When trying to reduce food waste, culinary improvisation often comes into play. While this can lead to pleasant surprises, sometimes our kitchen experiments hit a wall. We definitely don’t want to save ingredients only to end up tossing the dish because it doesn’t taste good!

To truly master the art of zero-food-waste cooking, you need to know how to handle the unexpected. Here are a few situations where a recipe seems ruined but can actually be salvaged with simple tricks.

I Overdid the Salt

You can’t take it out once it’s in, but the dish isn’t doomed! If the recipe allows, like with a soup, you can dilute it with water or low-sodium broth and adjust the other ingredients. If that’s not possible, try the potato trick! Peel a potato, slice it, and add it to your dish, like a stew or a sauce. As it cooks, the potato will absorb some of the salt (and some liquid too, which you should account for!). Don’t forget to give those potato slices a second life in another recipe!

I Overdid the Spices

The same principles apply as with excess salt. If your dish is too spicy for most people, try mellowing it out by adding a dairy product like cream or milk. Coconut milk and plant-based alternatives can also work beautifully.

I Forgot My Dish on the Burner

That smell doesn’t lie—your pot has started to burn! Don’t panic. Resist the urge to scrape the bottom, as that will spread the burnt flavor throughout the dish. Instead, transfer the contents to another pot, being careful not to disturb the burnt layer. If the burnt taste persists, try masking it by adding fresh herbs, spices, or a splash of acidity like lemon juice or vinegar.

My Dish Is Too Watery

Is your béchamel or gravy too runny? Or maybe your soup looks more like broth? A thickening agent, such as cornstarch, can come to the rescue. Dissolve it in a bit of cold water (to avoid lumps), add it to your dish, and bring it to a gentle boil while stirring. For soups, you can add more vegetables or even starches like leftover rice, pasta, or legumes before blending it all together. This is a great excuse to clear out your fridge or freezer!

I Overcooked My Meat, and It’s Dry

That chicken breast or salmon fillet might not look appetizing as is, but it can be transformed to regain some moisture. For example, turn it into a sandwich filling with mayonnaise or plain yogurt, or add it as chunks to soups, pasta, or saucy dishes.

I Cooked Enough for an Army

When trying to reduce waste, it’s easy to add several ingredients and end up with a massive number of portions—especially if you had to adjust your recipe using some of the tricks above! If this happens, your freezer is your best friend. However, dishes with dairy-based sauces may change texture when frozen. It’s better to freeze them without the dairy and add it only when reheating. If freezing isn’t an option, take the opportunity to share homemade meals with friends and family!

Before giving up and tossing a recipe in the compost, it’s worth trying something creative. You might be surprised by the results.

If you experiment with a “failed” dish and successfully save it, share your triumph with the the zero-waste community! to inspire others!

Experte de la lutte contre le gaspillage alimentaire

Elisabeth Paradis

Passionnée de bouffe, Elisabeth aime utiliser l'alimentation comme façon de connecter avec les gens. Pour elle, manger est lié au plaisir et au partage, mais aussi à ses valeurs environnementales. Si elle n'est pas dans sa cuisine, vous la retrouverez dans son jardin, sur son vélo, ou en train d'être la fan numéro 1 de ses chats Dumpling et Kimchi.

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