The Scrap Smoothie Project: Blending Leftovers into Delicious Drinks

Do you often find yourself with small bits of leftover fruits and veggies that aren’t enough for a full meal?

Instead of tossing them, why not blend them into a nutritious and delicious smoothie?  Creating tasty, nutrient-packed drinks from odds and ends in your fridge is simpler than you think!

Here are 5 recipes:  

The Almost Overripe Banana Boost

Leftovers: 

• 1 soft banana

• A handful of spinach (~30g)

• ¼ cup berries  

Non-leftovers: 

• ½ cup yogurt 

• ½ cup milk

• 3-4 ice cubes (optional)

Why it works: Overripe bananas and berries add natural sweetness, spinach blends smoothly and contains fiber, and yogurt adds creaminess.  

The Stray Citrus Zinger  

Leftovers: 

• ½ orange

• A small piece of ginger (~10g)

• A few carrot peels or ends  (~30g)

Non-leftovers:

• ½ cup water or coconut water

• 3-4 ice cubes (optional)  

Why it works: Citrus brightens flavors, ginger adds a nice kick, and carrot scraps add subtle sweetness, all in a nice bright orange colored blend.  

The Random Greens Detox  

Non-leftovers:

• 3-4 kale stems

• ¼ cucumber

• ½ apple (without core)  

Non-leftovers:

• ½ cup coconut water 

• A squeeze of lemon (optional for sourness)

Why it works: Stems and scraps still have nutrients, apples balance bitterness from the veggies with sweetness, cucumber adds hydration.  

The Freshened Berry Bits Blast  

Leftovers: 

• 5-6 strawberries 

• ¼ cup blueberries 

• ¼ cup raspberries 

Non-leftovers:

• ½ cup almond milk 

• 1 tbsp oats (optional for thickness)

• 3-4 ice cubes (optional)

Why it works: Berries blend well even when less fresh, adding antioxidants and sweetness even after it’s prime.  

The Veggie Scrap Sneak-In  

Leftovers: 

• ¼ cup cooked sweet potato

• ½ cup broccoli florets (~30g)

• ½ pear  

Non-leftovers:

• ½ cup oat milk 

• ¼ tsp cinnamon (optional for taste)

• 3-4 ice cubes (optional)

Why it works: Cooked sweet potato makes it creamy, pear masks veggie taste, broccoli adds nutrients.  

Some Pro Tips for Scrap Smoothies:  

• Freeze scraps (like fruit peels or wilting greens) for future smoothies.  

• Balance flavors. Sweet fruits can mask bitter greens.  

• Add a liquid base (milk, water, juice) for the right consistency.  

So the next time you’re about to toss those little leftovers, think twice. They might just be perfect ingredients to your next great smoothie!  

Try one of our simple smoothie recipes today and help reduce food waste in your home!