Make it easy to spot what needs using up by creating an “Eat Me First” spot in your fridge and pantry. This is for anything that needs using soon, like open jars, leftovers, opened packets of crackers, cheese close to its date, or fruit and veg that are starting to soften. Having a clear, visible space for these items helps everyone in the household know what should be eaten first. Order your free stickers today.
Gather up all those odds and ends hiding on the shelves and turn them into a meal, no grocery shopping required! Build it into your weekly meal planning routine, get creative with what’s in season, and make the most of what you’ve got. Substitutions are the name of the game when it comes to fridge harvests – if you don’t have a certain ingredient, use something similar or leave it out. Check out more tips to harvest your fridge and freezer.
One of the simplest yet most impactful habits you can adopt is the “first in, first out” (FIFO) method. When unpacking groceries, place the newer items behind the older ones in your fridge, pantry, or freezer. By using what you bought first, you reduce the chances of food expiring or going bad before you get a chance to use it.
We’ve all had the experience of buying another can of tomatoes only to discover three waiting at the back of the pantry. The trick is to shop your kitchen first. Take stock of what’s already in your fridge, freezer, and pantry before writing a shopping list. When you are in the store, stick to that list, it is one of the simplest ways to avoid unintentionally buying doubles.
If you’ve got extra fruit or veg piling up, a few fresh ideas can help you use it up before it goes to waste. Try ‘Compleating’ by using every part of your produce — stems, leaves and skins can often be cooked, roasted or blended into delicious meals. For easy inspiration, explore our ‘8 Ways With’ series, full of simple ways to turn one ingredient into multiple dishes. With a bit of inspiration, the food you already have can be the star of your next great or new favourite dish.
Discover our collection of speedy and simple recipes, turning often discarded ingredients into mouthwatering dishes.
Perfect for turning a small amounts of leftovers into a whole new meal.
A tasty twist on Taco Tuesday, with leftover NZ lamb and Asian sauces.
Cheesy and crisp courgette/zucchini fritters!
Use up all your leftover veges in a simple one-pan frittata.
The perfect way to use up your leftover mince!
With a few simple ingredients, we’re chucking the ‘pimp’ into pantry with this 5-star dish using up every part of the broccoli.
