Five quick meals using barbecue leftovers

Five quick meals using barbecue leftovers

‘Tis the season to be grilling. But what do you do with the mountain of sausages and burgers afterwards? Our resident foodie has some tips

By Evie Prosser

There are few British institutions so satisfying as the summer barbecue. If custom is to be adhered to, it involves a group of middle-aged men gathering around a slowly flickering flame and burning the outside of various meat products before their wives or girlfriends finish them off in the oven.

...what are you to do with Burger and Sausage Mountain in the days afterwards?  

Variations to this pattern are permissible, but that’s the general shape. And in the same way that no barbecue is complete without a bottle of cheap lager and a raincoat to hand, so does tradition dictate that you’ll cook far more meat than is needed.

Which leaves just one question: what are you to do with Burger and Sausage Mountain in the days afterwards? Somehow, simply rehashing the barbecue doesn’t quite cut it. You need to do something fresh, giving the charred ingredients a pick-me-up without spending hours in the kitchen. Here are five great recipe ideas to get you started.

1) Sausage frittata

Everyone loves a frittata. It’s the consummate comfort food and easily made in just 15 minutes.

Thinly chop your sausages at an angle so that each slice is nice and wide. Fry an onion and two cloves of garlic in a deep heavy-bottomed pan and chuck in the sausages to heat through. Choose whichever vegetables you fancy adding – leftover runner beans are fantastic, as are peas, red peppers, sliced boiled potatoes or roasted butternut squash.

Once it’s all cooking nicely, cover with up to half a dozen beaten eggs, depending on how many you’re feeding. Allow the bottom to cook thoroughly then place beneath a medium grill to finish the top.

Cut into thick slices and enjoy with a green salad and crusty bread. A glass of half-decent wine will help it slip down nicely.

(Tip: works just as well with leftover burgers, thinly sliced kebab meat or torn chicken).

2) Sliced Sausage pasta bake

Boil enough pasta for the size of your party, plus a bit extra because this dish is perfect for the next day’s lunchboxes.

Meanwhile, chop sausages on the angle and fry a brace of sliced courgettes in olive oil. With the courgettes nicely browned, throw in a decent passata and a handful of mixed herbs. Stir it all around as it heats, then mix with the drained pasta and sausage slices in a large ovenproof bowl.

Sprinkle over grated cheddar cheese and place in the oven at 180 degrees C for 25 – 30 minutes, or until the top is bubbling.

(Tip: to add extra crunch, bash up a packet of plain crisps and add the crumbs to the top with the cheese).

3) Burger Bolognese

A burger is just a minced beef patty, right? That makes it the perfect ingredient for a chunky Bolognese sauce.

Chop your burgers into eighths, treating each one as if it were a small cake and cutting in segments from the centre.

Boil some spaghetti in a pan, reducing the cooking time by two minutes for a pleasingly al dente effect.

Meanwhile, fry an onion and three clovers of garlic in a pan. Add the burgers and heat it all through. Pour over a good-quality passata and a handful of mixed herbs, as well as a dozen halved baby tomatoes. Add fresh basil if you have it and salt and pepper to taste.

Once the spaghetti is cooked and you’re happy the meat is thoroughly reheated, stir the sauce through and serve in generous pasta bowls with a sprinkling of parmesan and a bread stick.

(Tip: to get the flavour of Parmesan without the cost, try using a different hard cheese such as Grana Padano)

4) Super speedy chicken tikka chapattis

Strip any leftover plain chicken from the bones, trying to keep it in fairly large pieces. Add a teaspoon of tikka paste per person and stir so that every piece of chicken is coated.

Heat some oil in a pan and add the chicken, taking care to warm it thoroughly. Meanwhile, peel and slice a cucumber and add it to natural yoghurt, chopped fresh mint and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Heat two chapattis per person, then spoon on the yoghurt and cucumber mix, topping with a generous scoop of chicken and a sprinkle of fresh chopped coriander if you have it to hand. Fold the chapatti in half and serve with mango chutney for dipping. Wash down with a decent non-alcoholic beer.

5) Sausage and piccalilli doorstep sandwiches

Just about the only acceptable use of cold barbecue leftovers is in a chunky sandwich with a completely different flavour to the previous day’s offerings.

My favourite is sausage and piccalilli sandwiches. Take a decent white loaf, sourdough if possible, and carve into thick slices. Spread with high-quality salted butter (Longman Salted Butter is a personal favourite) and a chunky piccalilli from your local farm shop or delicatessen.

Add sausages thinly sliced on an angle and cut the sandwich into triangular halves. Arrange on a plate with a green salad, plus sliced radish, and a handful of chunky crisps. Eat with a pint of real ale, preferably while mulling over the Telegraph crossword and watching a game of cricket.

Et voila! The perfect post-barbecue scoffing, and all of it ready in no more than 15 minutes.

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may like:
Just gardening: why gardening is good for you
Smokin' Tom's BBQ tips

 

Published: 7 July 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

Jobs currently available

New job
Workshop Fitter
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Location: Clacton-on-Sea
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC16
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing business, based near Clacton-on-Sea, to recruit a Workshop Fitter to join their long-standing team.

Duties include:

  • Precise fitting of mechanical and potentially electrical components according to technical drawings and specifications.
  • Operating and utilising a variety of engineering tools and equipment with expertise and safety.
  • Contributing to the overall build process from sub-assembly to final machine completion.
  • Working collaboratively with the experienced team to ensure top-quality output.

Key skills required:

  • Proven experience in a manufacturing or engineering workshop environment is essential.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of engineering tools and equipment, and a track record of using them effectively.
  • Skilled in fitting parts together and building complex machinery with accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and take pride in your work.

Please note that, due to the company’s location, you will need to drive.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Order Processing Administrator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Witham
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC15
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a well-established and successful business in Witham to recruit an Order Processing Administrator to join their long-standing team.

The role will primarily focus on uploading orders and quotes, accurately interpreting dimensions from drawings, and demonstrating a keen eye for detail to ensure items are produced with the right first-time approach, meeting customer requirements.

Duties include:

  • Vetting of customers' drawings and orders
  • Uploading orders and quotes onto the internal system
  • Ensuring all orders are checked within the agreed KPI’s
  • Sending orders to out-sourcing and responding to queries and questions that may arise
  • Processing delivery notes and invoices
  • Investigating and processing remake paperwork
  • Undertaking any administrative functions within the office as and when required

Key skills required:

  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Excellent organisational skills to manage the workload for the team
  • Confident with technical information (or confidence to learn)
  • Self-motivated
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Computer literate (Excel/Word)

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Customer Service Administrator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Witham
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC7
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a well-established and successful business in Witham to recruit a Customer Service Administrator to join their long-standing team.

You will be responsible for delivering a high level of customer service to both regular customers and internal stakeholders, including production, accounts, transport, and the sales team. You will work towards key KPIs to ensure that the highest standards of customer service are maintained and continuously improved.

Duties include:

  • Vet customer orders ready for processing onto the system.
  • This includes applying the correct delivery dates to suit the customer requirements whilst ensuring it fits in with the production dates, capabilities and delivery areas.
  • Proactive response to answering the telephone within 3 rings.
  • Enthusiastic attitude to deal with and resolve customers' queries or issues promptly.
  • Proactively follow up with customers to resolve queries if they have not responded. Ensure all verbal correspondence is confirmed in writing and the system is updated with correct information.
  • Support the end-of-month invoicing procedure, investigate and find any missing delivery notes.
  • Routinely speak to key accounts and regular customers to grow a productive working relationship with them.

Key skills:

  • Exceptional customer service skills - must have a friendly and positive phone manner.
  • Energetic, self-driven and motivated.
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Ability to continually multitask.
  • Ability to prioritise your time to plan and organise your day.
  • Ability to learn and absorb information.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.00pm.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Logistics Administrator
Sector: Transport, Logistics and Shipping
Salary: £28,000 per annum
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913731
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing business, based on the outskirts of Sudbury, to recruit a Logistics Administrator to join their team on a full-time basis.

The key purpose of this role is to support the warehouse/logistics team with all admin and office-based tasks, managing the transport and delivery of products as required.

Key duties include:

  • Managing stock levels and ensuring timely deliveries, reviewing sales orders and assigning which stock should be picked in line with first-in-first-out (FIFO) principles.
  • Monitoring warehouse activities, including shipping and receiving, making sure the quality of goods received and goods sent out is to the right standard and supported by the correct documentation.
  • Ensuring paperwork is filed and available to be accessed by any auditors.
  • Tracking deliveries in/out and providing updates to customers and sales colleagues.
  • Work closely with colleagues across different departments to ensure successful and timely delivery to customers, and that the company have the raw materials needed to successfully produce the finished product.
  • Requesting certificates of analysis from the quality team and ensuring the relevant pallet and delivery labels, as well as relevant paperwork, are attached to all deliveries to customers.
  • Carrying out regular stock takes of raw materials and finished products.
  • Calling off raw materials from 3rd party warehouses in line with production plans to ensure production never runs out of materials.

Role requirements include:

  • Proficiency in logistics systems and processes.
  • Experience in warehouse operations.
  • Knowledge of supply chain management principles.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills - you pick up the phone or speak to people in person where possible instead of sending an email.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Computer literate – able to follow processes across different systems and maintain records in Excel.
  • Excellent organisational and time-management skills, ability to organise own workload and manage time effectively to meet deadlines and lead times required for deliveries to different locations/customers.
  • Able to work autonomously or as part of a team, you take a positive, proactive, problem-solving approach to tasks.

The working hours for this role are Monday to Friday, 8am - 5pm.

This is an office/site-based role.

Due to the working location, you will need access to your own transport.

This role offers a competitive salary with company benefits, and it is an excellent time to join the expanding business.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Business Development Manager
Sector: Sales
Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC14
About the role

Just Recruitment has a fantastic opportunity for a dynamic and results-driven Business Development Manager to join an exciting company based on the outskirts of Ipswich.

You will play a crucial role in driving the company's growth by developing and executing strategic sales plans, expanding the customer base, and ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction. This role is essential for achieving the company's sales targets and maintaining its competitive edge in the market.

Duties include:

  • Developing and implementing a business development sales plan to achieve company objectives, including: Team leadership, development, motivation, performance monitoring and reporting.
  • Carrying out outbound sales calls to meet sales targets/telemarketing.
  • Managing client sales appointments.
  • Client visits to determine needs and develop proposals to meet these.
  • Securing new sales orders via quotations, proposals and trials.
  • Identifying and targeting new business opportunities to expand the customer base.
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with existing and potential clients.
  • Monitoring market trends and competitor activities to identify opportunities and threats.
  • Preparing, presenting sales reports and forecasts to senior management.

Skills required include:

  • Strong negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
  • Highly motivated, proactive, and able to work independently and with the sales team, willingness to learn.
  • In-depth understanding of sales performance metrics and data analysis.
  • Ability to travel as required and manage multiple priorities effectively.

Benefits include:

  • Competitive salary and looking to develop performance-based bonuses.
  • Supportive and collaborative work environment.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Accounts Administrator (Full or Part-time)
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913707
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded and long-standing family business based on the outskirts of Colchester to recruit an Accounts Administrator to their team.

Working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm. The hours can be flexible, including a four-day work week or school-friendly hours.

Please note that due to the location, you will need to drive.

You will need to have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with Sage 50 accounts and Sage payroll, with the ability to work on your own initiative.

The role is focused within the remit of bookkeeping up to the trial balance, using Sage software.

Duties include:

  • Ensuring timely and accurate recording of financial transactions.
  • Daily financial operations, including posting supplier invoices, reconciliation of supplier accounts, accounts payable management, creation of customer invoices, accounts receivable management, etc.
  • Performing bank/credit-card reconciliations, including a factoring banking account and petty cash accounts.
  • Quarterly VAT returns and analysis. (including RTI submission to HMRC).
  • Preparing weekly aged creditors reports and processing the weekly supplier payment run accordingly.
  • Preparing monthly aged debtors reports and providing credit control where required.
  • Maintaining the cashflow forecast for the Finance director to review.
  • Processing monthly payroll, payments, journal entries and year-end procedures (including RTI submission to HMRC)
  • Managing auto-enrolment pension contributions, submissions and legal returns to the pensions regulator.

Skills required include:

  • Significant experience in finance or accounting.
  • Proficiency with accounting software Sage 50 and payroll.
  • Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet software such as Excel.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience in data entry.
  • Effective decision-making and problem-solving techniques within a finance environment.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
H&S & Facilities Support Coordinator (12 month contract)
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JC13
About the role

Just Recruitment has a fantastic opportunity for an H&S & Facilities Support Coordinator to join an exciting company based in Ipswich.

In this fast-paced role, you’ll play a key part in supporting the Health & Safety and Facilities teams by coordinating procedures, managing documentation, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. The position requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a process-driven environment.

As this is a maternity cover position, you will need to hit the ground running; previous experience within a similar role will be vital to your success in the role.

Duties include:

  • Maintaining up-to-date maintenance records and electronic files, ensuring compliance requirements are met regarding the servicing and repairs at the company premises.
  • Providing reception/switchboard cover (during lunches, absences, and holidays).
  • Assisting with the management of the programme of planned and unplanned works.
  • Taking responsibility for contractors working on the premises.
  • Supporting H&S/ISO team in all aspects of administration.
  • Performing admin support with amendments/updates to H&S/ISO policies, procedures, and standards.
  • Assisting with ISO standards administration.

Skills required:

  • Strong attention to detail with a high level of accuracy.
  • Ability to prioritise tasks and manage workload effectively.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a confident telephone manner.
  • Proven organisational and administrative abilities.
  • A proactive, supportive team player with a hands-on approach.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and database systems.
  • Comfortable working under tight deadlines.

Hybrid working is available after successfully completing the probationary period. The role requires 3 days per week in the office, with the option to work up to 2 days from home.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more