3 Ways To Use Up Your Leftovers

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch

Do you ever find yourself with a fridge full of leftovers and no idea what to do with them? You'll want to be sure you are keeping an eye on what's in your fridge because letting produce and leftover food rot in the fridge is one of those silent money drains.

By knowing what to do with your leftovers, you’ll be able to save more money, reduce food waste, and save yourself various trips to the grocery store. Keep reading to find out some helpful tips on what to do with leftovers. 

1. Use a Leftover Recipe Generator

When you’re unsure what to do with your half-used avocado, frozen veggies or cooked chicken breast, you can turn your scraps into a whole new meal by using a leftover recipe generator.

To use it, all you have to do is type in up to three ingredients. Based on the ingredients you choose, you’ll find a library of 1,000+ recipes that will calculate what you can make, whether it’s international dishes or local treats there is always plenty of options.

2. Freeze Your Extra Portions

Freezing your extra portions of food is a great way to save your leftovers from potentially ending up in the trash can after a few days. You’ll have a ready-made meal on hand when you don't have time to cook, as you can easily thaw and reheat the food when you’re ready to eat it. 

Planning ahead and preparing extra servings for each meal you prepare is a good idea. By doing this, you'll be able to prepare those meals in advance for times when you don't have the energy or time to cook, saving yourself time and effort in the future.

3. Plan out your meals

When you’re planning out your weekly meal plan, schedule a dedicated day where you eat only leftover food. According to the USDA, leftovers are safe in the refrigerator for three to four days, so make sure you plan your leftover meal days within that time frame.

To help you stay on top of what food is already in your refrigerator, use this leftover food tracker. This will help you keep track of what food products you have on hand, when they were cooked, and when it needs to be used or eaten.

With these leftover food tips, you’ll be able to save more money and time all while reducing food waste.