What To Make With Leftover Prime Rib
Prime rib is the king of Christmas dinner. The elegant protein serves as a perfect centerpiece to any holiday feast. But the only downside to prime rib — if you can call it that — is that it's a sizable cut and can sometimes feed up to 12 people; if you're hosting a scaled down holiday dinner this year, that's going to mean leftovers. Lots of them.
But a smaller guest list doesn't necessarily mean you have to abandon your traditions. Cook your prime rib to perfection, and then use these leftover recipes to finish off the rest of the meat in the days following the holidays.
Macaroni and Cheese
There are plenty of ingredients that go well with mac and cheese, and a great way to elevate the classic comfort food is by adding in leftover prime rib. This recipe is as All-American as it gets. Beer and beef are mixed in with macaroni, cheese and bread crumbs. Swap out the bacon for prime rib, or do a double protein whammy.
Dips
Speaking of game day, no match-up is complete without a good dip. Chop up leftover prime rib, mix it up with mayo and pickles, and enjoy.
Tacos
Use taco Tuesday to your advantage by stuffing your shells with prime rib. You can toss the leftovers into your slow cooker to make the prime rib extra shreddable, or go the easy route and reheat a few slices for the filling. Garnish the tacos with pickled onions and cilantro, like this recipe does.
Chili
As the cold weather and snow blows through, odds are you've been scouring the internet for good, comforting recipes. Besides soups and stews, there is one dish that's always there to get you through winter — chili. Add some leftover prime rib into the mix of tomato sauce and beans. Your taste buds will thank you for it.
Salad
If one of your New Year's resolutions is to add more salad to your diet, prime rib nachos and mac and cheese might not be for you. But you can still use that flavorful protein on top of a big pile of leaves and veggies. This winter-inspired Caesar salad is made with red radicchio, thyme and homemade dressing. Top the fresh blend of seasonal ingredients with sliced prime rib and you've got yourself a killer, healthy supper.
French Dip Sandwich
Tossing your leftover prime rib into a sandwich is the obvious choice. But the real question is, what type of sandwich best complements the protein? There's only one answer: A French dip. Use the recipe below as a guide, but since your meat is already cooked you can skip the step of searing the meat and cook the whole thing for just 5 minutes to quickly meld the flavors.
For the Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches recipe, click here.
Pot pie
Few dishes are as suitable for winter weather as pot pie. The hearty dish has a comforting blend of ingredients that pair well with any protein. Skip the chicken and throw your leftover prime rib into the mix. This recipe lets your slow cooker do the work for you, pop the ingredients into the kitchen appliance and let it cook on high for about four hours (though you can probably cut that time or cook on low since the beef is already cooked).
Nachos
After the holiday season, it's all football, all the time. Gear up for game day by putting your leftover prime rib to use. These barbecue nachos call for the works — pork, brisket and turkey. Sub one of the proteins out for prime rib and top the dish with jalapenos, cheese and barbecue sauce, and you'll be ready to do your own touchdown dance.
Shepherd’s Pie
If you think you're a lover of shepherd's pie, just wait until you try it with your leftover prime rib. Flavor the pie as you normally would, with sage, thyme, onion and garlic and top it with a creamy blend of mashed potatoes.
Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese is a childhood favorite. But what adult doesn't crave this sandwich every once in a while? Give grilled cheese a grown-up spin by stuffing it with your leftover prime rib. The extra flavor from the juicy protein will add a delightful twist to the simple lunchtime classic.
For the Spicy Sharp Cheddar Grilled Cheese recipe, click here.
This quesadilla recipe is geared towards using leftovers, just swap out turkey for prime rib. Load a tortilla with cheddar cheese, chopped tomato, green onion and prime rib, then bake the dish until the cheese is melted. One bite of the crispy tortilla, followed by a cascade of melted cheese and tender prime rib is sure to satisfy.
Stroganoff
Turn your elegant holiday leftovers into a classic weeknight dinner dish with this beef stroganoff recipe. The dish is typically made with sirloin steak, but any type of beef will work. Plus, since the meat is already cooked you can skip the first few steps entirely.
Potato Hash
Your prime rib leftovers aren't just suitable for lunch and dinner. Incorporate the dish into your brunch spread by making potato hash, which works well with any type of beef. Let the protein simmer with finely chopped onion, paprika and one cooked potato. Serve it with poached eggs and some hot sauce for an extra kick.
Beef Stew
You've probably caught on by now that prime rib works well in just about any beef-based dish, and this stew is no exception. The classic Irish dish uses Guinness beer to boost the flavor of the tender beef and veggies. After the holiday season, it's time to load up on those comforting dishes that help keep the cold at bay. Get a head start by checking out our best slow cooker recipes, from Buffalo cheese dip to potato soup.
For the Beef and Guinness Stew recipe, click here.
More from The Daily Meal:
The Best Recipes for Cheese Lovers
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