23 Delicious Ways to Use Up Leftover Roast Beef

Roast beef is a delicious and comforting meal, but it often leaves behind leftovers that many home cooks struggle to use up. As someone who loves cooking roast beef for my family, I’ve developed quite a few tricks over the years for making the most of every last bit of leftover roast beef.

In this article, I’ll share 23 of my favorite recipes and ideas to transform leftover roast beef into entirely new meals. With a bit of creativity, you can give leftover roast beef an exciting second life and avoid food waste.

Sandwiches

One of the easiest ways to use up roast beef is in sandwiches, Here are some of my go-to leftover roast beef sandwich ideas

• Roast Beef and Cheese Sandwich – Layer slices of roast beef with melty cheese on bread or a roll. Add lettuce tomato mustard or horseradish sauce.

• French Dip Sandwich – Pile roast beef on a hoagie roll, and serve au jus dipping sauce on the side.

• Roast Beef Panini – Grill roast beef, cheese, and sautéed onions and peppers between slices of foccacia or ciabatta bread.

• Roast Beef Wrap – Roll up roast beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato and ranch or blue cheese dressing in a whole wheat tortilla.

Salads and Bowls

Beyond sandwiches, salads and grain bowls are another way to repurpose leftover roast beef in a light, healthy meal.

• Roast Beef Cobb Salad – Top lettuce with roast beef chunks, hard boiled egg, bacon, avocado, tomato and blue cheese.

• Roast Beef Noodle Bowl – Toss sliced roast beef with ramen noodles or rice noodles, shredded carrots, edamame, cucumbers, cilantro and peanut or miso dressing.

• Roast Beef and Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad – Mix roast beef, cooked quinoa, tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, mint, lemon, and olive oil.

Soups and Stews

Leftover roast beef is perfect for adding richness and heartiness to soups and stews.

• Beef Barley Soup – Simmer roast beef and pearl barley with vegetables in broth.

• French Onion Soup – Float roast beef slices in broth topped with caramelized onions and melted cheese.

• Beef Chili – Cook roast beef in a tomato-based chili with beans, onions, peppers and Southwest spices.

• Beef and Mushroom Stew – Braise roast beef chunks in a red wine sauce with mushrooms, carrots and onions.

Pastas and Casseroles

For easy one-dish meals, turn leftover roast beef into a pasta dish or casserole.

• Beef Stroganoff – Cook roast beef in a creamy mushroom sauce and serve over egg noodles.

• Shepherd’s Pie – Top a casserole of ground beef, vegetables and gravy with leftover roast beef slices and mashed potatoes.

• Baked Ziti – Toss roast beef with ziti, marinara sauce and ricotta and mozzarella cheese.

• Beef Lasagna – Layer lasagna noodles, roast beef, ricotta cheese, mozzarella and meat sauce.

Global Cuisine

Roast beef takes well to flavors from around the world too. Some global recipes to try:

• Beef Tacos – Serve sliced roast beef in soft tortillas with guacamole, pico de gallo and queso fresco.

• Beef Banh Mi – Stuff Vietnamese baguettes with roast beef, pickled carrots, cucumbers, cilantro and Sriracha mayo.

• Beef Pho – Cook roast beef in Vietnamese noodle soup with rice noodles, broth, herbs and lime.

• Roast Beef Poutine – Pile french fries with roast beef, cheese curds and gravy.

Appetizers

When hosting guests, transform leftover roast beef into easy appetizers.

• Mini Roast Beef Crostini – Top baguette slices with roast beef, caramelized onions, goat cheese and balsamic glaze.

• Roast Beef Lettuce Wraps – Spoon roast beef and Asian vegetables into lettuce cups.

• Roast Beef Deviled Eggs – Mix roast beef with egg yolk filling and pipe into hard boiled egg whites.

• Roast Beef Wonton Cups – Bake ground roast beef mixed with cream cheese in wonton wrappers until crispy.

Breakfast

Don’t skip breakfast – use up leftover roast beef in the morning too!

• Roast Beef Hash – Sauté roast beef with potatoes, peppers and onions. Top with fried eggs.

• Roast Beef Breakfast Burrito – Scramble eggs with roast beef and cheese, and wrap in a tortilla.

• Roast Beef Eggs Benedict – Top an English muffin and poached egg with roast beef and hollandaise sauce.

• Roast Beef Omelet – Make an omelet filled with roast beef slices, spinach, onions and cheese.

Savory Snacks

Finally, transform leftover roast beef into hearty snacks.

• Roast Beef Roll-Ups – Spread roast beef slices with cream cheese and roll up with pickles or roasted red peppers.

• Roast Beef Pizza – Top homemade or store-bought pizza dough with roast beef chunks, caramelized onions, cheese and barbecue sauce.

• Roast Beef Nachos – Pile tortilla chips with shredded roast beef, peppers, beans, salsa and melted cheese.

• Roast Beef Sliders – Pile roast beef slices on mini buns with sautéed mushrooms and onions.