The 13 Best Recipes to Use Leftovers, According to TikTok

Since the onset of the pandemic and mass working from home, many people have developed a new relationship with their cooking habits. Not only does the shortened commute from bed to home office have home office workers looking for quick and easy lunch recipes, but more time closer to the kitchen also provides them with the opportunity to discover their inner gourmet meals. Few social media trends have inspired as many amateur chefs as Foodie TikTok. While TikTok has come up with some completely innovative recipes like Baked Feta Pasta and provided tons of food tips, there's one underrated TikTok food tip that might be right under your nose: TikTok leftover recipes.

A January 2022 survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Bosch Home Appliances found that 61% of Americans said they were eating leftovers more than ever since the start of the pandemic. In fact, the survey found that Americans eat leftovers for an average of three meals a week — 46% cited convenience and 32% said affordability led them to turn to Tupperware for meals. Not only is using leftovers a great way to reduce food waste, cooking time and expenses, but it's also a way to get creative in the kitchen. According to the survey, the most popular leftover repurposes are soup, pizza, meat, pasta and rice. However, as popular leftover recipes like Emily Mariko's Salmon Rice Bowl prove, there are no limits to foodie TikTok creativity.

Are you ready to turn your takeout box into a rice dumpling? Instead of microwaving your pasta, how about turning it into a casserole? Better yet, why not finally give the viral spaghetti recipe a try? No matter what you made last night, you're bound to find a creative way to breathe new life into your leftovers with these TikTok recipes.

1. Crispy rice

Do you still have any leftover rice from last night’s takeout? Creators Ms. Shi and Mr. He have a simple and delicious rice crust recipe that will repurpose your rice. Put the rice into a bag, flatten it with a rolling pin, cut it into rounds, fry it in a pan, and brush it with teriyaki sauce. Toss seaweed over rice and you'll have a crispy treat at your fingertips. More than half of the participants in the Bosch survey cited rice as one of the best leftover foods, making it the fifth most popular leftover food.

2. Potato scones

This TikToker puts a delicious Scottish twist on your leftover potatoes. These potato scones are called "tati scones" and can be made by mashing leftover boiled potatoes with flour, butter and salt. Flatten them, cut them into rounds (or more traditional triangles), and bake them in a pan. According to surveys, baked potatoes rank as the eighth most popular leftover dish, but their popularity may rise when home cooks try some hash brown scones.

3. Seaweed rice field

A popular recipe for reviving leftover kimbap, a Korean dish consisting of steamed rice wrapped in dried seaweed paper and fillings such as fish and meat, kimbap is kimbap dipped in eggs (some recipes also first soaked in flour) and then fried. in hot oil. The result is a popular dish that's eggy and crispy.

4. Pasta Casserole

Who says lasagna is the only pasta good for casseroles? Give your pasta a twist by tossing it in a casserole with the sauce and any other ingredients left over from Sunday dinner, like meatballs or chicken. Spread the cheese of your choice on top of the dish and bake in the oven to give spaghetti leftovers a unique flavor.

5. Pasta slices

While cold pasta recipes like pasta salad have dominated the leftovers game for years, new trends like TikTok's viral pasta sheet recipe have found TikTok users making new uses for leftover pasta. Perfect for any pasta shape that can be easily transformed into flaky shapes (like bow ties, penne, etc.), all you have to do is drizzle some olive oil and seasoning over the rest of the pasta. Put them in the oven with some tomato sauce for dipping.

6. Deli Chicken

When making charcuterie, sometimes your eyes (and your board) can be much bigger than your stomach. Luckily, this flexible recipe can be customized to fit any ingredient that ends up being the finger food on the cheese board. In this recipe, leftover pesto and cheese are used to stuff chicken breasts, while leftover prosciutto wraps the chicken into a delicious Italian meal.

7. Fried rice waffles

Now that everyone is jumping on the gourmet oatmeal bandwagon, it's time for gourmet waffles to have their moment in the sun (or in the five-year plan). Mix the remaining fried rice with eggs and press onto the waffle iron. Top with your choice of dip or sauce and voila – breakfast as easy as making take out the night before.

8. Croutons

The next time your bread goes bad, avoid throwing it in the trash. Instead, cut the bread into cubes, smear them with oil, spices, and herbs, and toss them in the air fryer (or oven). Now your salads, soups and fillings can get a homemade upgrade.

9. Homemade kimchi

If you find yourself with a bucket of vinegar and herbs at the bottom of your pickle jar, don't pour this magical concoction down the drain. Place some fresh cucumbers (or sliced spears) into a container and let them ferment into pickles.

10.Potato skins

Saturday's roast can be turned into a Sunday football game snack when you save the leftover potato skins. All you need to do is coat the potato skins with oil and your choice of seasonings and pop them in the oven. Cheese and bacon are optional but encouraged.

11. Chocolate mousse

If you're ready to ditch your box of Valentine's Day chocolates, here's the perfect trick. Place the chocolate in a bowl of hot water, place the bowl over a container of ice water, and stir until the mixture forms a fluffy mousse.

12. Chicken Salad Tostada

According to surveys, meat is the third most popular leftover dish, which makes sense considering how versatile dishes like chicken are. If you have some leftover chicken, you can turn it into a delicious chicken salad to pair with tacos—or enjoy on its own. Chop the chicken and mix with the vegetables, mayonnaise and sour cream. Add some pickled jalapeños for extra flavor and serve the dish atop crunchy tostadas.

13. Bubbles and Squeaks

Take a leaf out of the British book and repurpose leftover mashed potatoes by mixing them with vegetables. (Cabbage is traditional, but any vegetable you like will work.) Scoop mixture into patties and fry in hot oil. Too simple, isn't it?