22 Traditional Boxing Day Recipes for a Festive Feast

Boxing Day has always held a special place in my heart, as it's the perfect follow-up to the excitement of Christmas Day. The festive celebrations continue, but with a more laid-back and cozy vibe. This year, I decided to elevate my post-Christmas tradition with an irresistible array of delicious dishes.

Whether you’re entertaining a crowd or enjoying a quiet day with the family, these 22 traditional Boxing Day recipes will help you create a memorable feast. I've got you covered with mouthwatering recipes that will make your Boxing Day spread as festive and delightful as Christmas itself.

1. Turkey and Cranberry Sliders

Transform your Christmas turkey leftovers into these irresistible sliders.

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey
• Cranberry sauce
• Mini rolls
• Swiss cheese slices
• Lettuce
• Mayonnaise

Instructions:

1. Slice the mini rolls and spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on each side.
2. Layer with leftover turkey, a spoonful of cranberry sauce, Swiss cheese, and lettuce.
3. Serve immediately for a quick and delicious snack.

2. Bubble and Squeak

A British classic made from leftover vegetables and potatoes.

Ingredients:

• Leftover mashed potatoes
• Leftover vegetables (Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots)
• Salt and pepper
• Butter

Instructions:

1. Mash the leftover vegetables into the mashed potatoes.
2. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Form the mixture into patties and fry in butter until golden brown.

3. Eggnog French Toast

Start your Boxing Day morning with a seasonal twist on classic French toast.

Ingredients:

• 4 slices of bread
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup eggnog
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Butter for frying
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

1. Whisk together eggs, eggnog, and cinnamon.
2. Dip bread slices into the mixture until fully soaked.
3. Fry in butter over medium heat until golden brown.
4. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

4. Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry

An easy and elegant appetizer perfect for any festive occasion.

Ingredients:

• Puff pastry sheet
• Sliced ham
• Shredded cheese
• Dijon mustard

Instructions:

1. Roll out the puff pastry and spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard.
2. Layer with ham and cheese.
3. Roll the puff pastry into a log and slice into rounds.
4. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

5. Roast Beef Sandwich

A hearty sandwich perfect for using up roast beef leftovers.

Ingredients:

• Leftover roast beef
• Sliced ciabatta bread
• Horseradish sauce
• Arugula
• Provolone cheese

Instructions:

1. Slice the ciabatta bread and spread horseradish sauce on each side.
2. Layer with roast beef, arugula, and provolone cheese.
3. Serve cold or grill for a warm, melty version.

6. Cranberry Brie Bites

A bite-sized treat that combines sweet and savory flavors.

Ingredients:

• Crescent roll dough
• Brie cheese
• Cranberry sauce
• Chopped pecans

Instructions:

1. Cut crescent roll dough into small squares and place them in mini muffin tins.
2. Add a small piece of Brie cheese and a dollop of cranberry sauce to each.
3. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
4. Bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes.

7. Prime Rib Hash

A savory and filling dish made from leftover prime rib.

Ingredients:

• Leftover prime rib, diced
• Potatoes, diced
• Onion, chopped
• Bell pepper, chopped
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and add diced potatoes.
2. Cook until potatoes are tender and slightly crispy.
3. Add chopped onion and bell pepper, cooking until softened.
4. Stir in diced prime rib and cook until heated through.

8. Christmas Pudding Trifle

A delightful and creamy dessert that uses up Christmas pudding.

Ingredients:

• Leftover Christmas pudding
• Vanilla custard
• Whipped cream
• Fresh berries

Instructions:

1. Crumble the leftover Christmas pudding and layer it in a trifle dish.
2. Add a layer of vanilla custard.
3. Top with whipped cream and fresh berries.
4. Chill for at least an hour before serving.

9. Cheese and Chive Scones

Perfect for an afternoon snack with a cup of tea.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup cold butter, diced
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped chives
• 3/4 cup milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Stir in cheese and chives.
5. Add milk and mix until just combined.
6. Form dough into rounds and place on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

10. Turkey Pot Pie

A comforting dish to use up leftover turkey and veggies.

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey, shredded
• Mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• Pie crust

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Mix together turkey, mixed vegetables, cream of chicken soup, and milk.
3. Pour the mixture into a pie dish and cover with pie crust.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

11. Spiced Apple Cider

Warm up with a mug of this fragrant and cozy drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 gallon apple cider
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp whole cloves
• 1 orange, sliced

Instructions:

1. Pour apple cider into a large pot.
2. Add cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and orange slices.
3. Simmer over low heat for 30-60 minutes.
4. Strain before serving.

12. Beef Stroganoff

A rich and creamy dish made with leftover roast beef.

Ingredients:

• Leftover roast beef, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• Egg noodles
• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cook egg noodles according to package instructions.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet, add chopped onion and mushrooms. Cook until softened.
3. Add sliced roast beef and beef broth, simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Stir in sour cream until the sauce is creamy.
5. Serve over egg noodles.

13. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

A healthy and delicious way to use up pumpkin pie filling.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup pumpkin pie filling
• 1 banana
• 1 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.

14. Sausage Rolls

A savory pastry that everyone will love.

Ingredients:

• Puff pastry sheets
• Sausage meat
• 1 egg, beaten

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Roll out the puff pastry and cut into rectangles.
3. Place sausage meat in a line down the center of each rectangle.
4. Fold the pastry over the sausage and seal the edges.
5. Brush with beaten egg.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

15. Butternut Squash Soup

A warm and comforting soup that’s perfect for a chilly day.

Ingredients:

• 1 butternut squash, peeled and diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot and sauté chopped onion until soft.
2. Add diced butternut squash and vegetable broth.
3. Simmer for 20-30 minutes until squash is tender.
4. Blend until smooth and season with thyme, salt, and pepper.

16. Turkey Cranberry Salad

A fresh and tangy salad with leftover turkey and cranberries.

Ingredients:

• Leftover turkey, diced
• Mixed greens
• Dried cranberries
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Balsamic vinaigrette

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, diced turkey, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese.
2. Toss with balsamic vinaigrette before serving.

17. Bread Pudding

A classic dessert that’s warm, comforting, and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups cubed bread
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Place the cubed bread in a greased baking dish.
3. Whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
4. Pour the mixture over the bread and let it soak for at least 30 minutes.
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and set.

18. Shepherd’s Pie

A hearty and filling dish that’s perfect for using up leftovers.

Ingredients:

• Leftover roast meat, minced
• Mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
• Leftover mashed potatoes
• Gravy

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Mix minced roast meat with mixed vegetables and gravy.
3. Place the mixture in a baking dish and top with a layer of mashed potatoes.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown.

19. Mince Pies

A traditional British sweet treat that’s perfect for the holidays.

Ingredients:

• Premade pie crust
• Mince meat filling
• Powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Roll out the pie crust and cut into circles.
3. Place the circles into a muffin tin and fill with mince meat filling.
4. Top with another circle of dough.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
6. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

20. Mulled Wine

A warm and spiced wine that’s perfect for a festive gathering.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle red wine
• 1 orange, sliced
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1/4 cup honey
• 5 cloves

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot.
2. Heat over low simmer for at least 20 minutes.
3. Strain before serving.

21. Chicken Curry

A flavorful and hearty dish for Boxing Day feasting.

Ingredients:

• Leftover chicken, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add chopped onion and sauté until soft.
2. Stir in curry powder and cook for another minute.
3. Add diced chicken and cook until lightly browned.
4. Pour in coconut milk and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper.

22. Christmas Biscotti

A crunchy and festive treat to enjoy with a hot drink.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 1 cup dried fruit

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Beat eggs and sugar until pale and thick.
3. Stir in flour, baking powder, and vanilla extract until combined.
4. Mix in chopped nuts and dried fruit.
5. Form the dough into logs and place on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
7. Cool slightly, then slice into biscotti shapes.
8. Bake the slices for another 10-15 minutes until golden and crispy.

Conclusion

Each one of these recipes brings something special to the table. They make Boxing Day a delicious extension of holiday cheer, keeping the festivity alive with every bite.