If you’re like many Americans, leftover steak may be a rare commodity. After all, quite a few of us are guilty of gorging ourselves beyond the confines of logic on a steak dinner because it’s just to good to stop eating. Still, on those infrequent occasions when we can’t finish all of a big, beefy ribeye or a massive T-bone or porterhouse, few things are more disheartening than finding the remnants at the back of the fridge several days later and having to throw them out.
Leftover steak can be used in several ways aside from simply popping it in the microwave for a few seconds. Whether you’ve brought home leftovers from your favorite steak restaurant or you grilled to much for dinner last night, you’ll find countless fun, creative, and delicious ways to transform leftover steak into yet another incredible meal. Take a look at the following recipes and ideas for inspiration.
Steak and Eggs
One fantastic way to use leftover steak is to have it for breakfast the next morning. Steak and eggs is a classic dish, and you can prepare it any way you like. If you prefer scrambled eggs, you could mix in some cheese, sauteed garlic or mushrooms, or chives for added pizzazz. Slice or dice the steak and add it to the mix once the eggs start cooking, or gently warm it up and serve it on the side.
If you’re a fan of over-easy or sunny-side-up eggs, you may want to reheat the leftover steak whole and cut it into bite-size pieces after the fact. Those melt-in-your-mouth morsels of seasoned beef make wonderful vessels for runny yolks. You can serve sliced tomato, buttered Texas toast, or both on the side for a hearty, satisfying breakfast. As an alternative, you can fold diced or thinly sliced steak into an omelet.
Sandwiches and Wraps
If steak seems like a bit much for breakfast, you could certainly use those leftovers for lunch. Sandwiches and wraps make great choices. They’re physically filling and emotionally gratifying, and they can be customized to suit your tastes.
Philly Cheesesteaks
Making Philly cheesesteak sandwiches is a terrific use of leftover steak. Start by slicing onions and bell peppers and sauteing them in olive oil. You can add in some sliced mushrooms too if you want. While the vegetables are cooking, thinly slice your leftover steak. Once the veggies are tender and the onions are almost clear, add in the sliced steak to warm it up. If you’d like to add chopped fresh garlic to the recipe, this would be the time to do it.
After adding the steak to the veggies, you can place cheese on top of the mixture and place a lid on the pan to allow it to melt into all those wonderful ingredients. Traditionally, Cheez Whiz or provolone is the cheese of choice for a Philly cheesesteak, but you don’t have to stick to the norm. You can use Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Swiss, American, or cheddar if you prefer. Stuff the meat, veggies, and cheese into a toasted sub or hoagie roll, and you have an incredible lunch.
Steak Wraps
Wraps are also a great way to repurpose leftover steak. They’re a bit lighter than Philly cheesesteaks, but that doesn’t mean they’re not just as satisfying. Again, you’ll need to slice your steak thinly here. You can reheat it or use it as-is depending on whether you like your wraps warm or cold.
In truth, there’s no set-in-stone recipe to follow here. Just add in any ingredients you like to round out your wrap. Iceberg lettuce, arugula, and kale are a few prime choice for greens. Sliced tomato can give your wrap more bulk and flavor.
Red onions add a nice crunch and a pop of flavor whereas Vidalia onions are a bit sweeter and milder. Pickles and capers bring a lovely acidity and brininess to the mix. You can top it all off with basic mayonnaise and mustard, a beautiful vinaigrette, or any type of creamy salad dressing you prefer.
Delectable Dinners
If you’d rather save your leftover steak for dinner, you can take it in any number of directions. With a little effort and the right side dishes, it’s sure to make an amazing meal. No matter how you use the steak, it’ll be a marvelous way to end the day.
Steak and Gravy
One simple solution would be to cube the steak and make a nice brown gravy to go with it. Premade store-bought gravies and powdered mixes you simply add water to will work if you’re short on time. Making your own homemade version isn’t overly difficult, though, and it’s so much tastier.
For the gravy, the main ingredients you’ll need are butter, flour, and beef stock or broth. Melt three or four tablespoons of butter in a pan, and mix in roughly the same amount of flour to make a roux. Cook the roux for a couple of minutes or until it starts to smell a little toasty and nutty.
From there, add two cups or so of broth or stock, stirring or whisking constantly to prevent lumps and scorching. Consider adding the liquid a little at a time to ensure the gravy doesn’t end up too runny. You can add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and other seasonings to taste. Sliced or chopped mushroom make a lovely addition as well.
Keep in mind that gravy has a tendency to be fickle. It seems to never turn out quite the same even if you always use the same recipe. You may need to adjust the amounts of butter, flour, and broth to get the consistency you want.
Once the gravy is almost ready, add in the steak. Serve it over mashed potatoes or rice with steamed broccoli, roasted Brussels sprouts, or any other vegetables you like on the side. It’s an easy meal that’s sure to make your family happy.
Tips for Using Leftover Steak
One of the most important things to keep in mind when you’re repurposing leftover steak is to slice it against the grain. That’ll make it more tender and easier to chew. Slicing it with the grain makes it tough and chewy, and that can make a meal far less pleasant than it could be.
Cooking Leftover Steak
From there, how you cook the steak can make a world of difference in its flavor and texture. What’s the best way to cook leftover steak? Ideally, you want to warm it up and preserve its flavor without overcooking it.
If you’re reusing a whole piece of relatively thick steak, reheating it in the oven may be a good choice. Bake it at a low temperature, like 250 to 300 degrees, for about 20 minutes or until its internal temperature reaches 110 degrees or so. You can also cook it in the air fryer on the reheat setting.
For sliced and diced leftover steak, searing it in a hot pan or on a griddle for a minute or two is all it takes. You’ll get a nice sear on the outside of the meat, but the inside will still be juicy. If you choose steak and scrambled eggs or steak and gravy, all you really need to do is add the meat to the other ingredients near the end of the cooking cycle.
Don’t Overseason
Avoiding overseasoning your leftover steak creations is also important. Keep in mind that the steak is already seasoned, so it’s easy to add too much salt and other flavors to the meals you make with it. No matter how you use your steak, go light on salt, herbs, and spices to maintain a nice balance. You can always adjust to suit your taste after the fact, but you can’t take them away once you add them in.
Transforming Your Leftover Steak Into Amazing Meals
If you happen to find yourself with leftover steak, there’s no limit to the ways you can transform it into an entirely new meal. The ideas mentioned here are only a few of the possibilities. From delightful salads to sensational stir-fries, there are endless options. Let creativity be your guide, and don’t be afraid to branch out.