What to Do With Tough Leftover Roast Beef? | Livestrong.com (2024)

What to Do With Tough Leftover Roast Beef? | Livestrong.com (1)

Leftover beef doesn't need to go to waste.

Image Credit: AnnaPustynnikova/iStock/GettyImages

Inexpensive cuts of beef roast are easy on the budget and are often rich and flavorful. Because the roasts come from lean, muscled areas of the animal, the meat can be tough and stringy. You can make several recipes using leftover tough roast beef.

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Shred tough leftover roast or cut it into pieces, and then incorporate the meat into tasty and healthful dishes.

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To reduce risk of foodborne illness, promptly refrigerate leftover roast beef. Discard any meat that has been at room temperature for more than 2 hours, as advised by the USDA. Consume roast beef within 3 to 4 days, or freeze for several months at 0 degree Fahrenheit.

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Reheat meat to at least 165 degrees F to reduce risk of harmful bacterial growth.

Tip

Leftover beef doesn't need to go to waste. Cut it up or shred it to use in a variety of recipes.

Try Beef Stroganoff

Put leftover roast beef to good use and make slow cooker beef stroganoff, as cooking tough meat slowly in liquid tenderizes the tough fibers. To make beef stroganoff, place the tough roast beef in a slow cooker.

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Add beef broth to help produce the steam needed for cooking your dish, as advised by the University of Minnesota Extension. Add mushroom soup, instant onion soup mix, sour cream, chopped onions and canned or fresh mushrooms.

Canned soup and broth have a high salt content, so for healthier stroganoff, look for low-sodium varieties. According to the American Heart Association, healthy adults should eat no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day.

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Turn the slow cooker on high until the meat is hot, and then turn the heat to low and allow the meat to cook until it's tender and pulls apart easily with a fork — about two hours.

Build Some Burritos

Build some burritos for leftover roast beef recipes with rice. Shred the beef and heat it in a small amount of heart-healthy canola or olive oil for about 10 minutes, or until the meat is thoroughly hot.

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Stir in savory extras, let the mixture heat for five to 10 minutes, and then roll the mixture in warm tortillas.

Add precooked brown rice and black beans for protein- and fiber-rich burritos. Other flavorful burrito ingredients include onions, garlic, lettuce, olives, shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes and flavorings such as cilantro, oregano, cumin, chili powder or cayenne. To keep fat in check, use low-fat cheese.

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Add to Ramen Noodles

Ramen noodles are just the thing for a meal ready in minutes, and they provide an option for different things to do with roast beef. Shred the roast beef, then add it to hot ramen noodles.

Mix in vegetables such as snow peas, corn, shredded carrots to add flavor and nutrition. For a crispier texture, saute the vegetables in olive oil, then add precooked ramen noodles and the contents of the seasoning packet.

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Leftover Roast Beef Stew

A basic leftover roast beef stew is a satisfying one-dish meal loaded with protein and vitamin-rich vegetables. To make stew, cut the leftover beef into 1-inch cubes, and then dredge the beef cubes lightly in flour seasoned with salt and pepper.

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Brown the beef in hot olive or canola oil. Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the skillet and continue to cook until the onions and garlic are soft. Put the mixture in a large pot or Dutch oven, and then cover the meat with beef broth.

Cover the pot and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, for about 45 minutes, or until the beef is tender. Add vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, celery, turnips, parsnips and tomatoes during the last 15 to 20 minutes of cooking time.

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What to Do With Tough Leftover Roast Beef? | Livestrong.com (2024)

FAQs

What to Do With Tough Leftover Roast Beef? | Livestrong.com? ›

Shred tough leftover roast or cut it into pieces, and then incorporate the meat into tasty and healthful dishes. To reduce risk of foodborne illness, promptly refrigerate leftover roast beef. Discard any meat that has been at room temperature for more than 2 hours, as advised by the USDA.

What can I do with leftover tough roast beef? ›

One of my favorite ways is to make braised beef. Thick-slice the roast (1/4 in thick or so), then cut the slices into bite-sized cubes. Put these in a deep pan and add a can of beef broth (about a cup), a cup of water, and a half-cup of red wine.

How to soften up tough roast beef? ›

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. It adds moisture, but it also cooks the meat.

What can I make with an overcooked roast? ›

A simple fix for overcooked meat is to dump it in your food processor with some olive oil, purée it, and use it as a stuffing for everything from hand pies and empanadas to dumplings and ravioli.

How do you moisten leftover beef? ›

If you have time, the best way to reheat steak for taste and texture is in the oven. However, microwaving in gravy or broth is quicker and can still keep it moist. You may also cook it in a pan — with or without a resealable plastic bag.

How do I make my roast beef juicy again? ›

Reheat with a liquid: One way to add moisture back into the beef is to reheat it in a liquid such as broth or gravy. You can do this by placing the beef in a pot or slow cooker with the liquid and heating it until it's heated through and tender.

Why is my roast beef tough and chewy? ›

Why is my pot roast still tough? It's because you haven't let the collagen break down. Extend the cook time, make sure there's enough liquid and keep an eye on the dish.

Can you tenderize beef after it is cooked? ›

Tenderize a tough roast that's already cooked by pounding it, cutting it against the grain, adding some marinade or commercial tenderizing agents or braising the meat. Reheat cooked beef to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce risk of harmful bacterial growth, as advised by the USDA.

Why is my roast still tough after 6 hours? ›

There are several reasons why this could have happened even after so much cooking. First, your choice of a rump roast could be a factor since cuts from the hind quarter are very muscular and, since muscles are the most resistant to breaking, this cut is quite stubborn when it comes to becoming tender.

Can you salvage overcooked beef? ›

Warm some water or broth in a pan with some barbeque sauce and let your steak simmer. The barbecue sauce will help restore some flavor. Do not let the temperature get too high because you are aiming for the liquid to penetrate your steak without further cooking it. This should only take 1 to 2 minutes.

Can I Recook a roast to make it tender? ›

Reheating can dry out your roast beef if it's not done right, and you risk losing all that juicy, tender texture. What you really want to do is reheat it without cooking it further, and avoid making your lovingly roasted meat dry and tough.

What to do with leftover roast beef that is tough? ›

Casserole. A beef and red wine casserole is perfect for chewy leftover beef. Simmer your meat in this rich red wine gravy until it's soft, and then serve with mashed potatoes or bread for a super yummy dinner.

Can you save an overcooked roast? ›

Whether you overcooked your steaks or a roast, dried-out beef isn't a favorite of anyone. For steak, slice it up, and soak it overnight in your favorite marinade. Use it in wraps, soups, shepherd's pie or pastas. For roasts, place it in the slow cooker with barbecue sauce, and cook on low for a few hours.

How do you make a tough roast tender? ›

How to Tenderize a Tough Cut of Meat
  1. Pound it out. Pounding softens and tenderizes meat, making it easier to cut and eat. ...
  2. Use salt. ...
  3. Use an acidic marinade. ...
  4. Use kiwi, papaya, or pineapple. ...
  5. Score it. ...
  6. Slow cook it.
Jan 17, 2024

What happens when you overcook roast beef? ›

If you overcook a roast it is going to be dry and crumbly. In order to rescue the meat you've got to get some moisture back into that stuff. I'd begin by shredding the meat. Just pull it apart into bite sized strips.

How do you make leftover meat tender? ›

Want extra-tender results? Try sous vide
  1. Let your meat to come to room temperature. ...
  2. Bring a pot of water to a low heat, about 130°F.
  3. Place your leftover steak in an airtight freezer bag; seal.
  4. Immerse your freezer bag (with the steak in it) in the warmed pot. ...
  5. Cook the steak until the meat is warmed through.
Jul 13, 2023

How do you reheat a tough roast? ›

Place roast, uncovered, on wire rack set in rimmed baking sheet. Place sheet on middle rack in 250-degree oven. Roast until meat registers 120 degrees (1 to 1 1/2 hours depending on the size of your roast). Pat surface dry with paper towels.

How long is leftover roast beef good for in the fridge? ›

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.

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