What To Do With Leftover Beef Tenderloin: 20+ Creative Ways To Use Up Extra Tenderloin

Beef tenderloin is an expensive luxurious cut of meat that deserves to be savored. When you prepare a whole tenderloin chances are you’ll have delicious leftovers. But eating the same tenderloin two nights in a row can get boring. Luckily, there are endless creative ways to transform leftover beef tenderloin into new, mouthwatering dishes.

As a meat lover and home cook, I often find myself with extra tenderloin after cooking it for a special meal. Over the years, I’ve experimented with various recipes to use up every last morsel. From hearty casseroles to easy weeknight dinners, leftover tenderloin can be reinvented into all sorts of delicious creations.

In this article, I’ll share over 20 tantalizing ideas to help you get the most out of leftover beef tenderloin. With a little imagination and some basic ingredients, you can give your extra tenderloin new life while avoiding food waste. Keep reading for tenderloin recipes that will have your tastebuds cheering!

Why Save Leftover Beef Tenderloin?

Known for its tenderness and delicate buttery flavor, beef tenderloin is one of the most tender cuts of meat. It comes from the short loin near the back of the cow, which doesn’t get much exercise, keeping the meat supple.

Cooking a whole tenderloin is perfect for celebrations like Christmas dinner or anniversary meals But with its high price tag, typically $20 or more per pound, it’s important not to waste any of this expensive ingredient

Leftover cooked tenderloin retains its velvety texture beautifully. Slices are fantastic for sandwiches, while small pieces work great in eggs, pasta, rice, and more. With a little creativity in the kitchen, you can give leftover tenderloin new life in easy, tasty meals all week long.

Sandwiches

• Slice thick cuts of leftover tenderloin and pile high on crusty bread or rolls for an elevated steak sandwich. Add cheese, caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, lettuce and tomato to take it over the top.

• For an open-faced sandwich, toast bread and top with tenderloin slices, crumbled blue cheese and caramelized onions.

• Make steak salad sandwiches by mixing sliced tenderloin with leafy greens, tomato, avocado and blue cheese dressing. Spoon onto crusty bread.

• Pile shaved tenderloin with peppers, onions and provolone cheese on hoagie rolls for tasty steak subs.

Eggs

• Dice tenderloin and sauté with onions and peppers. Add to scrambled eggs or an omelet for a hearty steak and eggs meal.

• Cook diced tenderloin and potatoes together as hash. Top with a fried egg for breakfast or dinner.

• Stuff an omelet with shredded tenderloin, cheese and sautéed veggies for a satisfying meal any time of day.

Pasta

• Toss chopped tenderloin with pasta, olive oil, vegetables and Parmesan.

• For steak Alfredo, stir slices or pieces into hot fettuccine with Alfredo sauce along with peas and mushrooms.

• Make a creamy stroganoff by cooking tenderloin strips with mushrooms, onions, sour cream and broth over egg noodles.

Rice Bowls

• Dice tenderloin and stir-fry with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and vegetables over rice. Top with a fried egg if desired.

• Sauté tenderloin strips with broccoli, onions, hoisin and chili sauce. Serve over jasmine rice for a quick Asian-inspired meal.

• Cook tenderloin strips with onions, peppers and taco seasoning. Serve over cilantro lime rice with avocado, cheese and salsa.

Soups and Stews

• Simmer diced tenderloin in tomato sauce with beans, corn, zucchini and spices for a tasty Southwest beef stew.

• Add bite-size pieces to hearty beef and vegetable soup with potatoes, carrots, peas and barley.

• Cook sliced tenderloin in mushroom soup with sherry, onions, carrots and thyme for a cozy, comforting dish.

Salads

• Thinly slice cold tenderloin and serve over leafy greens with blue cheese, walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette.

• For a hearty main dish salad, top mixed greens with tenderloin strips, boiled potatoes, green beans and Dijon dressing.

• Make an Asian-style salad with shredded tenderloin, cabbage, edamame, mandarin oranges and ginger dressing.

Skillet Meals

• Cook tenderloin strips with peppers, onions, chimichurri sauce and quinoa or rice for a quick Latin-inspired dinner.

• Sauté bite-size tenderloin pieces in gravy with mushrooms, onions, peas and mashed potatoes for an easy shepherd’s pie skillet meal.

• Brown tenderloin strips with Brussels sprouts, bacon and creamy mustard sauce over pasta or mashed potatoes.

Appetizers

• Serve thin tenderloin slices on crostini topped with blue cheese crumbles and onion jam.

• Make steak lettuce wraps with ginger-lime marinated tenderloin, avocado, carrots, cilantro and cashews.

• Grill or pan-sear marinated tenderloin tips on skewers for easy steak satay with peanut dipping sauce.

Casseroles

• Combine chopped tenderloin with rice, mushroom soup, peas and cheese then bake until bubbly for an easy casserole.

• Mix diced tenderloin, potatoes, corn, cheese and spices and bake as the filling for shepherd’s pie.

• Layer tenderloin slices, potatoes, carrots, onions, gravy and cheese for a hearty beef pot pie casserole.

With a little creativity, you can transform leftover beef tenderloin into all kinds of easy, mouthwatering dishes. Make the most of this costly ingredient and give it new life in tasty weekday meals and appetizers.

Follow these tips and try out some of the recipes to use up leftover tenderloin in delicious ways. Your tastebuds and wallet will thank you!