Leftover steak, what do you do with it? Well, you can simply reheat it and eat it as is, but where's the fun in that? In this post, I'll share 12 creative leftover steak recipes that are both easy and delicious, and a great way to revive steak leftovers! Try these recipes the next time you make a smoked ribeye steak or grilled ribeyes.
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My friend, Kelly, recently suggested I do a post on ways to use up leftovers. I often do this myself and have assumed that everyone has the ability to open the fridge, look in their pantry, and come up with a game plan on how to use their leftovers to make new meals.
Whether you have leftover air fryer sirloin steak or pan-seared elk steak, you can make all kinds of delicious recipes with the steak leftovers!
🥩 Leftover Steak Recipe Ideas
Here are 12 leftover steak recipes to take your boring leftover steak and turn it into something fabulous, starting with one of my favorites, the California burrito!
California Burrito
Making this California burrito recipe is a great way to use up leftover steak! Just lightly season the diced steak with salt, pepper, and garlic, or use my carne asada seasoning. Then add to a large tortilla along with french fries, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa ranchera! Roll it up and serve!
Mini Meat Pies
These mini meat pies are loaded with goodness and made with puff pastry! Leftover steak can easily be subbed in this recipe. All you need to do is add the diced leftover steak in step 3, at the same time you add bacon and flour, then continue on with the recipe!
Adobada Tacos
Adobada tacos are made with pork; however, I don't see why you can't substitute leftover steak. Lightly season steak bites with the suggested spices in the recipe, then char in a hot cast-iron skillet in lard or olive oil. After that, proceed with the remaining recipe steps!
Beef Chilifry (sautéed meat and vegetables)
Steak leftovers can also be used to make this delicious Iraqi dish called beef chilifry. I serve it over vermicelli rice, but you can substitute plain white rice. Just skip step one, then add diced steak to the pan in step two of the recipe. You can also serve it in pita pockets!
Carne Asada Fries
Here's another simple leftover steak recipe! Make this Carne asada fries recipe, a San Diego original! Fries are smothered in cheese, sour cream, creamy guacamole, pico de gallo, and diced carne asada. Of course, you'll be replacing the carne asada with diced leftover steak!
Mini Smoked Pizzas
Who doesn't love pizza?! This easy smoked pizza recipe is as impressive as it is easy! Pile chopped leftover steak, cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings on flatbread and smoke for 15 minutes! No smoker? No worries! Just cook your pizza on the grill or in the oven!
Steak Tacos
This may be the easiest leftover steak recipe idea! Chop leftover steak into bite-sized portions and heat quickly in a skillet. Add to warmed, charred tortillas and top with diced onions and cilantro or cilantro chimichurri. Don't forget the Mexican pickled carrots, guacamole, hot sauce, and sour cream!
Assyrian Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
This Assyrian Instant Pot Jasmine Rice is one of my all-time favorite dishes. I can seriously eat it every day! Just chop leftover steak into large cubes and add to your Instant Pot towards the end of step 1. Serve with Middle Eastern salad piled on top!
Mexican Rice Bowls
I just love a good rice bowl, don't you? This recipe is so simple! Just make some Mexican rice, then load up with heated and drained canned beans and corn, chopped veggies, pico de gallo, sautéed veggies, sliced avocados, cheese, and of course, heated cubed leftover steak!
Steak Sliders
You can easily substitute leftover steak in these delicious Tri-Tip Sliders loaded with caramelized onions! Simply follow the easy recipe steps, replacing the tri-tip with thinly sliced leftover steak! You're welcome!
Steak-Stuffed Chili Relleno
Nothing is worse than an empty Chile Relleno! That's exactly what I got the last time I ordered a chile relleno at a local Mexican restaurant! 🤦🏽♀️ Instead, stuff your poblano chiles with diced leftover steak and lots of cheese, see this Easy Chile Relleno recipe!
Carne Asada Quesadillas
To make a Carne Asada Quesadilla with leftover steak, dice steak leftovers into tiny pieces, then fry in a hot skillet oiled with lard. The steak should have some crispy edges. Then layer steak between shredded cheese in your tortilla and cook in a teaspoon of lard until golden brown on both sides.
If you've enjoyed this leftover steak recipes post and would like to see similar posts on creative ways to use leftovers, I'd love to know. Just leave your comments below, including what leftovers you'd like to use - Chicken, rice, pasta, etc?
🤷🏻♀️ FAQs
Leftover steak can be reheated quickly in a hot cast-iron skillet with a little bit of lard or tallow (see beef tallow recipe).
Leftover steak is best eaten the next day or within 3 days of preparing it. After that, the taste deteriorates.
Yes, you can, as long as it's not cooked all the way through. You'll have better results marinating a rare steak as opposed to a steak cooked to medium or well.
There are so many ways to use leftover steak! Slice it into strips and make a broccoli stir-fry or steak fajitas. Use it to make Philly cheesesteaks, a steak salad, or steak quesadillas. Serve it over baked potatoes, mix it with cheesy noodles, or thinly slice it to make steak sandwiches!
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- Try to consume leftover steak within 3 days. The longer it sits, the more the flavor deteriorates.
- Leftover steak can also be used to make stir fried rice, fajitas (just use the marinade recipe in my Mexican chicken fajitas, diced finely to make chili, or added to okra stew!
- Leftover steak should be stored in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days!
🌶 More Round-Ups
If you enjoy this leftover steak recipes blog post and want to see similar posts in the future, make your voice heard and comment below!
Kelly Methey says
Thank you for all these fantastic ideas for leftover steak! I will be trying them all. I can’t wait to see what you come up with for pork and chicken! Great post Hilda!
Hilda Sterner says
I'm happy to oblige, thanks for the idea!