How to Turn Leftovers Into Delicious New Meals

Leftovers get a bad rap. Many people push them to the back of the fridge and forget them until they go bad. That's money in the trash. The average household throws away hundreds of dollars worth of food each year. The fix: turn leftovers into new meals. With a few simple tricks, last night's roast chicken becomes today's tacos. Last night's rice becomes tomorrow's fried rice. This guide shows you how to turn leftovers into delicious new meals. You'll waste less, save money, and eat well. Use our MealPrepBudgeter calculator to see how much reducing waste can save.

Why Use Leftovers?

Leftovers are free food. You already paid for them. Throwing them away means you paid for nothing. Using them means you get a second (or third) meal from the same ingredients. That cuts your cost per meal in half or more. Leftovers also save time. You don't have to cook from scratch. Reheat, add a twist, and you're done. For more on cutting food costs, see our Budgeting Tips.

The Cost of Food Waste

Americans throw away about 30 to 40 percent of their food. For a family spending $600 a month on groceries, that's $180 to $240 in the trash. Learning to use leftovers can recapture a big chunk of that. It's one of the easiest ways to save money on food. Our blog has more Meal Ideas.

Leftover Transformations by Ingredient

Different leftovers need different approaches. Here's how to turn common leftovers into new meals. Mix and match based on what you have.

Leftover Chicken

Shredded or chopped chicken is incredibly versatile. Use it in tacos with salsa and lime. Add it to soup or stir-fry. Mix it with mayo for chicken salad sandwiches. Put it on pizza or in a quesadilla. Add it to pasta with a cream or tomato sauce. Toss it in a salad. For lunch ideas, see cheap healthy lunch ideas under $3.

Leftover Rice

Day-old rice is perfect for fried rice. Heat a skillet, add oil, scramble an egg, then add rice and soy sauce. Toss in vegetables and leftover meat if you have it. Rice also works in burrito bowls, stuffed peppers, and rice pudding. Add it to soup to make it heartier. For more rice ideas, read rice and beans: 5 creative ways.

Leftover Roasted Vegetables

Roasted veggies go in frittatas, omelets, and quiches. Blend them into soup. Add them to pasta or grain bowls. Stuff them in a wrap with hummus. Mix them into a salad. They add flavor and nutrition to almost any meal.

Leftover Meat (Beef, Pork, Ham)

Slice beef thin for sandwiches or steak salads. Chop pork for tacos, nachos, or fried rice. Dice ham for omelets, quiche, or split pea soup. Shred any meat and add barbecue sauce for sandwiches. Mix with beans for a hearty chili or soup.

Leftover Pasta

Reheat pasta with a little oil or butter. Add fresh herbs, Parmesan, or a fried egg. Turn it into pasta frittata: mix with eggs and cheese, pour into a pan, and bake. Add it to soup. Use cold pasta in a pasta salad with vinegar and vegetables.

Leftover Beans

Mash beans for burritos or tacos. Blend them into soup. Add them to salads. Mix with rice for a quick bowl. Make bean dip with cheese and salsa. For vegetarian ideas, see vegetarian meal prep.

Quick Leftover Meal Ideas

Here are ten fast ways to turn leftovers into new meals. No recipe required. Use what you have.

1. Everything burrito — Rice, beans, meat, vegetables, cheese, salsa. Wrap in a tortilla. Heat in a pan or microwave.
2. Fried rice — Day-old rice, egg, soy sauce, vegetables, optional meat. Cook in a hot skillet. Five minutes.
3. Soup — Broth, leftover meat, vegetables, rice or pasta. Simmer 10 minutes. Add herbs and seasoning.
4. Quesadilla — Tortilla, cheese, leftover chicken or beef, optional beans. Toast in a pan until crisp.
5. Salad — Greens, leftover protein, roasted vegetables, dressing. Add grains if you have them.
6. Omelet or frittata — Eggs, leftover vegetables, cheese, optional meat. Cook in a pan. Great for breakfast or dinner.
7. Grain bowl — Rice or quinoa, leftover protein, vegetables, sauce (soy, tahini, or salsa). Assemble and eat.
8. Tacos — Leftover meat or beans, tortillas, toppings. Warm and assemble. Two minutes.
9. Pizza — Bread or tortilla, sauce, cheese, leftover vegetables and meat. Broil until melted.
10. Stir-fry — Leftover rice, meat, vegetables. Add soy sauce and garlic. Cook in a hot pan. Five minutes.

Leftover Storage Tips

Store leftovers within two hours of cooking. Use airtight containers. Label with the date. Most cooked food lasts three to four days in the fridge. Freeze what you won't eat in that time. Soups, stews, and casseroles freeze well. For more on freezing, read freezer-friendly meals. Reheat leftovers to 165°F to kill bacteria. Use a microwave or stovetop. Don't reheat more than once.

Plan for Leftovers

Cook extra on purpose. When you make rice, make double. When you roast a chicken, roast a big one. When you make chili, make a big pot. Plan the next meal before you put leftovers away. Write it on the container: "Use for tacos Tuesday." That way you remember and don't let it sit. For batch cooking strategies, see batch cooking: prep 5 dinners in 2 hours. Use our recipe cost calculator to see how much each meal costs when you stretch ingredients.