6 Ideas on How to Use Holiday Leftovers
Don’t throw out those holiday leftovers! During the holiday season, you have probably made more food than you know what to do with. You may have even purchased more than you usually do just because it was a special occasion.
The leftovers are piling up in your refrigerator and freezer—and they won’t last forever! You need ideas on using holiday leftover foods before they go bad.
You can avoid this problem by planning ahead. You can also use your leftover holiday food to create delicious new dishes. Here are 10 ideas for using holiday leftovers so nothing goes to waste!
1) Leftover meat, poultry, and seafood
- egg dishes such as omelets, fried or scrambled eggs
- savory waffles
- frittatas
- breakfast burritos
- breakfast sandwiches
- meat patties/burgers
- pizza
- quiches
- wraps and sandwiches for lunch
- add to rice or other grains to make new dishes
2) Leftover salad
- add to soup
- add to stews/legumes
3) Leftover vegetables
- scrambled eggs with vegetables
- Tapas
- make Fritters
- stir-fried vegetables
- pizza
- add to soup
- Add to pasta, rice, or other types of grains
4) Leftover Pasta
- add to soup
- mix with meat to make other dishes
5) Leftover rice or other grains
- add to soup
- make stir-fried rice
- use in casserole
6) Leftover cake, cheesecake, and pie
- cut individual slices, wrap them in aluminum foil or food plastic wraps, and freeze.
Storing holiday leftovers
The best way to store leftovers is in the refrigerator or the freezer. When you take food out of the oven, let it cool on a rack or plate for about 10 minutes before putting it into containers. This allows for a brief cooling period that keeps your food from spoiling as quickly. While storing leftover food in plastic wrap or aluminum foil might be a great option, it is not recommended! These materials can trap moisture inside the container and encourage bacteria growth. Instead, use glass containers with tight-fitting lids or plastic storage bags with one corner cut off (for easy pouring).
Aluminum foil or plastic food wraps are best for baked goods. You can also use plastic bowls to store food as long as they are BPA Free.
Recipe ideas with holiday leftovers
- Turkey Sandwich made with Haitian Bread
- Tasty and easy Cheesy Steak Sandwiches
- Easy 16 Beans and Ham Soup Recipe
- Browned and Crispy Chicken with Rice and Chickpeas
- Tortellini Pasta with Shrimp and Italian Green Beans
- Quick Pasta Dinner with Leftover Steak
- Quick and Easy Pasta with Sausages and Broccoli
Don’t let any leftover food waste, even if you don’t plan on substituting a prepared dish for what’s left behind. Try out ideas from the above and see if any work for you! You might find some tasty leftovers and extra cash in your pocket.
We hope this article has provided you with enough ideas to help you use your leftover food. If you have a favorite side dish not listed here, share it with us in the comments below. We love hearing about unique recipes and are always looking for more ways to enhance our cooking skills. Just don’t let your holiday food go to waste!
