The Best Low Carb Christmas Leftover Recipes (2024)

What do you do with all your Christmas leftovers? Do you dread eating ham or turkey every single day?

Use your holiday leftovers wisely with these clever recipes (you’ll actually want to eat).

PLUS download your FREE printable festive holiday meal plan.

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Low-carb Christmas leftover recipes don’t have to be boring, or difficult. All that leftover turkey can be used in so many ways, other than a low-carb leftover turkey casserole.

Are you ready to create the ultimate 12-month blueprint for reaching your health & weight loss goals this coming year?

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Our free on-demand video training will walk you through how to make 2024 THE year you set health goals…and keep them.

If you are fed up with leftover turkey casserole, these low-carb keto recipes are for you.

These are the easiestways to use Christmas leftover turkey or chicken, ham, beef, and even how to use leftover salmon so nothing goes to waste and to help you keep on track. All the low-carb keto recipes are gluten-free.

What is a traditional Christmas meal? For many, it is traditional to cook a turkey on Christmas day but others like to cook roast beef, roast pork, whole poached salmon, or glazed ham. And if you have just finished celebrating your Thanksgiving dinner, then you will need clever new ideas to use up your leftover turkey … again.

Most of these festive recipes are also very adaptable to whichever leftover meat you have for Christmas leftovers or Thanksgiving leftovers.

Can I use chicken instead of turkey?

Yes, chicken is a great and cheaper alternative to leftover turkey. Not everyone likes turkey but most people love chicken.

All the keto recipes below can be used interchangeably for leftover turkey or chicken. You can even make most of these low-carb keto recipes with cooked chicken, chicken breast, or a rotisserie chicken

Can I use pork instead of ham?

Yes, you can use leftover pork instead of leftover ham. You can make a tasty low-carb keto casserole, soups, broths, and casseroles with both.

What are the best low-carb and keto side dishes?

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Once you know to avoid high-carb vegetables such as green beans and mashed potatoes, you’ll discover how many delicious recipes you can enjoy on your low-carb diet or keto diet.

The best low-carb keto side dishes for chicken and low-carb turkey casserole are steamed vegetables, keto garlic bread, mashed cauliflower, cauliflower rice, and keto dinner rolls.

If you want to know what to serve with pork, then go for cheddar keto biscuits, creamy asparagus, or baked broccoli and cauliflower.

And if you are serving beef, the easiest side dishes are coleslaw, spaghetti squash, and creamed Brussels sprouts.

If you don’t want to cook, then buy a pre-bagged salad and make a 1-minute magic mayonnaise.

Keto Tortillas Recipe

These easy 3-ingredient keto tortillas will make you excited for Taco Tuesday again!

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sugar free mint sauce

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3 Ingredient Easy Keto Pasta Recipe (egg-free)

This easy keto pasta will blow your mind. It can be made from scratch in a few minutes and doesn't contain gluten, eggs, or nuts. The perfect recipe for 2 or double to feed 4.

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Recipes to use leftover turkey and chicken

Delicious roast turkey and chicken can be interchanged in many of these keto recipes. Whether you’re looking for a low-carb turkey casserole, leftover turkey or chicken salad, or ways to use your Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner without anyone knowing these low-carb recipes will make your meal prep a breeze.

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The ultimate high-protein keto meal, chicken Caesar salad can be made with leftover turkey and even leftover coconut flour cornbread stuffing instead of croutons.

ABC burgers (avocado, bacon, and chicken leftovers)- perfect for chopped cooked turkey. The whole family will love easy turkey burgers.

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Keto ABC bun-less burger recipe

ABC bun-less keto burgers are easy to remember and even easier to make for dinner tonight. Naturally gluten-free and so healthy and nutritious.

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Leftover turkey meat can be mixed with mayonnaise in a large mixing bowl, cooked as leftover turkey soup, mixed with cream cheese as a dip, or shredded leftover turkey can be served as a quick and easy turkey salad.

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Bone broth, don’t even think about throwing those amazing turkey bones away. Save the turkey carcass or chicken carcass and any leftover vegetables and throw them in your slow cooker or Instant Pot and allow them to release all their amazing nutrients and flavors to make bone broth, turkey stock, or turkey soup.

Slow Cooker Chicken Bone Broth Recipe

Turn the bones from a whole chicken into delicious bone broth.

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The Best Low Carb Christmas Leftover Recipes (10)

Fathead pizza, is the most downloaded recipe for my entire site. Why not add any leftover meat here and add suitable herbs and cheeses that best accompany the meat? If you want to add leftover turkey, add some slices of brie, Camberbert, and leftover cranberry sauce too.

FatHead Pizza Recipe (Best Keto Pizza Crust)

FatHead pizza recipe is the NUMBER ONE recipe that every reader NEEDS to make. It has won over many traditional pizza lovers who are never going back. See the conversion below to see how to make these using almond flour or coconut flour.

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Easy Avocado Boats – 3 ways – these are simply amazing with leftover turkey mayonnaise. Simply mix some leftover chopped turkey with 1-minute mayonnaise.

Carrot and Ginger Salad

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Instead of serving leftover chicken or leftover turkey with traditional fresh green beans, mix it with a few simple herbs and spices then serve in a large lettuce leaf.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Slow cooker buffalo chicken lettuce wraps is a tasty meal that is nutritious and easy to throw together. This recipe is low-carb, keto friendly, and gluten-free.

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Using leftover turkey in a turkey casserole can get boring pretty quick, so jazz it up and find new keto recipes with this easy chicken salad (or leftover turkey salad).

Easy Versatile Keto Chicken Salad

This low-carb chicken salad is a quick and easy meal that is full of flavour and vegetables. It makes the perfect dip, snack, or meal.

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Marinade your leftover turkey with a few simple herbs and spices, coconut cream, and a piece of keto naan bread, served on a bed of golden brown cauliflower rice, is the perfect antidote to Christmas dinner.

Keto Butter Chicken Recipe

Keto Butter Chicken is a delicious Indian dish with bold and rich flavors. Served over cauliflower rice this easy dish is low-carb, gluten-free, and sugar-free.

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Recipes to use leftover pork

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If you have any leftover pork and sage sausage stuffing, keto glazed ham, pulled pork, or roast pork will all work well in these easy ways to use leftovers.

Keto Pork Sausage Stuffing Recipe

The easiest Keto Stuffing (Pork Sage Sausage Stuffing) you'll ever make! Perfect for keto Thanksgiving and Christmas. Gluten-free and quick to make.

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Mix some leftover pork with a cheat’s cheese sauce and throw it in a casserole dish, cover it with shredded cheese and BBQ sauce, and you’ve got dinner sorted for tonight. This a tasty casserole even the pickiest eater will love.

Keto Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese Recipe

Keto Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese combines all your favorite comfort foods into one with a healthier twist!

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You can use leftover pulled pork or roast pork and serve it in gluten-free keto dinner rolls for a quick mid-week low-carb family dinner.

Easy Keto Dinner Rolls Recipe

These mozzarella dough keto dinner rolls are soft, pillowy, and delicious with a crunchy crust!

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Any leftover meat will work well inside a keto breakfast casserole or a breakfast burrito.

7 Good Reasons to Switch to a Low-Carb Diet

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An easy way to make a gluten-free breakfast that is also low-carb keto is by making baked ham and egg cups. You can add any low-carb leftovers from your Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving dinner inside.

Recipes to use leftover beef

If you have been lucky enough to enjoy roast beef over Christmas and have leftover beef to spare, you can make any of these recipes.

Mix your cooked beef with the cheat’s cheese sauce and pour it into your prepared baking dish, making for a quick and easy low-carb casserole.

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Low-Carb Sloppy Joes Recipe

A tasty sloppy joe that can be served over 1-minute muffins, chaffles, or between a keto bagel.

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Fry leftover beef, leftover turkey, or chicken, with a bag of coleslaw. Serve it as it is or serve it with cauliflower rice for a low-carb fast food.

Easy Keto Crack Slaw Recipe (10-minute dinner)

Have a healthy dinner ready in 10 minutes with this keto dish. Crack slaw is like eggroll in a bowl but with the delicious flavors of bacon. Perfect for dinner, lunch, or meal prep. Recipe can be doubled or cut in half.

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Keto Hamburger Salad Recipe (Big Mac salad)

This keto hamburger salad lets you enjoy all the flavors of a McDonald's Big Mac without the carbs or added sugar.

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Keto Zucchini Taco Boats Recipe (courgettes)

Super easy recipe for keto zucchini stuffed taco boats. A delicious and healthy Mexican meal for the whole family. Quick and easy.

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Keto Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe

Versatile and easy meatloaf cupcakes are great for dinner, lunch or the school lunch box. Make extra as they freeze really well in an airtight container. They can even be used when you need a protein hit.

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Recipes to use leftover bread

What do you do with leftover bread, leftover stuffing, or even stale bread? Never throw it away, keep bread in a ziplock bag in the freezer and plan these tasty gluten-free dinners when you don’t want to cook.

  • Fry leftover bread for quick and easy keto croutons for a leftover turkey salad.
  • Mix bread with mayonnaise and leftover turkey to fill avocado boats.
  • Make a quick leftover turkey casserole by mixing turkey leftovers, cream cheese, bread cubes, and leftover vegetables. Cook and serve your turkey casserole with mushrooms, mozzarella, and cauliflower.

Low-Carb and Keto Stuffing Recipe (Cornbread)

Delicious keto cornbread stuffing 3.4 g net carbs (low-carb and keto stuffing) – the perfect healthy Thanksgiving side dish the whole family will LOVE.

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Easy Keto Cornbread Recipe (6 ingredients)

With this tasty keto cornbread recipe, you can enjoy all the flavors and textures of cornbread (without the carbs)! You only need 6 ingredients and 5 minutes to prepare this classic Southern recipe with only 2.9g net carbs.

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Recipes to use leftover salmon

A whole poached salmon can be a refreshing change from roasted turkey or chicken, so if you have any leftover salmon, these are the best ways to make sure it doesn’t go to waste.

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Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Roulade (Keto Friendly)

Utterly delicious high protein keto smoked salmon and cream cheese roulade. Serve cold with a large salad at holiday barbecues or sliced as a small appetizer.

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What is your favorite way to use leftovers at Christmas? How do you make sure you stay on track and keep eating low-carb over the holiday season? Leave a comment below, I love getting new ideas.

The Best Low Carb Christmas Leftover Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to do Christmas on keto? ›

So, What Can I Cook on Keto?
  1. Beef, Green Beans and Mashed Cauliflower. ...
  2. Duck Breast and Sauteed Cauliflower. ...
  3. Honey Mustard Roasted Salmon and Cauliflower. ...
  4. Chicken, Chorizo, and Roasted Veggies. ...
  5. Golden Veggie Soup. ...
  6. Pork Meatballs With Mashed Squash. ...
  7. Steak With Blue Cheese Sauce. ...
  8. Roasted Zucchini and Feta.

How long are Christmas leftovers good for? ›

The food can sit on the table within a two-hour window, and if it's stored in the fridge in that time frame, it can be eaten as leftovers. While it depends on the food, it's usually safe to eat within the next two to three days, and it's essential food that was hot is reheated well.

Can you freeze cooked turkey in Ireland? ›

When freezing Christmas meats or stuffing, wrap them in heavy freezer wrap and put them in a container suitable for your freezer. Cooked meat will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Can I freeze leftover turkey and ham? ›

It's also best to remove the meat from the bone and cut or slice it into smaller pieces for freezing—slices and smaller pieces will defrost more easily, too. Fully cooked ham can be frozen for up to two months, while poultry will keep for up to three months.

Can I break keto for Christmas? ›

You can take breaks. You can have carbs and re-enter ketosis later. You might, for instance, consider a Cyclical Ketogenic Diet (CKD) over the holidays.

How to get into keto in 3 days? ›

A 72-hour fast, or fasting for three consecutive days without any food intake, can help your body enter a state of ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state in which your body burns stored fat for energy instead of glucose from carbohydrates.

Can you eat 7 day old leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Is 7 days too long for leftovers? ›

The FDA says you should typically only keep leftovers in the fridge for up to four days (womp womp), but Randy Worobo, Ph. D., professor of food microbiology at Cornell University, tells SELF that they can potentially last for up to a week depending on how they're handled.

Can you reheat Christmas dinner next day? ›

Sarah explains: “Chicken and turkey are no different from other meats, meaning you can reheat them safely two or more times, however it's recommended to only do so once. When you reheat meat it's extremely important that you properly heat it the whole way through, meaning the meat is steaming in the middle.

Can I eat cooked turkey after 5 days? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

How long after Christmas can you eat turkey? ›

Your guide to post-holiday food safety. Health officials recommend eating or freezing turkey and other leftovers within three to four days.

Is it better to freeze turkey raw or cooked? ›

If you want o buy it now I would freeze it raw, defrost it in the fridge and roast it. That way you can enjoy the freshly cooked meat and the cold leftovers. When you freeze cooked turkey the texture is dryer so it works best in recipes with added sauce like curry or coronation salad.

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

A whole turkey can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months. Turkey pieces are best consumed within nine months.

What Christmas leftovers can you freeze? ›

To make your festive food go further

You can freeze turkey, other meat and meals cooked from previously cooked and frozen meat. But once defrosted, the pause button is off and you should eat the food within 24 hours. You can make your leftovers into new meals and then freeze them.

How do you freeze cooked turkey so it stays moist? ›

Slice the meat from the turkey and wrap it in freezer paper or foil, then seal in plastic freezer bags (make sure to press out all the air before sealing). Liquids, like soup or gravy, will expand slightly as they freeze, so leave a little space at the top of the container.

Can I have a cheat day in keto? ›

Keto Cheat Days Are Definitely Possible

However, if you want to go all out on your cheat day, be ready for some of the side effects and the fact that you'll more than likely have to spend some time getting back into ketosis. No matter what, enjoy your cheat day!

Can you cheat a little on keto? ›

If your primary goal of following a keto diet is to lose weight, the occasional cheat day or cheat meal is not going to completely wreck your progress even if it disrupts ketosis. Ketosis has potential health benefits, one of which is calorie control.

How do I stick to keto on holiday? ›

How to eat low carb and keto when traveling
  1. 6 tips. Eat well before departing. ...
  2. Eat well before departing. Fill up on your low carb favorites before you leave. ...
  3. Pack low carb snacks. ...
  4. Use coffee to keep hunger at bay. ...
  5. Try fasting. ...
  6. Master restaurant dining.

How can I go on keto without starving? ›

Make sure you are eating enough fat. Being much more energy-dense than carbohydrates, fats are also more satiating. They will also ensure that you stay in ketosis. Increase the size of your meals with nutrient-dense foods.

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