15 Delicious Dishes to Make with Leftover Beef Stir Fry Meat

Beef stir fry is a classic versatile meal that works for busy weeknights or impromptu lunches. Sliced beef is quickly seared with crisp colorful veggies and served over rice, noodles or on its own for a fast protein-packed dinner. However, you may not always use up all the sliced stir fry meat in one meal. Luckily, there are endless ways to repurpose and transform those leftovers into entirely new dishes.

Keep reading for 15 creative ideas for using up extra beef from stir fry. With a little imagination, you can give your stir fry beef new life in everything from omelets to sandwiches to grain bowls and more.

1. Loaded Omelets or Frittatas

Eggs make an easy partnership for leftover sliced beef. Simply beat eggs with milk or cream and cook up an omelet or frittata packed with the beef and any other veggies you have on hand. The meat adds hearty flavor to the eggs for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

2. Build a Rice Bowl

Transform leftover stir fry beef into a hearty rice bowl for an easy next-day lunch. Pile warm white or brown rice in a bowl and top with the sliced seared beef and fresh veggies like spinach, edamame, avocado, or cabbage. Drizzle with a sauce like soy, teriyaki, or Sriracha mayo.

3. Toss with Pasta

Pasta and beef are a perfect match. Toss leftover stir fry beef slices with hot pasta and your favorite sauce. Tomato-based marinara always works, but you could also use pesto, Alfredo, herby olive oil, or just a sprinkle of Parmesan. Season with black pepper and red pepper flakes for a little kick.

4. Layer Into Lettuce Wraps

For a lighter lunch or snack, tuck slices of the seared beef into cool, crisp lettuce wraps. Pair it with rice, diced veggies, beans, avocado, and a drizzle of dressing or sauce. The fresh lettuce adds volume and satisfying crunch.

5. Pile Onto Nachos

Take your nachos to the next level by topping corn tortilla chips with stir fry beef. Add other favorite nacho toppings like melted cheese, black beans, salsa, avocado, pickled jalapeños, and dollops of Greek yogurt or sour cream. The bits of beef add hearty substance and flavor.

6. Toss with Roasted Veggies

Roasting gives veggies deep, caramelized flavor that pairs perfectly with seared beef. Toss cubed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, or any other veggie with olive oil and roast until browned. Then mix in bites of leftover beef and seasonings like garlic, herbs, or chili powder.

7. Stuff Quesadillas

Quesadillas are an easy weeknight meal solution that taste great with leftover beef. Layer beef strips between tortillas with cheese, peppers, onions, beans, or salsa. Cook the quesadillas in a skillet until the cheese melts and tortillas turn crispy and golden brown on both sides.

8. Build a Taco Salad

Give taco salad extra heartiness with leftover stir fry beef slices. Fill a bowl with lettuce, corn chips, beans, cheese, avocado, salsa, and other favorite taco toppings. Pile the warm seared beef on top and finish with lime juice and taco seasoning. The slices add extra flavor and protein.

9. Make Beef Fried Rice

Transform leftover cooked rice into easy beef fried rice. Toss cold rice with sesame oil, soy sauce, eggs, and veggies. Then stir in slices of leftover beef. The browned bits add a savory depth of flavor to the quick veggie fried rice.

10. Enjoy on Salads

Chopped up leftover beef makes an easy topping for any salad. Pile colorful mixed greens, crunchy vegetables, nuts, and cheese in a bowl. Then sprinkle the warm sliced beef on top along with your desired dressing to add hearty protein.

11. Blend Into Soups or Chilis

Slices of seared beef blend perfectly into many soups or stews. Try adding them to tomato soup, chili, beef stew, ramen soup, or vegetarian vegetable soup. The meat adds extra texture and richness to balance the broth and veggies.

12. Whip Up Beef Hash

Make your own version of corned beef hash by sautéing diced potatoes with bits of leftover beef, onions, bell peppers, and seasonings. You could also add peas, corn, or other veggies. Top the hearty hash with fried eggs for breakfast or serve alone as a skillet dinner.

13. Craft Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls

Fresh, healthy Vietnamese style rice paper rolls work for savory leftovers. Soak rice paper wrappers in water until pliable. Fill them with beef slices, raw veggie matchsticks, herbs, rice noodles, and dipping sauce. The rolls make an easy appetizer or light meal.

14. Top Avocado Toast

Just a few slices of seared beef can instantly take avocado toast to the next level. Toast or grill bread and top with mashed avocado, meat, and anything else you love. The richness of the avocado pairs perfectly with the savory sliced beef.

15. Pile On Sandwiches

Whether it’s for lunch or dinner, leftover stir fried beef is delicious piled high on sub rolls, buns, baguettes, or sliced bread. Pair it with toppings like melted cheese, roasted peppers, caramelized onions, mushrooms, slaw, and condiments like mustard or chimichurri.

With just a bit of creativity, leftover stir fried beef can be transformed into a totally new and delicious meal for any time of day!

Beijing Beef (TENDER BEEF!)

FAQ

What to serve with beef stir-fry?

You can serve the stir fry over rice or noodles. Quinoa would also be good, use whatever is in your pantry. If you don’t want a starch, enjoy as is or serve in lettuce cups. Garnish with sesame seeds, a little fresh cilantro or Thai basil, and sliced green onions and you are good to go!

What meat can you use for stir-fry?

Most tender beef cuts, such as sirloin, tri-tip, ribeye, top loin (strip), tenderloin, shoulder center (Ranch Steak), shoulder top blade (Flat Iron) and shoulder petite tender, can be cut into strips for use in stir-fry recipes.

What’s the difference between stew meat and stir-fry beef?

Stir Fry meat is cut from the more tender cuts of beef (tri-tip, sirloin, rib-eye) and don’t require much time cooking to be ‘ready to eat’. Stew Beef is from less tender cuts (the Chuck or Eye of Round) which will become tender after a ‘significant’ time braising (cooking in liquid).

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