It has been 2 days since Thanksgiving. Are we still having food coma? We need to manage our food waste. If none of your guests has taken some of your food home, we need to figure out what to keep and what to go.
1 Sort out your leftovers
Group similar items and food that needs to be eaten first. For example gravy, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce have a shorter shelf life and should be eaten within a few days. Other items like roasted vegetables, turkey, ham and stuffings often freeze well and can last longer.
2 Use airtight containers or sealer bags
Ensure that leftovers are stored in airtight containers to prevent them from drying out or absorbing other fridge odors. Glass containers are often the best choice as they keep the food fresh and don’t retain smells from previous meals. Label each container with the date it was made, so you can easily track how long it’s been in the fridge.
If you want to store food for a bit longer, use sealer bags for meat and leftovers like stuffings. It is a space saver cause you can flatten the bags and store them in portion for easier defrosting later on. And it helps with minimizing air exposure and freezer burn.
3 Repurpose leftovers
Instead of just eating your leftovers and reheating the same meals why not get a bit creative and transform leftovers to different dishes. Here are some ideas:
Turkey Tetrazzini – Using leftover turkey to make a pasta casserole
Stuffing Waffles – Just press stuffings into waffles for a savory, crispy treat.
Cranberry Sauce Smoothie – Blend cranberry sauce with other berries to create a yummy twist
Mashed Potato Pancakes – Mixed mashed potatoes with eggs and breadcrumbs then pan fried into crispy cakes
Vegetable Soup – Combine leftover roasted vegetables into a hearty soup, you may also add barley and beans
4 Take this time to clean out your fridge
Finally, it is time to declutter your fridge. Clear out any expired and questionable items and wipe down shelves before adding your newly leftovers. This will make it easier to access everything and ensuring that you are using your leftovers while they are still fresh.
Reflecting on this Thanksgiving can provide valuable insights for planning next year’s meal. By better estimating the amount of food needed based on the number of guests, you can minimize leftovers and avoid the fatigue of endlessly eating the same dishes. Thoughtful planning not only reduces waste but also ensures a more enjoyable and manageable post-holiday experience.
Thank you for decluttering with us.
See you next Thanksgiving.
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