Once Christmas Day is over and the fridge is full of leftovers, the big question always arrives: what do we do with all this turkey?
It’s a familiar dilemma, but it’s also one of the best parts of the festive season. Leftover turkey doesn’t have to mean dry sandwiches or soggy microwaved dishes. With a little creativity, it can become some of the most comforting, satisfying meals of the entire festive season.
At Sana Catering Marbella, we love dishes that feel homely, honest, and grounded in proper seasonal cooking. So, here are five comforting ideas that make the most of your leftover Christmas turkey – simple enough for the quiet days between Christmas and New Year, but tasty enough to look forward to.
Turkey and Ham Pie
If there’s one dish that defines post-Christmas comfort food, it’s this one. A good turkey and ham pie is a real winter warmer – golden pastry on the outside, rich, creamy filling on the inside.
Just mix your leftover turkey with chunks of ham (or gammon), add some sauteed onions or leeks, fold into a simple white sauce, and top with some ready-rolled puff pastry. You can even bulk it out with leftover carrots, peas or roasted veg.
It’s indulgent, it’s nostalgic, and it makes brilliant use of everything in the fridge.
Turkey Curry
The classic Boxing Day tradition. Turkey curry is the go-to when you want something full of flavour and not a roast dinner!
Mild, creamy kormas, fragrant tikka-style sauces, or a tomato-based masala – turkey works beautifully with all of them. Leftover roast veg or potatoes can even be stirred in to make it heartier.
It’s the kind of meal you can make in one pot, leave to gently bubble away, and enjoy with rice, naan, or even leftover bread rolls. Plus, it freezes well, making it a practical way to clear out the fridge.
Turkey Ramen
If you want to try something completely different this year with your leftover turkey, a nice brothy bowl of noodles should be the top of your list.
Add the leftover turkey and gravy to create a rich, meaty flavour with dried shiitake mushrooms and eggs. Pop in some garlic, ginger, soy sauce and beansprouts, and enjoy the Asian flavours.
Turkey and Stilton Pasta
If your Christmas cheeseboard always ends with an untouched wedge of Stilton, this is the perfect way to make sure it gets used up.
A creamy Stilton sauce melts around the shredded turkey, creating a rich, silky pasta dish with real depth of flavour. Add peas, spinach or broccoli for a bit of colour, crack some pepper on top, and you’ve got a meal that feels special without any effort at all.
This one is especially good for those in-between days when you still want something indulgent, but you’re ready for a change from roast dinners.
Turkey Jacket Potatoes
A fluffy jacket potato filled with a creamy turkey mixture is the sort of meal that feels satisfying without being too heavy. Mix turkey with a spoonful of mayo or crème fraîche, a little mustard, some chopped spring onions, and any leftover veg you have on hand.
It’s quick, practical, and ideal for the “I don’t want to cook anything complicated” days inbetween Christmas and New Year.
Making the Most of Leftovers
Cooking with leftovers is a fantastic way to reduce waste, save time, and bring new life to ingredients you’ve already taken the effort to prepare. At Sana Catering, this kind of thoughtful cooking is at the heart of what we do.
Whether we’re preparing a festive menu, a wedding feast, or a private villa event, we always start with good ingredients, simple techniques, and flavours that feel honest and comforting.
Planning a Christmas Event Next Year?
If you’re hosting a festive gathering in Marbella or anywhere along the Costa del Sol next year, and want Christmas food that’s delicious on the day (and even better the next), we’d love to help.
Get in touch with Sana Catering Marbella to begin planning something special for next Christmas.