Ever wonder how much food you throw away every year? Now think about the food waste of every American family. That’s an environmental disaster with your hard-earned money going into trash. Reducing food waste isn’t just about being mindful, as it also requires strategic planning and creative routines in the kitchen. Here are 10 practical methods to cut your food waste and put money back in your wallet.
10. Master the Refrigerator Cleanout Method
No, this doesn’t mean that you need to clean out your fridge. It means to consume whatever needs to be consumed. Once a week, designate a food as your refrigerator cleanout. With this, you can create stir-fried dishes, soups, pasta, or whatever your heart desires. This method ensures that nothing gets forgotten inside your fridge as everything is consumed.
9. Make Magic with Overripe Fruits
By magic, we meant turning your overripe fruits into treats that the family can enjoy. With overripe bananas, you can create banana bread or smoothies. Soft berries can also be used for jams or frozen for smoothies. It saves fruits to become a valuable ingredient.
8. Practice Strategic Grocery Shopping
This method is actually something to stop you from wasting food. One strategy you can use is to shop your pantry and fridge first, then make a detailed list organized by store sections. Stick to the list and avoid bulk purchases unless you have specific plans for using everything. Buy only what you can realistically use within the food’s lifespan.
7. Learn Proper Food Storage
Make smart decisions in storing your food, like storing potatoes and onions separately. Or maybe you can wrap lettuce in paper towels before refrigerating. The internet is a one-stop book of learning proper storage techniques. With just a quick search, you’ll be able to take note of different tips and tricks. Also, invest in good storage containers.
6. Leftover Transformation Strategy
No person wants to eat a single food repeatedly. Transform your leftovers into new dishes rather than eating the same thing. Make chicken salad with leftover roast chicken, or maybe you can make a frittata out of cooked vegetables. This would prevent leftover fatigue and ensure that everything gets eaten before another trip to the grocery store.
5. The Art of Creative Substitution
Learn to substitute ingredients you have for ones a recipe calls for. Maybe yogurt is better than sour cream, or lemon juice can be substituted for vinegar. Knowing this flexibility actually prevents you from buying ingredients and allows you to use what you already have. Be creative with ingredients.
4. Batch Cooking and Portioning
Each time you cook for yourself or for the family, make extra portions and put them in containers for the freezer. This prevents you from letting leftovers sit in the fridge until they spoil. Through portioning, you can simply reheat them for eating. Make sure to label each container with its contents and date. This strategy can help you save money from wasted food and restaurant meals.
3. Transform Vegetable Scraps to Gold
Instead of throwing out those vegetable scraps, turn them into something consumable. Put those peels, onion ends, and celery leaves in a freezer bag and turn them into homemade vegetable stock. Simmer them with water for about 30-45 minutes before freezing them into ice cube trays. These cubed stocks would add flavor for soups and sauces.
2. Learn Expiration Dates Like a Pro
Those “best by” dates that you see are about quality and not safety. Usually, they are grace periods as food remain safe to eat beyond those dates if they’re stored properly. You need to trust your senses with this one by the looks, smell, and taste to save food.
1. Meal Planning
Before planning your weekly meals, take inventory of what’s already in your fridge, freezer, and pantry. Build your meal plan around ingredients that need to be used first, then fill in with new purchases. This prevents the cycle of buying new ingredients while old ones spoil in the back of your fridge.