What is Fridge Clean Out?

Fridge Clean Out is a weekly newsletter about how to make great leftovers, cooking, and food culture.

When done correctly, leftovers are the best tool for any home cook looking to level up their skills with a few special and staple ingredients.

Making a great meal from leftovers is both an art (work with what you’ve got!) and science (yes, there’s a fool-proof way to always bring wilted herbs or a stale baguette back to life!).

I’m also obsessed with food media so expect weekly dispatches on what articles and books I’m reading, what Instagram Reel I’m watching (or TikTok, although fair warning—I am a millennial), and what new tinned fish brand I’m buying.

Who am I?

Hi! I’m Lauren Johnson.

For nearly 15 years, I’ve been a business journalist covering the advertising industry.

When I’m not editing or writing about advertising, I’m likely spending way too much money at New York’s abundant and wonderful farmers markets, paging through every cookbook I can get my hands on, and tracking down the city’s best baked goods. I’m also always trying to figure out how to turn tonight’s dinner into tomorrow’s dinner.

I’ve been in love with cooking and food for as long as I can remember thanks to the World’s Best Cook, also known as my mom. While other kids wanted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and grilled cheeses for lunch, my favorite foods were (and still are) shrimp cocktail and pork tenderloin.

My goal of this Substack is to inspire you to cook something great—for your friends and family or just for yourself. At the very least, I hope it helps you figure out dinner with whatever happens to be in your fridge.