Hi Friends!
Today we’re going to talk about ways to use leftovers. It’s Recipe Redux day and this month’s challenge was:
Two for One
We’re all about cooking once and eating twice. In short, double dinners are better. Show us how you take a favorite recipe already on your blog – and ReDux the leftovers into a new dish. Or, whip up a new healthy recipe and give suggestions on how to make it a second meal. For example, slow cooker pot roast could become shredded beef tacos; or grilled chicken breasts might morph into chicken salad.
Guys, is this right up my alley or what?! We all know I love food prep. I pretty much complete this challenge weekly. I love cooking once and then repurposing the leftovers into a new dish. I’ve actually been meaning to put together a post about using leftovers for you so this was just the push I needed!
Once I got the ball rolling, I couldn’t stop! Instead of just sharing one idea, I went a little bit overboard and have lots for you! I picked three proteins- chicken, pork and salmon- that we eat a lot of give you a few ideas for repurposing each one!
{Salmon image used with permission from Cotter Crunch}
Roasted Chicken
Day one: Make a Crockpot Rotisserie Chicken. (Or roast one in the oven! I just put mine in a cast iron skillet and roast at 425 for about 45 minutes for a 5 pound chicken)
Eat the chicken with a side of vegetables and rice one night.
Later in the week, use the leftovers to:
- Make pasta salad! Try this Chicken Pasta Salad with Salsa Hummus Dressing.
- Add an asian twist. Saute with veggies and a couple scrambled eggs for Chicken Fried Rice or serve over pad thai noodles!
- Make a sandwich or wrap. One of my go-to’s is chicken, hummus, black beans, red peppers, onions and cheese in a wrap. Or try this Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Panini!
- Use it as a topping for homemade pizza! Make your own crust and add lots of veggies. Check out my 5 Steps To A Healthier Pizza.
Pulled Pork
Day one: Make my Beer Braised Pulled Pork.
Eat it with some bbq sauce and a side of veggies for dinner one night.
Later in the week, use the leftovers to:
- Make pulled pork sandwiches! Add a fried egg and avocado for an epic sandwich!
- Make nachos! Top your favorite tortilla chips with pork, beans, peppers, onions and cheese. Microwave or bake to melt the cheese and top with tomato and avocado.
- Put it in a quesadilla. Add beans, veggies and a little cheese and top with salsa.
- Make enchiladas (can you tell we like Mexican?!) Or make another casserole using leftover meat, frozen veggies and your favorite whole grain!
Salmon
Day one: Grill or bake some salmon and your favorite vegetable for an easy weeknight dinner.
Later in the week, use the leftovers to:
- Make burgers/cakes. Try my Thai Peanut Salmon Burgers or swap it for the tuna in my Tuna Quinoa Cakes.
- Make soup! Try my Salmon Corn Chowder!
- Make a chop salad like this Salmon Chop Salad to pack for lunch! Or just add as a topping to a regular lettuce-based salad or use in lettuce wraps!
Keep in mind that these suggestions aren’t protein-specific. For example, you can definitely use leftover chicken in any of the ideas listed above for pork, etc! Or use the above ideas for different proteins like black beans, lentils, tofu, shrimp, etc. Have lave leftover black beans- make a veggie burger! Use leftover lentils to make a soup or leftover shrimp to make lettuce wraps. Bonus idea- add eggs. Breakfast for dinner is the perfect way to repurpose leftovers into an omlette or frittata.
[Tweet “Need some inspiration? Here are 12 Ways To Repurpose Leftovers via @leangrnbeanblog!”]
Hopefully this gave you some new ideas for ways to use up those leftovers. This is why I tend to favor prepping ingredients instead of whole meals during my Sunday Food Prep. I’d rather cook a whole chicken and be able to use it 2-3 different ways during the week than cook a big casserole and have just that one option!
If you liked this post, you’ll love my ebook – The Ultimate Guide To Food Prep. It dives into even more detail about how to food prep, troubleshoots common problems and provides tons of tips to make it easier! Click the image below for more details!
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
For more Cook Once, Eat Twice ideas, check out all the posts linked up below from other Recipe Redux members!
Get my free Table Talk email series where I share bite-sized nutrition information about carbs, protein, and fat, plus bonus information about snacks and sugar!
Typical overachieving dietitian, giving a dozen ideas. 🙂
Seriously though, this is great information, especially when food waste is such an issue in this country. Well done!
haha thank you 🙂
I’m coming to your house for dinner! So many great recipes and inspiration. Salmon Corn Chowder: yes please!
ohhh can’t wait to try the salmon burgers! great idea linz!
It’s so easy to just cook an extra portion for later use. Great ideas!
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing. I like to just grill some chicken and then throw it into all kinds of things throughout the week. I have been slacking on that since Blue Apron entered my life, but it’s something Id like to get back into.
When I saw these theme, I immediately thought of you and your Sunday posts- As always great ideas- I shared a pulled chicken recipe which reminded me try out your beer version!
your recipe sounded delish!
I have both pulled pork and chicken in the frig right now. You’ve given some great ideas. The chicken is never difficult to use up, but the pork? I could use some help.. thank you!
Love this! Such great ideas!
ahhhh with just two of us my life is ALWAYS FILLED WITH LEFT OVERS.
I need to make less (oops) or get creative.
<3 <3 <3 this.
Chicken and bean leftovers are so easy to repurpose. And you just made it easier. Thank you!
Wow! What a neat way to mix it up during the week without cooking a ton! Thank you for the inspiration! I love all of the salmon recipes since I just end up making mine the same every week and not knowing what to do with the rest so I just end up eating the same thing OVER + over again! #boring <– thanks for the inspiration love xo C
I love all these different ideas! 😀 Definitely pinning for future inspiration!
This post is right up my alley! I’m all about cooking once and eating twice (or three times), plus I love leftovers. Usually things taste better the next day anyhow. 🙂
I am actually the worst leftover user-upper, so this post is awesome! Cooking once and eating twice? SO IN,
I never end up having leftovers unless I’m cooking a big recipe for the blog! Otherwise I always just cook enough for me at that time! haha!
I wouldn’t have expected anything less from you – this is great inspiration! Thanks for the tips and delicious recipes. LOVE leftovers 🙂
Such a helpful post for me as I often live off of leftovers when my husband is traveling. This gives me some new clever ways to mix things up with my eating!
This is AMAZING!! Such a great reference!
So…you did ALL this -with Squish?! Please please teach me your ways – Oh meal prep master! Fabulous use of leftovers, Lindsay! I am in awe!
yes, thanks for this! I always want to cook extras for leftovers but never know what to do with them, especially chicken. I’ll have to start using my crock pot more!
This is quite the list Lindsay. I will absolutely be using it!
This is so handy, Lindsay!
So many great ideas!! Love!
This is such an awesome post!! I always end up having leftovers, especially when I’m recipe testing and usually just make a boring old salad. Can’t wait to try some of these!