What to Make with Leftover Vegetables: 10 Ideas

You bought vegetables with good intentions, and now they're wilting in the fridge. Here are 10 ways to use them up before it's too late.

1. Stir Fry

Any combination of vegetables + soy sauce + sesame oil + rice. The wok forgives everything. Cook hard vegetables first, soft ones last.

2. Vegetable Soup

Chop everything up, saute with onion and garlic, add broth, simmer 20 minutes. Blend partially for a creamy texture. Almost any vegetable works in soup.

3. Roasted Vegetables

Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 425°F for 25-35 minutes. Roasting transforms even boring vegetables into something delicious.

4. Frittata

Saute vegetables, pour beaten eggs over them, add cheese, cook on the stovetop until set, then broil for 2 minutes. Great for any meal.

5. Fried Rice

Chop vegetables small, add to fried rice. Carrots, peas, corn, broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms all work.

6. Pasta Sauce

Saute vegetables with garlic, add canned tomatoes, simmer 15 minutes. Toss with pasta. Works with zucchini, mushrooms, peppers, spinach, eggplant.

7. Veggie Wraps

Tortilla + hummus + whatever vegetables you have. Raw or roasted. Quick lunch or dinner.

8. Vegetable Curry

Vegetables + coconut milk + curry powder + rice. Simmer 20 minutes. Potatoes, cauliflower, spinach, and bell peppers work especially well.

9. Freeze Them

Most vegetables freeze well. Blanch in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, cool in ice water, dry, freeze in bags. Use within 8-12 months.

10. Compost Them

If they're truly past saving, compost them instead of throwing them in the trash. Even apartment dwellers can compost with a small countertop bin.

Get recipe ideas with our free Random Food Generator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which vegetables last the longest?

Carrots (3-4 weeks), cabbage (2-3 weeks), potatoes (2-4 weeks), onions (2-4 weeks), and beets (2-4 weeks). Buy these if you want vegetables that won't go bad quickly.

Can I freeze vegetables without blanching?

You can, but blanching stops enzyme activity that causes loss of flavor, color, and texture. Unblanched frozen vegetables are safe but lower quality.