Top 20 Boxing Day buffet ideas
Learn how to host a Boxing Day buffet by revamping your Christmas leftovers after the big day. Try these easy-to-make, seasonal dishes to wow a crowd
Boxing Day was made for relaxing with friends and family and indulging in the best of your Christmas leftovers. Turn lonely-looking scraps into new meals, and if you're having people over, put together a buffet to impress. These dishes are all about big, comforting flavours and making the most out of festive favourites. We've got clever pasta bakes, salads, scones and puddings to use up whatever's left in the kitchen and keep the party going well beyond Christmas Day.
Check out our Boxing Day recipes for more ways to use your Christmas leftovers. If you’d prefer a more intimate affair after you’ve hosted your main celebrations, why not try our quick Boxing Day dinners or family dinner ideas for Christmas leftovers? And it’s never too late for a Christmas sweet treat! Try our best leftover Christmas dessert ideas to breathe life into your stale festive cakes and biscuits.
Salads and finger foods
1. Boxing day scones
Turn your leftover gammon or ham into a round of warm fresh scones, the perfect welcome for last-minute guests between Christmas and New Year.
Discover more sweet and savoury scone recipes.
2. Orange, fennel & wild rice salad
Do you have carrots left over from Christmas Day? You can enhance them with texture and fresh flavours in this orange, fennel & wild rice salad.
Use up more of your leftover Christmas veg with these clever Christmas leftover salads.
3. Veg peel fritters
Save your vegetable peelings from your Christmas roasts to make these easy fritters, spiced with chilli powder, cumin and nigella seeds. They go perfectly with a lime pickle, mango chutney or raita dip.
4. Honeyed beetroot & carrot salad with feta & hazelnuts
If you have a bag of leftover carrots in your cupboard, spruce them up in this honeyed beetroot & carrot salad with feta & hazelnuts. Make the zesty dressing using honey, lemon zest, orange, cumin and coriander. It’s a light and refreshing main, ideal after a heavy Christmas roast.
Make the most of seasonal winter produce with our winter salad recipes.
5. Refried roasties
Use up any uneaten potatoes and make these refried roasties with pickled onions and thyme. They’re a great vegetarian and gluten-free addition to your Boxing Day buffet.
Boxing Day mains
6. Leftover lamb curry
Make the most of leftover roast lamb with this simple, three-step, flavour-packed leftover lamb curry. Serve with naan, spiced rice and more side dishes for a filling feast.
7. Leftover turkey fricassee
This creamy leftover turkey fricassee can be on your table in just 20 minutes, and works well with either potatoes or pasta. You can bulk it up further by pairing it with a side of garlic bread or greens, such as our stir-fried garlic green beans or spring greens with lemon dressing, for a zesty side to cut through the creaminess.
8. Leftover lamb & potato pie
This spin on cottage pie can be made in no time, and is great for using up your leftover lamb, gravy and potatoes. Layer your meat at the bottom of a small baking dish before topping it with gravy and your crumbled potatoes, then top with cheese and cook until golden.
Discover more twists on traditional cottage pie with our guide 10 twists on cottage pie.
9. Leftover turkey curry
If you’re craving some spice after your traditional Christmas lunch, then this leftover turkey tikka masala is a great way to repurpose your leftover turkey. Made using double cream and yogurt, this curry is the perfect balance of rich and creamy while being packed with the strong flavours of chilli, cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander and garam masala.
Try these leftover Christmas turkey recipes to transform your roast turkey into more filling meals.
10. Boxing Day soup
Warm up with a wholesome soup made from Christmas Day veg. This recipe not only feels light after all the festive indulgence, but also transforms your leftover vegetables into a lovely lunch.
Discover more hearty soup recipes with our winter soup recipes.
11. Christmas leftovers pizza
Make the most of your Christmas leftovers with a simple twist on pizza. This Christmas pizza is a laid-back way to enjoy the remnants of your holiday feast without much fuss. Just load up your base with whatever you have remaining and enjoy while watching a festive film.
If you’re feeling more energetic, why not make your pizza base from scratch? Our pizza margherita in 4 easy steps is a good place to start.
12. Leftovers roast chicken pad Thai
Want to make the most of your leftover roast chicken? All you need is a pad Thai sauce and noodles to transform it into something new. This meal can be on your table in only 30 minutes and the kick from the sriracha and chilli will be welcome after all the rich Christmas food.
Discover more of our Thai-inspired recipes.
13. Easy leftover chicken curry
Whip up a quick and easy leftover chicken curry with just 10 ingredients. This no-fuss dinner idea is egg-free, nut-free and low in sugar, and it packs a punch of flavour. Plus, the addition of sugar snap peas brings a touch of sweetness.
Find more budget-friendly meal ideas with our leftover chicken recipes.
14. Leftover turkey wraps with cranberry sauce
Craft a simple lunch using surplus cranberry sauce, red cabbage and turkey. It's a convenient no-cook option, especially when you've already spent a lot of time in the kitchen over the holidays.
Check out our no-cook recipes for more speedy supper ideas that don’t require you to turn on the hob or oven.
15. Leftover turkey casserole
This one-pot stew uses up all your roast dinner leftovers in one go and has a great honey-mustard tang. Simply soften the onions and apples before stirring in sage, stock, mustard and honey. Then, add your leftovers and simmer for 15 minutes – voila!
Boxing Day desserts
16. Christmas pudding cheesecake
Combine Christmas pudding with cheesecake and what do you get? This fantastic alternative festive dessert with a crunchy ginger base and creamy filling.
Discover more Christmas cheesecake recipes.
17. Christmas brownies
If you have an abundance of edible gifts you would like to repurpose, look no further. Our Christmas brownies are full of chocolate truffles, amaretti biscuits and chocolate buttons.
Try more Christmas brownie recipes, flavoured with mulled wine, cranberries and other festive delights.
18. Christmas rocky road
Another recipe that’s great for using leftover Christmas sweets and biscuits is our Christmas rocky road. It’s a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen, as they'll relish the chance to bash the biscuits.
Try our rocky road recipes for more recipes loved by kids and grownups alike.
19. Rye Christmas pudding cookies
Transform leftover Christmas pudding into thesemoreish cookies. Even pudding sceptics will be swayed by these soft, buttery rye bakes, which taste of Christmas.
Repurpose your Christmas pudding with our leftover Christmas pudding recipes.
20. Christmas pudding trifle
Use leftover Christmas pudding to rustle up this speedy, creamy trifle with Grand Marnier-infused oranges.
Try more of our Christmas trifle recipes, which make a great showstopping pudding.
Like these recipes? Check out more ways to use Christmas leftovers...
Video: how to use up leftover Christmas pudding
Top 10 ways with leftover turkey
10 ways with leftover Christmas desserts
What are your favourite Christmas leftover recipes? Leave a comment below...
