If you love prime rib but aren’t sure how to reheat it so it’s just as tasty as the first night you make it, then this is the article for you. Prime rib is great, but it’s not really possible to cook a single serving. This is why it’s a good idea to have some tips and tricks up your sleeve for reheating rib roast.
As it turns out, there are multiple great ways to reheat rib roast that are just as delicious as day one. You can reheat rib roast in the oven, on the stove, in the microwave, or you can even eat it cold.
How to Reheat Rib Roast
Rib roast is one of the most delicious foods on the planet. The meat is perfectly tender and juicy, and thanks to the long cooking process it is also jam packed with flavor. As with many leftover meats, however, you have to be careful about how you choose to reheat your rib roast. Choosing the wrong method could result in dried out rib roast, which is something that no one wants! All of these methods work for reheating standing rib roast as well.
Here are the best ways to reheat rib roast and to reheat standing rib roast:
Steam It
If one of your main goals when reheating your rib roast is to preserve the juiciness of the meat, then steaming it is one of the best methods you can use. In order to flawlessly steam your rib roast, you’ll need a pot and lid, some water, a steamer basket, and some tin foil. Add some water (a few tablespoons will do) to your pot, and bring the water to a gentle simmer. Portion out your slices of prime rib from the rest of the leftovers, and wrap your slices in tin foil to create a flat pouch. Lay the tin foil pouch containing your prime rib roast into the steamer basket. Next, you’ll want to place the steamer basket in the pot of simmering water and cover it with the lid. Let the rib roast steam for 3-6 minutes undisturbed.
Once the allotted time has passed, use a pair of tongs to remove the tin foil pouch from the steamer basket. Carefully open the pouch to check whether your meat is warm enough (this is a personal preference). If you’d like it to be a bit warmer, re-secure your tin foil pouch and return it to the steamer basket. Once inside, close the lid and repeat the steps above. Once done, transfer the meat to a serving dish of your choice immediately. Leaving it in the hot tin foil pouch can cause the meat to cook further than you’d like.
Bake It
If you’d rather not go to the trouble of dealing with a steamer basket (or if you don’t have one), reheating your rib roast in the oven is another great way to preserve the juicy flavor of the meat. To bake your leftover rib roast, preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Portion out the amount of rib roast that you’d like to eat and place it on a small baking sheet with a few tablespoons of water or broth (broth is ideal because it adds an extra boost of flavor, but water will work perfectly well). Next, tightly cover your baking pan with tin foil and place it in the preheated oven. Set a timer for about 10 minutes, and then carefully check the temperature of your beef. If it isn’t warm enough, return it to the oven for another 2-3 minutes and check again. Repeat until your rib roast reaches the desired temperature.
Microwave It
While it’s perfectly fine to use a microwave to reheat your rib roast, we don’t recommend it as your first choice. Microwaves are difficult to use for things like rib roast, because they get very hot very quickly and can dry out the food you are trying to reheat. There is a way to make them work well for rib roast, however.
In order to harness the ultimate power of your microwave for reheating rib roast, we recommend the following. Portion out the amount of rib roast that you wish to eat and place it on a plate. In order to keep the meat moist and juicy, we suggest either covering the rib roast with a damp paper towel, or placing a microwave-safe bowl of water in the microwave along with the rib roast (if it will fit). This will add moisture to the air in the microwave as it is heating, and can help keep your rib roast moist and flavorful. Alternatively you can place your rib roast in a bowl with a few tablespoons of water or broth, which will work just as well. After that, simply heat your rib roast at 80% power for 1-2 minutes. Then you can check the temperature and add more time if you wish it to be warmer.
Eat It Cold
Once your rib roast has already been cooked, it is perfectly safe (and delicious) to enjoy it cold. This method is by far the quickest and easiest way to enjoy your leftover rib roast, but we understand that sometimes you want to enjoy heated rib roast. All we’ll say is: don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it!
Recipes for Leftover Rib Roast
If you’ve been enjoying your rib roast for a few days and are looking for a way to spice things up a bit with the leftover meat, look no further! These are some of our favorite ways to use leftover rib roast in other recipes.
Leftover Rib Roast Quesadilla
Quesadillas are incredibly delicious, and when you add rib roast to them the combination simply can’t be beat. One of our favorite things about this method is that it enhances the flavors of the rib roast rather than detracting from them.
To enjoy a leftover rib roast quesadilla you will need two tortillas of your choice (either flour or corn will work!). You’ll also need your choice of cheese, some cut up rib roast, and whatever dips you’d like– we suggest salsa/pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream.
On the stove, heat a frying pan over low-medium heat– the secret to a perfect, melty quesadilla every time is to use low heat! Add a bit of butter to the pan and gently coat one side of each tortilla with the melted butter by carefully dipping it into the pan and swirling it around. Next, place one tortilla into the pan and sprinkle a layer of cheese, a layer of rib roast, and another layer of cheese. Top with the other tortilla– butter side up– and place a lid over your frying pan.
Cook the quesadilla for at least 2 minutes to allow the cheese to melt. After two minutes, remove the lid and gently lift the corner of the upper tortilla to check how the cheese is melting. If it looks melted, use a spatula to flip the quesadilla and allow the other tortilla to brown a bit. Cover with the lid and let cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat, plate, and enjoy with the dip of your choice.
Leftover Rib Roast Stroganoff
Another indulgent recipe for leftover rib roast is to make leftover rib roast stroganoff. This recipe is easy and delicious, and is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
For this recipe, finely dice and saute two cloves of garlic (or more, if you prefer) and one shallot in cooking or olive oil over low-medium heat. Once these have begun to soften, add a few tablespoons of butter, and a tablespoon of all-purpose flour and stir until all have combined and the flour is a paste rather than a powder. Then, we suggest adding fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, time, or whichever you like, as well as a cup of diced portobello mushrooms. Allow these to simmer for a minute or so and then add two teaspoons of dijon mustard, a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, and a quarter cup of beef broth to make a delicious broth. Stir everything together and allow it to thicken. Add the rib roast meat and let it all simmer together.
Meanwhile, boil some water and cook egg noodles using the instructions on the packaging. Once the noodles are cooked, plate them and top with the gravy and beef. Stir everything together and, if you’re feeling extra decadent, top with a dollop of fresh sour cream and enjoy.
Hearty Leftover Rib Roast Chili
Another great recipe for your leftover rib roast is to make a hearty and mouth-watering chili. For this recipe, finely dice an onion, 3 cloves of garlic, and a jalapeno (optional) in some cooking oil over medium heat. Cook until soft and fragrant. Next, add one can of diced tomatoes, half of a can of tomato paste, and two cups of beef stock. Allow to simmer for 3-5 minutes before adding black beans and kidney beans. For seasoning, either use a pre-portioned chili spice packet or you can make your own by combining 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of cumin, ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of salt (more to taste as you like), and ½ teaspoon of pepper.
Stir in the seasoning and increase the heat to medium-high to bring to a boil. Once the chili is boiling, reduce heat to low and add the chopped rib roast meat before covering with a lid. Allow the chili to simmer on a low temperature for 10-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes or so. Taste the chili as you go (being careful not to burn yourself, and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
Before you start cooking your chili, we suggest starting to cook a pot of your favorite rice (or toss it in the rice cooker) so that it’s ready when the chili is done. Once your chili and rice have finished cooking, portion out the rice and serve with a generous helping of chili. For added tastiness, top your chili with hot sauce, sour cream, chives or green onions, and/or shredded cheese and enjoy!
Leftover Rib Roast French Dip Sandwich
French Dip Sandwiches are some of the tastiest sandwiches on the planet, and using your leftover rib roast as the filling is the best life hack we know.
To make the Au Jus (dipping broth), finely chop and saute celery, leeks, and carrots over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until they soften. Toss in a few cups of beef stock, peppercorns, salt to taste, and chili flakes and allow it all to simmer for 15-20 minutes. Once it’s all cooked, strain out the solids with a sieve and set the broth aside.
Next, turn your oven to broil and prepare the bread while you wait. To do this, slice your bread, baguette, or roll and top with delicious provolone cheese. Place it on a baking sheet lined with foil and place in the oven when it’s ready. Keep an eye on it while it’s in there and remove once the cheese has all melted.
After your cheesy bread is ready, top with your leftover rib roast meat, and begin to prepare the classic French Dip condiment. Do so by combining mayonnaise with a bit of lemon juice and a teaspoon of horseradish and stir to combine. Spread it on your sandwich, assemble everything, and serve with your ready-made Au Jus.
Leftover Rib Roast Soup
Soups are some of our favorite things to make and to eat. We love them because they are easy to prepare, delicious, and incredibly nourishing to boot, and this soup is among our favorite soup recipes.
To make it, finely chop celery, carrots, and an onion and add them to a saucepan with cooking oil or butter for about five minutes over medium heat. You want the veggies to soften but not burn, so keep an eye on them and adjust the heat if you need to. While this cooks, chop two cloves of garlic (or more if you’d like), and add them to the pot once the five minutes is up.
Next, add your chopped up rib roast meat, one container of beef stock, and a cup of water and stir. Toss in some fresh or dried rosemary, thyme, and a bay leaf, and cover with a lid. Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. The soup will be done with the meat is falling apart and incredibly tender. If you’d like, you can remove the herbs and bay leaf, but it’s also fine to leave them in and either eat them or eat around them.
As a last and optional step, you can add some red wine and some barley to the pot and allow it to simmer until the barley is nice and tender. Once this occurs, remove from heat, scoop a generous portion into a bowl, and pair with a glass of your favorite red wine and a hearty slice of bread.
Leftover Prime Rib Pot Pie
If you’re a fan of chicken pot pie then you’re going to love leftover prime rib pot pie! This is a delicious and nourishing meal that is easy to make and very filling.
To begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, chop and saute onions, celery, and carrots in a saucepan until they soften. While they cook, chop some potatoes and add them to the pan when ready. Next, add a cup of red wine and a bay leaf and simmer. After a few minutes, add 2 cups of beef broth, ½ cup of milk, and bring the mixture to a low boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and allow everything to simmer for several minutes. Next, you’ll want to gradually add two tablespoons of flour to the mixture, whisking as you go to incorporate. You’re looking for a slightly soupy, slightly goopy consistency, and it’s possible you may not need all of the flour.
After the flour has been added and your filling is the ideal consistency, add in a teaspoon of dijon mustard, a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and your leftover rib roast cut into the size you desire. Stir, and allow everything to simmer on a low heat.
After a few minutes, add in some frozen peas and frozen corn, and toss in a dash of salt and pepper to taste. Next, you’re going to want to take 10 phyllo sheets and add them to a 9 inch pie dish one at a time. After adding each layer, use a brush to coat each layer of phyllo dough with melted butter and then mold the layers of dough to the shape of the pie dish. Once you’ve added ten layers, add in your pie filling and then add an extra ½ cup of gravy to the dish and place the rest aside.
Top the pie dish with ten more layers of phyllo dough using the same method as above and then place into the preheated oven and allow it to bake for 30-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it becomes a nice golden brown color. Remove from the oven when it’s ready and allow it to sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Health Benefits of Rib Roast
Did you know that rib roast has a lot of health benefits? It’s true! As a relatively lean cut of beef, rib roasts are high in protein and lower in calories than some other cuts of beef, and they also have a bunch of other health benefits.
Each 3oz. serving of rib roast offers 24g of protein, 1.8mg of iron, and 6mg of zinc at only 180 calories. Rib roast is also a great source of Vitamin B12, Niacin, Vitamin B6, and Selenium, not to mention Phosphorus and Riboflavin!
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin for healthy DNA duplication, which reduces the risk of birth defects and can also help protect you against some types of cancer and heart disease.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is crucial to the healthy function of your immune system, and helps your bloodstream to effectively circulate oxygen throughout your body.
Niacin
Niacin allows your cells to communicate with each other and helps your body produce the energy it needs to perform tasks and go about your day. Niacin is also thought to protect your body against the development of certain cancers.
Riboflavin
Riboflavin helps to protect your body against certain chronic illnesses and is also known to help clean and purify your blood.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is crucial for the proper function of your body’s cells, and allows your body to create necessary energy and balance your chemicals and hormones for ideal function.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that is vital to your healthy immune system, physical and neurological development, growth, skin health, reproduction, and brain health.
Protein
Protein helps your body build and repair your muscles and also creates hormones and enzymes you need to be healthy and happy.
All of these vitamins and minerals are incredibly important for everyone, and we all need to get adequate quantities of them to function properly and stay healthy. Rib roast is a great source of all of the above vitamins and minerals and also is relatively low in calories, making it a healthy and delicious choice.
Conclusion
Rib roast is a very delicious dish that has the potential to be just as tasty as leftovers as it does on day one. There are plenty of ways that you can successfully reheat your rib roast to be just as yummy on day two, including by steaming it, baking it, or microwaving it. You can even eat it cold, and, if you’re feeling creative, you can incorporate your leftover rib roast into a brand new recipe. Some of our favorites include rib roast pot pie, rib roast soup, rib roast chili, and a rib roast quesadilla, but the options are limitless!
