Leftover food energy hacks

You prepared the meal of a lifetime. Everyone at the table loved it — even your pickiest eater. And, in a rare occurrence, the whole family pitched in to clean up and tuck away the leftovers.

While VEC knows picture-perfect mealtimes like this don’t happen every night, there is one thing you can usually count on, and that’s the leftovers. With a few simple energy hacks, you can make the most of the energy you already used to prepare the meal — even after the dishes are cleared.

Don’t forget the refrigerator. How you store leftovers matters. Keep your refrigerator set to 40 degrees or below, and don’t pack the fridge too tight. Before tucking away the leftovers, make sure the food has cooled before storing. Be sure to store the leftovers in shallow containers so they can cool quickly. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends refrigerating leftovers within two hours and using those leftovers within three to four days.

Reheat with the right appliance. When you are ready to pull that incredible meal back out to enjoy again, make sure to match the appliance to the meal. For a single serving, use the microwave instead of heating the full-size oven again. For several servings, consider if the stovetop, toaster oven or air fryer makes more sense than turning on the oven. Basically, avoid turning on the oven for something small.

Make every trip to the oven count. If you are already using the oven, make the most of the energy. Warm up several servings at once, bake tomorrow’s meal or a dessert while you’re already cooking or prepare multiple dishes at the same time when practical.

Whether you’re reheating a single serving, storing a week’s worth of leftovers or making the most of an already-heated oven, a little planning can go a long way. By choosing the right appliance and storing food properly, you can make the most of the energy you’ve already used and keep your leftovers working for you. Because the best kind of energy savings might just be the ones that come with a second helping.