Less waste, more flavour – organise and label your food
Make the most of your food – plan ahead and organise your fridge
Start by checking what you have and organise your meals based on which food's been in the fridge longest: extra vegetables can be made into stir-fries or salads, and last night's leftover pasta can easily be whipped up with a quick sauce and a bit of melted cheese.
Adjust the fridge's humidity setting depending on what you're storing: green leaves, broccoli and carrots need higher humidity levels while fruit with thick skins or a stone need lower humidity levels (or they should be kept out of the fridge).
And don't forget your shopping list: it will help you avoid buying things you don't need, save you money and help keep the kitchen permanently organised.
Plenty of yum for later
Do you often forget about fresh fruit and veg you've bought? The key is to prepare it in advance: rinse it, dry it and cut it into portions in ISTAD resealable bags. That way, they're ready to be cooked or eaten as a quick snack. If you need to take a packed lunch, organise your food into UTBJUDA stackable lunch boxes, with a sandwich in one and fruit in the other. Or, if you're more into soup, the EFTERFRÅGAD vacuum flask will keep it warm wherever you are.
Leftovers for everyone!
Got too much food left after a party or barbecue? Don't let your guests go home empty handed – prepare portions of leftovers for them to take away, so everyone goes home with something tasty. Another idea is to plan a meal the next day using the leftovers. More tasty food for everyone (and less food wasted)! And don't forget to get back any containers you give people!
Food labels or food roulette… it's your choice!
Whether they're for the larder, fridge or freezer, labelling containers with what's in them and the date helps you know how fresh the food is. Check the dates from time to time. Put the older products at the front and leave the newer ones for later.
Quick tips: raw meat lasts for one‑two days in the fridge and for up to six months in the freezer; fresh fish lasts for one‑two days in the fridge and three months in the freezer; and cooked vegetables last for three‑four days in the fridge.
Simple ways to reduce waste at home
Household waste is a global problem, with one billion meals being wasted each day, according to the UNEP's Food Waste Index Report 2024. In other words, no matter how careful we are, we always create household waste. What matters is how we manage it. And IKEA has lots of ideas that will make your daily life more sustainable.
