Leftover Tough Steak Recipes

Because I am a foodie and blogger, I love to share delicious yet quick dinner recipes. And nothing gets on the table faster than leftover steak.

But sometimes, steak is a little tough the second time around. So here are what I think are the best leftover steak recipes and some tips on how to keep your steak tender.

Top 9 Tasty Leftover Steak Recipes

These nine recipes are guaranteed to breathe new life into your leftover steak.

1. Beef Stroganoff

Beef stroganoff is a classic dish that combines tender beef, onions, mushrooms, and sour cream for a creamy and savory sauce.

To make this recipe with leftover grilled steak:

1. Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add sliced onions and cook until caramelized.
3. Add sliced mushrooms and cook until they soften.
4. Once the onions and mushrooms are cooked, add the leftover ribeye steak in thin slices and cook until heated through.
5. Stir in some sour cream, a little blue cheese, and a splash of soy sauce, and season with kosher salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve the beef stroganoff over egg noodles or rice for a hearty and comforting meal.

2. Leftover Steak Hash

Leftover steak hash is a delicious and filling breakfast or brunch option.

1. Start by dicing the leftover steak into small pieces.
2. In a skillet, heat some vegetable oil, add sliced onion, and cook until translucent.
3. Then, add diced potatoes and cook until they are golden brown and crispy.
4. Add the diced steak to the skillet and cook until heated through. Season with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices.
5. You can also add some bell peppers for extra flavor and color.
6. Serve the leftover steak hash with eggs cooked to your liking for a complete and delicious meal.

3. Leftover Steak Pasta Recipe

If you're in the mood for pasta, this leftover steak pasta recipe is a winner.

1. Prepare your preferred pasta following the instructions on the package.
2. In a separate pan, heat some extra virgin olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
3. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook until they start to break down.
4. Next, add the grilled steak leftovers, thinly sliced, and cook in the tomato sauce until heated through.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and some red pepper flakes for a little spice.
6. Toss the cooked pasta with the steak mixture and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

4. Leftover Steak Tacos

Leftover steak tacos are a delicious and easy way to enjoy your extra steak.

1. Begin by heating some vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook until they become translucent.
2. Then, add thinly sliced leftover flank steak and cook until heated through.
3. Warm up some tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave, then fill them with the flank steak and onion mixture.
4. Top with your favorite taco toppings, such as shredded lettuce, diced cherry tomatoes, and pico de gallo.
5. Add a dash of lime juice and, if you prefer, a gentle drizzle of hot sauce.

5. Steak Fried Rice

One dish that leftover steak can be transformed into is a flavorful fried rice.

1. Begin by cooking your favorite rice according to the package instructions.
2. Heat some sesame oil in a large skillet or wok.
3. Add diced onions, sliced carrots, and chopped garlic, and cook until they become tender.
4. Add cooked rice to the skillet and stir-fry for a few minutes. Then, add thinly sliced leftover steak and stir-fry until heated through.
5. Put the rice mixture on one side of the skillet and crack an egg into the empty space.
6. Scramble the egg and mix it with the rice.
7. Season with soy sauce and any other spices.

"Cooking is about making the most of what you have. Leftover steak? Use leftover steak recipes to transform it into something extraordinary and surprise your taste buds."

— Julia Child, American Chef

6. Pepper Steak Stir-Fry

For a quick and flavorful dinner, try making a pepper steak stir-fry with your leftover steak.

1. Start by thinly slicing the tough leftover steak against the grain.
2. In a hot skillet or wok, heat some vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add sliced onions, green pepper, and minced garlic, and cook until they become tender-crisp.
4. Once the vegetables are tender-crisp, add the thinly sliced leftover steak to the skillet.
5. Stir-fry for a few minutes until the steak is heated through.
6. Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, dijon mustard, and a splash of fish sauce in a small bowl.
7. Pour the sweet and savory sauce over the cooked steak and vegetables and toss to coat everything evenly.
8. Continue cooking for a couple more minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.

7. Leftover Steak Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a fantastic way to use up leftover steak.

1. Start by heating a tortilla in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over half of the tortilla.
3. Layer thinly sliced leftover steak, caramelized onions, and green peppers on the cheese.
4. Fold the tortilla in half to enclose the filling.
5. Cook the quesadilla for a few minutes on each side until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.
6. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
7. Serve the steak quesadillas with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

8. Leftover Steak Enchiladas

If you're craving Mexican flavors, leftover steak enchiladas are a great recipe to try.

1. Start by heating a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet.
2. Add diced onions and minced garlic, and cook until they become translucent.
3. Mix shredded leftover steak, sautéed onions, and some shredded cheese in a separate bowl.
4. Fill tortillas with the steak mixture, roll them up, and place them in a baking dish.
5. Pour your favorite enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas and sprinkle with more shredded cheese.
6. Bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve the cooked steak enchiladas with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro.

9. Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich

A classic Philly cheesesteak sandwich is a delicious option for using leftover beef.

1. Thinly slice the leftover prime rib or roast beef against the grain.
2. In a skillet, heat some olive oil, add sliced onions, and cook until they become caramelized.
3. Push the caramelized onions to one side of the skillet and add the shaved steak to the other side. Cook until the steak is heated through.
4. Once the steak and onions are cooked, place slices of provolone cheese over the mixture.
5. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the cheese melt.
6. Meanwhile, toast hoagie rolls or sub rolls in the oven until slightly crispy for this leftover steak sandwich.
7. Scoop the leftover cooked steak and onion mixture onto the toasted rolls to assemble the leftover steak sandwich.
8. Use a spatula to help transfer the melted cheese on top.
9. Serve the cheesesteak sandwiches with hot sauce or ketchup for added flavor.

Reheating Tips and Cooking Techniques

To ensure your leftover steak is tender and delicious, here are a few tips:

1. Store properly: Refrigerate leftover steak in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days [1]. If it will be longer before you plan to eat the steak, freeze the meat for 2-3 months [2].
2. Reheat gently: When reheating leftover steak, avoid high heat as it can overcook the meat and make it tougher. Use gentle heat methods like steaming, microwaving with a damp paper towel, or heating slowly in a skillet or oven to get tender steak.
3. Rest before slicing: Let the leftover steak come to room temperature and rest for a few minutes before slicing. This will help retain its juiciness and tenderness.
4. Slice against the grain: When cutting the tasty steak, always slice against the grain. This process aids in the breakdown of muscle fibers, rendering the meat more tender and suitable for enjoying in a steak salad.

Related Articles:

• How Long Does Steak Last in the Fridge?
• How to Reheat Steak?

FAQs

References:

1. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/steps-keep-food-safe
2. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-freeze-beef