What to do with leftovers (safely)
Updated · 5 min read
Leftovers are a free meal - as long as they get eaten. The trick is storing them so they stay safe and turning them into something that doesn't feel like a repeat.
The safety rules
- Into the fridge within 2 hours of cooking (1 hour if it's above 90°F).
- Shallow containers so big batches cool quickly.
- Eat within 3–4 days, or freeze them - most leftovers keep their quality 2–3 months in the freezer.
- Reheat to 165°F (74°C), until steaming hot all the way through, and stir microwaved food halfway.
- Label with the date. "Was that Monday's or last week's?" is how leftovers end up in the trash.
Make it a new meal
| Leftover | Turn it into |
|---|---|
| Chicken or turkey | Quesadillas, fried rice, chicken salad, soup, pasta |
| Rice | Fried rice (cold rice works best), burrito bowls, rice pudding |
| Roasted vegetables | Frittata, grain bowl, blended into soup, pasta |
| Pasta | Baked pasta with cheese, pasta frittata, cold pasta salad |
| Ground beef or chili | Tacos, stuffed baked potatoes, sloppy joes, nachos |
| Bread | Croutons, breadcrumbs, French toast, bread pudding |
| Mashed potatoes | Potato cakes, shepherd's pie topping |
| Cooked beans | Soup, dip, burritos |
Habits that help
- Plan one leftovers night a week - everyone picks from the fridge.
- Pack lunches straight from dinner, before the leftovers go in the fridge.
- Keep leftovers at eye level on a top shelf, where they're seen.
- Freeze single portions of anything you won't get to in three days.
More guides
- How long food lasts in the fridge and freezerA quick chart of how long meat, fish, leftovers, eggs and dairy keep in the fridge and freezer, based on USDA guidance, plus the rules that keep it safe.
- What to make when there's "nothing to eat"Eight easy dinner formulas built from pantry staples - pasta, rice, beans, eggs, tortillas - so a few cans and a box of something become a real meal.
- How to cut food waste at homeWhere household food waste really comes from, ten habits that cut it, and a simple way to track what you throw out so you can see it shrink.