16 Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas

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You have a pile of leftover turkey, ham, or other holiday roasts and you’re looking for ideas. We have you covered with a few of our favorite leftover holiday roast recipes. And while ours were smoked, these work for any roasts.

A photo collage with images of uses for leftover holiday roasts such as leftover turkey or prime rib
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If you are like us, you buy a lot of food to make sure you don’t run out for any given holiday. But inevitably, you have leftovers and looking for fun ways to use them (aside from the typical turkey sandwich). There are only so many turkey and cranberry stuffing sandwiches you can handle. Here are a collection of our favorite leftover recipes that range from Turkey to Ham, to Prime Rib.

Leftover Turkey Recipes

The ideas are endless when it comes to leftover turkey recipes. And often any chicken dish can easily be substituted with the turkey (as is the case with some of these). That is what we do in our household.

Turkey Chili

It’s worth noting that chili is good, no matter what is in it. But when we have leftover turkey, chili is one of the first things we turn to.

This first one is inspired by my family recipe growing up.

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green chili turkey in a bowl
Green Chile Turkey Recipe
This can be a great use for leftover turkey, or as a main meal. Serve over rice or as a filling for tacos or burritos. 
Check out this recipe

Just sub leftover turkey for ground turkey in this hearty chili.

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Chili in bowl with toppings
Smoked Turkey Chili with Serrano Peppers
Smoked ground turkey, serrano pepper, and beer make for a rich and delicious take on turkey chili.
Check out this recipe

The Greatest Dip Ever!

Truly the ultimate use for leftover turkey. Perfect for the Buffalo wing fan. We go all in on flavor for this dip!

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Buffalo Turkey Dip
Smoked Buffalo Turkey Dip Recipe
The ultimate leftover turkey idea is a Smoked Buffalo Turkey Dip. Cheesy and delicious.
Check out this recipe

Skip the sausage and add turkey to this oh-so-indulgent beer cheese dip.

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Smoked Sausage and Hatch Chili Beer Cheese Dip
Smoked Sausage and Hatch Chile Beer Cheese Dip Recipe
Creamy, smoky, Smoked Sausage Hatch Chile Beer Cheese Dip is the Ultimate Beer Cheese Dip appetizer! Perfect for tailgating season.
Check out this recipe

Pizza

Why not indulge in a Turkey Pizza, it’s a great way to combine a few of your leftovers and still make a great-tasting pizza. Bonus, use our homemade Neapolitan Pizza Dough recipe.

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Leftover turkey pizza on a pizza peel.
Leftover Turkey Pizza
This turkey pizza is a great use for leftover holiday turkey. Use garlic oil and a cranberry sauce as the base, and then layer with brie cheese, mozzarella, and shredded leftover turkey.
Check out this recipe

Salad

Wait, what? Yes, a salad with leftovers can be delicious. These may be chicken recipes, but you can sub any of them for turkey.

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grilled chicken salad
Grilled Chicken Salad with Candied Pecans and Balsamic Dressing
Candied Pecans for crunch, perfectly grilled chicken with a savory honey balsamic dressing makes this a grilled chicken salad with amazing flavor.
Check out this recipe

And really you can make anything Buffaloed! Just swap out chicken for turkey.

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Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad in a large black serving bowl
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad
Healthy Grilled Buffalo Salad recipe that satisfies all your wing cravings, without the guilt. Keto friendly, gluten free, sugar free, low carb, and can easily be adjusted for Paleo and Whole 30.
Check out this recipe

Leftover Ham Recipes

There is nothing like a smoked ham or ham roast. The salty flavor and juicy texture are amazing. But there are also some really fun ideas for leftovers too.

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Breakfast

When I think of ham, I can’t help but think of brunch. And a breakfast hash with smoked ham is absolutely incredible!

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Smoked Ham Breakfast Hash
Smoked Ham Breakfast Hash
Ham and Potato Breakfast Hash made with smoked ham leftover from your holiday dinner. Learn how to make an incredible breakfast hash with any leftover meats and vegetables you have. 
Check out this recipe

Swap the salmon for ham, and Boom! Benedict of Dreams!

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Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict
Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict
Eggs Benedict made with Smoked Salmon. A delicious salmon filet slow smoked until tender and delicious, topped with a perfect poached egg and a flavorful and easy blender hollandaise sauce.
Check out this recipe

Lunch

How about a French inspired ham sandwich from our friend Chef Billy Parisi?

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Croque Monsieur Recipe
Croque Monsieur Recipe
This delicious French classic for a Croque Monsieur Recipe is a pan-cooked sandwich stacked high with ham, bechamel, and shredded cheese!
Check out this recipe

Or maybe one from Kentucky?

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Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich Recipe
Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich Recipe
Leftover ham from the holidays? No Problem, make this amazingly delicious Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich Recipe!
Check out this recipe

Leftover Prime Rib Recipes

It’s common to have those extra slices of rib roast laying around. So grab some bread and get busy making some incredible sandwiches.

Prime Rib Sandwiches

Nothing says leftover prime rib like a hearty sandwich. There are an infinite number of combinations for the tender and juicy flavor.

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Smoked Prime Rib Steak Sandwiches. And incredible use for leftover prime rib
Prime Rib Steak Sandwiches
An incredible use for leftover prime rib? Prime rib steak sandwiches layered with melted provolone cheese, slices of prime rib, caramelized onions, arugula, and horseradish cream sauce.
Check out this recipe

It’s fair to say, a dipped sandwich requires good beef. So why not use prime rib?

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French Dip Sandwiches on a cutting board with homemade au jus sauce
French Dip Sandwich Recipe with Au Jus
An easy French Dip Sandwich with leftover Prime Rib, and a homemade Au Jus served warm.
Check out this recipe

Fajitas

How about taking those delicious rare cut slivers of prime rib and turning them into a fajita?

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Steak Fajitas
Grilled Flank Steak Fajitas Recipe
Tequila and Soy Marinade and grilled flank steak with cast iron seared peppers and onions.
Check out this recipe

Or maybe sub the tri tip for the rib roast.

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Tri Tip fajitas and peppers in a cast iron skillet.
Easy Grilled Tri-Tip Fajitas Recipe
How to get smoke flavor into your fajitas. Grill a Tri-Tip and slice thinly for these incredible, tender, smoky, and savory steak fajitas.
Check out this recipe

Leftover Brisket Recipes

Yes, there are a lot of people that make brisket for the holidays. And we have one article on all of our favorite leftover brisket recipes. But the number one recipe for leftover brisket has to be chili. Our chili has one many awards for us and our readers.

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Smoked Brisket Chili Recipe (recipe and video)
Award-Winning Smoked Beef Brisket Chili. The perfect use for leftover brisket. You’re going to love this! 
Check out this recipe

The ideas go on and on… We’ll keep adding our favorites from Vindulge and the web as we eat our way through some great leftover holiday roast recipes. Feel free to share your favorite uses for leftover roasts, and maybe we’ll try it!



mary cressler headshot

Vindulge

About Mary


I'm Mary, a wine/food/travel writer, Certified Sommelier, mom of twins, former vegetarian turned BBQ fanatic, runner, founder of Vindulge, and author of Fire + Wine cookbook. Thanks for stopping by!

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