Seafood is one of my favorite things to cook because it's quick, delicious, and usually leaves us with leftovers that are too good to throw away. Whether it's salmon, shrimp, tuna, clams, mussels, or lobster, I always try to find another way to use what's left instead of letting it sit in the refrigerator until it gets tossed.
If you've ever misjudged your fresh seafood online--or picked up a little too much at the seafood counter- you're not alone. The good news is that leftover seafood is incredibly versatile. With a few simple ingredients, you can turn yesterday's dinner into a homemade seafood stock, a quick lunch, or an easy pasta recipe that tastes just as good the second time around.
 |
Make Homemade Seafood Stock
Seafood stock is a flavorful base for soups, chowders, stews, and seafood sauces, but it's not always easy to find in grocery stores. Many store-bought versions are also high in sodium.
Making homemade seafood stock is actually surprisingly easy. You simply use the leftover shrimp shells, lobster shells, crab shells, fish bones, or other seafood scraps from your meal. Add them to a large stock pot with some chopped carrots, onions, celery, garlic, and your favorite fresh herbs--scraps and imperfect pieces are fine for the veggies too! Cover everything with water and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and simmer until the flavors have fully developed and the liquid has reduced. Strain the seafood stock and use it immediately or freeze it for future recipes.
Turn Leftover Tuna into a Fresh Salad
Leftover tuna fillets make an excellent homemade tuna salad. Since the fish is already seasoned, you only need a few fresh ingredients to create a quick lunch or light dinner.
Mix the flaked tuna with diced celery or carrots for crunch, season with a little salt and pepper, and stir in just enough mayonnaise to reach your preferred consistency. Serve it over lettuce, spoon it onto your favorite bread for a sandwich, or enjoy it as a topping for a green salad. You can also make a delicious tuna salad melt quesadilla from our favorite recipe.
Toss Leftover Seafood with Pasta
If you ordered fresh seafood online or cooked more than you needed, leftover shrimp, clams, mussels, lobster, or fish can easily become a satisfying pasta dinner.
Sauté the seafood with a little olive oil, garlic, and diced onion. Add vegetable or seafood stock, then toss in cooked pasta until everything is heated through. Finish with fresh parsley, Parmesan cheese, or a squeeze of lemon for extra flavor. I often make this easy shrimp and vegetable pasta recipe on busy weeknights using an assortment of leftover seafood and vegetables.
Reduce Food Waste with Leftover Seafood
Using leftover seafood is one of the easiest ways to save money, reduce food waste, and enjoy another delicious meal without much extra effort. From homemade seafood stock to fresh salads and quick pasta dishes, there are plenty of creative ways to give leftovers a second life. The next time you have extra seafood in the refrigerator, you'll have several easy recipes ready to turn it into something your family will love.
0 Comments