Creative Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes & Tips to Reduce Food Waste
It is estimated that Americans will waste about 305 million tons of food this Thanksgiving, according to ReFed. This equates to about a pound of food being thrown away per person, and while that might not seem like much, it adds up fast. The biggest issues surrounding food waste of this magnitude are:
1.It’s extremely costly… for everyone.
The USDA reports that the average family of four loses $1,500 in wasted food, and it costs even more to transport and dispose of it once discarded.
2. It’s devastating to the environment.
As all of that food slowly decomposes in landfills, it releases nearly 5,000 metric tons of methane into our atmosphere. This potent greenhouse gas can lead to a host of problems including, health-related issues, diminished air quality, and rapid climate change.
3. It adds to the problem of food insecurity.
Last year, 13.5% of Americans were food insecure (meaning no access to the adequate nutrition needed to met their basic needs). That’s 18 million people, including children.
The good news is that we don’t have to continue living by this broken food system. Armed with knowledge, we can come together to take care of the planet, the people living on it, and the generations to come.
And we can start this holiday season.
How To Fight Food Waste this Thanksgiving
Through mindful meal planning, money-saving shopping habits, and proper storage techniques, we can drastically reduce the amount of food wasted on Thanksgiving Day. If you find that you still have leftovers, worry not! We’ve searched the internet for the most creative uses of leftover Turkey, stuffing, and other side dishes that seemingly last forever.
Mindful Meal Planning
Tackle the issues of food waste, food insecurity, and saving money all at once by use of mindful meal planning. If you’re the lucky host or hostess responsible for the entire days’ feast, planning out what you intend to serve, making a list, and sticking to it could save you time and hundreds of dollars compared to shopping without a plan.
It reduces the chances of buying side dishes that maybe seemed like a good idea at the time, but wound up not being used. Additionally, buying only what one needs helps businesses identify surplus items that aren’t as in demand as they thought.
Those items are sometimes given to nonprofits, like 360 Eats, who turn them into delicious free meals for those facing food insecurity, while also preventing food waste. See how one simple act of planning can benefit so many?
Proper Storage Techniques
The USDA states that food enters the “Danger Zone” after being left out for longer than two hours. To prevent food waste and maintain safety, it’s a good idea to start putting food into shallow storage containers within that two-hour window.
Food that is stored in the fridge should be good until the Monday after Thanksgiving, while food that has been frozen will last for six months or more! Examples of foods that can be frozen without diminishing the quality include cranberry sauce, gravy, dinner rolls, stuffing, and most pies.
For everything stored in the fridge, it could prove helpful to keep the items most likely to expire quickly towards the front as a reminder to consume them ASAP. So, now that we’re using proper storage techniques, it’s time for some unique, out-of-the-box recipes to get you excited about eating those leftovers.
Creative Leftover Thanksgiving Recipes
1. Turkey Fried Rice - Ahead of Thyme
This recipe is not only quick and easy, it uses Thanksgiving ingredients without feeling like yet another Thanksgiving meal. This creative, Asian-inspired stir fry dish will help you get rid of all that turkey in no time.
2. Turkey & Stuffing Meatballs - delish
Now, what if you’ve managed to finish the turkey, but still have tons of sides? With a package of ground turkey meat, you can turn some of the leftover side dishes into meatballs dipped in the cranberry sauce you’d love to be rid of. This sweet and savory dish takes only 15 minutes to prep and 30 minutes to cook.
3. Homemade Vegetable Broth - From My Bowl
This completely zero waste recipe is right up our alley. It utilizes the parts of the vegetables (the ends of onions, peppers, carrots, stems, rinds, etc.) that typically wind up being thrown away. This is one to keep in mind before you start your holiday prepping. Simply put all your vegetable scraps in a bag to later be used to make this tasty broth.
4. Coconut Turkey Curry - Ahead of Thyme
If you’re looking for a delicious leftovers recipe that doesn’t remind you of traditional Thanksgiving dishes, this might be a great option.
How 360 Eats is Fighting Food Waste and Food Insecurity
At 360 Eats, we’re taking the fresh surplus food that would have been thrown away, and turning those ingredients into a delicious, Thanksgiving gourmet meal for a family that otherwise would have went without.
Our chefs whip up their own creative dishes and serve them to communities throughout Pinellas County, including the James B. Sanderlin Family Center in St. Petersburg, the United Way Suncoast Resource Center in Clearwater, and the Veterans Memorial Park in Oldsmar.
With over 600 meals being served each week, it’s no wonder fighting food waste is so vital. The more fresh ingredients we prevent from being thrown away, the more food we have to feed others who need it.
If you or someone you know is looking for a warm meal during this holiday season (or on any other day), you can see our locations and service times here. If you feel strongly about our mission and want to get involved, we’d love your support. You can give your time as a volunteer, or help keep our programs running for years to come by donating an amount that feels good for you.
When we come together as a community, we can make a far greater impact than we ever could alone. Let’s make this Thanksgiving a step toward a better food system, where everyone is fed and food is fully utilized.
