Leftover Recipes

With ideas for everything from holiday hams to hard-boiled eggs, my easy leftover recipes are here to simplify your mealtime routine. Get ready to transform those odds and ends in your fridge into meals worth savoring again and again.

Keep in mind that many of the steak, roast beef, and prime rib recipes can be used interchangeably, so they're pretty flexible.

🥩 Leftover Steak

1. Steak Fajitas

Leftover steak gets a Tex-Mex twist in these quick and easy fajitas. Tossed with peppers and onions, it’s a delicious way to turn last night’s dinner into an entirely new meal complete with your favorite salsa or hot sauces.

2. Steak Stir-Fry

This stir-fry is a quick fix for busy nights with a vibrant medley of steak, crisp veggies, and savory stir-fry sauce. It’s a well-rounded meal that's ready in a flash.

3. Steak Burrito Bowl

Layer juicy steak, rice, beans, and your favorite toppings for a completely customizable burrito bowl. Fresh pico de Gallo and homemade guacamole are my go-to toppings.

4. Steak Quesadillas

Cheesy, crispy, and loaded with steak, these quesadillas are perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. You can add veggies or keep it simple with meat and cheese, that's the beauty of quesadillas.

5. Easy Beef Stroganoff

With tender steak smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce over egg noodles, this easy stroganoff is one of my favorite comfort food recipes. It’s a fabulous way to turn leftover steak or beef into a favorite family dinner.

Browse my full collection of leftover steak recipes here.

♨️ Leftover Roast Beef

6. Roast Beef Sandwich

urn your leftover roast beef into a hearty sandwich layered with your favorite condiments and toppings. It’s a quick but satisfying way to enjoy yesterday’s dinner for lunch.

7. Beef with Garlic Sauce

This savory stir-fry with tender beef and a garlicky sauce is perfect over rice. It's a quick dish that is packed with flavor and makes leftover roast beef feel fresh again.

8. Carne Picada

Leftover roast beef works beautifully for this zesty Mexican beef and tomato dish. It's great for tacos, bowls, burritos, quesadillas, or over rice.

🍗 Leftover Fried Chicken

9. Hibachi Fried Rice

Shredded fried chicken is the perfect way to add a flavor and protein boost to fried rice. Serve it as a satisfying side dish alongside your favorite takeout recipes, or enjoy your chicken fried rice as the main course.

10. Ritz Chicken Casserole

This creamy chicken casserole topped with buttery Ritz crackers is a comforting family dinner. Chop up your leftover fried chicken for a quick casserole you can prep in minutes.

11. Chicken Parmesan Pizza

Sliced strips of fried chicken are perfect for homemade chicken Parmesan pizza. Add some fresh mozzarella and basil and it has an entirely new flavor profile so you can enjoy your leftovers all over again.

12. Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel

Rotel chicken spaghetti is a creamy, cheesy spaghetti casserole with just the right amount of spice. Chopped fried chicken pieces mix in perfectly.

13. Rotisserie Chicken Salad

Shredded fried chicken works wonderfully instead of rotisserie chicken in this creamy, flavorful chicken salad. Spread it on bread, crackers, or lettuce wraps for a quick meal.

Browse my full collection of leftover fried chicken recipes here.

🐓 Leftover Chicken

14. Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

Slice or chop your leftover chicken, mix it with my easy sour cream enchilada sauce and wrap it in soft tortillas for an easy enchilada bake. It's not too spicy, but there's plenty of flavor.

15. Doritos Chicken Casserole

Crushed nacho cheese Doritos add a fun twist to this family-favorite chicken casserole. It's rich, cheesy, creamy, and crunchy in all the best ways.

16. Chicken a la King

This creamy, comforting dish pairs cooked chicken with peas, mushrooms, and a rich sauce that can be served over pasta, potatoes, rice, or biscuits. We like serving ours over simple Instant Pot basmati rice.

17. Creamy Chicken Minnesota Wild Rice Soup

Leftover chicken shines in this creamy soup filled with hearty Minnesota wild rice and tender veggies. This soup is delectable year-round, but there is nothing cozier or more satisfying during the cold winter weather here in Minnesota.

18. Bisquick Chicken and Dumplings

Tender chicken in a flavorful broth topped with fluffy Bisquick dumplings. It’s an easy, nostalgic meal that feels like home, and using already-cooked chicken makes it even easier.

Browse my full collection of leftover chicken recipes here.

🐑 Leftover Lamb

19. Lamb Gyros

Transform your lamb leftovers into Mediterranean-inspired gyros, complete with fresh veggies, creamy tzatziki sauce, and soft pita. These homemade gyros are a delicious and easy way to enjoy lamb in a whole new way.

20. Leftover Lamb Curry

Turn leftover lamb meat into a rich, fragrant curry with spices, vegetables, and a creamy sauce that will warm you up on any day. This dish is an excellent way to give new life to your lamb while adding plenty of depth to the flavor.

21. Lamb Lancashire Hot Pot

This hearty, comforting dish layers lamb with potatoes, onions, and a savory broth for a filling meal. The slow-cooked flavors and tender lamb make this a fantastic way to repurpose your leftovers.

22. Shepherd's Pie

My copycat Gordon Ramsay shepherd's pie recipe uses leftover lamb to create a filling and satisfying meat pie. Topped with a smooth, creamy mashed potato layer, it’s a meal that’s hard to resist.

23. Guinness Lamb Stew

This rich and flavorful stew pairs tender lamb with Guinness beer, making a deep, hearty flavor that’s perfect for a comforting meal. The slow-cooked lamb absorbs all the rich flavors, turning your leftovers into a showstopping meal.

Browse my full collection of leftover lamb recipes here.

🥓 Leftover Ham

24. Ham Stroganoff

Combine tender ham with a creamy mushroom sauce and serve over egg noodles for a rich, satisfying dinner. This comforting recipe is one of my family's favorite ways to enjoy leftover holiday ham.

25. Holiday Ham Casserole

You'll love this cheesy, layered casserole with chunks of ham and tender potatoes. It's hearty enough to be the main course, but also works well as a side dish.

26. Ham and Cheese Quiche

Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, my ham and cheese quiche pairs savory ham with creamy eggs and melted cheddar in a flaky pie crust. Quiche freezes beautifully too, so I recommend you make an extra and save it for later.

27. Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup

A warm, hearty soup with chunks of ham and creamy potatoes simmered to perfection. Let your slow cooker do the work and you'll have a cozy meal ready by dinnertime.

28. Ham and Cheese Omelet

A ham and cheese omelet is a classic option for a quick breakfast or brunch. If you don't trust your omelet-flipping skills, try adding your leftover ham to my even easier baked Denver omelet.

Browse all of my leftover ham recipes here.

🦃 Leftover Turkey

29. Turkey Pot Pie Casserole

Transform your leftover turkey into a comforting casserole with all the classic pot pie components, flaky crust, and creamy filling. This easy turkey bake is a post-Thanksgiving lifesaver.

30. Turkey Noodle Soup

A slight variation on classic chicken noodle soup made with cooked turkey, egg noodles, and tender vegetables. It’s an excellent use for leftover turkey, especially if you saved your turkey carcass for homemade turkey broth.

31. Creamy Turkey Pasta Primavera

My pasta primavera features tender turkey and fresh vegetables tossed with pasta in a light, creamy sauce. It's refreshing, vibrant, and ready to eat in no time at all.

32. Leftover Turkey Carnitas

Shred and season your leftover turkey for my flavor-packed turkey carnitas. It's a perfect addition to tacos, burritos, nachos, and more.

33. Leftover Turket Tetrazzini

This creamy pasta bake combines turkey, bacon, mushrooms, and cheese in a flavorful sauce. It has a crispy breadcrumb topping that will have you savoring every bite.

Browse all of my leftover turkey recipes here.

🥩🍽️ Leftover Prime Rib

34. Prime Rib Pot Pie

My prime rib pot pie utilizes leftover prime rib roast, mashed potatoes, and gravy, all in one ultra cozey and comforting dish. There is no top pie crust, instead a thick layer of fluffy mashed potatoes keeps all of the goodness inside.

35. Prime Rib Quesaritos

Slices of prime rib are nestled with gooey cheese and wrapped in a tortilla burrito-style, then pan-fried to perfection. This fun and flavorful fusion is a quick and delicious way to reinvent your roast.

36. Prime Rib Macaroni and Cheese

Tender prime rib takes this creamy mac and cheese to the next level, making it a satisfying entree instead of a simple side dish. It's surprisingly easy comfort food with a gourmet twist.

37. Country Fried Prime Rib

Prime rib slices are lightly battered and fried to golden perfection with a crisp exterior and tender inside for the best chicken fried steak ever. Top it with white country gravy for a true Southern experience.

38. Prime Rib Orange Beef

Crispy, wok-fried prime rib is coated in a rich, zesty orange sauce for a meal that feels like gourmet takeout at home. This recipe transforms leftovers into a bold, restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort.

Browse all of my leftover prime rib recipes here.

🥚 Leftover Hard-Boiled Eggs

39. Baked Scotch Eggs

Wrap your hard-boiled eggs in seasoned sausage and breadcrumbs and bake until crispy for homemade Scotch eggs. They make a wonderful breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or can be served as an appetizer.

40. Egg Salad

Leftover hard-boiled eggs are perfect for making creamy, tangy egg salad. Whether served on its own or as a sandwich filling, my recipe is quick, easy, and a great way to use up extra eggs.

41. Deviled Eggs

My classic deviled eggs are a timeless way to elevate leftover hard-boiled eggs into a delicious appetizer or snack. The creamy, tangy filling makes them a crowd-pleasing favorite for parties and more.

42. Leftover Ham Ramen

Make yourself a big bowl of ramen topped with sliced hard-boiled eggs and leftover ham after the holidays. This is my favorite recipe for quick and easy homemade ramen, or you can add sliced eggs to your favorite packaged ramen for an easy upgrade.

Browse all of my leftover hard-boiled egg recipes here.

🍛 Leftover Corned Beef

43. Corned Beef Hash

Leftover corned beef turns into a hearty breakfast classic in corned beef hash. Pan-fried with potatoes and onions until crispy, it's a surefire way to start your day off right.

44. Irish Nachos

Irish nachos are a pub-style treat similar to loaded nachos supreme but with sliced potatoes in place of tortilla chips. The crispy potato rounds are topped with melted cheese, bacon, and jalapenos, and then you can add your chopped corned beef to finish it off.

45. Pinwheel Sandwiches

Thin slices of leftover corned beef make excellent pinwheel sandwiches. Roll it in a tortilla with cream cheese and crisp vegetables for a simple yet delicious snack or party appetizer.

Browse all of my leftover corned beef recipes here.

🦞 Leftover Lobster

46. New England Lobster Rolls

Transform your leftover lobster into delectable New England lobster rolls. Chunks of lobster are tossed in a creamy mayo dressing to make my lobster salad which is then nestled in a buttery bun.

47. Lobster Risotto

This decadent, creamy risotto was made famous by Hell's Kitchen but is easy enough for weeknight cooking. The tender chunks of lobster meat and rich, buttery rice make this a meal to remember.

48. Lobster Chowder

Chopped pieces of leftover lobster blend seamlessly into a rich, creamy potato chowder soup. My recipe includes crispy bacon, roasted corn, and fresh herbs for a comforting, flavorful meal that will quickly become a family favorite.

49. White Cheddar Lobster Mac and Cheese

Tender chunks of lobster meat are enveloped in a rich, velvety white cheddar cheese sauce in this gourmet mac and cheese. It's easy to whip up but tastes like something you'd find at a cozy seafood restaurant.

50. Lobster Jalapeno Poppers

My lobster jalapeno poppers are the ultimate appetizer, combining the flavors of tender lobster meat, crispy bacon, and rich cream cheese. The poppers are finished with a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest and Parmesan for an extra burst of flavor.

Browse all of my leftover lobster recipes here.

❄️ Safely Freezing, Thawing, and Reheating Your Leftovers

If you intend to save your leftovers to reheat or make new meals later, you should probably freeze them. Most refrigerated leftovers must be eaten or frozen within 3-4 days, with some exceptions.

Follow my step-by-step guides below for properly freezing and thawing your leftovers.

Freezing Leftovers

Meat and Main Dishes

• How To Freeze Turkey
• How To Freeze Leftover Prime Rib
• How To Freeze Meatloaf
• How To Reheat Shepherd's Pie

Side Dishes

• How To Freeze Mashed Potatoes
• How To Freeze and Reheat Rice
• How To Freeze Macaroni and Cheese
• How To Freeze Stuffing

Desserts

• How To Freeze Fruit Pies
• How To Freeze Pecan Pie
• How To Freeze Pumpkin Pie
• How To Freeze Sweet Potato Pie
• How To Freeze Baked Cookies
• How To Freeze No-Bake Cookies
• How To Freeze Sugar Cookies
• Freezing Cookie Dough

Browse all of my recipes for cookies that freeze well here.

Reheating Leftovers

Meat and Main Dishes

• How To Reheat Prime Rib
• How To Reheat Lobster
• How To Reheat Brisket
• How To Reheat Meatloaf
• How To Reheat Steak
• How To Reheat Chicken Wings
• How To Reheat Pizza

Side Dishes

• How To Reheat Pasta
• How To Reheat Stuffing
• How To Reheat Risotto
• How To Reheat Biscuits
• How To Reheat Baked Potatoes
• How To Reheat Mac and Cheese
• How To Reheat Mashed Potatoes

💭 Tips For Making The Most Of Your Leftovers

• Freeze and reheat your leftovers properly. Following the guidelines above is key to the best results when taking your leftovers out of the fridge or freezer.
• Don't cry over dry or overcooked meat. You can make delicious soups or stews with your leftover meat if it has become tough or dry, or if you overcooked it the first go around. This works well for steaks, beef roasts, chicken, turkey, you name it.
• Simple ideas. You can make a new, tasty meal with leftover ingredients without having to cook an entirely new recipe. Use leftover beef for quick sandwiches or as an easy baked potato topping. Leftover turkey or chicken are great shredded on salads.
• Save the undesirables. If you make a roast, the bones, fat, and drippings can be repurposed into delectable homemade stock, broth, gravy, or au jus. Save your lobster shells to make my easy lobster stock recipe.

What’s your favorite dish to make with leftovers? Share your leftover recipe ideas with me in the comments.

📖 Recipe Card