You've got chicken that needs using today, a bag of spinach that's starting to wilt, and some bananas that have gone past their best. Sound familiar?
These 10 recipes are designed specifically for ingredients that are close to expiry — quick to make, minimal additional ingredients needed, and genuinely delicious.
1. One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
The simplest way to use up chicken thighs tonight. One pan, minimal washing up.
- 4–6 chicken thighs
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt, pepper, paprika
Season chicken, sear skin-down in butter for 8 mins until golden, flip, add garlic, finish in oven at 200C for 15 mins. Serve with whatever vegetables you have.
2. Creamy Spinach Pasta
Wilted spinach is perfect for this — the texture doesn't matter once it's in the sauce.
- 200g pasta
- Large bag of spinach (even wilted)
- 150ml cream or cream cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- Parmesan to finish
Cook pasta. Wilt spinach in a pan with garlic and butter. Add cream, stir. Toss with pasta and grate over parmesan. Done in the time the pasta takes to cook.
3. 3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes
Overripe bananas are actually sweeter and better for this than fresh ones.
- 2 overripe bananas
- 2 eggs
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
Mash bananas, mix with eggs until smooth. Fry tablespoon-sized portions in a non-stick pan for 2 mins each side. That's it — no flour, no sugar needed.
4. Quick Beef Mince Tacos
Uses up mince fast and the family will actually ask for this one again.
- 500g beef mince
- 1 onion
- Cumin, paprika, garlic powder
- Tortillas, lettuce, cheese to serve
Brown mince with diced onion, add spices and a splash of water, cook 5 mins. Serve in tortillas with whatever toppings you have — soured cream, salsa, grated cheese.
5. Roasted Vegetable Tray Bake
Works with almost any combination of vegetables. Especially good for anything that's gone slightly soft.
- Any vegetables you have — peppers, courgettes, carrots, broccoli, onions
- Olive oil
- Salt, pepper, mixed herbs
Chop everything roughly the same size, toss with oil and seasoning, spread on a tray. Roast at 200C for 25–30 mins. Serve as a side or over rice with a fried egg on top.
6. Shakshuka (Eggs in Tomato Sauce)
A brilliant way to use eggs plus any soft tomatoes, peppers or leftover sauce.
- 4–6 eggs
- 1 tin chopped tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes going soft)
- 1 onion, 1 pepper
- Cumin, paprika, garlic
Soften onion and pepper, add tomatoes and spices, simmer 10 mins. Make wells in the sauce, crack in eggs, cover and cook until whites are set. Serve with bread.
7. Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Transforms potatoes that have been sitting around into something genuinely impressive.
- Potatoes (any kind, even sprouting slightly)
- Olive oil
- Garlic, rosemary or any herbs
- Salt
Boil potatoes until just tender. Transfer to a baking tray, smash flat with a mug. Drizzle with oil and herbs. Roast at 220C for 20–25 mins until very crispy. Best potatoes you'll ever make.
8. French Toast
Day-old or slightly stale bread is actually better for this — it soaks up the egg mixture without falling apart.
- 4 slices bread (stale is fine)
- 2 eggs
- Splash of milk
- Butter, cinnamon, honey to serve
Beat eggs with milk and cinnamon. Dip bread slices and fry in butter 2–3 mins each side until golden. Serve with honey or maple syrup.
9. Simple Rice Pudding
Uses up milk or cream that needs to be finished, plus any leftover cooked rice.
- 500ml milk or cream (or a mix)
- 150g pudding rice (or leftover cooked rice)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- Vanilla, cinnamon
Combine rice and milk in a pan, simmer gently for 25–30 mins stirring often. Add sugar and vanilla. Serve warm with jam or stewed fruit.
10. Fridge-Raid Fried Rice
The ultimate leftovers meal. Works with almost any combination of vegetables, meat, or cooked rice.
- Cooked rice (day-old works best)
- Any vegetables — frozen peas, carrots, peppers, onion
- 2 eggs
- Soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic
- Any leftover cooked meat (optional)
Stir fry garlic and vegetables in a hot pan. Push to the side, scramble the eggs in. Add rice and stir fry everything together on high heat. Add soy sauce and sesame oil at the end.
Know what to cook before food expires
Eatvora alerts you when ingredients are nearly out of date and suggests recipes to use them up. Free to download.
Download Eatvora FreeThe Simplest Rule for Using Up Expiring Food
When in doubt, make a soup, a stir fry, or an omelette. These three dishes accept almost any combination of ingredients and take under 20 minutes. Keep eggs, soy sauce, and stock cubes in your kitchen and you can rescue almost anything.
And if you want help figuring out what to cook from whatever's in your fridge right now, the Eatvora Coach can do it in seconds.