Peanut Butter

The Best Use For Your Empty Jar of Peanut Butter

February 18, 2016

We don't have to tell you about the frustration of getting the leftover dregs out of a nearly-empty jar—the peanut butter that hangs to the walls, the Nutella that clings to the bottom ridges.

It's even inspired inventions: an angled spoon that fits perfectly into peanut butter jar ridges, a double-sided jar. But for all the custom spoons and specially-made jars, there will always, always be a little bit you can't quite reach.

This morning, after we came across this video posted on Refinery29 for hot chocolate made from Nutella dregs, we began to think about other ways to use the same technique—of adding a food into the jar—to make the most our dregs. Our favorite solution? Peanut butter hot chocolate.

We actually kind of like you now, empty jar.

How to Make Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate:

  1. Warm roughly 8 ounces milk in the microwave or over the stove until hot, but not to the point of boiling.
  2. Place roughly 2 tablespoons of homemade hot cocoa mix or cocoa powder in your empty peanut butter jar, adding sugar to taste.
  3. Pour the warm milk into the jar, over the cocoa. Depending on how hot the milk is, you may need to use a dish towel to protect your hands.
  4. Shake vigorously for 45 seconds.
  5. Pour into a glass and drink up the peanut butter-chocolate goodness!
Photo by James Ransom

Other Foods to Try it With:

The best part of this idea is that you can do it with almost any of your nearly-empty jars. Here are a few ideas to get you started (just add the additions, shake, and serve!):

  • Jar of Honey + warm milk or kefir (to add to your smoothie!), or add soft butter for instant honey butter
  • Jar of Jam + coddled cream (for scones!) or yogurt (for breakfast!)
  • Jar of Apple Sauce + yogurt and granola
  • Jar of Peanut Butter + anything you need for overnight oats

How do you use your nearly empty jar dregs? Will you be making this hot chocolate? Tell us in the comments below!

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12 Comments

Kelly P. July 9, 2016
for nearly empty jars of peanut butter: overnight oats!

to an almost empty jar of PB, add ¾ cup dry instant oats, ¾ milk (i use either almond or almond/coconut milk), ¼ cup plain yogurt, 2-3 heaping tbsps. of peanut butter (i used the natural kind - ingredients: peanuts, salt, sugar), 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 1½ tbsp. sweetener.

mix well; the peanut butter might take a while to break down, but the milk and yogurt should help a lot. put lid on, store in refrigerator overnight. the next morning, garnish with banana slices and enjoy peanut butter overnight oats!
 
Maggie April 11, 2016
I make a smoothie in the blender (almond milk, banana, chocolate syrup)then pour it into the nut butter jar and shake it up
 
cranberry February 24, 2016
I make salad dressing with the dregs of the mayonnaise jar (Best/Hellman's only.) I put in some lemon juice, salt and pepper and shake it around. I add other spices sometimes if I feel like it. Sometimes I deliberately "end" the mayo jar before it's completely empty to make more dressing. It's very good on a steak salad with tomatoes, corn, avocado, lettuce. Just the dregs makes enough for one lunch salad, lightly dressed.

End of the honey or jam jar - add some hot water to dissolve and add to tea. This might take a couple of days to finish up depending on how much tea you drink and how sweet you like it.
 
Jonah O. February 22, 2016
This is freakin wonderful.
 
Smaug February 18, 2016
I once tried to clean a plastic peanut butter jar by putting some water in it and microwaving, then putting the top on and shaking. Loosened the peanut butter up nicely, but it turned out the lid expanded considerably more than the jar...
 
aargersi February 18, 2016
You can add in the rest of the peanut sauce ingredients (lime, fish sauce, Sriracha, agave, whatever you like in your) to your PB jar, shake like mad - spring roll dipping sauce!!!
 
Leslie S. February 18, 2016
Wow!! Love this idea! Such a great suggestion for a savory use!
 
LeBec F. February 21, 2016
well aarg, that's exACTly what i was going to post!
 
Niknud February 18, 2016
Jar of Dijon: salad dressing! Add lemon juice, olive oil, neutral oil, garlic, whatever herbs tickle your fancy. Shake until blended. Love it.
 
Leslie S. February 18, 2016
Brilliant!!
 
Kenzi W. February 18, 2016
Niiiiice one.
 
Caroline L. February 18, 2016
I do the same (make salad dressing) with a jar of jam!