12 Creative Ways to Use Food Scraps in Your Recipes (2024)

If you've ever thrown away a leftover scrap of food at some point, you're not alone: The average American household tosses up to $2,000 worth of food every year. While making good use of leftovers or preserving and canning foods are excellent ways to prevent food waste, you may be throwing out food scraps that are actually edible or could be easily repurposed. For example, did you know all of a watermelon is edible: seeds, rind, and all? We put together a list of tasty ways to use food scraps.

Use Almost-Empty Jars for Sauces

When your jar of mayonnaise or peanut butter is almost empty, use it to shake up a sauce for pasta or make a salad dressing so you'll use every last bit. Bonus: Because you don't have to use a bowl, this also prevents more dishes from getting dirty!

Put a Cheese Rind in Your Soup

The rind at the end of your Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is packed with a salty, umami flavor that can really enhance many dishes. Try throwing a rind into your pot of minestrone or pasta sauce while cooking; just remember to remove it before serving. You can also try cooking small pieces in the microwave for about 60 seconds to make a crispy snack.

Turn Citrus Peels into Candy

The peels of citrus fruits such as grapefruit, lemons, limes and oranges pack in antioxidants and Vitamin C, so you could try making candied peels for a sweet treat with a hit of good-for-you nutrients. Make sure you wash them thoroughly first. You can also use the zest to brighten up baked goods and savory dishes. Or use the peels to make your own limoncello for co*cktails.

Repurpose Bottom-of-the-Bag Crumbs as Toppings and Coatings

Those crumbs in the bottom of the chip bag or box of crackers don't have to go to waste. They can add a crunchy topping to many dishes such as casseroles. Crushed chips also make great coatings for chicken, fish, and other proteins. Cereal or cookie crumbs and pieces also make great toppings for ice cream or cupcakes.

Freeze Herbs for a Burst of Flavor in Your Dishes

Before leftover herbs can start to turn bad, blend them in some olive oil and freeze them in ice cube trays. Pop a cube into soups for a quick flavor boost or use for a sauce on top of meat or pasta. You can also stock the spice pantry by making your own dried herbs.

Give Fruit New Life Before It's Too Far Gone

This is no surprise, but some fruits on the verge of going overripe are even better baked (we're looking at you, banana bread!). For other fruit that's a little too soft for your taste, but not rotten, make fruit jams or fruit butters made with apples, pears, or peaches in your slow cooker.

Reap the Nutritious Benefits of Fruit and Veggie Tops

Those leafy greens on most of your fruits and vegetables can have a life beyond the compost bin. Whether you're in need of extra greens for your morning smoothie or want to liven up your pesto, don't let the greens on your produce go to waste.

• Beets: Add the leaves to a roasted beet salad for more flavor.
• Celery: Toss the leaves into veggie soups.
• Radish: Enjoy them raw and chopped into a salad.
• Turnip: These have a slightly bitter taste and do best when sautéed with delicious flavors like bacon.

Make a Flavorful Broth Out of Meat Bones

So you've mastered your roast chicken recipe, but now have the carcass leftover. Use your leftover beef and poultry bones to make a rich and flavorful bone broth from scratch for soups, stews, and more.

Save Pickle and Jalapeño Brine for Marinades

The not-so-secret ingredient at that popular chicken sandwich restaurant is pickle brine to flavor the chicken breast before breading. Save that jar and use the brine the same way you would vinegar in dressings and marinades. You can also do the same for jalapeño brine; Try adding it to a spicy co*cktail.

Turn Vegetable Peelings Into Crunchy Snacks

After peeling carrots or potatoes for recipes, save the scraps and turn them into a delicious vegetable stock for your next soup recipe. You can also use peelings for DIY chips or even vegan bacon. Of course, you can always go the composting route and place your food scraps in countertop food scrap container or compost bin.

Turn Stale Bread into a Decadent Dessert

If you haven't been using your old bread for bread pudding or French toast, you should definitely give it a try. Dry bread is perfect for absorbing the custard and liquid bases for these recipes, making them super delicious. If you don't think you'll use it before it goes moldy, make bread crumbs or freeze it for later.

Pickle Watermelon Rind for a Crunchy Treat

After you've enjoyed your sweet watermelon, save the rind for pickling. The texture of a rind is similar to a cucumber, and it's loaded with nutrients including potassium, vitamin A, and the antioxidant lycopene. The rinds can also be juiced or chopped and tossed into your favorite stir fry. Oh, and don't forget you can roast the seeds, too!

Keep this list in mind the next time you get a great deal on that bag of lemons or rotisserie chicken so you can save money while keeping you and your family full.