18 Easy & Creative Leftovers Recipes
Did you know we waste 40% of our food each year globally? Food that could have fed millions of people. While harvesting makes up a substantial percentage, we can do our bit by reducing the food waste in our kitchen.
Reduce your carbon footprint by trying out these 18 delicious leftover recipes. Some easy. Some creative. Click through for easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step videos.
Leftover Rice
Rice is one of the most versatile grains and leftover rice can be transformed into a variety of lip-smacking dishes. From the ever-popular fried rice to some time-tested traditional ones, try out these delicious variations.
Makes the most of the summers! A popular rice dish from Southern India, Raw Mango Rice is a variation of lemon rice but with the tanginess of raw mangoes. Try out this nut-free, vegan recipe.
Chitranna. Nimmakaya Pulihora. Spicy, tangy, and easy to make. Lemon Rice is a classic flavorful staple from Southern India. An excellent way to use leftover rice, it works great for tiffin boxes too. Try out this nut-free recipe.
The humble raw kathal or jackfruit elevated to a delicious, lip-smacking pulao. Kathal Tawa Pulao is the perfect vegetarian alternative that will have you licking your fingers.
Spicy, tangy, and absolutely delicious. The Schezwan Egg Fried Rice is full of flavors and ready in minutes. Try out this easy-to-cook recipe.
Juicy tomatoes, scrambled eggs, and rice combine together for a sweet and savory dish. Try out my version of the Tomato Egg Fried Rice that is quick and easy to make.
Give the popular rajma chawal a twist. Red beans and rice flavored with warm Cajun spices. This is my take on the classic recipe. Perfect for a quick and healthy weekday meal.
Leftover Boiled Potatoes
Left with more boiled potatoes than you need? We have all been there. Instead of turning them into the good old paranthas, try out these lip-smacking Indian dishes that will have your family asking for seconds.
Leftover Mashed Potatoes
Tired of reheating mashed potatoes? Transform them into delicious and creative dishes. You will find yourself looking forward to the leftovers next time. These work great with leftover boiled potatoes too.
Leftover Chicken
Holiday roast or a family meal. Chicken is usually the most common leftover. Transform it into mouth-watering one-pot meals and sandwiches. Perfect for weekend brunch or weekday dinner.
A French tart made of pastry crust, filled with chicken, mushrooms, cheese, and savory custard. A one-pot meal that works perfectly for a Christmas breakfast too.
Some More Leftovers Recipes
I share some more leftover recipes. A delicious burger with banana peel. Homemade cheese spread with leftover paneer. And a lip-smacking idli 65.
Got some paneer left over? Enjoy the taste of homemade cheese spread infused with herbs and garlic. Spread it on your favorite crackers or add it to your sandwich.
Got some idlis left over? Rustle up the quick, easy, and lip-smacking Idli 65 that is loved by kids and adults alike. It works perfectly for breakfast or a tea-time snack. A spicy snack that will have you reach out for more.
Waste not, want not. The next time you have leftovers in the kitchen, get creative. Do try out the recipes and don’t forget to share the pics with me.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
This post is a part of ‘Sense and Sustainability Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed.
Pin it for later
July 11, 2024 @ 6:16 pm
I love this. I am the leftover queen. Hahahaha! I make many things with leftover food because I HATE wasting. These recipes are a good idea to add to my leftover food recipe collection.
July 15, 2024 @ 7:41 pm
I mostly eat leftovers in their original form or give it away to my house help. but I rarely turn them into such amazing dishes(I am sure they taste as amazing as they look)… except the idly which is my fav leftover twist. I make it for my daughters’ evening snacks and they love it. I will definitely try some of the dishes u have shared Madhu Ma’am… they look so yummy. I love the paneer dip idea.
July 28, 2024 @ 1:22 pm
Thank you so much Beta. Do try them out
July 28, 2024 @ 12:45 pm
Thank you so much Cindy 😊
July 16, 2024 @ 7:22 am
You are so right, we shouldn’t waste food at all. We love kathal pulao and have it often. Am going to try the mango rice, sounds awesome. I like the idea of potato waffles as well.
July 28, 2024 @ 1:28 pm
Thank you so much 😊
July 18, 2024 @ 7:37 pm
I’m really looking forward to trying the leftover rice and potatoes recipes. Because those are two dishes that are always in surplus in my household. Great ideas for a sustainable kitchen aunty. Thank you for sharing these recipes
July 28, 2024 @ 1:27 pm
Thank you so much Beta 😊
July 19, 2024 @ 7:08 am
I am a big fan of leftovers and love to whip up something delicious from them. I use most of your rice recipes, and got idea for so many dishes today!
July 28, 2024 @ 1:25 pm
Thank you so much 😊
July 19, 2024 @ 8:33 am
Oh wow! This is so amazing that I want to have leftovers, especially the rice and potato leftover recipes. Thank you so much for sharing such an informative recipe post. Will bookmark this for use.
July 28, 2024 @ 1:21 pm
Thank you so much 😊
July 19, 2024 @ 12:04 pm
Leftover food is always used in our home to create new recipes. Thanks for some new and interesting ideas you shared here. Eggless gnocchi in herb sauce sounds good.
July 28, 2024 @ 1:20 pm
Thank you so much 😊
July 19, 2024 @ 12:51 pm
Great leftovers food options. Rice is the biggest food item that usually gets left and you have some great options here.
July 28, 2024 @ 1:20 pm
Thank you so much 😊
July 19, 2024 @ 1:30 pm
Wow..the list is helpful to save waste food. I am the one who used to create new recipe from leftover. I tried your most of rice recipes Madhu Mam, because my daughter don’t like to eat plain dal rice. Thank you for the other recipes too.
July 28, 2024 @ 1:19 pm
Thank you so much Beta 😊
July 19, 2024 @ 5:38 pm
Mind blowing, aunty! the only recipe I’ve tried is with left over idlis. We called Idli upma in tamil. Thanks for sharing so much variety.
July 19, 2024 @ 5:45 pm
I have bookmarked this. It looks yummy. Now to try !
July 28, 2024 @ 1:17 pm
Thank you so much 😊
July 19, 2024 @ 5:54 pm
The one word that coming to my mind is “LOVELY”. You are a genius and can make anything almost out of something. Loved this post.
July 28, 2024 @ 1:17 pm
Thank you so much 😊
July 20, 2024 @ 12:44 am
There are such good ideas, especially as i just end up finishing leftovers with curd and thats it. the potato waffles sound interesting – 1st time hearing of them.
July 28, 2024 @ 1:16 pm
Thank you so much 😊
July 20, 2024 @ 11:14 am
I do not like to waste food, so leftovers are always recycled.I loved the Cajun-style rice and the gnocchi from leftover potatoes, would love to have a detailed recipe of the gnocchi, i have only made it from store brought packets so far.
July 28, 2024 @ 1:13 pm
Thank you so much 😊
July 20, 2024 @ 12:50 pm
These are helpful recipes to reuse leftover food which often happens in big families like us.
July 28, 2024 @ 1:13 pm
Thank you so much 😊
July 20, 2024 @ 3:44 pm
I love your range of leftover recipes! This is absolutely helpful to use for my “fool-food” as I call them. As everything nowadays become more expensive, it’s only logical not to throw leftovers. I got a lot of new ways to-do for my leftovers! thank you!
July 28, 2024 @ 1:10 pm
Thank you so much 😊
July 20, 2024 @ 7:26 pm
I absolutely love your leftover recipes. They not only look spectacular but are also explained so simply. I am going to save this post and try out many of the recipes… thank you! there is so much of food being wasted across the world, and such recipes could really help. I also appreciate those restaurants and wedding groups that share their leftovers with people who need food. We try and spread this message among our children in school as well. Waste not, want not! Thank you for a wonderful post!
July 28, 2024 @ 1:09 pm
Thank you so much 😊
July 20, 2024 @ 11:39 pm
Superb 👏🏻 leftovers are so common in my house that your recipes will be given a special place 😁
Some of the recipes are already a hit.
July 28, 2024 @ 1:08 pm
Thank you so much 😊
July 21, 2024 @ 4:41 pm
Love this 18 recipe bonanza, Madhuji. Each one is so creative and easy to make. I am not fond of wasting food; leftovers should be modified creatively and presented with elan. I make almost all the recipes you have shared here.
July 28, 2024 @ 12:30 pm
Thank you so much Harjeet 😊
July 22, 2024 @ 12:52 am
These are amazing recipes, Aunty. Most of the time my leftover item is rice, from now onwards I surely try the mentioned rice recipes. These seem easy to cook. Thanks for such a detailed post.
July 28, 2024 @ 12:28 pm
Thank you so much Beta. Do try them out 😊
July 26, 2024 @ 12:04 pm
Savory Potato Masala Waffles? Yes, please! What a fun twist on regular potatoes.
Also, you really need to get your own cooking show. Please start a youtube channel. I would love watching you cook these delicious recipes.
July 28, 2024 @ 12:26 pm
Thank you so much Beta 😊
July 27, 2024 @ 3:54 pm
As the sous chef and the official taster, I can vouch for the recipes. KKB recipes as I call them. It is very difficult to pick just one as a favorite.
July 28, 2024 @ 12:24 pm
Thank you so much Beta 😊
July 29, 2024 @ 7:09 pm
what a beautiful lip smacking list and saving food and making use of left-overs and using it the next day has been one of the common practice in my home as well. especially making rice into a spicy pulao.
July 30, 2024 @ 12:02 am
Thank you for sharing these recipes. These are the food wastage saviors, especially the rice ones
July 30, 2024 @ 1:38 pm
These leftover recipes are fantastic! Each dish offers a creative and delicious way to repurpose ingredients that might otherwise go to waste. I must try them. I remember during my childhood Parathas of leftover Dal or rice. The taste used to be fabulous.
July 30, 2024 @ 8:38 pm
Well now I’m hungry! Those pictures are drool-worthy!!! I loved almost all of the leftover rice recipes. They seemed the most doable with my level of skill in the kitchen 😅 I’m most excited to try kathal Pulao! I can already taste the deliciousness. Also the schezwan rice yummm ~
September 11, 2024 @ 3:37 pm
You really are a wiz in the kitchen! Some awesome recipes here.
September 16, 2024 @ 6:53 pm
Thank you so much Noor 😊