20 Creative Ways to Use Up Leftover Corned Beef and Cabbage

Corned beef and cabbage is a traditional St. Patrick’s Day feast. After simmering a corned beef brisket for hours and sautéing tender cabbage wedges, you’ll likely have ample leftovers. But don’t relegate the remnants to boring sandwiches alone. With a bit of creativity, you can transform leftover corned beef and cabbage into all sorts of delicious dishes.

Read on for 20 mouthwatering ways to use up leftover corned beef and cabbage. The hearty ingredients lend themselves remarkably well to recipes like frittatas, pot pies, pasta bakes, quesadillas, soups, and more.

Hearty Breakfasts

Leftover corned beef makes an excellent addition to hearty breakfast fare. The salty, beefy flavor pairs wonderfully with eggs, potatoes, and cheese.

  • Corned Beef Hash: Dice potatoes and corned beef, then cook with onions and bell peppers until browned and crisp. Top with a fried egg for a satisfying breakfast.

  • Corned Beef Frittata: Sauté corned beef with onions and garlic. Add whisked eggs and bake until set. Grate cheese on top for bonus flavor.

  • Breakfast Burritos: Scramble eggs with corned beef, cabbage, peppers, and cheese. Wrap in a tortilla with salsa and sour cream for a hand-held morning meal.

  • Breakfast Quiche: Make a savory custard with eggs, milk, and cheese. Fold in chopped corned beef and cabbage, then bake in a pie crust.

Beyond Sandwiches

While corned beef sandwiches make excellent use of leftovers, move beyond boring slices. Get creative with these tasty recipes:

  • Reuben Quesadillas: Fill tortillas with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing. Grill until crispy.

  • Corned Beef Lettuce Wraps: Top lettuce leaves with corned beef, cabbage, Irish cheese, and mustard vinaigrette for low-carb lunches.

  • Corned Beef Stuffed Potatoes: Load baked potatoes with corned beef, cabbage, and melty cheese for an easy, hearty dinner.

  • Corned Beef Pizzas: Top pizza crusts with corned beef chunks, sautéed cabbage, mozzarella, and mustard for tang.

One-Pot Meals

Corned beef and cabbage lend themselves remarkably well to comforting one-pot casserole recipes. Some delicious ideas include:

  • Shepherd’s Pie: Layer mashed potatoes over a filling of ground beef, peas, carrots, and corned beef. Bake until bubbly for a hearty dish.

  • Cabbage Rolls: Mix cooked rice, corned beef, and spices. Roll in cabbage leaves and bake with tomato sauce for cozy flavor.

  • Corned Beef Pot Pie: Simmer corned beef, potatoes, peas, and carrots in gravy. Cover with pie crust and bake for an instant classic.

  • Corned Beef Lasagna: Layer lasagna noodles with corned beef gravy, cabbage, and cheese for an ultra-comforting bake.

Soups and Stews

The bold flavors of corned beef work wonders in hearty soups and stews. Simply add cooked corned beef and cabbage to your favorite recipes.

  • Beef Barley Soup: Simmer diced corned beef, cabbage, carrots, and barley in broth for a hearty, comforting soup.

  • Corned Beef Chowder: Cook corned beef, potatoes, onions, and cabbage in creamy broth. Finish with milk and parsley.

  • Irish Coddle: Braise potatoes, corned beef, sausage, and bacon in broth with onions, carrots and herbs for a delightful stew.

  • Cabbage Roll Soup: Shred cabbage leaves, corned beef, rice, tomato and seasonings in broth. Garnish with sour cream.

Global Flavors

Think outside the Irish pub with these internationally inspired recipes:

  • Corned Beef Fried Rice: Toss shredded corned beef and cabbage with rice, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and eggs.

  • Mexican Tostadas: Layer crispy tortillas with refried beans, corned beef, cabbage, avocado, and Cotija cheese for a fun twist.

  • Jamaican Patties: Fold spicy ground beef with corned beef in pastries. Bake, then top with mango relish.

  • Corned Beef Banh Mi: Layer corned beef, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumbers, cilantro and chili mayo on crusty baguettes.

Appetizers and Small Bites

Transform leftovers into fun finger foods for parties with these clever recipes:

  • Reuben Egg Rolls: Wrap corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing in egg roll wrappers. Deep fry until crispy.

  • Corned Beef Hand Pies: Mix chopped corned beef with potatoes, cabbage, and cheese. Stuff into mini pie crusts and bake until golden.

  • Irish Nachos: Top potato chips or waffle fries with corned beef, cheese, salsa, and sour cream for a crowd-pleasing snack.

  • Corned Beef Pinwheels: Spread corned beef slices with cream cheese, cabbage, and herbs. Roll up and slice into pinwheels

Easy Add-Ins

You can also use small amounts of leftover corned beef as tasty add-ins:

  • Fold chopped corned beef into mashed potatoes or potato salad.

  • Sprinkle shredded corned beef over pizza, nachos, baked potatoes, or omelets.

  • Mix diced corned beef into pasta salad, potato salad, tuna salad, or egg salad.

  • Make corned beef croutons by coating cubes in oil and browning until crispy.

With a dash of inspiration, you can transform leftover corned beef brisket and cabbage into all sorts of meals. Everything from breakfast hashes to hearty casseroles make creative use of these classic Irish ingredients. Follow the tasty recipe ideas here to give new life to your St. Patty’s Day leftovers.

CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE BAKE!! LEFTOVER MAKEOVER!!

FAQ

How long are corned beef and cabbage leftovers good for?

Any leftovers should be refrigerated as soon as possible within 2 hours of cooking or reheating. Use leftover corned beef within 3 to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months.

How do you reheat leftover corned beef and cabbage?

CORNED BEEF/CABBAGE DINNER FOR ONE Place in the oven 8-10 minutes or until items reach an internal temperature of 165° F (cooking times may vary by oven). Carefully remove and allow to rest for 1 minute before serving. Microwave: Remove the plastic lid and reheat in gold/ black container for 4-5 minutes.

What to do with leftover cabbage?

There are many ways to turn an extra half a head of cabbage into your next meal — toss it into a frittata; add it into the soup pot; saute it with sausage for a one-pan dinner; braise it with bacon; or slow cook it into a gratin.

Does corned beef and cabbage freeze well?

Yes, you can freeze cooked corned beef and cabbage. Allow the dish to cool completely, then transfer in serving-size portions to zip-top freezer bags labeled with the date. Wrap each bag in a layer of aluminum foil for added protection. Squeeze out all the excess air and freeze for up to three months.

Leave a Comment