My Favorite Sustainable Recipes to Reduce Food Waste

Last Updated on October 25, 2024

As you can imagine, I’m all about finding ways to reduce food waste at home. It’s a huge part of my zero waste lifestyle, and in all honestly, I love the challenge! 

Not to mention, food waste is a major global issue with serious environmental consequences. Each year, tons of food — literally 1.3 billion tons — end up in the trash, adding to the ever-growing greenhouse gas emissions and putting a strain on our planet’s resources. 

Thankfully, there are ways to combat food waste: with a little bit of planning and a some sustainable recipes! By adopting zero waste recipes in the kitchen, you can help cut down on waste and protect the environment. 

I have several zero waste recipe ideas that help reduce food waste and support sustainability. From using leftover vegetables in a stir fry to adding overly ripe bananas to bread, these sustainable recipes use food scraps to create delicious meals. There are so many creative ways to cook consciously and make a positive impact on the planet. Start with these zero waste recipes!

what is a sustainable recipe?

A sustainable recipe is a dish that’s made with the environment in mind. They’re often made with food scraps or locally sourced ingredients, and they make the most of every part of the ingredients to reduce food waste.

Zero waste recipes are also often plant-based, which is better for the environment than animal products (sorry, I said it!). Many also encourage eco-friendly cooking methods, like using energy-efficient appliances and conserving water.

Ultimately, sustainable recipes aim to help the environment while still being tasty and nutritious. Discover my favorite options below!

my favorite recipes to reduce food waste

1. leftover vegetable stir-fry 

I’m all about simplicity, so I make stir-fries quite a bit. All you need to do is toss the ingredients in a pan with some oil or sauce and let the heat work its magic. So easy!

Whether it’s bell peppers, broccoli, or carrots, you can use whatever types of vegetables you have on hand. Toss them into a frying pan with some soy sauce, heat over medium until warmed through, and voila. I like to serve my stir-fry over a bed of rice or noodles to make it even heartier. This zero waste recipe from one of my favorite bloggers, Zero Waste Chef, is my go-to for busy weeknights when I just don’t feel like cooking.

2. banana bread

Banana bread is one of those OG anti-food waste recipes that I think we all know and love. I personally make one at least once a month. It’s the best way I know of using up overly ripe bananas… no mater how black and squishy they may be, I’ll always choose fresh banana bread over tossing perfectly good fruit in the trash.

This version from Minimalist Baker is also vegan and gluten-free!

3. root-to-stem broccoli soup

Don’t let those broccoli stems go to waste. I often chop the entire broccoli and use every part of it in stir-fries and pasta dishes, but I know many people tend to discard it. 

I also like using it in broccoli stem soup! Simply sauté some onion and garlic until fragrant, then add chopped broccoli stems and vegetable broth to the pot. Let the mixture simmer until the broccoli is tender, then blend until smooth. Another extremely easy way to reduce food waste.

I usually use this broccoli soup recipe from Smitten Kitchen, and make sure to use the entire head of broccoli… root to stem.

4. stale bread croutons

This one’s a classic that I’ve been making since I was in college. It’s one of my favorite zero waste recipes – homemade croutons. There’s nothing better than croutons fresh out of the oven on soup or salad. And they’re so easy to make yourself. 

All you need to do is chop the stale bread into cubes, then toss them with some olive oil, garlic powder, and your favorite herbs and seasonings. Spread the croutons onto a greased baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees F until they’re golden brown and crispy.

The bloggers over at 100 Days of Real Food have an excellent recipe to follow.

5. fruit peel infused water

Sustainable recipes mean nothing goes to waste, so yes, you better believe that I add fruit peels (and other parts of fruit we usually throw away) to water to create a refreshing drink.

My favorites include citrus, cucumber peels, and strawberry tops — they infuse flavor without any added sugar or sweeteners and help reduce food waste. You can also add some fresh herbs that may have started to wilt. I love pairing basil with orange and lemon with mint.

Ashley over at Grocery Addict has a recipe that I often turn to when I’m out of ideas.

6. vegetable scrap stock

This is another one I’ve been making for years. Vegetable stock is super easy to make from veggie scraps and peels. All you need to do is choose your preferred vegetables then throw them in a pan with water. Bring the mixture to a boil then allow it to simmer for about 6 hours. 

Homestead and Chill has my favorite recipe!

reducing food waste faqs

how can I store perishable food so it lasts longer?

You can easily extend the shelf life of perishable food if you store it properly. Keep fruits and vegetables in the crisper drawer, but try to keep one drawer for fruits and another for vegetables to keep them from ripening too quickly. Keep dairy and meat products in the coldest part of the fridge, and make sure to place leftovers in airtight containers. Beeswax wraps and silicone lids are your friends.

what are some tips for using up leftovers?

Get creative in the kitchen to make the most of your leftovers. There are many ways to transform them into new dishes — stir-fries, casseroles, or salads are just a few ideas. You can use them for pizza toppings or as sandwich fillings, or incorporate them into omelets or frittatas for breakfast. Use your imagination to create your own sustainable recipes! I run a series on my instagram every week called Scraptastic, where I shoot a video showing you how to transform your wilting kale into pasta sauce, limp cucumbers into gaszpacho, canned chickpea liquid into vegan royal icing, and more.

how can I plan my meals to reduce food waste?

Plan meals thoughtfully by first checking your fridge and cupboard to determine what you already have before you head to the store. Creating a weekly meal plan and making a shopping list can be super helpful as well — try to choose ingredients that can be used in a variety of meals. Then, when you do your shopping, buy only what you need for the week. Not only will you reduce food waste, you’ll also save on groceries.