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21 Ways to Reduce Food Waste This Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time for celebration, family, and—let’s be honest—lots of food. But with all the feasting comes a lot of waste. Every year, millions of pounds of food go uneaten, which is not only bad for your wallet but also for the environment. 

The good news? With a little planning and creativity, you can cut down on food waste without sacrificing the joy of the season. Here are some practical and sustainable ways to make your holidays more eco-friendly.

Plan Your Menu Wisely

Menu planning
WordRidden – Menu planning / Flickr

Before you hit the grocery store, take the time to plan your meals. Know exactly what you’ll cook and how many people you’re feeding. This helps you buy only what you need.

Don’t forget to check your pantry for ingredients you already have. Many holiday staples like spices, canned goods, or frozen veggies might already be in your kitchen, saving you money and preventing duplicates.

Try Zero-Waste Recipes

fruits veggies for zero waste recipes
Kind Hive – AI

Look up recipes designed to use every part of an ingredient. For example, carrot tops can become pesto, and citrus peels can flavor desserts.

Zero-waste cooking is a fun challenge and reduces the food you toss out. Resources like Zero Waste Chef offers a collection of recipes and other ideas for zero waste living.

Make a Shopping List

Shopping list
Santeri Viinamäki – Shopping list / Wikimedia Commons

Stick to a detailed shopping list when buying groceries. It helps you stay focused and prevents impulse purchases that might go to waste later.

A good tip is to organize your list by categories like produce, dairy, and baking supplies. This makes your shopping trip faster and ensures you don’t forget anything, reducing mid-week trips that lead to overbuying.

Know Your Guests’ Preferences

a group of people conversing
U.S. Department of Agriculture – a group of people conversing / Flickr

Ask your guests about their dietary preferences or restrictions ahead of time. There’s no need to prepare dishes that won’t be eaten because someone is vegetarian or allergic.

By tailoring your menu, you can avoid making too much of something that might end up in the trash. Plus, it shows you care about your guests’ needs!

Use Smaller Plates

small plates
Didriks – small plates / Flickr

Encourage portion control by offering smaller plates. This reduces the chances of people taking more food than they can eat.

If someone wants seconds, they can always go back for more. This way, less food ends up scraped into the trash.

Serve Buffet-Style

Dishes with label
Janet McKnight – Dishes with label / Flickr

A buffet lets people pick exactly what and how much they want to eat. It’s an easy way to avoid food waste from uneaten portions on individual plates.

Label the dishes so everyone knows what they’re choosing, and keep serving utensils handy to maintain hygiene and order.

Repurpose Leftovers

cobbler made from leftovers
Dan4th Nicholas – cobbler made from leftovers / Flickr

Turn leftovers into new meals! Turkey can become sandwiches or soup, while mashed potatoes can be used for shepherd’s pie.

Get creative with your holiday dishes. Leftover desserts like pie can even be blended into milkshakes or crumbled over yogurt for a fun twist.

Encourage Guests to Take Food Home

guest showing off take-home salad
Eric Chan – guest showing off take-home salad / Flickr

Keep reusable containers or bags handy and invite guests to take home leftovers. Most people will appreciate a second helping of your delicious cooking the next day.

This also spreads the joy and reduces the burden of eating all the leftovers yourself.

Label Your Leftovers

well-packaged and labeled leftovers
Andrew Nash – well-packaged and labeled leftovers / Flickr

Make sure to label and date leftovers before storing them. This helps you remember what’s still good to eat and what’s past its prime.

Use clear containers so you can see what’s inside at a glance. It saves time and makes your fridge more organized.

Store Food Properly

Leftovers stored in containers
Kathleen Franklin – Leftovers stored in containers / Flickr

Proper storage extends the life of your food. Use airtight containers, vacuum-sealed bags, or even beeswax wraps to keep items fresh.

Remember that some foods last longer in the fridge, while others (like potatoes or onions) are better stored in a cool, dark pantry.

Use Your Freezer

foods stored in the freezer
mliu92 – foods stored in the freezer / Flickr

Don’t let food sit in the fridge until it spoils. If you can’t eat it within a few days, freeze it. From casseroles to baked goods, freezing preserves flavor and reduces waste. Just label and date everything for easy access later.

Compost Food Scraps

cabbage leaves back to the soil
Alan Levine – cabbage leaves back to the soil / Flickr

Not everything has to go in the trash! Composting food scraps like vegetable peels or coffee grounds gives them a second life as nutrient-rich soil.

Many cities now offer compost collection programs, or you can start your own compost bin in your backyard.

Make Stock from Scraps

stew prepared from leftovers
Alpha – stew prepared from leftovers / Wikimedia Commons

Save vegetable peels, meat bones, and herb stems to make homemade stock. It’s a flavorful base for soups and gravies.

Just freeze your scraps until you have enough, then simmer them with water and spices. It’s easy and reduces waste.

Revive Your Stale Bread

salad with leftover stale slices
Alpha – salad with leftover stale slices / Flickr

Stale bread doesn’t have to go in the trash. Use it to make croutons, bread pudding, or breadcrumbs. You can even toss it into soup to thicken it or bake it with cheese for a savory snack!

Get Creative with Overripe Fruit

Banana nut bread muffin made from overripe bananas
Chris Wood – Banana nut bread muffin made from overripe bananas / Flickr

Overripe fruit is perfect for smoothies, jams, or baked goods like banana bread. You can also freeze fruit for future use or blend it into a sauce for pancakes or ice cream.

Donate Unused Non-Perishables

food drive
NAVFAC – food drive / Flickr

If you overbought canned goods or dry ingredients, donate them to a local food bank. Many communities have holiday food drives, making it easy to share excess with those in need.

Share Food with Neighbors

sharing meals with neighbors
Kind Hive – AI

If you have too much food, consider sharing with neighbors. It’s a thoughtful way to spread holiday cheer.

You could even organize a food swap with friends to exchange dishes and try something new.

Host a Leftovers Party

leftovers feast
Alpha – leftovers feast / Flickr

Invite friends and family over a few days after the holidays for a leftovers feast. This way, everyone gets to enjoy the food again without it going to waste, and it’s another chance to bond.

Keep Portions Manageable

thanksgiving feast with manageable portions
Daniel Rothamel – thanksgiving feast with manageable portions / Flickr

When serving food, aim for smaller portions. People can always go back for seconds if they’re still hungry. This approach also makes people appreciate the food more and keeps waste to a minimum.

Skip Overly Packaged Foods

bulk bins
Anna – bulk bins / Flickr

When possible, buy ingredients with minimal packaging. Bulk bins are great for this. Not only does this cut down on waste, but it’s often more cost-effective too.

Use Up Leftover Wine

White wine sauce with beef
Adrian Dreßler – White wine sauce with beef / Wikimedia Commons

Don’t let leftover wine go to waste! Use it to make sauces, marinades, or even mulled wine. Freeze wine in ice cube trays for easy use in recipes later.

Reducing food waste this holiday season isn’t about perfection—it’s about making mindful choices. By planning ahead, getting creative with leftovers, and sharing what you can’t use, you’ll not only help the planet but also save money and time. Let’s make this holiday season one to remember—for all the right reasons!

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