What to Do With Leftover Prime Rib: 9 Ideas
Nine ideas for what to do with leftover prime rib, how to reheat it in jus without overcooking, and USDA FSIS fridge and freezer times.
What to do with leftover prime rib: slice it thin for French dip sandwiches, steak hash or beef fried rice, and use it within 3 to 4 days of cooking, or freeze it for 2 to 3 months. Reheat leftover prime rib to 165°F, according to USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
Prime rib is an expensive roast, and the worst thing you can do to it is microwave a slice until it's gray. The best ideas for the leftovers use the beef in thin pieces, added at the end, so you get tender meat and still hit a safe temperature.
How long does leftover prime rib last?
FSIS says leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. For the freezer, its leftovers page says 3 to 4 months and its cold storage chart says 2 to 3 months for leftovers, so we use the shorter figure. Frozen leftovers are safe indefinitely, but they lose moisture and flavor over time.
| Leftover prime rib | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (40°F or below) | 3 to 4 days | FSIS |
| Freezer (0°F) | 2 to 3 months for best quality | FSIS cold storage chart |
| Reheat to | 165°F | FSIS |
| Refrigerate within | 2 hours of cooking (1 hour above 90°F) | FSIS |
Slice a big roast into smaller portions before storing it. FSIS advises cutting whole roasts into smaller parts so they cool quickly. A bone-in roast sitting out on the carving board through dessert is a common way to run past the two-hour limit.
When in doubt, throw it out. It's tempting to keep an expensive roast a little longer, but if you can't say when it was cooked, or it's past day four, it's not worth the gamble. Our leftovers chart and the post on leftovers after 7 days explain how the windows work.
What to do with leftover prime rib besides sandwiches?
| Idea | What you do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| French dip | Simmer thin slices in hot beef broth with onion, pile on rolls, serve the broth to dip | 15 minutes |
| Steak and egg hash | Fry diced beef with potato and onion, top with a fried egg | 20 minutes |
| Beef stroganoff | Make a mushroom and sour cream sauce, stir in thin slices at the end | 25 minutes |
| Cheesesteak-style sandwiches | Sauté peppers and onions, add shaved beef and cheese | 15 minutes |
| Beef fried rice | Stir-fry cold rice with diced beef, egg and scallions | 12 minutes |
| Beef and barley soup | Simmer broth, barley and vegetables, add beef and the bone at the end | 50 minutes |
| Tacos | Warm shredded beef in a skillet, add onion and lime | 12 minutes |
| Horseradish crostini | Top toasted bread with thin slices and a horseradish cream | 10 minutes |
| Beef pot pie | Fold diced beef and vegetables into gravy, top with pastry and bake | 45 minutes |
Add the beef last in anything that simmers. Prime rib is already cooked, and a long simmer turns it tough.
How do you reheat leftover prime rib without overcooking it?
The safe target is 165°F, and the roast was probably served pink. Those two facts pull in opposite directions, so use heat that's gentle and moist. Slice thin and put the slices in simmering broth or au jus. Thin slices heat through quickly, and the liquid keeps them from drying out. Check with a food thermometer that they reach 165°F.
FSIS says sauces, soups and gravies should be brought to a rolling boil, so bring the jus up to a boil before the beef goes in, and keep it hot while you assemble the sandwiches. For a sheet-pan dish or a casserole, cover it so it heats evenly, and check the temperature in more than one spot.
Cold prime rib on a sandwich or salad is a different case. It's fine if it's been at 40°F or below the whole time and it's inside the 3 to 4 day window.
Can you freeze leftover prime rib?
Yes, for best quality within 2 to 3 months. Freeze the roast sliced, in meal-size packs, with a splash of the pan juices or broth in each bag so the beef doesn't dry out. Press out the air.
Thaw in the refrigerator, in cold water in a leak-proof bag, or in the microwave. Refrigerator-thawed leftovers should be used within 3 to 4 days. You can also reheat frozen leftovers without thawing, though it takes longer.
How can Well Stockd help with leftover prime rib?
The Well Stockd recipe library has no prime rib or roast beef recipe. It does have a lot of sliced-steak dinners, like sandwiches, tacos, salads and stir-fries. Those are fresh two-serving dinners, not leftover recipes, but they show the shape of the meal, so you can use your slices in place of the steak.
Mainly, though, the app is good at the clean-out. Add three foods from your fridge and see what you can cook, then try it free. Our guide to cooking with what you have lays out the method, and the best app to track food expiration dates compares tools for tracking what's close to going off.
Frequently asked questions about leftover prime rib
How long does leftover prime rib last in the fridge?
Three to four days, per FSIS, at 40°F or below.
Can you eat leftover prime rib cold?
Yes, as long as it was refrigerated within two hours, has stayed at 40°F or below and is inside the 3 to 4 day window. Reheating isn't required for cold sandwiches, but when you do reheat it, reach 165°F.
How do you reheat prime rib without drying it out?
Use hot broth or au jus. Slice thin, simmer the slices until they're hot and check that they reach 165°F.
Can you freeze leftover prime rib?
Yes. Slice it, add a little juice, and use it within 2 to 3 months for the best flavor.
If you like beef leftovers, you may also want what to do with leftover ham for the holiday table, or what to do with leftover taco meat for a weeknight option.