Using Leftovers to Save on Your Grocery Budget

I'm certain that I'm not the only one feeling the pinch at the grocery store these days. While I realize that leftovers might not sound too appetizing most of the time, saving a few bucks at the grocery sounds very appealing. Let me share with you some creative ways to turn your "blah" leftovers into a palatable meal (and a grocery savings):

1. To use leftover pinto beans: And aren't these a great way to save on the grocery budget? Make a big pot of beans early in the week, and enjoy the leftovers for days. Some of the leftovers can be mashed and "refried" in a little oil with seasonings added to them and then use in burritos. We like to just reheat them with some shredded cheese and taco sauce on top (think Taco Bell's "pintos & cheese" ~ as a matter of fact, this is a good way to use up those leftover hot/mild/fire packets!). Beans are also great with cornbread or fried potatoes. If you really want to stretch your grocery bucks, think "Bubba" with beans instead of shrimp: "beans and cornbread, beans and taters, beans and rice, refried beans, baked beans, boiled beans, beans and breadsticks, beans and muffins, beans and garlic toast, beans and ham, beans and sausage, beans and tomatoes..." Who says beans have to be boring?!

2. To reheat leftover pizza: Use a non-stick skillet to heat leftover pizza on the stovetop. If you do it in the microwave, it ends up being limp.

3. To prevent refrigerator science experiments: Send all leftovers straight to the freezer. Keep a "stock pot" (ice cream or sherbet bucket with lid) for leftover veggies, pieces of meat, rice, barley, macaroni, etc. When it gets pretty full, thaw it out and make soup with it.

4. To reheat refrigerated bread: Warm up leftover biscuits, muffins, pancakes, and other breads in the microwave along with a cup of water for moisture.

5. To use leftover boiled eggs: Any time you boil eggs, be sure to do extra ~ I always boil a dozen at a time. It's easy to grab a couple for a quick chef salad, tuna salad, egg salad, ham salad, or just plain for a high protein snack.

6. To use leftover mashed potatoes: Make potato pancakes or Doodle Bugs. You can also use them as topping on a shepherd's pie. However, I often intentionally make surplus mashed taters and mound them out on a cookie sheet with the ice cream scoop. Then I freeze the balls and transfer them to a gallon-size baggy. They reheat easily in the microwave and make good baby food.

7. To use leftover meat: I always cook big pieces of meat such as pot roast, ham, or pork loin for the sole purpose of having leftovers. When you go to the grocery story, buy the one or two different types of meat that are on the best sales. Then you can cook it all at once and eat on the leftovers throughout the week. Here are some possibilities:

Leftover pork loin (cooked in crock pot with about ½ c. apple juice): barbeque sandwiches, chopped bakers (baked potato with shredded pork, sour cream, & cheese), barbeque nachos

Leftover roast beef: sandwiches with horsey sauce, casserole with noodles & cream of mushroom, chili, enchiladas

Leftover ham: baked ham & potatoes au gratin, baked ham slices with brown sugar/mustard glaze, chopped up in scrambled eggs or omelet, ham salad

8. Instead of throwing away citrus peels: Throw them into your garbage disposal, or let them simmer in a saucepan along with cinnamon sticks.

The most important method that I personally employ for efficiently using leftovers is keeping a very organized refrigerator. I always know what's in there (no forgotten experiments!), and I check for leftovers and produce needing to be used when I plan the next day's meals. Top shelf is for jarred stuff and other items that last awhile like pickles, olives, chow chow, etc. and condiments that don't fit in the door. The shelf under that one is really short, and that's where I keep eggs and dairy stuff like butter, cream cheese, and yogurt. The shelf under that is for beverages: water jugs, milk, and gallons of tea. The bottom shelf is for all leftovers and thawing meat, which is placed in a mixing bowl to prevent leaking. This, obviously, is the shelf that gets checked most frequently, along with the top drawer, which houses the produce. The bottom drawer is for cheese and meats such as ham, hot dogs, and smoked sausage.

I hope that these tips will help you to chop down your grocery bill and prevent wasting those awesome leftovers!