turn it into overnight oats.
4. Top with some chopped up leftover nuts for some added crunch.
So there it is – three of our favourite Christmas Leftovers Solutions! What’s your go-to post Christmas meal? Share your ideas with us by emailing info@secondcityfitness.com. And, if you’re looking for a helping hand with your nutrition around Christmas time, book a free No Sweat Intro with a member of the team and find out about our Nutrition Coaching options.