Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (2024)

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Sean Martin

Nov 25, 2020, Updated Jul 14, 2021

You have a pile of leftover turkey, ham, or other holiday roasts and you’re looking for ideas. We have you covered with a few of our favorite leftover holiday roast recipes. And while ours were smoked, these work for any roasts.

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (2)

If you are like us, you buy a lot of food to make sure you don’t run out for any given holiday. But inevitably, you have leftovers and looking for fun ways to use them (aside from the typical turkey sandwich). There are only so many turkey and cranberry stuffing sandwiches you can handle. Here are a collection of our favorite leftover recipes that range from Turkey to Ham, to Prime Rib.

Table of Contents

  • Leftover Turkey Recipes
  • Leftover Ham Recipes
  • Leftover Prime Rib Recipes
  • Leftover Brisket Recipes

Leftover Turkey Recipes

The ideas are endless when it comes to leftover turkey recipes. And often any chicken dish can easily be substituted with the turkey (as is the case with some of these). That is what we do in our household.

Turkey Chili

It’s worth noting that chili is good, no matter what is in it. But when we have leftover turkey, chili is one of the first things we turn to.

This first one is inspired by my family recipe growing up.

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (3)

5 from 1 vote

Green Chili Turkey Recipe

This can be a great use for leftover turkey, or as a main meal. Serve over rice or as a filling for tacos or burritos.

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Just sub leftover turkey for ground turkey in this hearty chili.

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (4)

5 from 2 votes

Smoked Turkey Chili with Serrano Peppers

Smoked ground turkey, serrano pepper, and beer make for a rich and delicious take on turkey chili.

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The Greatest Dip Ever!

Truly the ultimate use for leftover turkey. Perfect for the Buffalo wing fan. We go all in on flavor for this dip!

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (5)

4.93 from 14 votes

Smoked Buffalo Turkey Dip Recipe

The ultimate leftover turkey idea is a Smoked Buffalo Turkey Dip. Cheesy and delicious.

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Skip the sausage and add turkey to this oh-so-indulgent beer cheese dip.

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (6)

4.67 from 12 votes

Smoked Sausage and Hatch Chile Beer Cheese Dip Recipe

Creamy, smoky, Smoked Sausage Hatch Chile Beer Cheese Dip is the Ultimate Beer Cheese Dip appetizer! Perfect for tailgating season.

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Salad

Wait, what? Yes, a salad with leftovers can be delicious. These may be chicken recipes, but you can sub any of them for turkey.

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (7)

5 from 1 vote

Grilled Chicken Salad with Candied Pecans and Balsamic Dressing

Candied Pecans for crunch, perfectly grilled chicken with a savory honey balsamic dressing makes this a grilled chicken salad with amazing flavor.

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And really you can make anything Buffaloed! Just swap out chicken for turkey.

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (8)

5 from 5 votes

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad

Healthy Grilled Buffalo Salad recipe that satisfies all your wing cravings, without the guilt. Keto friendly, gluten free, sugar free, low carb, and can easily be adjusted for Paleo and Whole 30.

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Leftover Ham Recipes

There is nothing like a smoked ham or ham roast. The salty flavor and juicy texture are amazing. But there are also some really fun ideas for leftovers too.

Breakfast

When I think of ham, I can’t help but think of brunch. And a breakfast hash with smoked ham is absolutely incredible!

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (9)

5 from 2 votes

Smoked Ham Breakfast Hash

Ham and Potato Breakfast Hash made with smoked ham leftover from your holiday dinner. Learn how to make an incredible breakfast hash with any leftover meats and vegetables you have.

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Swap the salmon for ham, and Boom! Benedict of Dreams!

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (10)

5 from 3 votes

Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict

Eggs Benedict made with Smoked Salmon. A delicious salmon filet slow smoked until tender and delicious, topped with a perfect poached egg and a flavorful and easy blender hollandaise sauce.

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Lunch

How about a French inspired ham sandwich from our friend Chef Billy Parisi?

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (11)

Croque Monsieur Recipe

This delicious French classic for a Croque Monsieur Recipe is a pan-cooked sandwich stacked high with ham, bechamel, and shredded cheese!

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Or maybe one from Kentucky?

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (12)

Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich Recipe

Leftover ham from the holidays? No Problem, make this amazingly delicious Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich Recipe!

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Leftover Prime Rib Recipes

It’s common to have those extra slices of rib roast laying around. So grab some bread and get busy making some incredible sandwiches.

Prime Rib Sandwiches

Nothing says leftover prime rib like a hearty sandwich. There are an infinite number of combinations for the tender and juicy flavor.

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (13)

4.35 from 26 votes

Prime Rib Steak Sandwiches

An incredible use for leftover prime rib? Prime rib steak sandwiches layered with melted provolone cheese, slices of prime rib, caramelized onions, arugula, and horseradish cream sauce.

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It’s fair to say, a dipped sandwich requires good beef. So why not use prime rib?

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (14)

4.54 from 15 votes

French Dip Sandwich Recipe with Au Jus

An easy French Dip Sandwich with leftover Prime Rib, and a homemade Au Jus served warm.

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Fajitas

How about taking those delicious rare cut slivers of prime rib and turning them into a fajita?

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (15)

4.75 from 4 votes

Grilled Flank Steak Fajitas Recipe

Tequila and Soy Marinade and grilled flank steak with cast iron seared peppers and onions.

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Or maybe sub the tri tip for the rib roast.

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (16)

4.50 from 8 votes

Easy Grilled Tri-Tip Fajitas Recipe

How to get smoke flavor into your fajitas. Grill a Tri-Tip and slice thinly for these incredible, tender, smoky, and savory steak fajitas.

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Leftover Brisket Recipes

Yes, there are a lot of people that make brisket for the holidays. And we have one article on all of our favorite leftover brisket recipes. But the number one recipe for leftover brisket has to be chili. Our chili has one many awards for us and our readers.

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (17)

4.53 from 218 votes

Smoked Brisket Chili Recipe (recipe and video)

Award-Winning Smoked Beef Brisket Chili. The perfect use for leftover brisket. You’re going to love this!

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The ideas go on and on… We’ll keep adding our favorites from Vindulge and the web as we eat our way through some great leftover holiday roast recipes. Feel free to share your favorite uses for leftover roasts, and maybe we’ll try it!

Categorized as:

Food, Recipes

Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (18)

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Leftover Holiday Roast Recipe Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with leftover tough roast? ›

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 do you repurpose leftover meat? ›

They'll work with almost any cooked protein. With one of these clear-out-the-fridge recipes, you can turn a few cups of chopped or shredded meat into fried rice, frittatas, curries, stuffed peppers, soup, or pad Thai. Or use smaller amounts of leftover meat to top standbys like salads, pizzas, and burrito bowls.

How long is leftover beef roast good for? ›

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.

How do you reheat a roast without drying it out? ›

Oven: Cover beef with foil and reheat in a preheated oven at a low heat of around 160C for 5-10 minutes. Stovetop: Sear slices of beef using a skillet over medium-high heat, for a couple of minutes each side. Microwave: Transfer roast and any juices to a microwave-safe dish.

How do you salvage a tough chuck roast? ›

The best way to make tough beef tender is to add more liquid. It might be too late to do this on Sunday, but when it comes to making another meal with your Roast beef leftovers, cooking the meat slowly in a sauce or gravy is the best way to soften it up.

Does roast get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Yes, pot roast absolutely becomes more tender the longer it cooks. Roasts are generally made from tougher cuts of meat, such as chuck or brisket, which contain a lot of collagen, connective tissue, and fat. These tougher tissues require a long cooking time to break down and for the collagen to converts into gelatin.

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 I eat 5 day old leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Can you eat week old roast beef? ›

Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, steaks and chops may be kept 3 to 5 days. After cooking, meat, poultry and seafood can be safely stored in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days.

Is cooked roast beef still good if left out overnight? ›

For safety reasons, the general guideline is that perishable foods, including cooked beef, should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If the room temperature is above 90°F (32°C), this time is reduced to just 1 hour to prevent bacterial growth.

How do you reheat a roast and keep it moist? ›

To retain the succulent quality of the meat, add a little au jus from the previous day, or add 1/4 cup of low-sodium beef stock. Place in an oven preheated to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the piece.

What's the best way to reheat a cooked roast? ›

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).

Can you reheat roast beef in gravy? ›

If so, these slices can be easily reheated by searing them for a couple of minutes on each side in a hot skillet, popping them in the microwave at half power for 30-second intervals until reheated, simmering them in gravy until they are heated through, or by putting them in a plastic bag and simmering them in a water ...

Can you make a tough roast tender? ›

Cook it low and slow with some liquid.

Simmering helps break down the connective tissue. Connective tissue breaks down to collagen. Collagen tenderizes, and adds flavor and juiciness to the roast.

How to make tough roast meat tender? ›

A surefire way to make a tender, juicy pot roast is through braising; that is, cooking the meat in a small amount of liquid in a tightly covered pot at low temperature. Stove top roast recipes can be customized with your choice of herbs, vegetables, potatoes, and liquid braising mixtures.

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 do you moisten leftover roast beef? ›

Pour some hot beef stock, or hot water, onto the meat, cover it tightly with foil and shoot it into a hot oven for about 10 minutes.

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