Zero Waste Recipes to Try at Home

No-waste ideas for using up scraps, leftovers, and rescued ingredients

Reducing food waste doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or fun in the kitchen—in fact, it’s often the opposite. Some of the most creative, delicious meals come from using what you already have: soft produce, stale bread, scrap stems, even leftover wine.

This guide is packed with zero waste recipes, smart storage ideas, and ways to stretch your groceries while still eating well. It’s part of our larger mission at Misfits Market to eliminate unnecessary waste—one creative meal at a time.

Pumpkin seed pesto that uses pumpkin seeds from Halloween Jack-o-Lanterns
Carrot top pesto, which utilizes the tops of carrots you might often toss
A flavorful peanut butter dip (or sauce!) using the final dregs of your PB jar
Turn chicken wings and veggie scraps into a flavorful homemade stock
Potato chip crumbs can be used to top soups and salads, like in this Frisée Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette—it adds crunch in place of croutons!
Use leftover pickle juice brine to pickle even more veggies—or quick pickle whatever you have on hand to give it new life!

What Are Zero Food-Waste Reducing Recipes?

They’re sustainable meals, snacks, or DIY projects that make use of ingredients that might otherwise be tossed. Think:

Carrot tops turned into pesto
Pickle brine reused to pickle more veggies
Slightly wrinkled tomatoes cooked into a tomato sauce
Broccoli stems shredded into broccoli slaw

These small but mighty moves help cut down on waste and save money—and they’re often surprisingly delicious.

Easy Zero-Waste Recipes to Try

Here are some of our favorite low-waste recipes that make the most of every ingredient:

Pesto, Reimagined

Pesto is one of the easiest ways to repurpose odds and ends—think carrot tops, wilting herbs, or even leafy greens. Just blend with pantry staples like nuts, seeds, olive oil, and garlic for a flavorful sauce that’s endlessly customizable (and waste-free).

Fridge Clean-Out Meals

A flexible, flavorful guide to making dinner from what’s already in your fridge or pantry—no shopping required. Sustainable cooking made easy.

Chickpea & Peanut Butter Fruit Smoothie

This smoothie blends in chickpeas for a hidden protein boost and a creamy texture—perfect for using up soft fruit or leftovers.

Creative Ways to Use Leftover Wine

Don’t toss it! Turn a splash of wine into a reduction, sauce, or even dessert.

Jar Dreg Recipes

Don’t toss that nearly empty jar! From vinaigrettes to marinades, these clever recipes use every last spoonful of sauces, spreads, and condiments—because flavor shouldn’t go to waste.

Ways to Use Food Scraps

From broth to chips to quick pickles, these creative scrap recipes prove that stems, peels, and ends deserve a second life.

Game Day Recipes with Scraps

No waste, all flavor. Use up food scraps from your watch party to create crowd-pleasing snacks and apps.

DIY Kitchen Hacks to Reduce Waste

Reducing food waste goes beyond recipes. Try these sustainable swaps and hacks:

Freeze in Ice Cube Trays

Perfect for leftover herbs, sauces, coffee, broth, and more.

Pickle Juice: Reuse & Recycle

Ideas for reusing brine, from cocktails to marinades.

Make-Your-Own Sauces

Turn scraps and leftover veggies into flavorful sauces and dressings.

Storage Hacks That Save Food

Keep produce fresher, longer with easy tricks using what you already have at home.

Soup from Scraps

Soup is the ultimate clean-out-the-fridge meal. Use veggie peels for stock, toss in wilted greens, or stretch leftovers into something cozy and craveable.

Ready to Try More Sustainable Eating?

The best way to reduce food waste in the kitchen is to get curious, not rigid. Look at your leftovers as inspiration. Use the scraps. Get a little scrappy (in the best way). Your creativity just might be the secret ingredient.

Shop rescued groceries and upcycled foods at Misfits Market.