Clean out your fridge with these Leftover Meal Ideas – they're creative ways to use up leftover chicken, steak, rice, taco meat and veggies!
Leftover Recipes
If you find yourself with a bunch of leftovers at the end of the week, don’t just throw them in the garbage. You can reduce food waste by repurposing your leftovers into a delicious new meal by adding in different sauces, seasonings and sides! There are tons of ways you can reuse leftover protein, veggies and grains the next day. I rounded up some of my favourite leftover recipes that will help you clean out your fridge and make sure nothing goes to waste.
Looking for more ways to use up leftover ingredients? Check out these tips on how reduce food waste!
Frequently Asked Questions
Pretty much any food makes great leftovers, as long as you store it in airtight containers. I find that protein like chicken and ground meat, rice, noodles/pasta, quinoa and vegetables all make for great leftovers when stored properly.
Airtight glass meal prep containers are my go-to when it comes to food storage. It keeps your food fresh the longest and prevents any of the chemicals you might find in plastic containers from getting into your food. You can also reheat your leftovers right in the container so you’ll save room on dishes. Just make sure to store any sauces or toppings separately to ensure everything stays as fresh as possible (for example, if you're storing tacos, you'd want to keep the meat, beans and toppings like pineapple or diced tomatoes all separate).
For most of these recipes, your leftovers will be reheated as you cook them with the rest of the ingredients. If you’re reheating leftovers on their own, I recommend sprinkling some water over top of any meat or rice to make sure it doesn’t dry out. It’s also a great way to avoid that dreaded leftover chicken taste!
When it comes to reviving leftovers, you can often keep things super simple. Sauté the leftovers in garlic or add on some seasonings like chili powder, melt some cheese on top, throw on some fresh herbs and more to revive a meal and make it delicious again!
It all depends on what you're storing. Leftover rice, vegetables and meat like chicken, steak and pork are usually all good for up to 5 days, and leftover shrimp or fish is usually good for up to 3 days. Read my post on how long meal prep lasts for more details.
Leftover Rice Recipes
Cooked a bit too much rice? Not a problem! Try using it to create fried rice or incorporate it into new dishes like my sweet chili chicken meal prep bowls. You can get creative with your flavors as well – throw in some veggies like peppers or onions, some fresh herbs and a protein, and create something new and delicious using your leftover rice.
Leftover Chicken Recipes
One of the most common types of leftovers I have lying around is chicken. Whether it's some shredded slow-cooker chicken or leftover roast chicken, I love using it up in different recipes! Soups, salads, and wraps are all quick and easy ways to reinvent your leftovers. You can also use most of these recipes for leftover turkey!
Looking for more inspiration? I've got even more ideas to use up leftover chicken on the blog, including a comforting casserole and delicious curry recipes.
Leftover Steak Recipes
Have you ever gone to a restaurant and had some leftover steak to take home? I've got you covered with these quick and easy recipes that ensure your steak stays tender and delicious. You won't even feel like you're eating leftovers! I've got even more delicious ways to use up leftover steak on the blog.
Leftover Taco Meat Recipes
After taco night, I sometimes end up with leftover meat like ground beef. It's such a fun ingredient to try to use up. I love adding it to pizza, fries, and salad! You can also always build a burrito bowl or have it on top of nachos for something fast and simple. Just make sure when you're saving your leftover taco meat to leave off any toppings like sour cream or guacamole, otherwise the meat won't reheat well.
Recipes Using Leftover Vegetables
One sure-fire way to cut back on food waste is to make sure to use up all of your vegetables before they go bad. These dishes are great for that and include everything from loaded fries to fast Instant Pot options! You can really mix and match the types of vegetables you use in each of them. Stick to substituting vegetables with similar cooking times for the easiest swaps (for example, swap out baby potatoes for sweet potatoes or cauliflower for broccoli). However, feel free to play around and experiment!
Share With Me!
Did you make this recipe or want to share your thoughts? Make sure to leave your review below and tag me on Instagram #thegirlonbloor so I can check it out!