Beef rib roast, also known as prime rib, is a large and impressive cut of meat that is often served for holidays and special occasions. However, this impressive roast leaves many home cooks wondering – what do I do with the leftovers?
Leftover beef rib roast may seem intimidating. But there are so many delicious ways to repurpose this flavorful meat into easy meals throughout the week. In this article I will share 12 of my favorite recipes and ideas to help you get the most out of your beef rib roast leftovers.
Deli-Style Roast Beef Sandwiches
One of the easiest ways to use up leftover roast beef is to simply pile it onto a sandwich. Slice the beef as thinly as possible and layer it on crusty bread or rolls Top it with cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and your favorite condiments like mustard, mayo or horseradish sauce Melting the cheese under the broiler gives an extra delicious flavor. Roast beef sandwiches are great for quick lunches or even dinner if you serve it with soup or salad on the side.
Fajitas
For a fun and easy weeknight meal, slice up your roast beef into strips and stir-fry it with sliced bell peppers and onions. Wrap up in warm tortillas along with your favorite Tex-Mex toppings like guacamole, salsa, shredded cheese and sour cream. The bold seasonings of fajitas give a tasty new flavor to leftover roast.
Beef Stroganoff
Slice the cold roast beef into strips and stir it into a creamy mushroom stroganoff sauce along with noodles or rice The texture of leftover roast beef stands up nicely to the rich sauce Add a side salad and you have an easy one-pan meal,
Shepherd’s Pie
Chopped leftover roast gets a new look layered in this comforting casserole along with vegetables, gravy and topped with fluffy mashed potatoes. You can even make individual portions in ramekins for a handy meal. Just be sure to stir in some frozen peas and carrots to add color and vitamins.
Beef and Barley Soup
Simmer chunks of the cooked roast beef in a brothy soup loaded with vegetables like carrots, celery, onion and mushrooms. Barley adds hearty texture and fiber. The flavorful beef only gets better with the long, slow cooking. Soup is a great way to stretch smaller portions of leftover roast.
Beef Hash
Chop or shred leftover roast beef and stir it together with diced potatoes, onions, bell pepper and seasonings. Cook until the potato pieces are browned and crisp. Top with a fried egg for a satisfying brunch or light dinner. You can also make these into patties and serve slider-style.
Roast Beef Tacos
For an easy taco night, warm up shredded roast beef and serve it in soft tortillas with typical taco garnishes like shredded lettuce, tomato, avocado and cheese. The seasoned beef filling gives these tacos an extra special flavor.
Beef and Noodle Casserole
Combine chopped roast beef with egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup and frozen vegetables like peas, corn and green beans. Top with crushed potato chips or fried onion straws and bake until hot and bubbly. Kids and adults alike will love this comforting beef casserole.
Italian Beef Sandwiches
Pile thin slices of roast beef on crusty Italian bread and top it with sautéed bell peppers, onions and melted provolone cheese. Dip the loaded sandwiches in the savory juices from the beef to create an easy version of the classic Italian beef sandwich. Serve with hot giardiniera peppers on the side.
Roast Beef Salad
Chill leftover roast beef in the fridge so you can slice it paper-thin. Arrange the slices over a salad of crisp greens, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, shredded cheese and other favorite salad ingredients. The peppery rare beef pairs well with a tangy vinaigrette or blue cheese dressing.
Overloaded Nachos
Pile tortilla chips high with shredded beef, beans, salsa, guacamole, sour cream and all your favorite nacho toppings. Melt cheese over top and you have snack-time perfection. Nachos are a fun and casual way to use up smaller amounts of shredded roast beef.
French Dip Sandwiches
No article about roast beef would be complete without French dips! Pile thin slices of leftover roast beef on a crusty baguette and serve au jus for dipping. Melting Swiss cheese on top is highly recommended but optional. These open-faced sandwiches are a gooey, meaty treat!
As you can see, beef rib roast leftovers can be transformed into all kinds of fast and easy meals. Sandwiches, salads, tacos – the possibilities are endless! With a little creativity, you can enjoy the delicious flavors of prime rib all week long.
So next time you make this impressive roast, don’t stress about what to do with the leftovers. Try one of these tasty recipes and take the guesswork out of meal planning. Your family will be thrilled to keep feasting on these beef rib roast creations throughout the week!
Best Leftover Prime Rib Recipes
For a throne worthy of your prime rib, look no further than these fluffy ciabatta rolls. Use slices of prime rib in place of the grilled steak for an excellent dip sandwich.
No matter how perfect the prime rib roast was, there’s always leftovers of the juicy pink meat. It serves a crowd and most likely your guests loaded up on too many croquettes and blinis during happy hour, leaving little room for the roast. When that happens, reheat leftover slices of the beef the next day, drape into charred tortillas, and dot with herby salsa.
Roughly chopped and re-crisped, leftover prime rib would make a pretty delicious hash with sweet potatoes. (Just add a fried egg for the ultimate Boxing Day breakfast).
Hash it up again with Brussels sprouts, which are at their prime during the holiday season.
Swap the turkey for thin slices of prime rib for the low-effort salad you want to make (and eat) the day after a prime rib dinner.
ChrisandAmys pot pie calls for a certain stout thats brewed with oysters, and prime rib and oysters are a traditional pairing.
Thin slices of leftover prime rib would be delicious over rice noodles in broth. Just add huge handfuls of crunchy beansprouts and cooling herbs, and a squeeze of lime.
Winter squash stuffed with hearty, chewy farro and garlicky, herbed prime rib makes a cozy main perfect for yet another dinner party.
Though Test Kitchen Director Josh Cohen calls for boneless ribeye here, why not slice your leftover prime rib very thinly and use it in a cheesesteak? The rest of the recipe is, really, what makes the dish: caramelized Jimmy Nardello Peppers and onions stuffed into an Italian hoagie roll with two melty cheeses.
And of course, you cant go wrong with more sandwiches—four more, to be exact. Just set out all the fixings and let guests build their own!
Chop a few slices of prime rib finely and proceed right onto step three. Dinner, done!
The reason why this beef stroganoff works so well with leftover prime rib is because it’s less about the beef and more so about vegetables like cremini mushrooms, carrots, parsnips, onions, and scallions. So slice or cube whatever prime rib you have left in your fridge and then just add it to the creamy stir-fried vegetables in the last few minutes of cooking so that it fully reheats without becoming tough and chewy.
Follow this guide to learn how to make griddled (or fried!) cheese quesadillas that are understated in appearance, but will wow with each and every bite. Once you nail the cooking basics, thinly slice leftover prime rib and use it for a meaty filling. We don’t think quesadillas get much better than this.
Before you scoff and say “but this says corned beef, not prime rib,” we know but listen: You can easily make leftover prime rib hash using the remains of your holiday dinner and dare I say, it will taste even better. (Just bookmark this recipe and you can do it all over again post-St. Patrick’s Day).
For once, we’re not focusing on how to use the leftover meat. Instead, repurpose the bones from a bone-in prime rib by making this feel-good aromatic beef broth. If needed, grab some extra bones from your butcher, who will surely have extras on hand after the holiday rush.
1 Just eat it
When I asked freelance recipe tester Townsend Smith what he would do with leftover prime rib, he said, “Id probably just eat it.” Its true—youve put so much effort into sourcing, preparing, and carving the roast. Plus, when else during the year do you get to enjoy this festive meat? Spaghetti Carbonara
Whats your favorite way to use up leftover prime rib? Are you also Team “Just Eat It”? Let us know in the comments. Food52s Automagic Holiday Menu Maker Food52s Automagic Holiday Menu Maker
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What to Do With Prime Rib Leftovers
FAQ
What can you do with leftover rib roast?
Using leftover prime rib in stir fry is a brilliant way to transform this large piece of meat. Cut your leftover prime rib into thin strips and combine with traditional stir-fry vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas. In a hot wok or skillet, cook everything together with a savory sauce.
How to save leftover prime rib roast?
How long is leftover prime rib good for? When refrigerated properly in an airtight container, leftover prime rib is good for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. To freeze, allow to cool to room temperature, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and place in a zip-top freezer bag. Freeze for up to 6 months.
How long is leftover rib roast good for?
As soon as dinner’s finished, wrap any leftover prime rib tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate or freeze. While it’s best the next day, leftover prime rib is good for between five and seven days in the fridge or up to six months in the freezer.
What is a beef rib roast used for?
Situated under the front section of the backbone and used primarily for support. Popular cuts from the Rib include the rich, flavorful Ribeye Steak and the Prime Rib Roast.