{"id":357161,"date":"2026-07-10T00:35:41","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T00:35:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/recipes\/category-a-b\/budget-food\/what-to-do-with-leftovers\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T00:35:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T00:35:41","slug":"what-to-do-with-leftovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161","title":{"rendered":"What to Do with Leftovers?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>You can save so much money if you don\u2019t let food go to waste. But what to do with leftover food? Check out these savvy strategies for what to do with leftovers.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\n<style style=\"display: none !important;\"><![CDATA[<![CDATA[.tasty-pins-banner-container{display:block;margin-bottom:20px;position:relative;width:-moz-fit-content;width:fit-content}.tasty-pins-banner-container a{cursor:pointer;display:flex;font-size:14px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1px;line-height:1.8em;text-transform:uppercase}.tasty-pins-banner-container a:hover{opacity:1}.tasty-pins-banner-container .tasty-pins-banner{align-items:center;bottom:0;cursor:pointer;display:flex;justify-content:center;left:0;padding-bottom:1em;padding-top:1em;position:absolute;right:0}.tasty-pins-banner-container .tasty-pins-banner svg{margin-right:4px;width:32px}.tasty-pins-banner-container .tasty-pins-banner span{margin-top:4px}.tasty-pins-banner-container a.tasty-pins-banner{text-decoration:none}.tasty-pins-banner-container a.tasty-pins-banner:hover{opacity:.8}.tasty-pins-banner-container a.tasty-pins-banner-image-link{flex-direction:column}.tasty-pins-banner-container a img{margin-bottom:0}.entry-content .wp-block-image .tasty-pins-banner-container img{margin-bottom:0;padding-bottom:0}#et-boc .et-l div .et_pb_image_wrap .tasty-pins-banner-container .tasty-pins-banner{padding-bottom:1em!important;padding-top:1em;text-decoration:none}#et-boc .et-l div .et_pb_image_wrap .tasty-pins-banner-container a.tasty-pins-banner{cursor:pointer;display:flex;font-size:14px;font-weight:700;line-height:1.8em;text-transform:uppercase}#et-boc .et-l div .et_pb_image_wrap .tasty-pins-banner-container a.tasty-pins-banner span{letter-spacing:2px;margin-top:4px}.et-db #et-boc .et-l .et_pb_module .tasty-pins-banner-container a:not(.wc-forward){padding-bottom:0}\n]]]]><![CDATA[>]]><\/style>\n<\/figure>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group inpost-save\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"save-title\">Want to save this post?<\/p>\n<p>Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I\u2019ll send you budget recipes and money-saving tips every week!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>You love to <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/how-to-meal-plan-on-a-budget\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"12581\">meal plan<\/a>. You love good food.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes, though, you make too much or the kids aren\u2019t as hungry as normal, and the plastic containers of what\u2019s left start to pile up in the fridge. And somehow the idea of \u201cleftovers\u201d doesn\u2019t sound so appealing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWaste not, want not.\u201d\u00a0That\u2019s what our grandmothers used to say. Perhaps her solution was a type of Mystery Meat Casserole, and it certainly did the job.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But we\u2019ve moved beyond that. Let\u2019s chat about ways to use excess food in ways that you want to eat it up!<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1500\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/what-to-do-with-leftovers\/?tp_image_id=112739\" data-pin-description=\"We can save so much money if we don't let food go to waste. But what to do with leftovers? Check out these guidelines for what to do with last night's dinner. #leftoverideas #foodwaste #savingmoney #savingongroceries\" data-pin-title=\"What to Do with Leftovers?\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge.jpg\" alt=\"tidy fridge with open french doors.\" class=\"wp-image-112739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-300x375.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-800x1000.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-720x900.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-360x450.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tidy-fridge-150x188.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-problem-of-leftovers\">The Problem of Leftovers<\/h2>\n<p>They say that Americans throw away between 25 and 40 percent of the food they buy. If that\u2019s happening at your house, then a good portion of your grocery budget is going in the trash!<\/p>\n<p>But, what to do with leftovers especially if your family doesn\u2019t like the sound of\u00a0<em>leftovers<\/em>? There are a few tried and true strategies to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/avoid-leftovers\/\">avoid leftovers<\/a>, but sometimes it can\u2019t be helped.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/avoid-food-waste\/\">Avoiding food waste<\/a>\u00a0is a huge opportunity to save money and exercise good stewardship. But it\u2019s also a great chance to save time using food you\u2019ve already prepped.<\/p>\n<p>Learn this key step in <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/good-cheap-eats-system\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"73419\">the Good Cheap Eats System<\/a> and eat up that leftover food in delicious ways.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/what-to-do-with-leftovers\/?tp_image_id=112307\" data-pin-description=\"We can save so much money if we don't let food go to waste. But what to do with leftovers? Check out these guidelines for what to do with last night's dinner. #leftoverideas #foodwaste #savingmoney #savingongroceries\" data-pin-title=\"What to Do with Leftovers?\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/cooked-chicken.jpg\" alt=\"shredded chicken in square glass dish on red check cloth.\" class=\"wp-image-112307\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/cooked-chicken.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/cooked-chicken-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/cooked-chicken-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/cooked-chicken-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/cooked-chicken-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/cooked-chicken-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/cooked-chicken-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/cooked-chicken-720x720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/cooked-chicken-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/cooked-chicken-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/cooked-chicken-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-store-it-properly\">Store it properly.<\/h2>\n<p>The USDA has stated that leftovers properly stored are good up to 4 days. What to do with leftovers after that point? Chuck it.<\/p>\n<p>But before you get to that point, store it properly and use it up in the next couple days. First step: use a clear container! That way everyone knows at a glance what it is. Bonus points if you label it with the date.<\/p>\n<p>Having a meal plan on your frig will help you remember as well. A quick glance at the calendar will remind you when you prepared a certain item.<\/p>\n<p>If you don\u2019t have such a record, keep a sharpie pen in your kitchen and mark the date when you wrap up leftovers. Clean your fridge out every three days and you\u2019ll be in good shape.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/shop-your-kitchen\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"74188\">Shopping your kitchen<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/preparing-for-a-pantry-challenge\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"12352\">using what you have to make dinner<\/a> are top on the list to save money on food.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/what-to-do-with-leftovers\/?tp_image_id=113933\" data-pin-description=\"We can save so much money if we don't let food go to waste. But what to do with leftovers? Check out these guidelines for what to do with last night's dinner. #leftoverideas #foodwaste #savingmoney #savingongroceries\" data-pin-title=\"What to Do with Leftovers?\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/salsa-verde-beef-hero-6-sq.jpg\" alt=\"rice bowl with salsa verde shredded beef.\" class=\"wp-image-113933\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/salsa-verde-beef-hero-6-sq.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/salsa-verde-beef-hero-6-sq-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/salsa-verde-beef-hero-6-sq-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/salsa-verde-beef-hero-6-sq-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/salsa-verde-beef-hero-6-sq-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/salsa-verde-beef-hero-6-sq-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/salsa-verde-beef-hero-6-sq-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/salsa-verde-beef-hero-6-sq-720x720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/salsa-verde-beef-hero-6-sq-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/salsa-verde-beef-hero-6-sq-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/salsa-verde-beef-hero-6-sq-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-reheat-and-eat\">Reheat and eat.<\/h2>\n<p>The simplest way to use up leftover food is to reheat it for another meal. If it\u2019s been stored properly in the refrigerator, you\u2019ve got three more nights to enjoy it.<\/p>\n<p>My go-to method for heating leftovers in the microwave, but you can experiment with different techniques (like reheating in a skillet, air fryer, or oven) to see which you prefer. My husband loves to reheat leftover pizza in a covered skillet on low!<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re making your <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/meal-planning-101-create-a-formula-for-the-weeks-meal-plan\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"8279\">meal plan for the week<\/a>, think about what tends to be leftover and plan another version of that for lunch or dinner later in the week.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1680\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/what-to-do-with-leftovers\/?tp_image_id=109958\" data-pin-description=\"We can save so much money if we don't let food go to waste. But what to do with leftovers? Check out these guidelines for what to do with last night's dinner. #leftoverideas #foodwaste #savingmoney #savingongroceries\" data-pin-title=\"What to Do with Leftovers?\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/veggie-curry-lunch-prep-2.jpg\" alt=\"meal prep dishes full of veggie curry.\" class=\"wp-image-109958\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/veggie-curry-lunch-prep-2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/veggie-curry-lunch-prep-2-300x420.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/veggie-curry-lunch-prep-2-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/veggie-curry-lunch-prep-2-768x1075.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/veggie-curry-lunch-prep-2-1097x1536.jpg 1097w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/veggie-curry-lunch-prep-2-150x210.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pack-it-for-lunch\">Pack it for lunch.<\/h2>\n<p>Packing lunches is a quick and easy way to use up leftovers. I often do this \u201con purpose\u201d making extra dinner so that I know we\u2019ll have extra for lunches.<\/p>\n<p>Take your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/how-to-make-a-week-of-lunches-save-money\/\">lunch prepping<\/a>\u00a0skills up a notch by packaging up the leftovers at the same time as serving dinner. Your packed lunches can cool while you eat and then you can load everything in the fridge at clean up time.<\/p>\n<p>Here are my favorite containers for packing lunches:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1500\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/what-to-do-with-leftovers\/?tp_image_id=108576\" data-pin-description=\"We can save so much money if we don't let food go to waste. But what to do with leftovers? Check out these guidelines for what to do with last night's dinner. #leftoverideas #foodwaste #savingmoney #savingongroceries\" data-pin-title=\"What to Do with Leftovers?\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/bean-soup-to-freeze.jpg\" alt=\"bean soup in freezer containers with labels on white counter.\" class=\"wp-image-108576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/bean-soup-to-freeze.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/bean-soup-to-freeze-300x375.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/bean-soup-to-freeze-800x1000.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/bean-soup-to-freeze-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/bean-soup-to-freeze-720x900.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/bean-soup-to-freeze-360x450.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/bean-soup-to-freeze-150x188.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-freeze-it-for-later\">Freeze it for later.<\/h2>\n<p>The easiest way to do freezer meal prep is to double dinner. Leftovers are basically that, a second batch. There\u2019s no reason you need to eat the same thing twice this week. Freeze it for later!<\/p>\n<p>Package up meal-size portions, wrap well for freezing, chill completely and pop them into the freezer. Some night next month, your future self will thank you.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Too much\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/easy-homemade-taco-meat\/\">taco meat<\/a>? Freeze it in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3rUgpao\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Soupercubes<\/a>\u00a0to add to casseroles, chili, or tacos. You can do the same with leftover chili or soup.<\/li>\n<li>Can your family eat only half the <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/sausage-lasagna\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"20857\">lasagna<\/a>? Assemble the recipe into smaller pans. Bake one and freeze the other unbaked.<\/li>\n<li>Got <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/great-leftover-ham-recipes\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"16518\">leftover ham<\/a>? Chop it for casseroles and soup, package in a ziptop freezer bag, and stash it in the freezer for later.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1500\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/what-to-do-with-leftovers\/?tp_image_id=116413\" data-pin-description=\"We can save so much money if we don't let food go to waste. But what to do with leftovers? Check out these guidelines for what to do with last night's dinner. #leftoverideas #foodwaste #savingmoney #savingongroceries\" data-pin-title=\"What to Do with Leftovers?\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/roast-beef-salad.jpg\" alt=\"salad with roast beef and sweet potatoes, topped with parmesan.\" class=\"wp-image-116413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/roast-beef-salad.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/roast-beef-salad-300x375.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/roast-beef-salad-800x1000.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/roast-beef-salad-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/roast-beef-salad-720x900.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/roast-beef-salad-360x450.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/roast-beef-salad-150x188.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-make-something-new-with-what-s-left\">Make something new with what\u2019s left.<\/h2>\n<p>If eating the same thing twice in a week isn\u2019t in the cards, then transform your leftovers into something new. I\u2019m not talking about Mystery Meat or Hamburger Surprise. Lots of delicious\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/7-meals-that-started-with-leftovers\/\">meals can start with leftovers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#d6f2ec\"><strong>PRO TIP: Create a list of catch-all meals that your family loves. <\/strong>In this way, you\u2019ll always have a way to repurpose leftover prepped food as well as leftover ingredients in tasty ways.<\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Leftover veggies and meats can be incorporated into casseroles,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/quiche-recipe-basics\/\">quiches<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/soup-from-leftovers\/\">soups<\/a>, and stews.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Leftover <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/deli-meat-roast-beef-recipe\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"116408\">roast beef<\/a> or chicken make a fantastic fillings for tacos, burritos, or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/black-bean-and-sweet-potato-quesadilla\/\">quesadillas<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Leftover rice and chicken or pork go great in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/chicken-fried-rice\/\">fried rice<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Grilled chicken and roasted veggies will top a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/try-mini-pizzas-for-a-fun-and-easy-pizza-night\/\">pizza<\/a>\u00a0or fill a sandwich beautifully.<\/li>\n<li>Blend fruit salad into a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/freezer-smoothies\/\">smoothie<\/a>, leftover veggies into a pasta sauce or soup.<\/li>\n<li>Tonight\u2019s taco meat can go into tomorrow\u2019s chili or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/spicy-turkey-and-sausage-bolognese\/\">bolognese<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The options are virtually endless! Think through what your family likes to eat and chances are you can find a way to make last night\u2019s dinner new again.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/learn.goodcheapeats.com\/product\/meal-plan-to-save-money-pack\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/what-to-do-with-leftovers\/?tp_image_id=111013\" data-pin-description=\"We can save so much money if we don't let food go to waste. But what to do with leftovers? Check out these guidelines for what to do with last night's dinner. #leftoverideas #foodwaste #savingmoney #savingongroceries\" data-pin-title=\"What to Do with Leftovers?\" src=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/meal-plan-to-save-money-jan-2025.jpg\" alt=\"promo for meal plan to save money, with images of resources included in pack.\" class=\"wp-image-111013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/meal-plan-to-save-money-jan-2025.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/meal-plan-to-save-money-jan-2025-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/meal-plan-to-save-money-jan-2025-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/meal-plan-to-save-money-jan-2025-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/meal-plan-to-save-money-jan-2025-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/meal-plan-to-save-money-jan-2025-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/meal-plan-to-save-money-jan-2025-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/meal-plan-to-save-money-jan-2025-720x720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/meal-plan-to-save-money-jan-2025-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/meal-plan-to-save-money-jan-2025-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/meal-plan-to-save-money-jan-2025-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-honor-the-time-and-money-you-spent-in-the-first-place\">Honor the time and money you spent in the first place.<\/h2>\n<p>Remember that you spent good time and money to prep that meal in the first place. Don\u2019t wrinkle your nose at extra food! <\/p>\n<p>We live in an amazing time when we have refrigeration and extra means of food preservation. <strong>Leftovers are a blessing in disguise.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The trick is simply in knowing what to do with the leftovers.<\/p>\n<p>Using up leftover cooked food (instead of throwing it out) is a great way to save money and exercise good stewardship. It\u2019s a key part of <a href=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/good-cheap-eats-system\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"73419\">the Good Cheap Eats System<\/a> that will help you do more with your grocery dollar.<\/p>\n<p>Wanna level up your leftovers? Check out our budget-boosting resource, <a href=\"https:\/\/learn.goodcheapeats.com\/product\/meal-plan-to-save-money-pack\/\">Meal Plan to Save Money<\/a>, including the guide, <a href=\"https:\/\/learn.goodcheapeats.com\/product\/meal-plan-to-save-money-pack\/\">Leftovers Made New Again<\/a>. It\u2019s on sale in our estore.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-more-ways-with-leftovers\">More Ways with Leftovers<\/h2>\n<p><!-- .wp-block-kadence-postgrid --><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-infobox kt-info-box112743_f180e3-af\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap info-box-link kt-blocks-info-box-media-align-left kt-info-halign-left\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"kt-infobox-textcontent\">\n<h2 class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-title\">What do you think?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-text\">Let\u2019s chat in the comments!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p>This post was originally published on January 16, 2009. It has been updated for content and clarity.<\/p>\n<p><!--<rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/02\/22-rdf-syntax-ns#\"\n\t\t\txmlns:dc=\"http:\/\/purl.org\/dc\/elements\/1.1\/\"\n\t\t\txmlns:trackback=\"http:\/\/madskills.com\/public\/xml\/rss\/module\/trackback\/\">\n\t\t<rdf:Description rdf:about=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/what-to-do-with-leftovers\/\"\n    dc:identifier=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/what-to-do-with-leftovers\/\"\n    dc:title=\"What to Do with Leftovers?\"\n    trackback:ping=\"https:\/\/goodcheapeats.com\/what-to-do-with-leftovers\/trackback\/\" \/>\n<\/rdf:RDF>-->\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You can save so much money if you don\u2019t let food go to waste. But what to do with leftover food? Check out these savvy strategies for what to do with leftovers. Want to save this post? Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I\u2019ll send you budget recipes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":357162,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[141],"tags":[27826],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-357161","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-budget-food","tag-leftovers"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What to Do with Leftovers? - Som2ny Network<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What to Do with Leftovers? - Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"You can save so much money if you don\u2019t let food go to waste. But what to do with leftover food? Check out these savvy strategies for what to do with leftovers. Want to save this post? Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I\u2019ll send you budget recipes [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-10T00:35:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/leftovers-in-fridge.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371\"},\"headline\":\"What to Do with Leftovers?\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-10T00:35:41+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161\"},\"wordCount\":1138,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/leftovers-in-fridge.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Leftovers\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Budget Food\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161\",\"name\":\"What to Do with Leftovers? - Som2ny Network\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/leftovers-in-fridge.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-10T00:35:41+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/leftovers-in-fridge.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/leftovers-in-fridge.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":1200},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?bp_activities=1\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"What to Do with Leftovers?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/\",\"name\":\"Som2ny Network\",\"description\":\"Daily Deals\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Som2ny Network\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png\",\"width\":300,\"height\":86,\"caption\":\"Som2ny Network\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371\",\"name\":\"admin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png\",\"caption\":\"admin\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?author=1\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What to Do with Leftovers? - Som2ny Network","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What to Do with Leftovers? - Som2ny Network","og_description":"You can save so much money if you don\u2019t let food go to waste. But what to do with leftover food? Check out these savvy strategies for what to do with leftovers. Want to save this post? Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I\u2019ll send you budget recipes [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161","og_site_name":"Som2ny Network","article_published_time":"2026-07-10T00:35:41+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":1200,"url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/leftovers-in-fridge.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"admin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"admin","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161"},"author":{"name":"admin","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371"},"headline":"What to Do with Leftovers?","datePublished":"2026-07-10T00:35:41+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161"},"wordCount":1138,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/leftovers-in-fridge.jpg","keywords":["Leftovers"],"articleSection":["Budget Food"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161","name":"What to Do with Leftovers? - Som2ny Network","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/leftovers-in-fridge.jpg","datePublished":"2026-07-10T00:35:41+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/leftovers-in-fridge.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/leftovers-in-fridge.jpg","width":1200,"height":1200},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357161#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?bp_activities=1"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What to Do with Leftovers?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/","name":"Som2ny Network","description":"Daily Deals","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization","name":"Som2ny Network","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png","width":300,"height":86,"caption":"Som2ny Network"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371","name":"admin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png","caption":"admin"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/fivemor.com"],"url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?author=1"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357161","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=357161"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357161\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/357162"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=357161"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=357161"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=357161"},{"taxonomy":"dealstore","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fdealstore&post=357161"},{"taxonomy":"offerexpiration","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fofferexpiration&post=357161"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}