Top 33 Slang For Leftover Food – Meaning & Usage

We’ve all been there – staring at a plate of untouched leftovers, wondering what to do with them. But fear not! We’ve got your back with a list of the top slang terms for leftover food. From “fridge fossils” to “remnant cuisine,” this list will not only make you laugh but also give you some creative ways to describe those delicious dishes that just didn’t quite get finished. So grab a snack and get ready to dive into the world of leftover food slang!

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1. Scraps

This term refers to small leftover portions of food or scraps that remain after a meal or cooking process.

For example, “I’ll just eat the scraps from last night’s dinner for lunch.”
A person might say, “Don’t throw away those chicken scraps. We can use them to make broth.”
In a discussion about reducing food waste, someone might suggest, “Save your vegetable scraps to make compost.”

2. Lefties

This slang term is used to describe the remaining food or leftovers from a meal.

For instance, “I always have a lot of lefties after Thanksgiving dinner.”
A person might say, “I’m going to heat up the lefties from last night for dinner.”
In a conversation about meal planning, someone might ask, “Do you have any lefties in the fridge we can use?”

3. Remnants

This term refers to the remaining pieces or portions of food that are left after a meal or cooking process.

For example, “I’ll save the remnants of this roast for sandwiches.”
A person might say, “I hate wasting food, so I always find ways to use up the remnants of meals.”
In a discussion about meal prepping, someone might suggest, “Use the remnants of last night’s dinner as a base for tomorrow’s lunch.”

4. Extras

This slang term refers to the additional or surplus food portions that are left over after a meal.

For instance, “I always cook extras so I can have leftovers for lunch.”
A person might say, “We have plenty of extras from the party. Feel free to take some home.”
In a conversation about portion control, someone might mention, “I try not to eat all the extras to avoid overeating.”

5. Residue

This term refers to the remaining traces or remnants of food that are left after a meal or cooking process.

For example, “There was a lot of residue left on the plate.”
A person might say, “I cleaned off all the residue from the baking dish.”
In a discussion about cleaning up after cooking, someone might suggest, “Make sure to remove all the residue from the pots and pans.”

6. Leftover smorgasbord

This term refers to a collection or assortment of various leftover food items. It implies a mixture of different types of food that are leftover from previous meals.

For example, after a big holiday feast, someone might say, “We have a leftover smorgasbord in the fridge. Help yourself!”
In a discussion about meal planning, someone might suggest, “Instead of cooking tonight, let’s have a leftover smorgasbord.”
A person describing their refrigerator contents might say, “I have a leftover smorgasbord of Chinese takeout, pizza, and pasta.”

7. Leftovers

This term refers to the food that remains uneaten after a meal. It can include any type of food that is left over, whether it’s a full dish or just a small portion.

For instance, someone might say, “I’m having leftovers for lunch today.”
In a conversation about reducing food waste, someone might mention, “I always make sure to eat my leftovers before they go bad.”
A person describing their cooking habits might say, “I love making big meals so that I have plenty of leftovers for the week.”

8. Takeout

While not specifically referring to leftover food, “takeout” can also be used to describe food that is saved for later and eaten as leftovers. It typically refers to food that was originally ordered from a restaurant for immediate consumption but is instead saved for a later meal.

For example, someone might say, “I’m having takeout for dinner tonight.”
In a discussion about meal options, someone might suggest, “Let’s order takeout and save the leftovers for tomorrow.”
A person sharing their weekend plans might say, “I’m going to order takeout and have the leftovers for lunch during the week.”

9. Second-day meal

This term refers to a meal that is made using the leftover food from a previous day’s meal. It implies that the food has been stored overnight and is being repurposed for another meal.

For instance, someone might say, “I love second-day meals because the flavors have had time to develop.”
In a conversation about meal planning, someone might suggest, “Instead of cooking tonight, let’s have a second-day meal.”
A person describing their cooking habits might say, “I always make extra food so that I can enjoy second-day meals.”

10. Residuals

This term refers to the remaining food that is left over after a meal. It implies that the food is a residue or leftover portion that is not intended to be consumed immediately.

For example, someone might say, “I hate throwing away residuals, so I always try to find creative ways to use them.”
In a discussion about reducing food waste, someone might mention, “I make sure to store my residuals properly to extend their shelf life.”
A person describing their cooking habits might say, “I love using residuals to create new dishes and reduce food waste.”

11. Scrapings

This refers to the small amount of food left behind after a meal or cooking process. “Scrapings” can be used to describe the bits and pieces that are scraped off a plate or out of a container.

For example, “I hate wasting food, so I always eat the scrapings from my plate.”
When cleaning up after dinner, someone might say, “I’ll save the scrapings for tomorrow’s soup.”
A chef might use the term when discussing food waste, saying, “We try to repurpose the scrapings from prep work to minimize waste.”

12. Leftover potluck

This term refers to the remaining food after a potluck event or gathering. It describes the assortment of dishes that were brought by different attendees and are now leftover.

For instance, “I always look forward to the leftover potluck because I get to try a little bit of everything.”
When discussing a potluck, someone might say, “Don’t forget to bring Tupperware to take home leftover potluck.”
A person organizing a potluck might suggest, “Let’s plan some activities to use up the leftover potluck and minimize waste.”

13. Leftover casserole

This term refers specifically to the remaining portion of a casserole dish after a meal. It describes the leftovers from a baked dish that typically contains a mixture of ingredients.

For example, “I love making a big casserole so I can enjoy the leftover casserole for lunch the next day.”
When discussing meal planning, someone might say, “I’ll make a double batch of the casserole so we have leftover casserole for busy nights.”
A person might share a recipe and note, “This dish is even better as leftover casserole because the flavors meld together overnight.”

14. Leftover sandwich

This term refers to the uneaten portion of a sandwich that is saved for later. It describes the leftover bread, filling, and condiments that make up the sandwich.

For instance, “I always make an extra sandwich for lunch so I have a leftover sandwich for tomorrow.”
When discussing packed lunches, someone might say, “I’ll just bring a leftover sandwich from dinner instead of making something new.”
A person might offer a tip, saying, “To prevent a soggy leftover sandwich, pack the ingredients separately and assemble it right before eating.”

15. Leftover stir-fry

This term refers to the remaining stir-fried dish after a meal. It describes the leftovers from a dish that typically includes a combination of vegetables, meat, and sauce cooked together in a wok.

For example, “I always make extra stir-fry so I can enjoy the leftover stir-fry for lunch.”
When discussing meal prep, someone might say, “I’ll cook a big batch of stir-fry so we have leftover stir-fry for a few days.”
A person might share a recipe and note, “This dish tastes even better as leftover stir-fry because the flavors have time to develop.”

16. Nibbles

This term refers to small portions of food, often leftover from a larger meal or gathering. “Nibbles” can also be used to describe snacks or appetizers that are meant to be eaten in small quantities.

For example, “I’ll just have some nibbles from last night’s dinner.”
A person might say, “I brought some nibbles for everyone to enjoy.”
In a conversation about party food, someone might ask, “What kind of nibbles should we serve?”

17. Pickings

This slang term is used to describe the remaining food after a meal or event. “Pickings” can also refer to the options or choices available when it comes to leftover food.

For instance, “I’ll have the pickings from yesterday’s lunch.”
In a discussion about meal planning, someone might say, “I try to use up the pickings in the fridge before going grocery shopping.”
A person might comment, “The pickings at the buffet were slim by the end of the night.”

18. Leftover delights

This phrase is used to describe the delicious and unexpected treats that can be found among leftover food. “Leftover delights” often refers to the pleasant surprises that come from discovering a tasty dish or snack in the fridge.

For example, “I found some leftover delights in the back of the fridge.”
A person might say, “The best part of Thanksgiving is the leftover delights.”
In a conversation about food waste, someone might comment, “We should appreciate the leftover delights instead of throwing them away.”

19. Plate scrapings

This term refers to the small amounts of food left on a plate after a meal. “Plate scrapings” can also describe the act of finishing every last bit of food on a plate.

For instance, “I’ll eat the plate scrapings for lunch.”
In a discussion about portion sizes, someone might say, “I always have plate scrapings because I hate wasting food.”
A person might comment, “The dog eagerly waits for the plate scrapings after dinner.”

20. Leftover treasures

This phrase is used to describe the hidden gems or valuable food items that can be found among leftover food. “Leftover treasures” often refers to the special treats or dishes that are saved for later enjoyment.

For example, “I discovered some leftover treasures in the back of the pantry.”
A person might say, “The best part of cooking is the leftover treasures.”
In a conversation about meal planning, someone might comment, “I always make sure to save some leftover treasures for a quick and easy meal.”

21. Scrap meals

This term refers to meals that are made up of scraps or leftovers from previous meals. It is a way to use up leftover ingredients and reduce food waste.

For example, “I made a delicious scrap meal using the leftover chicken and vegetables from last night’s dinner.”
A person might say, “Scrap meals are a great way to save money and prevent food from going to waste.”
Another might share a recipe, “Here’s a quick and easy scrap meal idea: combine leftover rice, veggies, and protein in a stir-fry.”

22. Food remnants

This term refers to the small leftover pieces or parts of a meal. It can include things like crumbs, small portions, or uneaten parts of a dish.

For instance, “There were only food remnants left on the plate after the party.”
A person might say, “I hate throwing away food remnants, so I always try to find creative ways to use them.”
Another might ask, “What do you do with food remnants? Do you have any recipes?”

23. Culinary remnants

This term refers to the remaining or leftover culinary items or ingredients after a meal has been prepared or consumed. It can include things like unused spices, sauces, or ingredients.

For example, “I have a collection of culinary remnants in my pantry that I need to use up.”
A person might say, “Culinary remnants can be repurposed into new dishes to add flavor and variety.”
Another might suggest, “Instead of throwing away culinary remnants, consider donating them to a local food bank or shelter.”

24. Excess

This term refers to an excess or surplus of food that is leftover after a meal. It implies that there is more food than needed or desired.

For instance, “We had so much food at the party that there was an excess left over.”
A person might say, “I always try to avoid excess by portioning my meals properly.”
Another might comment, “Excess food can be repurposed into new dishes or frozen for later use.”

25. Orphaned food

This term refers to food that has been left behind or abandoned, often in the context of a meal. It implies that the food has been neglected or forgotten.

For example, “There were several plates of orphaned food left on the table at the end of the event.”
A person might say, “I hate seeing orphaned food go to waste, so I always try to find someone to share it with.”
Another might suggest, “To prevent orphaned food, consider serving smaller portions or offering guests to take leftovers home.”

26. Second helpings

“Can I have some second helpings of that delicious casserole?” -A person might ask at a family dinner. “I always save room for second helpings,” -Someone might say after finishing their first plate. “There were so many leftovers, I had second helpings for days!” -A person might exclaim after a large holiday meal.

27. Spare food

“Do you have any spare food? I’m feeling hungry.” -A person might ask a friend. “Instead of throwing it away, let’s save the spare food for later.” -Someone might suggest at a restaurant. “I always bring spare food for emergencies during long road trips.” -A person might share their travel tip.

28. Surplus

“We have a surplus of pizza from the party. Who wants to take some home?” -A person might ask their guests. “The restaurant donated their surplus food to a local shelter.” -A news article might report. “I always end up with a surplus of leftovers after Thanksgiving.” -Someone might complain about their cooking skills.

29. Plate remnants

“Don’t forget to clean up your plate remnants after dinner.” -A parent might remind their child. “The plate remnants from last night’s dinner are still in the sink.” -A person might notice the mess. “I scraped off the plate remnants and fed them to my dog.” -Someone might share a tip for reducing food waste.

30. Edible remains

“I can’t believe you threw away the edible remains of that cake!” -A person might express their disappointment. “We should find a way to repurpose the edible remains of our meals.” -Someone might suggest a sustainable solution. “The edible remains of yesterday’s dinner made a delicious sandwich for lunch.” -A person might share their creativity in the kitchen.

31. Food surplus

This refers to the extra or leftover food that remains after a meal or event. It can also be used to describe a situation where there is more food than needed or expected. – For example, “We had a food surplus after the party, so we donated the leftovers to a local shelter.” – In a discussion about reducing food waste, someone might say, “One way to combat food surplus is by meal planning and portion control.” – A restaurant manager might assess their inventory and say, “We need to find a way to minimize food surplus and improve efficiency in the kitchen.”

32. Uneaten portions

This term specifically refers to the uneaten or remaining portions of a meal. It can describe food that is still edible but not consumed during a particular sitting. – For instance, “I always save my uneaten portions for lunch the next day.” – In a discussion about portion sizes, someone might ask, “What do you do with your uneaten portions?” – A parent might remind their child, “Don’t forget to finish your dinner and avoid having uneaten portions.”

33. Food scraps

This slang term refers to the small or leftover pieces of food that are often discarded. It can include things like vegetable peelings, fruit cores, or bread crusts. – For example, “Instead of throwing away food scraps, you can compost them to reduce waste.” – In a conversation about sustainable eating, someone might suggest, “Try using food scraps to make homemade broth or vegetable stock.” – A chef might emphasize the importance of minimizing food scraps by saying, “We should strive to utilize every part of the ingredients and avoid unnecessary waste.”