The holiday feast is over, and now your fridge is filled to the brim. But with clever storage techniques and delicious repurposing recipes, those leftovers don’t have to go to waste. Using up every last bite is a great way to save money, maximize your holiday cooking efforts, reduce food waste, and discover fun new ways to enjoy holiday flavours for days to come.
Get Strategic with Storage
Portion out leftovers into reusable storage containers and freeze what you know you won’t eat in the next 3-4 days. Anything with gravy, like turkey and mashed potatoes, will last 2-3 months in the freezer. Cover dishes tightly and ensure no air is getting in. This prevents freezer burn. Write dates on containers so you know what order to eat items.
With properly stored leftovers, you’ll always have the makings for budget-friendly last minute meals on hand without having to grocery shop. Thawing a month-old serving of Thanksgiving turkey beats buying a whole rotisserie chicken or deli meat when funds are low or you’re too busy to get to the market.
Transform Every Last Bite Into New Dishes
Standard turkey sandwiches will only get you so far. But with a dash of imagination and a willingness to throw leftovers together in unexpected ways, you can reinvent holiday dishes into delicious meals that offer new textures, tastes and flavours. Those 3-day old stale biscuits or stuffing balls can be transformed into homemade bread crumbs for coating meats, casseroles or mac and cheese. Wilted greens like spinach or Brussels sprouts get renewed life when pulsed into pesto or folded into frittatas and quiches along with turkey bits and cheese. Mashed potatoes make a perfect base for shepard’s pies while leftover gravy doubles as sauces for hot turkey sandwiches with melted provolone or enchiladas stuffed with shredded turkey and beans.
Don’t let single servings of this or that go to waste. Mix and match small amounts of different foods like cranberries with vinaigrette dressing for a twist on side salads. Or puree veggies, turkey and broth into mouthwatering soup stocks. With endless creative possibilities, you’ll save money while discovering fun new ways to enjoy holiday food for many more meals.
Meal Ideas to Inspire
