Christmas is a time of significant food waste, with 50% of the food bought ending up uneaten, according to new survey results from Too Good to Go.
The survey revealed that 16% of Irish people always feel the pressure to over-cater for Christmas gatherings, while 21% often succumb to the urge.
A total of 25% of survey respondents admitted to wasting bread over the Christmas period, from discarded crusts to uneaten loaves
When it comes to sauces, 23% of consumers toss out seasonal sauces like cranberry sauce and brandy butter, with most only being used for a single meal.
A quarter of Irish households are guilty of wasting a whole plate of food over the festive period, with 18% throwing away even more.
The results show that 8% of Irish households are tossing out large amounts of Brussels sprouts, while 16% are wasting moderate amounts of carrots and potatoes.
Speaking on the research, Ireland sales manager at Too Good To Go Machaela O’Leary said: “We all love the joy of a festive feast, but it’s important to remember that food waste can have a significant impact on our planet.
“By taking simple steps like planning meals and using leftovers creatively, we can enjoy the holiday season without contributing to this issue. Together, we can make a difference and all contribute to reducing our food waste over the busy Christmas season.’’
For anyone with leftover ingredients following Christmas day, Too Good to Go has put together some tips to avoid waste, including using leftover turkey for a curry.
Leftover vegetables could be used to create a roasted root vegetable mash through combining carrots, parsnips and sweet potatoes with a bit of butter, cream and seasoning.
Leftover vegetables could also be served with flour, eggs, and spices to create crispy fritters served with dipping sauces.
Stale bread could be dried out and blitzed in a food processors to create homemade breadcrumbs then used to coat chicken, fish, or vegetables, or added to casseroles and soups.