6 Food Scraps You Should Never Toss (They’re Useful!)

Summer cooking can leave you with a pile of scraps—corn cobs, watermelon rinds, herb stems, and more. But before you dump them in the trash or compost, take a second look. A lot of those so-called leftovers still have a job to do.

Whether it’s adding flavor, feeding your garden, or saving you money, these scraps are way more useful than they look. You’ve already paid for them, so you might as well get your money’s worth.

Corn Cobs

After you’ve stripped the kernels for salads or grilling, hang onto those corn cobs. They’re packed with starchy flavor and make a surprisingly good broth for soups, chowders, or even risotto.

You can simmer them with water, onion peels, and a bay leaf for a light, sweet base. Freeze the broth or use it within a few days. It’s a great way to stretch what’s usually thrown away.

Watermelon Rinds

It takes a little prep, but watermelon rind is edible—and useful. You can quick-pickle it for a tangy, crunchy snack that goes great with barbecue or grilled meat.

Some people even candy them or toss them into smoothies (though you’ll want to trim off the outer green). It’s one of those things you wouldn’t think to save unless someone told you—and now someone has.

Herb Stems

When you’re chopping herbs like parsley, cilantro, or basil, the stems usually get tossed. But they’re loaded with flavor and work great in stocks, sauces, or even compound butters.

If you’re making pesto, toss them in with the leaves. They break down in the blender and give your recipe an extra punch without wasting anything.

Cucumber Peels

Cucumber peels don’t get much love, but they actually make a refreshing addition to water or homemade vinegar cleaners. You can also toss them in the blender with plain yogurt for a quick cooling face mask.

They’re especially handy when you’re cutting up cucumbers for a salad and end up with a pile of leftover skin. If they’re from a store-bought cucumber, give them a good wash first.

Strawberry Tops

Those leafy green tops usually go straight in the trash, but they’re still useful. You can toss them into a pitcher of water for a subtle fruit flavor or steep them in vinegar to make a fruity cleaner.

They’re also compost-safe, but if you want to squeeze one more use out of them before that, infusions are the way to go.

Citrus Peels

Oranges, lemons, and limes all have peels full of natural oils that work overtime. You can dry them and grind them into citrus powder, infuse vinegar for cleaning, or even toss them into simmer pots to freshen up the kitchen.

In the summer heat, their smell is especially handy for cutting through garbage odors or making your fridge smell less like leftovers and more like something you’d actually want to open.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.