The Best Leftover Ribs Recipe

Lots of leftover ribs recipe ideas are here! Chopped up beef or pork from the night before can be added into our popular 5 ingredient chili, made into sandwiches, casseroles, soups and more.

Leftover ribs are a delicious treat that can be enjoyed in various ways, whether you’re reheating them for another meal or repurposing Beef Ribs in Oven into new dishes. Here are some creative ideas for making the most of your beef or pork meat off the bone. (affiliate links present)

Leftover Ribs Recipes

The simplest way of what to do with leftover ribs is to reheat them. You can do this by wrapping in aluminum foil and heating them in a preheated oven at 325°F or 163°C for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat them on the grill over medium heat, brushing them with barbecue sauce for added flavor.

Another simple dish is to add the meat into delicious air fryer sandwiches by shredding the meat off the bones. Place in between slices of bread, enjoy open faced or in a toasted bun. Add your favorite toppings, such as coleslaw, pickles, or sliced onions, for a tasty and satisfying meal.

Leftover Pork Rib Recipes

Make flavorful tacos or smoked rib quesadillas in air fryer with melted cheese. Simply shred the meat and warm it in a skillet with some taco seasoning or barbecue sauce. Fill taco shells or tortillas with the meat and your choice of toppings, such as cheese, pico de gallo, avocado, sour cream and cilantro, for a quick and easy meal.

Transform into a tasty Instant Pot fried rice dish by chopping the meat into small pieces and adding it to cooked rice along with vegetables like peas, carrots, and bell peppers. Stir-fry everything together in a skillet with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger until heated through and well combined.

Toss with some additional sauce and this makes a great topping for homemade pork pizza!! Spread barbecue sauce or tomato sauce over a pizza crust, sprinkle shredded cheese over the sauce, and then add the chopped rib meat along with other toppings like onions, bell peppers, and pineapple. Bake the pizza in a preheated oven according to the crust instructions until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

How to Reheat Leftover Ribs

Reheating leftover ribs is a simple process that helps to maintain their flavor and tenderness. Let’s say you are wondering What to do with Leftover Baked Potatoes you can heat them both and combine for a new meal!! Here are a few methods to reheat leftovers effectively:

1. How to reheat ribs in the oven
   • Preheat your oven to 250°F
   • Wrap the leftovers tightly in aluminum foil to help retain moisture.
   • Place the foil-wrapped ribs on a baking sheet and transfer them to the preheated oven.
   • Reheat the ribs for about 20-30 minutes, or until they are heated through.
   • Once reheated, unwrap carefully and serve them immediately.
2. Grilling leftover ribs
   • Preheat your grill to medium heat.
   • Brush the leftovers lightly with barbecue sauce or oil to prevent them from drying out.
   • Place the directly on the grill grates and cook for about 5-10 minutes on each side, or until they are heated through and slightly crispy on the outside.
   • Keep an eye on them to prevent them from burning, and adjust the heat as needed.
   • Once reheated, remove from the grill and serve them hot.
3. Reaheating leftover ribs in the microwave
   • Place individual portions of leftover ribs on a microwave-safe plate.
   • Cover the plate with a damp paper towel to help retain moisture.
   • Microwave the on high power for 1-2 minutes, or until they are heated through.
   • Check periodically to ensure they do not overcook or dry out.
   • Once reheated, let them rest for a minute or two before serving.
4. How to steam ribs
   • Bring a pot of water to a boil and place a steamer basket or follow Instant Pot ribs instructions but only for 2 minutes.
   • Arrange on the steamer basket or rack, making sure they are not submerged in the water.
   • Cover the pot with a lid and steam the ribs for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through.
   • Once reheated, remove the ribs from the steamer and serve them hot.

Regardless of the method you choose, it’s essential to ensure that the ribs are heated to an internal temperature of at least 165°F or 74°C to ensure they are safe to eat. Enjoy your reheated beef or pork meat with your favorite sides for a delicious meal!

Leftover Beef Rib Recipes

Make a hearty Breakfast Hash Recipe with leftover ribs meat for brunch by chopping meat into small pieces and cooking them with diced potatoes, onions, and bell peppers in a skillet until crispy and golden brown. Serve with fried eggs for a satisfying meal.

This chopped up protein can be added into homemade One Pot Lasagna, a stew or chili. Simply chop the meat into small pieces and add it to your favorite soup or chili recipe along with vegetables, beans, and spices. Simmer everything together until heated through and the flavors have melded.

How to Remove Meat from Ribs

Identify the bones, baby back ribs typically have smaller bones and less meat between them, while spare ribs have larger bones and more meat.

1. Choose a starting point to begin separating the meat from the bones. You can start from either end of the rack.
2. Use a knife, your fingers, or a fork to loosen the meat from the bones. You may need to gently pry the meat away from the bones, especially if it’s still attached.
3. Once you’ve loosened the meat, use your fingers or a pair of tongs to pull it away from the bones. The meat should come away easily if they were initially cooked properly.
4. As you pull the meat away from the bones, you may encounter pockets of fat or tough connective tissue. Use a knife or your fingers to trim away any excess fat or remove rib membrane to reveal the tender meat underneath.
5. Continue separating the meat from the bones along the entire rack, working carefully to ensure you get as much meat as possible.
6. Once you’ve removed the leftover meat, you can shred it with your fingers or chop it into smaller pieces with a knife, depending on your preference and how you plan to use the meat.
7. Once all the meat has been removed, discard the bones or save them to make broth or stock.

What to Make with Leftover Ribs

Get creative in the kitchen and experiment with different recipes and flavor combinations to create delicious meals using leftover ribs. Of course you can just shred the meat and pile it onto sandwich rolls or bread. Add your favorite toppings such as coleslaw, pickles, onions, and barbecue sauce for a tasty rib sandwich but there is so much more….