- The Latch
- Food & Drink
- Here’s How You Can Actually Make Sure You Eat Your Leftovers
Here’s How You Can Actually Make Sure You Eat Your Leftovers
Getty Images
This article is brought to you by Suncorp Bank.
We’ve all been there. You’ve cooked a giant, delicious meal, chowed it down until your tummy was just about bursting, only for you to pile the rest in a container or two so you can do it all over again at lunch tomorrow.
But, more often than we’d care to admit, those containers stay in the fridge, moving further and further back until they’re sad and inedible. We all know food waste is a significant problem, but we also want what we want — we’re human!
Luckily, there are plenty of options to ensure your leftovers get eaten and even spice it up so it feels like a completely new dish. Cue Suncorp Bank’s Food Savings Challenge. They’ve teamed up with OzHarvest to help us reduce food waste and make the most out of the food we buy. The Challenge helps us uncover how we can actually eat our leftovers instead of letting them go to waste. Here are five tips that are super easy to implement.
- Keep it front and centre.
Out of sight, out of mind. The back of the fridge is truly where leftovers go to die — but it doesn’t have to be this way. Instead, think of your fridge like a supermarket fridge. Put the oldest stuff at the front so it gets consumed first. Immediately after putting leftovers away, place them in clear containers at the front of the refrigerator, even better if it’s eye level. That leftover spag bol should be staring you in the face every time you open the fridge, daring you to pick something else. It’s a simple act, sure, but you’re giving yourself hard-to-ignore visual reminders.
Want to level up? Order some free Use It Up Tape™ from OzHarvest. Use the tape to mark a dedicated shelf in your fridge or pantry, or on food items/containers that need using up. It’s a visual reminder for the whole house– once you can see it, you’ll remember to use it up! Simple.
- Leftovers are just new meals in disguise.
Not everyone wants to eat the same thing night after night, no matter how much money we’re trying to save, but leftovers don’t have to be a repeat performance. Channel your inner chef and get creative with yesterday’s dinner. Think of these leftovers as ingredients rather than complete meals. Pop those leftover roasted vegetables into a pan and make a frittata, shred and re-spice chicken to use in tacos, or blend leftover cooked grains into a hearty soup.
The possibilities are endless. OzHarvest has some great recipes online for some extra inspo.
- Give yourself a leftover day.
Designate a specific day of the week, like “Leftover Lunch Day” (maybe you’re more creative than we are and can think of a stronger name) to eat your remaining food. This gives you a routine and ensures that leftovers are incorporated into your meal planning — especially helpful if you like to think ahead.
This conscious planning eliminates the “what have we got to eat?” dilemma and prompts you to actually use what you already have.
- Future you will thank past you.
When packing leftovers, don’t just shove it all into one container or bowl in one heaving mass. Instead, portion them into individual serving sizes. This makes them super convenient for quick lunches or snacks.
Beyond that, use airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage, and even coat with paper towels if necessary. Label containers with the date and contents to avoid having to peek in just to see if it’s edible. And, if you know you’re probably not going to eat them, chuck them in your freezer. Future you will thank past you for the forward thinking.
- Food doesn’t have to be pretty — just tasty.
While we all want to plate up dishes that can be served in hatted restaurants, the reality is when you’re cooking for yourself — the food doesn’t have to be all that pretty. It just has to taste good. So, when dealing with leftovers, don’t be afraid to mix and match to create unique meals that still hit the spot. A little leftover pasta, some roasted vegetables, and a dollop of hummus? It’s giving a pasta salad that has a great personality. Or, if you’re not too keen on mixing your foods, just pop it all on a plate. Is it your typical restaurant meal? No, but you know it’s going to taste good and cut back your food waste.
Tackling food waste is all about getting creative, and leftovers are excellent, as long as they get eaten. Head to Suncorp Bank’s website to see how you can take on the Food Savings Challenge and join the fight against food waste.