Whether you’re hosting a family gathering, a potluck with friends, or party at work, one thing’s for certain: you’ll fix more food than necessary. There’s a fine art to knowing how to best use holiday leftovers in particular. No matter the time of the year, these strategies are certain to help you make the most of every delicious morsel and maximize your fabulous feast for days to come.
Clear Off the Table
While we all love lingering around the table to catch up with our family, friends, and neighbors, it’s wise not to leave your leftovers out unheated for more than a couple of hours. Bacteria begins to grow after that time period so you’ll want to pack up things before it hits. The most susceptible foods include anything perishable like meats, eggs, and casseroles.
Use Your Freezer Well
While amazing reheated for a meal or maybe even two, the novelty of leftovers wears off quickly. And while you should especially repurpose large meats well (we’ll get to that in a minute), it’s smart to freeze some of your leftovers. You could choose to do this by dish or even prepare your own version of a freezer meal and place items of similar density together in a freezer safe dish to be reheated in a microwave for lunch at work. This handy chart helps you know what you can freeze and can’t. And how long items will still be good in both the fridge and the freezer.
Invest in Durable Dishes
My grandmother wisely used any container that came into her house to divvy up and send home leftovers. This very frugal strategy works well as long as you clearly label what’s inside. If you have the budget, it’s wise to invest in long lasting dishes to store your leftovers. I love using glass bowls because it makes it easier to see exactly what’s inside. Similarly, it’s wise to choose freezer safe dishes that prevent freezer burn and provide the opportunity for you to see your leftovers, too. Or if you don’t have the extra cash, crack out your favorite permanent marker to write the contents and the date on the outside of a dish.
Create a Repurposed Meal Plan
Large cuts of holiday meats lend themselves to a variety of meals. Rather than simply turning everything into sandwiches, consider incorporating the main dish into a variety of options throughout the week. Ham features well in soups, egg casseroles, on top of pizzas, and in a chef salad. Turkey can be made into a pasta dish, enchiladas, pot pie, and in soups and salads, too. A word of warning from my own experience: Don’t go overboard. My family still speaks with less than fondness of what we referred to as Ham Week a few years ago. You may want to toss in some variety and use the freezer, too.
Here are some great recipe links for ideas!
- The Pioneer Woman Easter Leftovers
- 25 Ways to Reinvent Your Easter Leftovers from the Food Network
- 3 Healthy Dishes to Make With Easter Leftovers
Freeze Candy or Give It Away
Candy features prevalently in almost every holiday. Most of us probably don’t need to eat every piece we purchase. After a day or two of celebration, it’s wise to freeze some of the candy. Or better yet, create a small bag of treats for a neighbor or friend to brighten their day.
Or you can think about making one of these Easter Candy desserts:
Don’t let your leftovers go to waste. Using smart strategies you can feast for days to come and share the meal beyond a day with those you love. No matter the holiday, make your celebration last.
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