6 Foods That Are Better as Leftovers

Epicurious Editors

Leftovers! Some of us love them, and others don’t. But in the hierarchy of leftovers, there are some foods that really are better the next day.

Here are six of our favorite foods that simply taste better the day after they’re made.

Brisket Slow-cooked beef is delicious after an extended run in the oven, but if you let the flavors mingle overnight, as you do in My Mother’s Brisket recipe, you get ethereal beef.

Stew Most stews—slow-cooked soups—get better with age, be they gumbo, chili, or stock. Try this Chunky Red Chili.

Brownies Our editor Kemp Minifie swears by making brownies a day ahead and leaving the pan of brownies uncut until you’re ready to serve them. Bake these Best Friends Forever Brownies and test it out yourself.

Chocolate Cake Likewise, Kemp loves to have her cake the next day because it allows time “for the full richness of flavors to develop.” Take this Double Chocolate Layer Cake for a spin to see why.

Lasagna Layers of pasta, sauce, cheese, and meat need time to meld. Reheating a wedge the next day always reaps benefits. Try this Lasagne Bolognese.

Beans If you give your beans a rest, they’ll reward you with flavor. Don’t believe us? Try Kemp’s Black Beans.

What leftovers do you love?