If your refrigerator is full of holiday leftovers, youāre not alone. Every year families host big holiday meals with the best intentions, only to end up with a fridge packed with turkey, ham and other sides that no one wants to eat again the next day.
Did you know that most families waste 40ā60% of the food they buy, especially around the holidays. Thatās money straight into the trash due to
But it doesnāt have to be that way.
In this blog, Iām going to share exactly how to repurpose holiday leftovers into new meals, how long leftovers are safe to eat, and the best ways to freeze turkey, ham, sides, and more so nothing goes to waste.
As a reminder, my whole blog is about helping you save money on groceries, and repurposing leftovers is one of the easiest ways to stretch your budget for many weeks after the holidays.
How Long Do Holiday Leftovers Really Last? (Food Safety Tips!)
Before we repurpose anything, it is important to talk about food safety.
Turkey and ham should only stay in the refrigerator for 3ā4 days after cooking.
If youāre reading this after that window, it's likely too late to safely save those leftovers. But if you're within the safe zone, itās the perfect time to portion them, freeze them, or turn them into new meals.
A couple quick tips:
- Itās MUCH easier to cut turkey or chicken while itās still warm, not cold.
- Freeze leftovers as soon as you know you wonāt eat them within a few days.
- Store in portion sizes that make sense for your family, this prevents waste later. I prefer 1-2 cup portions in small glass containers.
Smart Ways to Repurpose Leftover Turkey
Turkey is one of the most versatile proteins and can easily be used anywhere youād use cooked chicken.
Portion and Freeze Turkey Correctly
Once your turkey has cooled enough to handle, divide it into:
- Slices of turkey for sandwiches
- 1ā2 cup portions of chopped turkey for regular sized meals
- Larger portions for casseroles or soups
Place the portions in glass containers or freezer-safe bags.
Easy Leftover Turkey Meal Ideas
You can use leftover turkey in:
- Turkey pot pie
- Turkey orzo (swap turkey for chicken)
- Turkey enchiladas ā I like to flash freeze them individually
- Turkey and dumplings
- Turkey noodle soup
Having cooked protein ready to grab from the freezer makes meal planning extremely easy. You can use this option instead of having to purchase another meat at the grocery store on upcoming trips which will save you money on groceries.
How to Make Turkey Stock
Never throw away the turkey carcass! You can simmer it immediately to make turkey stock, or freeze the carcass and make stock later.Ā Turkey stock is extremely flavorful and can be used in place of chicken or beef stock in almost any recipe. I also pressure can my stock to make it shelf-stable. Here is my recipe for turkey stock.
How to Use Up Leftover Ham
Ham is one of my favorite leftovers because it freezes perfectly and stays flavorful for months. Similarly to turkey, I recommend chopping up the ham while it is still warm. I put 1 cup portions of ham into small plastic bags and then put all of the smaller bags into a larger bag. This helps to protect the ham from freezer burn. You can also use small glass containers if you prefer.
Easy Meals with Leftover Ham
Some of the meals that we enjoy using our leftover ham in are Chef salads, fried rice, egg dishes, and soups.
Having pre-cooked protein ready to go means easy weeknight dinners that donāt require as much time or energy! I share more about it in the short video.
Stretch Your Groceries for Weeks After the Holidays
Holiday leftovers are one of the biggest opportunities to save money on groceries and reduce food waste. After spending so much on a holiday meal, itās important to be able to use anything that is leftover for additional meals in the future. With just a little planning and smart storage, one Thanksgiving or Christmas meal can turn into many easy meals in the weeks ahead.
By portioning, freezing, and repurposing your leftovers, youāre also saving time! You have less cooking to do since the protein is already prepared. You are also reducing food waste and stretching your grocery budget.
On my YouTube channel I share three new videos every week with grocery tips, produce hacks, and simple budget-friendly meals. Also make sure youāre signed up for my newsletter so you donāt miss any new tips!
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