Cooking a meal to have leftovers, such as extra vegetables or a protein, is a great way to save time and energy during the next day’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Does your family cook to have leftovers? If so, it is a good reminder that leftover foods will not keep the same flavor or texture over time, and could become a health (food poisoning) risk.
Fun Facts:
- Leftover foods can stay in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Leftover foods can stay frozen for 3 to 4 months.
- Reheat leftovers until they reach 165°F (check using a food thermometer).
- Reheat sauces, soups and gravies by bringing them to a rolling boil. Cover leftovers to reheat.
Here are some general ideas by food group to makeover leftovers into your family’s next favorite meal!
Protein
Chicken, fish, beef, lamb, or beans can become dry and tough to chew when reheated as leftovers. Try using leftover protein in a soup or stew that can keep proteins juicy. Remember gravies and cheese sauces can help add moisture to reheated proteins, but keep in mind that they can also add a lot of unwanted fat and salt.
Vegetables
Roasted, steamed, grilled, or sautéed vegetables have many options for your next meal. Try using leftover vegetables in a soup, stew, salad, omelet, frittata, pizza topping, spaghetti or baked spaghetti dishes.
Fruit
Grilled, thawed, or sliced fruit, or that from an opened can or container, can enjoy life as a leftover. Try using leftover fruit in smoothies, parfaits, or to create a fruit sauce or marinade. Treat your family to a “sometimes” food treat, by using leftover fruit to make a quick bread loaf, freezer jam, or fruit crumble.
Grains
Leftover brown rice, corn, quinoa, or oatmeal can help become the base of a new side dish. Try using leftover brown rice, pasta, or corn in a salad with roasted vegetables and flavorful vinaigrette dressing. Try using leftover oatmeal in a nutritious cookie, granola bar, or add to pancake or waffle batter for texture. Add leftover grains to soups or stews.
Check out these websites for more leftover inspirations:
- Create Better Health recipes: These recipes use the food groups to mix and match ingredients for dishes such as casseroles, stir-fry, smoothies, and more.
Remember to safely handle your leftovers.? Learn more at Leftovers and Food Safety.
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