Genius ways to use up leftover beef from Sunday's roast (#12 is a 20-minute wonder)

Here are the best ways to use up leftover beef including noodles, stews, pies and so much more...

Leftover beef recipes
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

These easy ways to use up your beef are all wholesome, balanced meals that will help avoid food waste, save you money and time on food shopping, and please the kids every bit as much as the adults. 

"If you’re making a roast on a Sunday, it can be a good idea to cook a large joint so that you have extra meat left over for during the week," says nutritionist Alex Allan. "Beef ramen is a great way of using up leftover meat. Cutting the beef into strips, it can then be added to a ramen with veggies and noodles. This is a very quick, easy, and nutritious meal, ideal for a midweek supper and always a popular hit with teens. Tacos are another great way to use up leftover beef. Soft tortillas, stir-fried veggies, guacamole, and salsa can be paired with strips of leftover beef to form a quick midweek meal. By putting all the different elements into small bowls in the centre of the table, you can encourage your child to assemble their own tacos."

"Roast beef pinwheels can be a fun, protein-rich packed lunch too. Spreading a wrap with good quality cream cheese, a splash of mustard for adults and more adventurous children, and a decent couple of handfuls of spinach, add in the leftover beef. Starting at one end, roll the tortilla up tightly into a tight roll. Wrap tightly with baking parchment and foil and leave in the fridge for at least 4 hours. To serve, unwrap and slice into 2 or 3 pieces."

From noodles to pies, burritos to stews, there are ideas from all over the globe to make the most of your leftover meat, making easy work of midweek meals. Because a roast dinner can be for all week, not just for Sunday…

Best ways to use up leftover beef

Gordon Ramsay's roasted beef fillet

Keep your meat pink – or Gordon will not be happy

(Image credit: Gordon Ramsay's Healthy Appetite)

1. Gordon Ramsay's roasted beef fillet

Serves: 6 | Prep time: 20 mins | Cook time: 25 mins

A summery take on roast beef, it's all in the dressing with Gordon's delicious creation. His insanely flavoursome tangy sauce features every condiment known to man – tabasco, balsamic, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and even ketchup is in there, along with shallots and tarragon. Served with wild rocket, this one really does pack quite the punch. 

Get the recipe: Gordon Ramsay's roasted beef fillet

The Hairy Bikers' steak and ale pie recipe

That'll see us nicely through the next cold snap

(Image credit: Hairy Bikers)

2. Hairy Biker's steak and ale pie

Serves: 6 | Prep time: 20 mins | Cook time: 1 hr 20 mins

What the Hairy Bikers don't know about pies really isn't worth knowing. And this one is a classic. Beef and veggies flavoured with thyme and ale and topped with ready-made puff pastry (so no fears in the soggy bottom department), it's a proper winter warmer. If your leftover meat is already cooked, chop it into small-ish chunks and reduce the cooking time.

Get the recipe: Hairy Biker's steak and ale pie

Main: Burritos

You can't go far wrong with a burrito

(Image credit: TI Media Limited)

3. Beef burritos

Serves: 8 | Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 25 mins

Flavour your leftover shredded beef with spices, chilli flakes, and sun-dried tomato paste, add pinto beans, and serve with soured cream and guacamole on warm tortillas. The addition of grated cheese is also a winner with kids. It's one way to liven up the start of the week, thanks to the remnants of your weekend roast.

Get the recipe: Beef burritos

gordon ramsay beef wellington

Just because it is leftover doesn't mean it can't be a showstopper

(Image credit: Gordon Ramsay)

4. Gordon Ramsay's beef wellington

Serves: 4 | Prep time: 20 mins | Cook time: 50 mins

Best with any uncooked leftover beef, as this one should be pleasingly pink in the centre, this is a special dish that really doesn't take up as much time as you might think. Wrapped in a mushroom duxelle (that's a sort of pâté to you and me), then covered in parma ham and encased in puff pastry, this dish really knows how to treat a good piece of beef. A great one for guests, so that other people appreciate and admire your efforts.

Get the recipe: Gordon Ramsay's beef Wellington

James Martin beef stew with dumplings

The 70s called, they want their dinner back

(Image credit: Getty Images)

5. James Martin's beef stew with dumplings

Serves: 4 | Prep time: 20 mins | Cook time: 2 hour 30 mins

Now, we all know a good stew uses slow-cooking cuts of meat and needs hours to bubble away – but you could opt for a cheat's hack and reduce the oven time by using your leftover roast meat. James Martin's classic casserole dish also features suet dumplings in a nostalgic nod back to dinners and decades past. Vegetable suet is an option if the meat variety doesn't appeal. A hearty hug of a dinner.

Get the recipe:  James Martin's beef stew with dumplings

Slimming World's beef lasagne in blue decorated oven dish

Like a hug in a dish, this is so comforting

(Image credit: Getty Images)

6. Slimming World beef lasagne

Serves: 4 | Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 45 mins

It's a crowd favourite, but it's fair to say that lasagne ain't exactly a healthy food. This version reduces the saturated fat content quite considerably, using yogurt in place of bechamel sauce and adding a stack of extra veggies. Traditionally made with mince, it's possible to make using finely chopped beef from your leftover roast. 

Get the recipe: Slimming World beef lasagne

Beef and pepper stir-fry, Low calorie meals

Give your unloved leftover meat a new lease of life

(Image credit: Future)

7. Beef and pepper stir fry

Serves: 4 | Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 10 mins

A wonderful and super speedy way to liven up your leftovers. Just slice your beef into strips and wok fry it with fresh veggies, bean sprouts, ginger, garlic, and hoisin sauce. Serve with fresh egg or udon noodles, or make some egg-fried rice if you prefer. A real livener for the taste buds.

Get the recipe: Beef and pepper stir fry

Slimming-World-beef-Bourguignon recipe

Ooh lala, what a meaty treat

(Image credit: Simming World)

8. Slimming World beef bourguignon

Serves: 4 | Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 2 hours 30 mins

A French classic that normally uses two whole bottles of wine, this slimmed down (literally) version uses just 150ml of vin rouge (meaning there's plenty left to wash the resulting dinner down with…) The cooking time can be massively reduced if using leftover beef that has already been in the oven, meaning it's a viable option for a busy weeknight when you don't have three hours to wait for dinner to be ready…

Get the recipe: Slimming World beef bourguignon

beef cobbler

Don't mind if we do

(Image credit: Getty Images)

9. Beef cobbler

Serves: 1 | Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 40 mins

A cheat's version of a classic, this old-school minced beef and dumplings recipe is given a speedy makeover, perfect for a midweek dinner (the recipe quantities are for one, so you'll want to increase the amounts of the ingredients when cooking for all the family). Use your chopped roast meat in place of the mince, and serve with plenty of green veggies on the side. 

Get the recipe: Beef cobbler

Spanish beef, Low calorie meals

A stew filled with sunny Spanish flavour

(Image credit: Future)

10. Spanish beef

Serves: 8 | Prep time: 25 mins | Cook time: 2 hours

This smoky, hearty, delicious stew might come from the Spanish sunshine but it's a wonderful winter warmer for a chilly evening in Blighty. Great with rice or some crusty bread to mop up the juices, this dish is packed with protein from the beef, beans, and chorizo, and has a warm, spicy hit from the chilli and paprika. Delicious.

Get the recipe: Spanish beef

Beef stroganoff

A classic for a cold day

(Image credit: TI Media Limited)

11. Beef stroganoff

Serves: 4 | Prep time: 20 mins | Cook time: 20 mins

An excellent one for leftover cooked beef because this, unlike many beef dishes, is not a slow cook – you can make the sauce and stir in the meat for the last few minutes. Great served with fluffy rice, mashed potato, or even French bread to mop up the sauce, it can be made less rich and creamy, if you prefer, by using reduced-fat crème fraîche in place of sour cream. We also like to add a generous sprinkling of paprika.

Get the recipe: Beef stroganoff

Chilli beef noodles

Monday night dinner plan perfection

(Image credit: Future)

12. Quick chilli beef noodles

Serves: Easy | Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 10 mins

The perfect speedy midweek meal, and the ideal use for leftover meat. Slice your beef and quickly stir fry with garlic, chilli, a bag of mixed veg, and a generous glug of teriyaki sauce. The key ingredient to elevate this dish to the next level is the toasted crushed peanuts, for a brilliant texture and flavour hit. A few sliced spring onions and grated carrots over the top would be a bonus. 

Get the recipe: Quick chilli beef noodles

Slimming World's beefburger and wedges recipe

Burger and chips, the healthier midweek version

(Image credit: Future)

13. Slimming World burger and chips

Serves: 4 | Prep time: 25 mins | Cook time: 50 mins

Add onion, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce to your beef, shape into patties, and grill, along with the classic Slimming World chips to dramatically reduce the saturated fat content of your meal. Load burger baps with plenty of salad and add grilled bacon (or switch for mushrooms if you prefer). Try different styles of bread to make things more interesting – ciabatta rolls are a great choice. 

Get the recipe: Slimming World burger and chips

Chilli beef lettuce wraps

A dish to transport you instantly to south east Asia

(Image credit: Gordon Ramsay)

14. Gordon Ramsay beef chilli wraps

Serves: 4 | Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 15 mins

If anyone knows how to make a dish sing, it's Gordon Ramsay. An excellent choice for anyone avoiding wheat or gluten, his lettuce cups are filled with beef bursting with South East Asian flavours and a punchy dipping sauce made with fish sauce, sesame oil, chilli, and lime. Excellent as a starter or a light meal, they could also be bulked out with a portion of rice for a larger main dish. 

Get the recipe: Gordon Ramsay beef chilli wraps 

BBQ beef brisket on a bap with coleslaw

If there's a better pick me up at the end of a long day, we'd like to know about it

(Image credit: Getty)

15. Beef brisket sandwich

Serves: 4 | Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 30 mins

This one is only really going to work if you've made your own beef brisket for a Sunday roast, but, boy, is this the greatest way to eat the leftovers. Shred the beef and served up with homemade coleslaw and barbecue sauce, all on a crusty roll (or a brioche bun is pretty wonderful too). A pinch of poppy seeds and a dash of Tabasco finish things off just perfectly. Serve with a side of sweet potato wedges

Get the recipe: Beef brisket sandwich

steak and stilton pie

A pie of champions

(Image credit: Alamy)

16. Beef, Stilton and ale pie

Serves: 4 | Prep time: 30 mins | Cook time: 2 hours 30 mins

A hearty pie for hungry mouths after a long day. The Stilton gives a classic pie a new flavour dimension, along with the stout, and it won't need to be cooked for such a hefty amount of time if you're using leftover roast meat. Serve with some steamed greens on the side.

Get the recipe: Beef, Stilton and ale pie

Writer bio pic
Lara Kilner

"I do love an inventive use for a leftover. Beef is always the favourite in our house for a Sunday roast, cooked a little pink with big fluffy Yorkshires and tons of gravy. I use up the remains for sandwiches with peppery watercress and a dollop of horseradish, or in a stir fry or ramen soup the following evening. I also switch mince for my beef leftovers in a bolognese sauce, bulked out with lentils, or add it to a stroganoff sauce with plenty of paprika and some sliced mushrooms, which is marvellous served with mashed potato (or dauphinoise if feeling fancy) and a side of greens."

It's not only beef that will see you through the week after a roast, try our easy leftover chicken recipes, our leftover lamb recipes and these leftover pork recipes too. We also have ideas for other dishes that help us avoid food waste and save money at the same time – why not try these 9 ways to use up leftover rice?

Lara Kilner
Food Writer

Lara Kilner is a writer and editor with two decades of experience in national newspapers, magazines, and websites. She writes about food, lifestyle, travel, health and wellness, and entertainment, and regularly interviews celebrities and people with interesting life stories and experiences. Her foodie content has included interviews with Jamie Oliver, Rick Stein, Queer Eye’s food expert Antoni Porowski, the Hairy Bikers, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, Raymond Blanc, Andi Oliver, Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, and Nadiya Hussain.