Love Your Leftovers! New Takes on Yesterday’s Meal

Made with cheese, cooked rice, jalapenos, and a few binding agents, these arancini-esque balls of fried perfection are an easy (and cheap!) crowd pleaser and a delicious way to use up the extra rice you always have lying around. Pass these around as an appetizer with a simple aioli and just wait for the compliments to flow in. 

Kimchee Fried Rice with Pork Belly and Poached Eggs

Give your everyday white rice and fried egg a new and delicious makeover with this modern Korean dish, It’s sweet from the pineapple, salty from the soy sauce and pork belly, and tangy from the Korean kimchee. Add coincidentally, if you have any leftover pork as well, this meal will take you mere minutes to make! 

Niños Envueltos 

Similar to spring rolls and stuffed grape leaves, these cabbage wraps are easy to make and travel really well; take them on a picnic as a great hand-held snack or be the envy of the office when you pull these out of your little brown bag. Simply sautee ground beef and pork with your favorite spices, add your leftover rice, and wrap in blanched cabbage leaves for a meal that’s low in carbs and high in flavor.

Creamy Garlic Scape and Mushroom Rice

The best part about this side dish, besides the fact that it takes about 20 minutes to make and uses only a handful of ingredients, is that it goes with just about anything. It’s delicate garlicky taste and earthy mushroom flavor make it a great side to chicken, pork, and steak recipes! Plus, the recipe calls for a splash of red wine, giving you a great excuse to go ahead and finish off the rest of the bottle.

Click on for bonus meals with leftover steak and leftover beans… [pagebreak]If you have leftover beef, then try…

Richard Sandoval Skirt Steak Tacos

Let’s start off our steak bonus meals with a leftovers staple: tacos. Tacos made with leftover beef, whether it be ground, shredded, or sliced, are ridiculously easy and always a crowd pleaser. Be sure to have your favorite fixings on hand for these spicy treats. 

Creamy Puffs

Oh do you have leftover shredded beef? Great! Substitute the pork shoulder in these creamy puff pastry pockets with ropa vieja, carne mechada, or vaca frita for a tangy and savory bite!

Habanero Breakfast Hash

This easy hash recipe is made better with the addition of a few slices of leftover steak. Simply add meat when combining all ingredients in step 3. Added bonus: if you also use leftover baked or boiled potatoes, this hearty hash will only take you about 10 minutes to make. From take-out container to table in the same amount of time it takes you to brew a cup of coffee? Good morning, indeed!

If you have leftover beans, then try…

Tex-Mex Turkey Chili

Did your entree come with a bean salad on the side? First of all, yum. Second of all, beans instantly make soups hearty and nutritious without adding to the cooking time. Also, be sure to use refried beans as a secret (flavor-packed) thickening agent in stews.

Cuban Pork and Black Beans

This is the perfect way to use up leftover black bean soup or a bean salad…or both! Cook a pork tenderloin low and slow in a flavorful sauce made of these key leftovers for a one pot wonder that is sure to please. Oh, and did we mention that this recipe calls for less than 10 ingredients? Yep, you’re welcome.

Piri Piri Black Bean Burgers

Wait! We know that veggie burgers get a bad rap, but trust us, you need to try these Piri Piri Black Bean Burgers! Straining and pureeing beans from leftover bean soup means you don’t need to add extra seasoning to the pattie mixture. Just be sure to add extra breadcrumbs to attain the desired consistency. 

Click on for bonus meals with leftover potatoes and leftover roasted chicken… [pagebreak]If you have leftover potatoes, then try…

Four Cheese Gnocchi 

Leftover boiled, baked, or even mashed potatoes (if using mashed potatoes, be sure to add extra flour to attain desired consistency) are ideal for this gnocchi gratin. Hearty enough to stand alone but versatile enough to accompany whichever protein you have on hand, this gratin is perfect when you need to clear out the fridge. Plus, kids will love helping you form the dumplings out of the potato dough.

Spring Pea and Potato Empanadas with Spicy Tamarind Sauce

Using frozen peas and leftover boiled or mashed potatoes makes these empanadas extra creamy, highlighting the crispy whole wheat empanada crust. However, because your leftovers are already seasoned, be sure to adjust the salt and herbs in the filling to your liking; with a sauce as delectable as a sweet and spicy brown sugar tamarind glaze, we say the simpler the better.   

If you have leftover chicken, then try…

Red Mole Chicken Enchiladas 

Enchiladas are a godsend when it comes to leftover chicken. All you need is a good sauce and some tortillas and you’re in business! The rich and smooth sauce in this recipe is the key to these enchiladas: made with chocolate, pasilla chiles, chicken stock and dried spices, this decadent mole does a great job of dressing up reheated roasted chicken breasts. Top off the enchiladas with queso fresco and dig in.

Spicy Mexican Chili with Chicken Dumplings

Did the young ones not finish their plate of chicken fingers? That’s ok, take them home and use them to make creative (and shockingly easy) chicken dumplings for this hearty Mexican chili. Pro tip: this recipe is also a great vehicle for leftover refried beans or black bean soup!

Chicken Croquetas

If you don’t already know about the wonder known as croquetas, let us inform you. These little fritters can be made with just about any leftover meat and sell out faster than you can fry them. Smooth on the inside, crispy on the outside, these fritters are reason enough to leave a little extra chicken on your place in anticipation of this midnight snack.