6 Ways to Give Leftovers a Glow Up

Even team "Leftovers Forever!" experiences some fatigue after a certain point after the holiday feasts. So we thought it over (and over, and over) until we felt over it, too.

Whether you’ve worked your way through our 12 Days of Influencers holiday menu or have slabs of Grandma’s ham, here are six solid ideas for using up grub.

LUCKY LEFTOVERS

Any extra Baked Greek Feta is a perfect pasta just waiting to happen. Smash the feta with a fork and toss everything with your favorite noodle. Add a dollop of kale pesto if you want a sauce to tie the dish together, or simply add a generous drizzle of high-quality olive oil. Meanwhile, leftover sourdough stuffing is pretty much perfect as-is, and will do well frozen in individual portions. If, however, you’re serious about repurposing the stuffing, why not try it as the base of an indulgent eggs Benedict or griddle slices to serve alongside leftover Stuffed Rib of Beef? Topped with a schmear of labneh or cream cheese, slices of homemade sourdough are perfect for anchoring flakes of Oven-Roasted Garlic and Herb Salmon.

WHAT A HAM

If you’ve got leftover Hot Maple-Glazed Ham burning a hole in your fridge, you’re in for a treat—ham is one of those versatile ingredients that can transform into a variety of dishes. Toss bite-size pieces into scrambled eggs, an omelet or an easy ham-and-cheese quiche. Shredded leftover ham can stand in for prosciutto in a zucchini carbonara or bacon in our favorite breakfast sandwiches. (Make them with any leftover skillet dinner rolls.) They're also a fab addition to a giant calzone. Cubes of leftover ham are also practically begging to be stirred into a hearty bowl of beans and greens.

If you're not planning on using all the ham within a few days, no worries—it freezes beautifully. Simply slice or chop the leftover ham into manageable portions, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil, and store it in an airtight container or freezer bag.

POTATO, POTAHTO

As for potatoes, whether you whipped up our creamy One-Pot Red Skin Mashed Potatoes or went all out with ultra-cheesy Pommes Aligot, you're likely facing a mountain of leftovers after the big day. If you’re not a fan of freezing potatoes, there's no need to let them go to waste. Leftover Pommes Aligot are a perfect substitute for creamy polenta—top them with fried eggs and bacon for a decadent breakfast or load 'em up with sliced steak, sautéed peppers, and mushrooms for a simple dinner. Classic mashed potatoes can also shine in a variety of dishes, from mashed potato waffles to easy dumplings or a comforting potato soup. (Find these recipes and more ideas here.) If you can’t face another spud and want to try your hand at freezing, we stand by these directions.

TURKEY TIME

As for the grande dame of holiday dishes—the perfect roast turkey—she’s ready to turn into untold leftover meals, whether stirred into your favorite chicken noodle soup recipe or layered with ample grated cheddar and chutney between slices of sourdough. (Griddle in butter for instant perfection). To make a leftover turkey pizza, spread a thin layer of white sauce on storebought or homemade dough and top with shredded leftover turkey. Stack with rounds of fresh mozzarella, rings of pickled peppers, a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of chili flakes. Bake on your Hybrid Pizza Steel in a 550º F oven until the crust is cooked through. Feeling pretty done with turkey for now? Shred any leftover meat and freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags.

LASAGNA LOVE

If you’re following Marcela Valladolid’s lead and serving a gigantic lasagna for Christmas, you might have leftovers. Rather than mess with perfection, we suggest freezing individual portions of lasagna to fish out of the freezer in a month or two. (The "individual" part may not seem crucial now; it will on the darkest, coldest night of February, when you'll be damned if you're dealing with a frozen lasagna the size of a Cadillac.) 

JUST DESSERTS

Finally, if, for some bizarre reason, you’ve got extra sticky toffee pudding, we suggest transforming it into easy trifles. Layer the cake with whipped cream or ice cream and drizzles of the toffee sauce. Live forever. (Results not guaranteed.)