John Andrew
John Andrew, owner of The Meat Inn Place in Lilydale, boasts a legacy of butchery, offering exclusive grass-fed and free-range meats, and specialising in low-and-slow cuts. With a career inspired by his father, John’s passion and expertise have nurtured a reputable business distinguished by unique offerings like Kiwami Wagyu, driven by a commitment to quality and community service.
What to Cook on the BBQ After Christmas Using Leftover Ham and Turkey
Reading Time: 7 minutes and 6 seconds
Every year after Christmas, people come back into the shop asking the same thing. What should I do with all this leftover ham and turkey. It is a good problem to have, but it can get boring fast.
From a butcher’s point of view, the BBQ is the easiest solution. Leftover ham and turkey only need warming and flavour. A hot plate or grill brings them back to life and turns them into easy summer meals without much effort. This is how I recommend using leftovers properly after Christmas.
Yes, You Can Use Leftover Ham and Turkey on the BBQ
After Christmas, a lot of people hesitate to put leftover ham or turkey back on the BBQ. The concern is usually that it will dry out or lose flavour. From experience, that only happens when it is cooked the wrong way.
Both ham and turkey are already cooked, which makes them ideal for quick BBQ meals. You are not trying to cook the meat through again. You are simply warming it gently and adding a bit of colour. When you do that, the meat stays tender and tastes just as good as it did the first time.
The BBQ also makes the whole process easier. It heats quickly, keeps the kitchen cool, and lets you turn leftovers into a proper meal without much effort. With the right approach, leftover ham and turkey are some of the easiest meats to work with after Christmas.
Why the BBQ Is the Easiest Way to Use Leftover Christmas Ham
After Christmas, most people want meals that are quick and low effort. That is exactly why the BBQ works so well for leftover butcher-made Christmas ham and turkey. You are not starting from scratch, and you are not spending hours in the kitchen trying to reinvent leftovers.
From my point of view, the BBQ gives you better control. You can use gentle heat, move the meat around easily, and avoid drying it out. A hot plate or grill lets you warm slices evenly and add flavour without overcooking them.
There are also a few practical reasons I always recommend the BBQ at this time of year:
- It heats up fast and cooks in minutes
- It keeps the house cool during summer
- Clean up is quick and simple
- You can cook for a few people or a crowd just as easily
- Leftovers feel like a fresh meal, not reheated food
Used properly, the BBQ turns leftover Christmas ham into something you actually look forward to eating again. It is one of the simplest ways to get more value out of what you already have and keep meals relaxed in the days after Christmas.
How I Prep Leftover Ham and Turkey Before Putting It on the BBQ
Before leftover ham or turkey goes anywhere near the BBQ, a little prep makes a big difference. Most problems people run into come from slicing it too thin, using too much heat, or leaving it uncovered.
I always start by letting the meat come slightly closer to room temperature. Straight from the fridge to high heat is the fastest way to dry it out. From there, I slice ham into pieces that are thick enough to hold moisture but thin enough to warm through quickly. Turkey should be cut into even slices or chunks so it heats evenly.
A light coating of oil helps stop sticking and keeps the surface from drying. You do not need heavy seasoning. The flavour is already there. If I am using the grill, I keep the heat moderate. On a hot plate, I use a bit of foil for the first part of cooking and uncover it at the end to add colour.
This approach keeps the meat juicy and makes sure leftovers taste just as good as they did on Christmas Day.
BBQ Ideas Using Leftover Christmas Ham
When it comes to leftover ham, the goal is to keep things easy while making it feel like a proper meal again. These are the BBQ ideas I suggest most often because they work every time and do not require much prep.
Ham and Cheese BBQ Toasties
This is one of the quickest ways to use leftover ham. Thin slices warm through fast and pair well with a good melting cheese. A BBQ hot plate gives you even heat and a crisp finish without drying the ham out.
This works well for lunch or an easy dinner and is a good way to feed a few people without much effort.
BBQ Ham and Pineapple Skewers
Ham and pineapple is a classic combination for a reason. Cut the ham into chunky pieces, thread it onto skewers with pineapple, and warm them gently on the BBQ. The natural sweetness balances the saltiness of the ham and adds a bit of colour to the plate.
These are great for casual meals or when cooking for kids.
Ham Fried Rice on the BBQ Plate
A BBQ plate is perfect for fried rice, especially when you want to stretch leftovers further. Dice the ham, add day old rice, vegetables, and a couple of eggs, and you have a full meal that feeds a crowd.
Using the BBQ keeps the cooking space open and makes clean up easier.
Ham and Sausage BBQ Plates
Leftover ham works best when it is part of a bigger BBQ. Adding a few fresh sausages alongside it gives you more variety and turns leftovers into a complete meal. The ham warms through while the sausages cook, and everything comes together at the same time.
This is one of the simplest ways to make leftovers feel new again.
Turn Leftovers Into a Proper BBQ With One or Two Fresh Cuts
Leftover ham and turkey are a great starting point, but on their own they can feel a bit repetitive after a few days. This is where adding one or two fresh BBQ cuts makes a big difference. You do not need much. A small addition can turn leftovers into a proper meal that feels planned, not pieced together.
From what I see in the shop, this is how most people make leftovers work better. They keep the ham or turkey as part of the BBQ, then add something fresh to bring variety and balance. Sausages, burgers, or a quick grilling cut cook alongside the leftovers and round out the meal.
Here is a simple way to look at it:
| Meal Style | Effort | Variety | Crowd Appeal |
| Leftovers on their own | Low | Limited | Medium |
| Leftovers with fresh BBQ cuts | Easy | High | High |
This approach saves time and reduces waste, but it also makes meals more enjoyable. You get the value out of your Christmas meat while still serving something that feels fresh and satisfying.
BBQ Add-Ons That Make Leftovers Taste Better
When leftover ham or turkey starts to feel repetitive, it usually only needs one or two small additions to lift the whole meal. From what I see in the shop, the best results come from keeping things simple and letting the BBQ do the work.
These are the add-ons I recommend most often, and they are all things you can pick up from us at The Meat Inn Place or order from our online butcher store when you need them:
- Fresh sausages: Easy to cook, full of flavour, and a great way to add variety alongside ham or turkey.
- Burgers or quick grilling cuts: A small amount goes a long way and helps turn leftovers into a more complete BBQ.
- Simple sauces or glaze: A light glaze on ham or a mild BBQ sauce with turkey adds flavour without overpowering the meat.
- Rubs and seasonings: Used sparingly, they help refresh leftovers without masking their original flavour.
- Easy sides: Salads, grilled vegetables, or bread on the BBQ round out the meal and keep things relaxed.
Everything here is about making leftovers easier and more enjoyable. A quick stop at The Meat Inn Place for a few extras is often all it takes to turn what is already in the fridge into something worth firing up the BBQ for.
FAQ
Slice it thick enough to hold moisture, use a light coating of oil, and avoid high heat. If needed, start it covered with foil and uncover it briefly at the end.
When stored properly in the fridge, leftover ham and turkey should be used within a few days. Keep them well wrapped and refrigerated at all times.
For detailed food safety advice, Food Standards Australia New Zealand provides clear guidelines on storing and reheating cooked meats.
https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/food-safety
Usually not much. Ham already has plenty of flavour. Turkey may benefit from a light sauce or seasoning, but keep it simple.
Leftover Ham and Turkey Made Easy After Christmas
Leftover ham and turkey do not need to sit in the fridge until everyone is tired of them. With the right approach, the BBQ turns them into easy meals that still feel worth cooking. A bit of gentle heat, simple prep, and one or two fresh additions is often all it takes.
This is something I see every year. Customers who use their leftovers well enjoy more relaxed meals and waste less food. If you want to get a bit more out of what you already have, the BBQ is the simplest place to start.
If you need fresh sausages, sauces, glazes, rubs, or just a bit of advice, drop into The Meat Inn Place or order online. We are always happy to help you make the most of your BBQ, long after Christmas is over.
