Easy Recipes for Leftover Roast Beef

Struggling to finish that big roast you cooked earlier in the week? Need some simple recipes to use up your leftovers? I’ve got you covered! Granted, I use “recipes” loosely here, but that’s where the “easy” comes in, right? No measuring or fuss – just grab your leftovers and a few ingredients you probably already have on hand and throw a meal together. Here are my 4 favorite go-to roast beef leftover meals:

1. Roast Beef Street Tacos

It doesn’t get much easier (or tastier) than this. If you love Mexican street tacos, you can mimic the flavor using your leftover roast beef. In a few quick steps, you’ll be sitting down to a scrumptious meal!

• Chop and heat your leftover roast beef.
• Heat your favorite tortillas in a skillet. (I love corn tortillas lightly toasted on each side – use a light coating of oil or cooking spray if you don’t like them dry.)
• Chop your favorite street taco toppings. I suggest avocado, onion (whatever kind you like will do), cilantro, and fresh or pickled jalapeños.
• If you have a lime, chop it into wedges.
• Fill your tortilla with the meat and toppings and squirt with lime juice from one wedge. (The lime is not essential, but boy is it good!)
• Fold and eat. Enjoy the burst of spicy yumminess in each bite!
• Side suggestions: chips and salsa, Mexican rice, refried beans, skillet corn.

Tip: Be flexible. If you don’t have all the ingredients above, improvise and use what you have. Traditional toppings of cheese, lettuce, tomato, and sour cream are excellent as well!

2. Roast Beef Sandwiches with Horseradish Sauce

Think up-scaled Arby’s sandwiches here. You might have a hard time going back to the fast-food classic after this! Here’s all you need:

• Bread of your choosing – soft sandwich bread, rolls, hamburger buns, homemade bread, etc. Toast it if you like it that way.
• Your chopped leftover roast beef, heated or cold. This seems to be a personal preference. I generally like mine hot for this sandwich.
• Horseradish sauce (This is available in most grocery stores where the condiments are found.)
• Cheese of your choice (completely optional)
• Assemble the sandwiches and serve with chips, fried potatoes, or fresh dipping vegetables on the side.
• Note – If you’ve never had horseradish sauce, it can have a unique bite to it. Start with a dab and add as needed.
• Don’t have horseradish sauce? Try dijon mustard or barbecue sauce instead. Different flavors but delicious just the same!

3. Roast Beef Hash

This old-fashioned dish will not disappoint. It’s so delicious that my husband and I can eat nearly a whole skillet-full by ourselves! Here’s the run-down:

• Ingredients:
  • Leftover chopped roast beef
  • a couple potatoes (or more if you need to stretch the beef)
  • a chopped onion
  • a can of chopped green chiles
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • oil or fat for cooking
• Dice your potatoes and onions, and fry them in a little oil. (I just generously coat the pan with oil for cooking and add more if I need to. Since I don’t drain off the oil, I don’t want everything drowning or floating in it.)
• Push potatoes and onions to one side of the pan and add a little more oil to the other. Add your chopped roast beef and cook in the oil until heated up, stirring it a bit.
• Add in a small can of chopped green chiles and mix everything together in the skillet. Cook just until heated through.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.

Pair with a side salad or sliced avocado. Take it up a notch by topping with shredded cheese and hot sauce of your choice. If you make this for dinner one day, it’s great for lunch the next day if you can resist eating the whole batch!

4. Simple Vegetable Beef Soup

Craving something warm and comforting? This one is for you. The vegetable options are endless, so it will probably be different each time you make it. Here’s one way:

• Ingredients:
  • leftover roast beef with its juice
  • extra liquid – water, beef broth, or beef bullion
  • a little chopped onion
  • one or two potatoes
  • carrots – enough for a handful chopped
  • a stalk or two of celery
  • salt
• Chop your leftover roast beef and add it along with any leftover roast juice to a soup pot large enough to add your vegetables and liquid. Start heating it up gently.
• Pour in extra liquid until your roast is covered. You can use water if you had lots of the roast juice to flavor the soup, or use some beef broth or a beef bullion cube if you need more flavor.
• Add some chopped white or yellow onion if you like it.
• Peel and chop a potato or two and add to the soupy mixture.
• Next, drop in a handful of chopped carrots and some chopped celery (one or two stalks).
• Add more water or broth if needed to make it as soupy as you like it.
• Heat until it is bubbling very gently and cook it until the vegetables are pleasantly soft.
• While the soup is cooking, throw together a side such as a salad, some sliced cheese, cornbread, or a cheese toast.
• When the soup is cooked, grab a spoon and take a little taste to see if you need some salt. Add only if you need it.
• Grab your favorite soup bowls and serve it up!

Variations:

• Swap out the potatoes, carrots, and celery for some sliced mushrooms and thinly sliced or chopped cabbage for a lighter soup. You could add a dab of soy sauce to give it an oriental vibe.
• Instead of the fresh vegetables, just add some frozen or canned mixed vegetables and let it simmer until cooked and the flavors come together.
• Add in a can of tomato sauce with the vegetables and let the flavors meld together while the vegetables cook.