20 Hearty Boxing Day Soup Recipes Perfect for Leftovers

Boxing Day is one of my favorite days of the year. The Christmas hustle and bustle is over, and it's time to relax and enjoy some downtime. But if you're anything like me, you probably have a fridge packed with leftovers. Every year, I find myself wondering what to do with all that extra food, and I found the perfect solution: soups!

They are warm, comforting, and a fantastic way to use up leftovers in a flavorful way. In this blog post, I've put together "20 Hearty Boxing Day Soup Recipes Perfect for Leftovers." Each recipe is a unique twist on classic favorites, ensuring you make the most out of your leftover holiday feast. Let’s dive in!

1. Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

A rich, flavorful soup that makes the best of your turkey leftovers.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded
• 1 cup wild rice, cooked
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the broth and bring to a boil.
4. Add turkey and rice, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Stir in the heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Heat through and serve.

2. Ham and Potato Soup

This creamy and hearty soup is perfect for using up leftover ham.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover ham, diced
• 4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic, and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
3. Stir in potatoes and chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add ham, milk, and cheese. Stir until cheese is melted.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

3. Beef and Barley Soup

Make this hearty soup with your leftover beef roast.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover beef, shredded
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the beef broth and barley. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat, add beef, and simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

4. Chicken and Corn Chowder

This creamy chowder is perfect for leftover chicken.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover chicken, shredded
• 2 cups corn kernels (canned or frozen)
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 potatoes, cubed
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add onion and bell pepper, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in potatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add chicken, corn, and milk. Stir and heat until warmed through.
5. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

5. Prime Rib French Onion Soup

A rich and hearty soup perfect for leftover prime rib.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover prime rib, sliced thin
• 4 large onions, sliced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Gruyere cheese, shredded
• French bread, sliced

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add onions and cook until caramelized, about 30 minutes.
3. Stir in beef broth and prime rib. Bring to a simmer.
4. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for another 20 minutes.
5. Ladle soup into bowls, top with bread and cheese, and broil until cheese is melted. Enjoy!

6. Pork and Cabbage Soup

A savory and satisfying way to use leftover pork.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover pork, diced
• 4 cups cabbage, shredded
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and carrots, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in cabbage and cook until wilted.
4. Add pork and chicken broth. Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

7. Veggie Medley Soup

A nutritious and delicious way to use up any leftover veggies.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, green beans)
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 potatoes, cubed
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in potatoes and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add leftover mixed vegetables. Heat through.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

8. Butternut Squash and Turkey Soup

A silky, satisfying soup ideal for leftover turkey.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded
• 4 cups butternut squash, cubed
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in butternut squash and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Puree the soup using an immersion blender until smooth.
5. Stir in turkey and milk. Heat through and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

9. Lentil and Ham Soup

A protein-packed, hearty soup for leftover ham.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover ham, diced
• 1 cup lentils, rinsed
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in lentils and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Add ham and cook for another 10 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

10. Spicy Sausage and Bean Soup

A robust, spicy soup to warm you right up.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover cooked sausage, sliced
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and bell pepper, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant.
4. Add sausage, beans, chicken broth, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Serve warm.

11. Mushroom Barley Soup

A flavorful soup perfect with leftover roast beef or pork.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover roast beef/pork, shredded
• 1 cup barley
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and mushrooms, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in beef broth and barley. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 25 minutes.
4. Add shredded beef/pork and heat through.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

12. Seafood Chowder

Got leftover seafood? This chowder is for you.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover seafood (shrimp, fish, clams), diced
• 2 potatoes, cubed
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 4 cups seafood broth
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in potatoes and seafood broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add seafood, corn, and milk. Stir and heat through.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

13. Tomato Basil Soup with Meatballs

A rich, comforting soup enhanced by leftover meatballs.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover meatballs, sliced
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add meatballs and heavy cream. Heat through.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh basil. Serve hot.

14. Garlic and Herb Chicken Soup

A soothing, aromatic soup for leftover chicken.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover chicken, shredded
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt, pepper, and mixed herbs (thyme, rosemary) to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant.
3. Stir in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add chicken and spinach. Heat until spinach is wilted.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs. Serve hot.

15. Bacon and Potato Soup

Indulge a bit with this creamy, bacon-infused soup.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover bacon, crumbled
• 4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cups milk
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in potatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add milk and bacon. Stir and heat through.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

16. Chicken Tortilla Soup

A zesty, flavorful soup great for leftover chicken.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover chicken, shredded
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn
• 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt, pepper, and cumin to taste
• Tortilla strips for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in chicken broth, beans, corn, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add shredded chicken and heat through.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and cumin. Garnish with tortilla strips. Serve warm.

17. Clam Chowder

For those who have seafood leftover from their holiday meals.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover clams, diced
• 4 potatoes, cubed
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cup corn
• 4 cups seafood broth
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in potatoes and seafood broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add leftover clams, corn, and heavy cream, heating through.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

18. Chicken Vegetable Soup

A light, healthy soup for leftover chicken and veggies.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover chicken, shredded
• 2 cups leftover mixed vegetables
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add chicken and vegetables. Heat through.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

19. Turkey and Sweet Potato Soup

A sweet and savory treat for leftover turkey.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded
• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in sweet potatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add turkey and milk. Stir and heat through.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

20. Split Pea and Ham Soup

A classic soup perfect for leftover ham and easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover ham, diced
• 1 cup split peas, rinsed
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in split peas and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Add ham and cook for another 10 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

Conclusion

Each of these soups takes the best of your leftovers and transforms them into something new and delicious. I hope you enjoy these "20 Hearty Boxing Day Soup Recipes Perfect for Leftovers!" Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.