30 Leftover Steak Recipes That Will Do Any Cut of Beef Justice (2024)

food

30 Leftover Steak Recipes That Will Do Any Cut of Beef Justice (1)

By Taryn Pire

Published Apr 20, 2021

You went overboard for your first barbecue of the year and bought more steak than you and your guests could possibly eat. Whether you grilled it all already or still have a few raw cuts, there are plenty of ways to turn your leftovers into something delicious. Here, 30 leftover steak recipes that do your favorite summer main justice, from flank steak tacos to beef stroganoff.

RELATED

15 Types of Steak All Home Cooks Should Know

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1. 15-minute Skillet Pepper Steak

Weeknight dinners don’t get any easier—or faster. Even better, this takeout favorite clocks in at fewer than 230 calories per serving. Serve with white rice.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

2. Flank Steak Tacos With Cucumber Salsa

Who knew a meal this filling could also be so refreshing? Chalk that up to the cucumber-scallion salsa that’s made with lime juice, jalapeño and fresh cilantro. Don’t forget the chips and guac.

Get the recipe

Dana Carpender/The Keto for One Cookbook

3. Keto Steak And Blue Cheese Salad For One

You’re only six basic ingredients away from this satiating solo meal. Don’t sweat it if you have additional mouths to feed: The recipe is a cinch to double (or quadruple).

Get the recipe

Laura Wing-Kamoosi

4. Mini Steak Sliders

Whether you’re at a softball picnic or a Super Bowl party, sliders are an easy win. These sammies, piled high with thin-sliced leftover steak, white cheddar cheese and some essential condiments, come together in about 15 minutes.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

5. Steak Stir-fry

Fresh produce + flank steak + pantry staples = the easiest dinner of all time. The recipe calls for bell peppers, onion and carrots, but feel free to add whatever veggies you have, like broccoli or bok choy.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6. Easy 30-minute Beef Stroganoff

Buttery noodles, tender mushrooms, melt-in-your-mouth tenderloin—this dish is comfort food at its finest. What really takes it over the top is a generous dose of sour cream and lots of fresh herbs.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

7. Thai Beef Bowls With Rice Noodles

If your local Thai takeout spot is your happy place, you need this 30-minute dish in your rotation. Think chewy rice vermicelli, zingy stir-fried beef in a spicy marinade and all the fresh snap peas, lettuce and herbs.

Get the recipe

8. Grilled Carne Asada Tacos With Boursin Cheese

The meat’s flavor comes from the marinade, so this is a great recipe for using up leftover raw steak. The apple cider vinegar in it will help tenderize the meat before its cooked to boot.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

9. Skillet Steak With Asparagus And Potatoes

If you have a whole sirloin or strip steak on your hands (or in your freezer) that you’re hoping to devour before it goes bad, look no further than this one-pan masterpiece. Don’t even get us started on the lemon-herb sauce.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

10. Steak Skewers With Chimichurri Sauce

Don’t pack the grill away just yet—the barbecue’s guest of honor is about to be reborn. Skewer cubed beef tenderloin alongside hunks of red onion and the plumpest cherry tomatoes you can find, then char them to perfection.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

11. Beef Flatbread With Herb Sauce

Sure, it may look like a communal appetizer. But we’ve been known to inhale it single-handedly for dinner from time to time. The recipe calls for ground beef, but we’re betting it tastes just as heavenly topped with thin-sliced or cubed steak.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

12. Classic Stuffed Peppers

Speaking of substituting steak for ground beef, these savory, cheesy pockets of goodness are due for an upgrade. Feel free to swap marinara sauce for pesto or chimichurri.

Get the recipe

Photo: Eric Moran/Styling: Erin McDowell

13. Skillet Fajitas

The recipe calls for chicken cutlets, but feel free to give this classic a beefy makeover. Just sear the steak on both sides before letting it cook to completion in the oven with the veggies.

Get the recipe

14. Steak Fried Rice

Aka the easiest way to use up leftover protein and veggies. Clean out your crisper drawer or freezer by tossing in peas, carrots, baby corn, bell peppers, scallions and whatever else you have on hand.

15. Steak Sandwich With Caramelized Onions And Brie

Behold, the fanciest lunch of all time. The recipe calls for sweet, sticky fig jam, but we just might swap in our easy homemade onion jam instead.

16. 4-ingredient Creamy Vodka Steak Pasta

Brace yourself for oodles of zoodles topped with buttery steak and your go-to jarred vodka sauce. (If you want to go the extra mile and whip up your own sauce, our recipe is pretty damn flawless.)

17. Steak Burrito Bowls

This beauty is low-carb and keto-, Whole30- and Paleo-friendly, thanks to cilantro cauliflower rice. Crown it with all the fixings, like sliced avocado, grilled corn, fresh pico de gallo or even mango salsa.

18. Sheet Pan Philly Cheesesteak

Come on, it’s plain ingenious. Think thin-sliced sirloin, onion, bell peppers and mushrooms in a savory marinade, enrobed in from-scratch provolone cheese sauce. Serve it over rice or pasta or keep it old school by piling the mix onto hoagie rolls.

19. Grilled Steakhouse Pizza

Our favorite barbecue magic trick come summer? Grilled pizza. The grates are just what the crust needs to turn bubbly, crisp and golden brown. Then, it’s prime for topping with grilled Portobello mushrooms, steak, arugula and crumbled gorgonzola.

20. Greek Steak Salad French Bread With Soft Boiled Eggs And Feta

It’s basically the most elegant open-faced sandwich on earth. Serve it to your guests by the slice or cut the bread underneath for easy lifting, then let them choose their own toppings, charcuterie style.

21. Steak Nachos

You say party starter, we say Taco Tuesday dinner. This dish has plenty of protein from the beans and steak to keep you full, plus all the drool-worthy fixings.

22. Steak Fajita Stuffed Baked Potatoes With Avocado Chipotle Crema

Forget the sour cream and bacon bits. Steak, veggies and cheese take these cuties straight into entrée territory. Oh, and you’ll want to straight-up bathe in the Greek yogurt crema.

23. Beef Satay

The marinade is next-level flavorful, consisting of dry-roasted peanuts, brown sugar, lemongrass, curry powder, ginger, soy sauce and lime. But we’re *extra* excited about the spicy peanut dipping sauce.

24. Spicy Sriracha Steak And Eggs

When this brunch beauty hits the table, it’s a good morning indeed. The key is a Thai-inspired marinade, made with fish sauce, chile garlic sauce, lime, ginger and honey. Let the steak soak it up while you make coffee.

25. Parmesan Pecorino Steak Flatbread

Sharp, savory and oh so simple. Picture skillet-seared flank steak, baby arugula and red onion atop a layer of cheesy lemon-garlic sauce. Better yet, since it starts with store-bought pizza dough, it’ll only take you 35 minutes from start to finish.

26. Sweet Potato Fry Steak Salad With Blue Cheese Butter

Any salad starring sweet potato fries is our kind of salad. Blue cheese tends to be pretty divisive, so if you’re not down with its funky flavor, swap it for grated Parmesan or garlic instead.

27. Kabab Chenjeh (grilled Saffron Beef Kebab)

This authentic recipe hails from Darya, a restaurant in West L.A.’s Little Persia. It’s as simple as blending the marinade, letting the beef sit as long as your patience can stand and grilling it to perfection. Serve it over long-grain rice or wrap it in warm lavosh.

28. Greek Steak And Pesto Salad Gyros

Basil-pine nut pesto. Fresh olive tapenade. Homemade pita. Uber flavorful flank steak. Any questions?

29. Mongolian Beef

All you need to pull this ridiculously simple dinner off is 15 minutes and a handful of pantry staples. Serve the meat over white rice and top it generously with toasted sesame seeds for a pretty finishing touch.

30. Steak And Cheese Quesadillas

Leftovers have never looked so darn drool worthy. In addition to the usual suspects like guac and sour cream, serve them with steak sauce for an extra punch of bold flavor.

RELATED

21 Easy Steak Recipes Even a Beginner Can Master

30 Leftover Steak Recipes That Will Do Any Cut of Beef Justice (32)

Taryn Pire

Food Editor

Taryn Pire is PureWow’s food editor and has been writing about all things delicious since 2016. She’s developed recipes, reviewed restaurants and investigated food trends at...

read full bio

30 Leftover Steak Recipes That Will Do Any Cut of Beef Justice (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to cook leftover steak? ›

You simply warm some oil in a skillet, add the steak, and sear it, flipping every minute, until cooked to your liking. Results: The straightforwardness of this method makes it immediately appealing, and we do think it's one of the best ways to reheat sliced steak.

How do you make tough leftover steak tender? ›

Reheating your steak in the oven is the most foolproof method to ensure your leftovers are as flavorful and tender as they were the night before,” says Courtney Rada, chef and host of Carnivorous on Food Network. The key: Letting your steak warm up slowly.

How do you make leftover steak taste fresh? ›

Heat a skillet over medium. Once steak is at room temperature, heat a skillet over medium heat and drizzle with a neutral cooking oil like vegetable oil or grapeseed oil. Briefly sear the steak on both sides. Place the steak in the skillet in one layer, and let cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side.

How long should leftover steak be in the fridge? ›

How Long Is Leftover Steak Good For? Leftover steak is safe to eat after three to four days in the refrigerator—any longer and you could catch a foodborne illness from bacteria growth.

How do you reheat steak without making it tough? ›

What is the best way to heat up leftover steak?
  1. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C), or 100°C fan oven.
  2. Place your wire rack on a sheet pan. ...
  3. Lay your unsliced steak on the wire rack.
  4. Heat your steak in the oven for about 20 minutes (for a 1.5″ thick steak). ...
  5. Remove from the oven, and serve immediately.
Jul 23, 2023

How do you reuse over cooked steak? ›

Feature shredded meat as the main ingredient inside a baked casserole, cheesy quiche, or shepherd's pie. Otherwise, add it to loaded chimichanga, stuffed peppers, or savory crêpes. You can even use the steak to make dumplings.

How do you make steak soft and not chewy? ›

Solutions for a Chewy Steak
  1. Marinate Your Meat: Especially for leaner cuts, a good marinade can break down tough fibers. ...
  2. Tenderize with Tools: Before cooking, use a meat mallet to tenderize your steak. ...
  3. Low and Slow: For certain cuts, it's better to cook them at a lower temperature for a longer time.
Oct 4, 2023

How to tenderize beef that is already cooked? ›

Simmering in a little bit of liquid or broth is a great way to tenderize. Acidity can also be your friend here. A little bit of vinegar and lemon juice in the liquid can help you tenderize the meat.

How do restaurants make their steaks taste so good? ›

Restaurant quality steaks have a nice sear

Tossing a well-salted steak into a very hot pan induces the Maillard reaction, and can create the perfect sear. Because the Maillard reaction requires such high temperatures (over 300 degrees Fahrenheit), it is best to use a heavy cast iron pan that can handle the heat.

What brings out the flavor of steak? ›

What spices go well with steak? There are many spices available for seasoning a steak, with salt and pepper topping the list. However, other spices, like thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and minced onion, are also good options to enhance your steak's flavor. Or, use a one-and-done approach with Chicago Steak Seasoning.

How do you make leftover meat taste better? ›

TIP: Try this trick to reheat leftover meat, so it tastes fresh and juicy! 👇🏼🍖 1️⃣Let it come to room temp. Get a nonstick skillet nice and hot 🔥 2️⃣ Add your slices then IMMEDIATELY pour in a little broth and cover. Let cook 1 minute.

Can you eat steak after 7 days in the fridge? ›

For raw ground meats, poultry, seafood and variety meats (liver, tongue, chitterlings, etc.), refrigerate them only 1 to 2 days before either cooking or freezing. Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, steaks and chops may be kept 3 to 5 days.

How to make leftover steak tender? ›

Cover the dish with plastic wrap and microwave it on medium power for 30-second periods (max power will dry out your steak in no time), turning the steak in between. You should only need to do this a few times for the perfect, deliciously tender result.

Can I eat cooked beef after 7 days? ›

Mar 21, 2023

USDA recommends using cooked beef within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days.

Is it better to reheat steak in the oven or microwave? ›

It's best to reheat thicker cuts of steak, such as filet mignon or New York strip, in the oven on low heat. Keep reading for a step-by-step guide on reheating steak in the oven and learn how to get delicious results when reheating your leftover steak.

How do you cook old steak? ›

Once thawed and salted, sear the dry-aged steak on high heat. We recommend you do this for a minute or two on each side. Searing caramelizes the steak's surface and traps juices within the cut. After searing, lower the heat to medium and cook the steak to your desired level of doneness.

How to reheat meat without drying it out? ›

Option 1: Oven
  1. Set your oven to 250°F (120°C).
  2. Add meat to a baking tray, followed by a dash of oil or butter. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
  3. This method usually takes at least 10–15 minutes. ...
  4. Remember to check that the meat is reheated thoroughly before serving.
Aug 27, 2020

How do you cook a steak well done without drying it out? ›

Rather than oiling the pan, brush the steak with oil to prevent it sticking. Cook a 2cm-thick piece of steak for 2-3 minutes each side for rare, 4 minutes each side for medium, and 5-6 minutes each side for well-done. Turn the steak only once, otherwise it will dry out.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 6432

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.