After Christmas, the fridge is often fuller than before the holiday. Leftover turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, and desserts wait patiently for their second chance. The good news? Holiday leftovers are not a problem — they’re an opportunity 😋✨

With a little creativity, yesterday’s feast can become today’s quick breakfast, comforting dinner, or indulgent desert. This guide shares easy, family-friendly ideas to reuse Christmas leftovers, reduce food waste, and keep meals exciting long after the decorations come down.

Why Reusing Holiday Leftovers Is a Smart Choice

Reinventing leftovers isn’t just practical — it’s trending. More home cooks are searching for budget-friendly meals, zero-waste cooking ideas, and quick post-holiday recipes.

Benefits of cooking with leftovers:

  • Saves time during busy post-holiday weeks
  • Reduces food waste and grocery spending
  • Creates comforting meals when routines return
  • Encourages creative, flexible cooking

Turkey Leftover Ideas That Feel Brand New

Turkey Pot Pie (with Store-Bought Crust)

Comfort food made effortless

Leftover turkey is perfect for a creamy pot pie filling. Combine turkey with frozen vegetables, leftover gravy or cream sauce, and pour it into a ready-made crust. Bake until golden and bubbly — no one will guess it started as leftovers.

👉 Pair this idea with easy one-pan dinners for cozy winter meals.
Left Over Turkey Pumpkin Pot Pie Recipe By Jbaby
I LOVE to mix things up in my kitchen. This recipe came about one night when I was thinking how I can remake my thanksgiving leftovers. Staring in my fridge I saw my left over turkey, small ball of leftover pie crust dough, and pumpkin pie. I also have this awesome left over toasted spice rub mix I …
Cookpadjbaby
Lower Carb Turkey Pot Pie (Biscuit Style Topping) Recipe By Stephie Can Cook
This is a recipe modified from the one I found on the Carbquik (Tova Industries) website. I only say “lower Carb” on this one because I do use peas and carrots, which some people don’t eat on a low carb diet, generally the keto folks, but I’m not keto so I eat them in moderation. I made this a one p…
CookpadStephieCanCook

Turkey Fried Rice

A fast, weeknight-friendly option

Chopped turkey works beautifully in fried rice. Toss it into a hot pan with leftover rice, eggs, frozen veggies, and soy sauce. It’s quick, customizable, and freezer-friendly.

Turkey Fried Rice Recipe By Jennifer
Easy recipe for leftover Turkey
CookpadJennifer
Fried Rice (Breakfast Style) Recipe By Skyknight
I had some left over rice in the fridge the other day that I turned into fried rice. This morning I decided to cook a batch of brown rice before breakfast, and the ingredients I threw together for this recipe sort of popped into my head for breakfast.
Cookpadskyknight

Turkey, Cheese & Cranberry Sandwich

Sweet, savory, and perfect for lunch

Layer sliced turkey, cranberry sauce, and melty cheese between buttery bread. Grill until crisp and golden. This sandwich turns holiday flavors into a crave-worthy comfort meal.

Turkey Sliders Recipe By My Rad Kitchen | Eva
These Turkey Sliders are cheesy, savory and made with leftover turkey, cranberry sauce and Hawaiian rolls for the perfect holiday bite.
CookpadMy Rad Kitchen | Eva
Turkey, Bacon, Cranberry, Avocado Sandwich Recipe By Jglehenbauer
Just a little Thanksgiving on a sandwich!
Cookpadjglehenbauer

Turkey Soup Using Leftover Gravy

Cozy bowls with deep flavor

Use leftover gravy as a flavor base for turkey soup. Thin it with broth, add vegetables and turkey, and simmer gently. It’s rich, warming, and perfect for cold winter evenings.

White Bean Soup With Turkey, Kale, And Lemon Recipe By Ricardo
This delightfully warming winter soup was developed by food writer Melissa Clark. It is quick to make and highly adaptable to what one has in the pantry. #soup #bean #turkey #kale #lemon #winter
CookpadRicardo
Simple Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe By Kris 13
Great recipe for Simple Leftover Turkey Soup.
Cookpadkris_13

Ham Leftover Recipes the Whole Family Loves

Ham & Cheese Breakfast Casserole

Ideal for slow mornings

Chopped ham, eggs, cheese, and bread come together in a bake-ahead casserole. Perfect for post-holiday breakfasts or brunch without extra effort.

Breakfast Biscuit Casserole Recipe By Jess
I wanted to make something that was easy & quick. This was definitely a hit for the whole family!!
CookpadJess
Breakfast Casserole Recipe By Jennifer Taylor
Great recipe for Breakfast Casserole.
CookpadJennifer Taylor

Creamy Ham and Potato Soup

A classic cold-weather favorite

Leftover ham adds smoky depth to creamy potato soup. It’s filling, cozy, and reheats beautifully for lunches.

Creamy Ham & Potato Soup Recipe By Raven
I’ve been making this for a few years. Sometimes I add carrots or other vegetables to the soup. My kids like to put cheddar cheese in theirs before eating.
CookpadRaven
Potato Soup (Made With Ham And Cheese) Recipe By Frogzillian
It’s soup, you’re cold, it’s warm and delicious, eat it to be warm and happy.
Cookpadfrogzillian

Ham Fried Rice or Ham Pasta Bake

Two easy directions, one ingredient

  • Stir ham into fried rice for a fast dinner
  • Or mix it into a cheesy pasta bake for a family-style meal

Both options are freezer-friendly and weeknight-approved.

Leftover Ham Fried Rice Recipe By Minda
Turn your leftover ham into a quick meal that tastes better than Chinese takeout.
CookpadMinda
Ham & Broccoli Mac N Cheese Casserole Recipe By Leelumae
Comfort meal with all the favorites!
CookpadLeelumae

Mashed Potato Leftovers: More Versatile Than You Think

Crispy Mashed Potato Pancakes

Perfect for breakfast or snacks

Pan-fry scoops of mashed potatoes until crispy on the outside and soft inside. Add herbs, cheese, or green onions for extra flavor.

Left Over Mashed Potato Pancakes Recipe by Karen Mapiye
Have you ever wondered what to do with those mashed potatoes left after dinner? Well this is a way to spin them into breakfast the next morning
CookpadKaren Mapiye
Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes Recipe by Madhumita Bishnu
#GoldenApron23 Leftover potato can be made in so many ways. I mashed and made into pancakes. Had sour cream on it and it tasted yumm
CookpadMadhumita Bishnu

Cheesy Mashed Potato Waffles

Fun, kid-friendly comfort food

Mashed potatoes + cheese + waffle iron = crispy, golden perfection. Serve with sour cream or leftover gravy.

Mashed Potato Waffles Recipe by Stella T
I had some homemade mashed potato leftover and being a #wasteworrior I can’t leave anything unused! This is the perfect way to use it up, so delicious that it’s worth making a pot of mashed potatoes, just to make these waffles! Since the mashed potatoes already had salt and pepper, I didn’t add any.…
CookpadStella T

Shepherd’s Pie with Mashed Potato Topping

A classic reuse idea

Top a simple meat-and-vegetable filling with mashed potatoes and bake until golden. It’s one of the most searched leftover meals after Christmas.

Shepherds Pie Recipe By Danny Vallejo
Great recipe for Shepherds Pie.
CookpadDanny Vallejo
Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe By Katya Katyusha
Simple no-hassle option
CookpadKatya Katyusha

Dessert Leftovers Turned Into Showstoppers

No-cookie-left-behind dessert

Crushed holiday cookies make a perfect cheesecake crust. Great for using mixed cookie leftovers.

Oreo Cookie Cheesecake Recipe By 416sandra
The kids love cheesecake & oreo cookies so I combined the two. success..
Cookpad416sandra
Lemon Cheesecake With Butter Cookie Crust Recipe By Fenway
This is a refreshing yet rich and creamy cheesecake, wonderful topped with fresh berries and homemade whipped cream
Cookpadfenway

Holiday Trifle with Cake or Brownies

Layered, flexible, and festive

Layer leftover cake or brownies with cream and fruit for a quick trifle that feels fresh and celebratory.

Fruity Healthy Trifle. Clean Out Your Fruitbowl Recipe By Annik B
I had some fruit that did not look so appetizing anymore. Created a quick healthy pudding or breakfast dish.
CookpadAnnik B
Delectable Chocolate Trifle Recipe By Thaakira Khan
This is the perfect recipe for intense dessert lovers as it contains a combination of brownies, chocolate,chocolate mousse and cream cheese. It is a great showstopper for special events and don’t forget scrumptious too! #sahdessert If you are not a fan of intense flavours, you could always substitut…
CookpadThaakira Khan

Questions Home Cooks Ask About Holiday Leftovers

How long are Christmas leftovers safe to eat?
Most cooked leftovers last 3–4 days in the fridge when stored properly.

Can holiday leftovers be frozen?
Yes! Turkey, ham, soups, casseroles, and mashed potatoes freeze well.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers without drying them out?
Use gentle heat, cover dishes, and add a little broth or sauce.

How do I make leftovers taste new again?
Change textures (crispy, baked, blended) and flavors (spices, sauces, cheese).

Created a great recipe using holiday leftovers? We’d love to see it!

✨ You might also like:

Brown Sugar: Sweet Recipes & Tips for Home Cooking
Discover the magic of brown sugar in everyday cooking! From soft cookies and caramel-glazed desserts to savory glazes for chicken and veggies, these easy recipes and expert tips make brown sugar a pantry hero.
Cookpad USACookpad US Team
Best Ways to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers
Don’t let your Thanksgiving leftovers go to waste. From turkey pot pie and mashed potato pancakes to breakfast bakes and hearty soups — here’s how to reinvent your holiday favorites into something fresh, cozy, and full of flavor.
Cookpad USACookpad US Team