{"id":18020,"date":"2025-12-09T18:58:56","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T18:58:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/blog\/boxing-day-dinner-ideas"},"modified":"2026-10-08T18:11:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T18:11:15","slug":"boxing-day-dinner-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/blog\/en\/boxing-day-dinner-ideas","title":{"rendered":"Boxing Day dinner ideas: creative ways to extend the festive cheer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"key-takeaways-box\">\n  <h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n  <p class=\"ktb-tldr\"><strong>TL;DR:<\/strong> A Boxing Day dinner can turn Christmas leftovers into new dishes, warm everyone up with a stew, a fish pie or a soup after a winter walk, lay on a cold buffet of ham, pies and cheese, or try rice paper rolls, a DIY sushi station or mezze, with the table set the night before.<\/p>\n  <ul>\n    <li><strong>Leftovers reimagined:<\/strong> A ploughman&#8217;s platter with the cold ham, a turkey and ham pie or a turkey curry, bubble and squeak from the leftover potatoes and sprouts, smoked salmon folded through pasta and Christmas pudding crumbled over vanilla ice cream.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Warming dishes:<\/strong> A beef and ale stew or a sausage casserole that simmers while you relax, a fish pie with smoked haddock and prawns, or a soup made with stock from the turkey.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>The Boxing Day buffet:<\/strong> Cold ham and turkey with chutneys and piccalilli, a pork pie, sausage rolls and Scotch eggs, a cheeseboard with Stilton and mature Cheddar, then trifle or warm mince pies.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>International menus:<\/strong> Vietnamese rice paper rolls with prawns and herbs, a DIY sushi station or sashimi platters, or a mezze spread of hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh and lamb kofta.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Planning, or a chef:<\/strong> Take stock of likely leftovers before Christmas, set the table and make stews or marinades the night before, or book a private chef: in the UK, about \u00a3150 per person for one or two guests and \u00a366 for groups of 13 or more.<\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Boxing Day arrives with that beautiful mixture of satisfaction and anticipation. The big Christmas feast is behind you, but the holiday spirit lingers on through the short winter days. Whether you&#8217;re recovering from yesterday&#8217;s celebrations or hosting mates who&#8217;ve dropped by unexpectedly, Boxing Day dinner deserves its own moment to shine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For many in the UK, Boxing Day means a bracing winter walk, the football on the telly or a trip to the sales, and that wonderful question: <strong>what shall we eat tonight?<\/strong> With creativity and clever planning, your Boxing Day dinner can be <strong>just as memorable as Christmas itself.<\/strong> And if you&#8217;re hosting earlier in the day, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/blog\/en\/boxing-day-brunch-ideas\">Boxing Day brunch ideas<\/a> cover the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-white ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">\u00cdndice<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad7205d0af90\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #182427;color:#182427\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #182427;color:#182427\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad7205d0af90\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/blog\/en\/boxing-day-dinner-ideas\/#transform_your_christmas_leftovers_into_boxing_day_delights\" >Transform your Christmas leftovers into Boxing Day delights<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/blog\/en\/boxing-day-dinner-ideas\/#warming_boxing_day_dinner_ideas_for_a_winter_evening\" >Warming Boxing Day dinner ideas for a winter evening<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/blog\/en\/boxing-day-dinner-ideas\/#how_to_lay_on_a_boxing_day_buffet\" >How to lay on a Boxing Day buffet<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/blog\/en\/boxing-day-dinner-ideas\/#international_flavours_for_adventurous_boxing_day_menus\" >International flavours for adventurous Boxing Day menus<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/blog\/en\/boxing-day-dinner-ideas\/#elevate_your_boxing_day_with_a_private_chef_experience\" >Elevate your Boxing Day with a private chef experience<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/blog\/en\/boxing-day-dinner-ideas\/#private_chef_cost_in_the_uk_what_to_expect\" >Private chef cost in the UK: what to expect<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/blog\/en\/boxing-day-dinner-ideas\/#planning_tips_for_seamless_boxing_day_dining\" >Planning tips for seamless Boxing Day dining<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/blog\/en\/boxing-day-dinner-ideas\/#making_boxing_day_memorable\" >Making Boxing Day memorable<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"transform_your_christmas_leftovers_into_boxing_day_delights\"><\/span><a><\/a>Transform your Christmas leftovers into Boxing Day delights<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those Christmas leftovers sitting in the fridge aren&#8217;t just scraps waiting to be eaten grudgingly. They&#8217;re the foundation for seriously delicious Boxing Day creations. The trick lies in<strong> reimagining familiar ingredients <\/strong>in fresh, exciting ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cold roast ham<\/strong> becomes the star of a ploughman&#8217;s platter with mature Cheddar, pickled onions, crusty bread and a spoonful of piccalilli.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Leftover turkey <\/strong>transforms into a turkey and ham pie under a puff pastry lid, or a fragrant turkey curry with rice and naan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Crumble <strong>Christmas pudding<\/strong> over vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Roast potatoes and sprouts <\/strong>gain new life as bubble and squeak, fried until crisp and topped with a runny egg.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Smoked salmon<\/strong> left over from Christmas morning works beautifully folded through creamy pasta with lemon and dill.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every leftover presents an opportunity for culinary creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"warming_boxing_day_dinner_ideas_for_a_winter_evening\"><\/span><a><\/a>Warming Boxing Day dinner ideas for a winter evening<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After yesterday&#8217;s rich lunch and an afternoon out in the cold, <strong>many crave something comforting but simple<\/strong>. Think one-pot dishes that look after themselves, soups and pies that use up what&#8217;s left, and food that warms you up without keeping you in the kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>slow-cooked beef and ale stew<\/strong> or a sausage and bean casserole can bubble away in the oven while everyone recovers on the sofa. Serve it with buttery mash or crusty bread and a glass of red for an<strong> effortlessly cosy supper.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A fish pie with smoked haddock and prawns<\/strong> under a golden mash topping makes a lighter change from all that meat, and a soup made with stock from the turkey carcass, the last of the vegetables and a handful of pearl barley is a thrifty classic. Finish with a warm crumble or a slice of Christmas cake.<\/p>\n\n\n      <section class=\"tafc-cta\" aria-label=\"Events and Ideas CTA\">\n        <div class=\"tafc-cta__wrap\">\n          <div class=\"tafc-cta__content\">\n            <span class=\"tafc-cta__eyebrow\">Events &amp; Ideas<\/span>\n            <p class=\"tafc-cta__title\">Unforgettable moments with gourmet touches<\/p>\n            <p class=\"tafc-cta__desc\">From intimate dinners to special celebrations, our private chefs create memorable experiences that turn any event into something extraordinary.<\/p>\n            <div class=\"tafc-cta__actions\">\n              <a class=\"tafc-cta__btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/en-gb\/wizard\/default\">Book now<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"tafc-cta__media\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/ideas-despedida-de-soltera-madrid.jpg);\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/section>\n    \n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_to_lay_on_a_boxing_day_buffet\"><\/span><a><\/a>How to lay on a Boxing Day buffet<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In many British homes, <strong>Boxing Day means a cold buffet<\/strong> that lets everyone graze through the afternoon and evening. It suits a house full of guests coming and going, and almost everything can be prepared ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Carve the rest of the <strong>ham and turkey<\/strong> and serve them with chutneys, pickles and piccalilli.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add a <strong>pork pie, sausage rolls and Scotch eggs<\/strong>, homemade or from a good butcher or deli.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Build a <strong>cheeseboard<\/strong> around Stilton, a mature Cheddar and a soft cheese, with oatcakes, grapes and a glass of port.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Complete the spread with a <strong>trifle<\/strong> or a plate of warm mince pies for a sweet finish that takes no effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"international_flavours_for_adventurous_boxing_day_menus\"><\/span><a><\/a>International flavours for adventurous Boxing Day menus<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Boxing Day offers the perfect opportunity to<strong> explore cuisines beyond traditional fare.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Asian-inspired<\/strong> dishes bring bright flavours that feel refreshing after heavy Christmas food. Try <strong>Vietnamese rice paper rolls <\/strong>with prawns, fresh herbs, and crunchy vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Japanese cuisine <\/strong>emphasises clean, balanced flavours. Assemble a <strong>DIY sushi station<\/strong> where guests create their own rolls, or prepare sashimi platters with pickled ginger. The interactive element <strong>adds entertainment while keeping preparation straightforward.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mediterranean<\/strong> mezze spreads celebrate the season with hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, and warm pita. Add grilled lamb kofta alongside marinated olives and stuffed grape leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"elevate_your_boxing_day_with_a_private_chef_experience\"><\/span><a><\/a>Elevate your Boxing Day with a private chef experience<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps the greatest gift you can give yourself this Boxing Day is the<strong> luxury of being fully present. <\/strong>When someone else handles the cooking, you&#8217;re free to enjoy every conversation, every laugh, and every precious moment with the people who matter most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A private chef experience transforms ordinary gatherings into extraordinary occasions. Services like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/en-gb\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Take a Chef<\/a> connect you with <strong>private chefs that bring restaurant-quality techniques to your dining table<\/strong>, source premium seasonal ingredients and create cohesive menus that flow beautifully from course to course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"private_chef_cost_in_the_uk_what_to_expect\"><\/span><a><\/a>Private chef cost in the UK: what to expect<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many assume hiring a private chef is reserved for very special occasions or deep pockets, but the reality proves surprisingly accessible. <strong>Take a Chef <\/strong>offers transparent pricing that scales with your group size, making professional catering viable for Boxing Day gatherings of any size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What our clients in the UK typically pay per person:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>1 or 2 guests:<\/strong> about \u00a3150 per person<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>3 to 6 guests:<\/strong> about \u00a399 per person<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>7 to 12 guests:<\/strong> about \u00a370 per person<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>13 or more guests:<\/strong> about \u00a366 per person<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are median prices across our UK bookings over the last two years. They include menu consultation, ingredient shopping, cooking, service and complete kitchen clean-up afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"planning_tips_for_seamless_boxing_day_dining\"><\/span><a><\/a>Planning tips for seamless Boxing Day dining<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Success lies in thoughtful preparation. Before Christmas arrives,<strong> take inventory of what you&#8217;ll have as leftovers and plan Boxing Day meals accordingly<\/strong>. This reduces food waste while ensuring you have everything for creative transformations the following day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Set the table the night before <\/strong>if you&#8217;re hosting again. Choose serving dishes and platters in advance.<strong> Make stews, gravies or marinades that improve with time<\/strong>. These small steps eliminate morning stress and allow Boxing Day to unfold at a leisurely, enjoyable pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most importantly, remember that<strong> Boxing Day celebrates relaxation and togetherness. <\/strong>The best dinner allows everyone, including the host, to enjoy the festive spirit. Whether through clever leftover reinvention, a relaxed buffet or professional help, the goal remains: good food shared with good company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"making_boxing_day_memorable\"><\/span><a><\/a>Making Boxing Day memorable<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Boxing Day dinner holds unique potential for memorable experiences. Freed from Christmas Day formality, these gatherings often feel more relaxed and intimate. The key lies in <strong>choosing an approach that suits your energy levels, guest list, and personal preferences.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you transform yesterday&#8217;s feast into today&#8217;s culinary adventure, lay on a buffet for everyone who drops by, or treat yourself to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/en-gb\">private chef experience<\/a>, Boxing Day offers wonderful opportunities to extend the festive cheer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways TL;DR: A Boxing Day dinner can turn Christmas leftovers into new dishes, warm everyone up with a stew, a fish pie or a soup after a winter walk, lay on a cold buffet of ham, pies and cheese, or try rice paper rolls, a DIY sushi station or mezze, with the table set &#8230; <a title=\"Boxing Day dinner ideas: creative ways to extend the festive cheer\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takeachef.com\/blog\/en\/boxing-day-dinner-ideas\" aria-label=\"Read more about Boxing Day dinner ideas: creative ways to extend the festive cheer\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":18024,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Boxing Day dinner ideas | Easy festive meals","rank_math_description":"Discover unique Boxing Day dinner ideas perfect for holiday festivities. Easy recipes, leftover inspiration, and stress-free entertaining tips. 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