If you're aiming to save money or reduce food waste, saving any and all leftovers might be tempting. However, some leftovers just don't hold up well as leftovers! While some leftovers taste just as good the next day, others are better off tossed straight away. In a recent internet forum discussion, users shared their insights, and here are the top 12 foods these foodies say are best avoided in the refrigerator.
Alfredo Sauce
One user has a lot of trouble with specifically this sauce: "Alfredo sauce. It always separates and as far as I know there's no way to emulsify it again." I'd sat he probably reheats it too quickly - but either way, once a sauce has separated it's definitely not a good experience!
Ramen
It doesn't matter if it's the instant version or authentic ramen from the corner noodle shop - the leftovers are just going to be bad. Swollen, overcooked, noodles, and a cloudy, disgusting broth. No thank you! Only way to salvage it is to plan ahead and store the noodles and broth separately, this way it might just be salvageabe.
Salad
Especially beware if you have already added croutons, or even worse - the dressing! While an un-dressed salad might be fine for a few days, a salad with dressing and/or croutons will quickly become a soggy mess. One user says: "Caesar salad - croutons are soggy, Parmesan cheese is soft and gooey. Just a sad situation all around" while another user says that "Kale salad withstands dressing wilt and also makes kale edible as an added bonus".
Cereal
Apparently some people eat leftover cereal that's been left in milk - and as you might guess, it's not the best experience. However, a few people actually enjoy it! One user says: "It's a texture thing, it's very pleasant for me that way. Cold, sweet, with the perfect amount of give and occasional crunchy piece. When I eat it right away, it pokes my gums and roof of my mouth a bit while I chew and it's not as pleasant."
French Fries
Soggy french fries are not a favorite for anyone - even if some users have discovered that reheating them in the air fryer does bring back a nice crisp. Another option is to add them to a breakfast skillet or make a leftover french fries casserole. Definitely not the same as freshly made, crispy crispy fries - but a great way to make use of leftovers.
Nachos
One user is certain this is the worst leftover food ever: "This is the right answer. Some of the other things ppl have suggested can be reheated well with the right technique, but nachos can't. The sauce-y chips will forever be mush." But as for a lot of leftovers, multiple users find the air fryer to be helpful here as well, suggesting that a few minutes in the air fryer will bring those leftover nachos back to life.
Sushi
Now here's one I will definitely get behind - leftover sushi has always seemed really scary to me, and I would never eat it after more than a few hours in the fridge. One user says: "The worst! Whether it's raw seafood or avocado it is always questionable at best."
Anything Breaded & Fried & Covered in Sauce
One user made this claim, and hundreds of people agree with him: "Anything breaded and fried and covered in sauce. Impossible to reheat without making it fall apart and be all gummy and sludgy. Orange chicken, buffalo wings, chicken parm, etc. the breading will soak up the sauce no matter how you try to recook it. it'll never be crispy and covered in sauce again unless you order the sauce on the side." But others, of course, suggested the air fryer to solve this problem as well.
Fast Food Burgers & Fries
But, as one user says: "It's pretty bad when it's fresh too."
Fast Food Tacos
One user had his leftover tacos turn him off fast food tacos for a long time. Trying to make the most of a deal and save some money, he ended up with too much leftovers and no desire to have tacos again for a looooong time. Other users suggested he should have ordered burritos instead, as they fare better as leftovers.
Eggs
This was a surprising one for me, as I find boiled eggs to be a handy staple to keep on hand in the fridge. Fried or scrambled eggs though? Not so much.
Mac and Cheese
A lot of users have had bad experiences with leftover boxed Mac and Cheese, and one user says: "My family recently had an argument because my mom didn't understand why we wouldn't eat the leftover congealed kraft mac and cheese". To be honest, I don't think I ever want to eat anything that could be described as "congealed"!
Fish
Ever had a colleague microwave fish in the office kitchen? Then I bet you can get behind this one! Even if enjoying it in your own home, I for one do not appreciate leftover fish - unless it's in a stew or curry, where it reheats better. Not only does it turn out too dry, the taste is also changed and not in a good way.
Source: Reddit.
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