Let’s start unwasting
The Greatest Unwasters know that last night’s curry or pasta tastes better the next day. Save cash by packing those leftovers for lunch, ready to grab during your morning rush. Plan for a leftovers night at least once a week, and with a few leftover hacks, you’ll be turning your regular home-cooked meals into brand-new, delicious dishes in no time.
Tip 01
Make leftovers night a ritual
No matter what you’ve got planned to eat for the week, always keep at least one night free for leftovers, an Unwaste Night! Whether it’s a quick heat-and-eat of Monday’s leftover curry, transforming what’s in the fridge into a whole new meal, or mix and match freezer dinners for everyone, a weekly Unwaste Night will make a big difference.
Tip 02
Leftover Makeover
Leftovers seem so much more fun when you turn them into an entirely new meal. It can also stretch them further – one leftover steak can turn into 4 serves of tacos. With some online help, you’ll be feeling like a masterchef in no time. See our top tips for online meal inspo here.
Tip 03
Look after those leftovers
Storing your leftovers well helps them last longer. Portion them out to grab from the fridge for a free lunch – or freeze them and only defrost what you need. Be sure to add labels and dates to avoid any mystery meat in the freezer! Finding containers that work for you will be a game changer – unlock our top container tips here.
Tip 04
Leftovers to the front
Dedicate a leftovers space in your fridge that is easy to see and reminds anyone opening the fridge that there are great meals ready to go! Keeping those leftovers labelled and dated means no more mystery containers lurking in the back of the fridge. We love OzHarvest’s Use It Up tape™, why not give it a try?
Tip 05
Mark your meals
Labelling your food means you’ll avoid playing “What’s this?” whenever you open the fridge or freezer. Having a trusty texta and some masking tape or labels within reach of the fridge is one of the easiest ways to start unwasting. Write what it is, and the date you made it so you’re never second guessing later.
Tip 06
Freezer Hacks!
Your freezer is your best friend when it comes to extending the life of your leftovers. Learn easy freezer hacks to help you store food better, keep it fresher for longer, and save money.
Don't worry
You planned to eat the leftovers in the fridge but got takeaway cravings instead. We’ve all been there. While you wait for your delivery, grab those leftovers and get them into the freezer. They’ll be there waiting for you next week when you need a quick fix.
Leftover Makeover
Eating leftovers can be more than just re-heating meals from the night before. Get creative and turn some of the most common leftover items into delicious new dishes!
Cooked Rice
Don’t let leftover rice go to waste! From stir-fries to salads, we have the best tips and tricks to transform your leftover cooked rice in no time.
Cooked Pasta
Who doesn’t love a pasta bake?! We’ve got plenty more inspiration for when you have some of last night’s spaghetti or penne in the fridge.
Noodles and stir fry
You’d be amazed at what new dishes you can make from last night’s stir fry – check out some of our favourites.
Mashed Potato
Mashed potato is far more versatile than you might think! Get a second round of comfort food with these smashing mash ideas for when you’ve made too much mash.
Cooked Meats
Whether it’s Sunday roast, extra chops from the BBQ or the mince you bought on special – cooked meats are another leftover legend. Here’s our top tips for how to turn your extra meats into masterpieces.
FAQs
Why is it important to reuse leftover food?
Reusing leftover food helps households save money, reduce food waste and lower their environmental impact. When leftovers are eaten instead of thrown away, the water, energy and effort used to produce that food are not wasted. Making the most of what’s already in your fridge is one of the simplest ways to cut waste at home.
How can I use leftovers to create new meals?
Leftovers can be transformed into new meals with a few simple tweaks. Roast vegetables can go into wraps or salads, cooked meats can be added to stir-fries or sandwiches, and grains can be turned into bowls or fried rice. A small change in flavour or format can make leftovers feel brand new.
What are easy ways to reuse leftovers?
Plan a regular leftovers night each week, pack extra portions for lunch, or freeze meals before they spoil. Rotating food in your fridge and using older items first also helps. Simple habits like these make unwasting part of your routine.
