How to use Leftover Ingredients

Jul 23

Written by Sara Cardelli PHEc, RD, summerlunch+ Food Literacy Program Coordinator

Often when you are trying a new recipe there are new, sometimes unfamiliar ingredients; and you do not always use the whole amount. This can leave you with leftover ingredients you are not sure what to do with, which then leads to food waste as those ingredients expire or go bad.

Large amounts of food waste leads to increased grocery cost. Reducing food waste and food costs is a huge goal of mine; so I have shared some of my favourite ways to use leftover ingredients in new and simple ways

Why use Leftover Ingredients?

You might be wondering what the benefit is to using up all those leftover ingredients. By using these left overs you are:

Reducing food waste: By using up all the leftover ingredients you have, you are preventing food from expiring and becoming waste. The National Zero Waste Councils 2022 study showed that 63% of food Canadians threw out could have been eaten!
Lowering food costs: The same study showed the average Canadian family throws out $1300.00 a year in usable food. By using all of the ingredients purchased before it expires ensures you get the most out of your groceries. The less food that gets thrown out is the more money saved!
Empowering creativity in the kitchen: When you try new ways to use the same ingredients it encourages creativity with the ingredient and increases kitchen skills!
Reducing picky eating: When foods are introduced multiple times in different ways it increases the acceptability of the food. This repeated exposure to new foods can decrease picky eating.

Use Substitutions

Leftover ingredients can make easy substitutions in your favourite recipes.

Greek yogurt makes a great substitution for sour cream or mayonnaise
Apple sauce can be used in baking as a one to one substitution for vegetable oil
Bread can be turned into croutons or breadcrumbs
Whole wheat flour can replace some all purpose flour in recipes

Tip: start by replacing a quarter of the amount of total flour listed in the recipe with whole wheat flour and keep the rest all purpose

Get Creative

Many ingredients can be used in a lot of different ways. Get creative with it! One way to get creative is to use typically sweet ingredients in savoury recipes and savoury ingredients in sweet recipes!

Use oatmeal or whole wheat flour as a binding ingredient in meatballs, or other savory loafs, they can also be used to thicken soups and stews or bread crumbs
Try tofu in a sweet recipe; silken tofu can be blended into smoothies for extra protein
Use carrots, zucchini and beans in baked goods!
Dip potato latkes in apple sauce

Storing Leftover Ingredients

If you are not going to use the leftover ingredients before they expire, storing them properly can help reduce waste. You can freeze leftover vegetables, fruits, shredded cheese and breads! Any leftovers should be labelled with the date.

There are many unique and creative ways you can use up your leftover ingredients. It is a fun way to try new recipes while also decreasing food waste!

If you are not going to use the leftover ingredients before they expire, storing them properly can help reduce waste. Any leftovers should be labelled with the date.

Ginger, fresh herbs and citrus: ginger and citrus can be grated or zested and frozen! Helpful tip: freeze them in ice cube trays for easy portion sizing.
Bread and bread products: can be stored in airtight containers and frozen! Helpful tip: cut bagels prior to freezing to make separation easier
Cheese: cheese can also be grated and frozen, it is best to store in an air tight bag.
Butter: can be frozen in its original packaging and defrosted for use Helpful tip: some recipes, like pie crust, actual benefit from using frozen butter
Fruits: most fruits can be frozen and used at a later date.

How to freeze fruit

Wash and dry fruit before adding them to a baking sheet in a single layer then freezing for about 30 minutes to an hour
Once fruit is frozen it can be put in an airtight bag and stored in the freezer, for up to 12 months

Note: Bananas can be frozen in or out of the peel

How to freeze vegetables

Vegetables: most vegetables need to be blanched before freezing. Blanching helps maintain flavour, colour and texture as well as stops the enzymes (proteins in the vegetables) that lead to spoilage.

Blanching is the process in which washed vegetables are boiled very briefly and then dunked into ice water to stop the cooking process.

Blanching time will depend on the type and size of the vegetable. More delicate vegetables like spinach will only require a minute of boiling but something thicker and more robust like carrots may need 4-5 minutes.

Place blanched vegetables on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze for 30 minutes to an hour

Once they are frozen remove from the tray and store them in an airtight bag or container for up to 12 months

Vegetables that do not need blanching:

Onions
Peppers
Tomatoes

There are many unique and creative ways you can use up your leftover ingredients. It is a fun way to try new recipes while also decreasing food waste!