Irish households throw away hundreds of euro worth of 'perfectly good food' at Christmas time new research has claimed.

According to research carried out by the company behind the app for surplus food Too Good To Go as much as much as 50% of the food we buy for the Christmas break often goes uneaten.

The research found 16% of Irish people always feel the pressure to over-cater for Christmas gatherings, while 21% often succumb to the urge.

This excessive food preparation results in overflowing plates and ultimately, a mountain of food waste. 

A staggering 25% of Irish consumers admit to wasting bread over the festive period.

From discarded crusts to uneaten loaves, bread seems to be a major culprit to the nation’s food waste. When it comes to sauces, 23% of consumers toss out seasonal sauces like cranberry sauce and brandy butter.

These festive favourites, often only used for a single meal, contribute significantly to the food waste problem.

A shocking quarter of Irish households are also guilty of wasting a whole food over the festive period, with 18% throwing away even more.

And it seems even our beloved vegetables aren’t immune.

Eight per cent of Irish households are tossing out large amounts of Brussels sprouts, while 16% are wasting moderate amounts of carrots and potatoes. 

The company, which has 100 million registered users and 170,000 active partners in 19 countries across Europe, Australia and North America, recommended making the best of leftovers by cooking up a number of dishes using leftovers.

They suggested a roasted Root Vegetable Mash: using leftover carrots, parsnips and sweet potatoes with a bit of butter, cream and seasoning for a creamy and delicious mash.

Or to make vegetable fritters by mixing leftover vegetables with flour, eggs, and spices to create crispy and flavourful fritters. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

Another tip to save food was to make homemade Breadcrumbs by drying out stale bread and blitz it in a food processor to create homemade breadcrumbs. Use them to coat chicken, fish, or vegetables or add them to casseroles and soups.

Machaela O’Leary, Ireland Sales Manager at Too Good To Go 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 reduce our food waste over the busy Christmas season.’’