Your fridge is stuffed with leftovers … ham, turkey, cheese, pudding…. And you really, REALLY can’t face the idea of another ham sandwich, or another slice of Christmas cake? We hear you. Here are our favourite ways to make the most of all that food, transforming it into tasty snacks and meals and making sure that none of it eventually ends up in the bin.
Chicken and turkey
Of course there's the old favourite, a chicken or turkey sandwich, but for something different, give chicken or turkey new life in Justine Schofield's shredded chicken and cabbage salad with sesame dressing.
Ham
If you're still feeding a hungry horde, then this cheese and ham bread is a great way to put a new spin on leftover ham and fill hungry bellies.
Tacos can also be a great way to use up leftover ham and pork – check out the SBS Food taco recipe collection for lots of ideas.
Lamb
Donna Hay has not only shared her recipe and tips for a fall-apart slow-roasted lamb shoulder but a great idea for turning leftover lamb into a vibrant lunch or dinner. "My crispy lamb and pea fritters are inspired by a dish my mum used to cook. Every time we'd have the lamb roast you could guarantee the night after we’d have lamb fritters. So I've come up with a little bit of a variation," she says. Get Donna's fritter recipe here.
Pork
Rice paper rolls are so good in the hot days of summer, so they're a great way to use up leftover Christmas roast pork. Try it in this very easy recipe from chef Dan Churchill; using leftovers will make this already-quick recipe even faster.
Bacon, salami and other deli meats
These scone-dough scrolls, by chef Adrian Richardson, are a fast and easy way to use up leftover bacon, chorizo or salami. The dough (made with self-raising flour, not yeast, so it comes together quickly) is really a canvas for whatever you fancy eating - or want to use up. Think leftover pizza sauce, meat, antipasto, cheese or herbs.
Salmon
If a side of salmon had pride of place at your festive gathering, try this for the leftovers. This recipe for salmon and watercress salad with crispy potatoes includes instructions for smoking the salmon fillets, but it’s also a great flavour combination for using up leftover cooked salmon.
Or if you’ve got leftover smoked salmon slices, turn them into a tasty breakfast in these ricotta and smoked salmon fritters.
Cheese
These little pasties wrap a creamy cauliflower cheese filling in a crunchy cheesy crust! Cheddar is a good choice, but you can use any kind of cheese in the filling, as long as it melts well.
You can also turn leftover cheddar into a Mexican-style chilli, bacon and cheese cornbread:
You can also use cheese in the batter for these cauliflower and cheese waffles (and top them with leftover ham!); if you’ve also got kimchi at hand, melt some in these kimchi quesadillas; or throw several kinds of cheese into this quinoa and spinach quiche.
A bit of everything
Muffaletta is basically layers of smallgoods, cheese and grilled antipasto vegetables, tucked into a loaf of bread – which makes it not only excellent picnic fare, but a great way to use up all kinds of leftovers. Think of this recipe as a guide, and substitute whatever you have on hand. Make it a few hours ahead, so it has time to settle and achieve that perfect stuffed-loaf consistency!
And these mini meat pies (made using purchased puff pastry) are great for using up leftover roast meat (beef, chicken, lamb or pork), vegetables and gravy.
Cake and pudding
Christmas pudding turns into a cool treat in these boozy Christmas popsicles!
And if your festive gatherings have left you with cake, here's a round up of ideas, tips and recipes for using up all kinds, from fruity Christmas cake to plain cake crumbs, transforming them into trifles, boozy balls and more.
SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food
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