8 Zero-Waste Meals to Reduce Your Culinary Carbon Footprint

No matter what you make for dinner, it seems like there’s often something that doesn’t get used up. Whether it’s leftover veggies or an extra few tablespoons of salad dressing, mealtime waste can feel inevitable. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 30-40% of our total food supply gets wasted due to various factors like transportation, spoilage, over-ordering, and home cooking practices.

It’s a real shame to let good food go to the landfill. Wouldn’t you rather maximize your budget (and minimize your environmental footprint)? If so, consider the concept of zero-waste meals. These are breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that use up every ingredient called for, make the most of leftovers, or serve as a catch-all for odds and ends you might have hanging around your fridge.

We’ve rounded up 8 zero-waste meals to get you started.

1. Vegetarian Meatloaf 

Meatloaf is famous as culinary camouflage for all sorts of little extras. This vegetarian version is no exception since it combines a kitchen-sink mixture of nuts, herbs, brown rice, and veggies.

You can start with the recipe as written, of course, but you don’t have to stop there. If you’d like to toss in other ingredients to minimize waste (leftover mashed potatoes or a bit of ground flaxseed, perhaps?), feel free. Just watch the loaf as it cooks to be sure any extra ingredients don’t shorten or extend the cooking time. 

Try this recipe from A Couple Cooks.

2. The Easiest Chickpea Greek Salad

What uses a full can of chickpeas, three whole bell peppers, and an entire container of crumbled feta? A Greek salad, of course! Full of fresh, zesty flavor, this simple bean-based meal is an easy lunch or dinner that’ll leave no trace — especially since it’s a one-serving recipe.   

Try this recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.

3. Thanksgiving Leftovers Pizza

After Turkey Day, you’re likely to have a variety of leftovers. But are they really enough to make a full meal? They are when you put them to good use in this unique pizza. Not only does it tackle your extra turkey, but it also adds stuffing, cranberry sauce, and fresh herbs. It even uses turkey gravy as a pizza sauce. 

Try this recipe from The Healthy Epicurean.

4. Vegan Charcuterie Board

There’s nothing like a charcuterie board for using up the bits and bobs in your fridge or pantry. With the right artful arrangement, just about anything is fair game for making a pretty, eclectic spread.

You don’t even need meat to make a zero-waste board that shines at parties (or on any old weeknight). This vegan charcuterie board uses olives, pickled veggies, hummus, nuts, and baked chickpeas as plant-based pairings for crackers or fresh bread.

Try this recipe from Minimalist Baker.

5. Extra Vegetable Fried Rice 

In terms of health, homemade fried rice can be a pleasant departure from the overly greasy takeout kind. When you make it yourself, you get to control the ingredients you use — which can easily include leftover rice, vegetables, and meats. Use this recipe as a jumping-off point for a zero-waste meal creation of your own.

Try this recipe from Cookie + Kate.

6. Springy Vegetable Quiche

Get ready to clear out your veggie crisper. This vegetable quiche calls for two full cups of your favorite combination of vegetables. You might try mushrooms, leeks, asparagus, spinach, or tomatoes for a colorful blend.

And if you don’t have the heavy cream the recipe indicates, consider using up some of a gallon of regular milk. (You’ll cut down on calories and saturated fat by doing so, too.) 

Try this recipe from Pinch of Yum. 

7. Winter Panzanella

Unfamiliar with panzanella? It’s a traditional Tuscan bread salad. Yep, you read that right — bread salad. Panzanella takes day-old bread and turns it into croutons, then adds veggies and a vinaigrette to soften the mixture up. It’s perfect for getting through bread that’s past its prime.

This wintery panzanella mixes a large bowl of any type of cubed crusty bread with Brussels sprouts and butternut squash, plus a simple sherry vinegar dressing. Besides reducing waste, it’s a fun, unexpected opportunity to enjoy seasonal flavors. 

Try this recipe from Smitten Kitchen.

8. Hummus Quesadillas

Quesadillas join the list of meals that easily harbor leftover foods. Beans, different types of cheeses, cooked meats, and (in this case) hummus can all come together for a delicious, zero-waste dinner. Once you’ve gotten these quesadillas nice and melty, use up even more ingredients by topping them with salsa, sour cream, or diced avocado. 

Try this recipe from Cookie + Kate.