For meat lovers, there’s nothing better than biting into a juicy, flavorful piece of steak cooked to perfection. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself with leftover steak, don’t let it go to waste. Steak can shapeshift into a totally different main course with minimal effort. From beautifully marbled ribeye to lean flank to succulent sirloin, a delicious round-two dinner is never far away with steak on hand.
When buying steak at the grocery store, there are many options available at multiple price points. Generally, the most affordable cut is London broil, which can be grilled or pan-seared, though it can be slightly tougher than more expensive cuts. Skirt and flank steak are mid-priced options that are both lean and quick-cooking. Sirloin, including the popular New York strip and ribeye steak, are typically the priciest options, prized for their marbling, rich flavor, and tenderness.
Leftover steak is best enjoyed within three to four days of cooking when properly refrigerated inside an air-tight container. The biggest pitfall to avoid with previously prepared steak is moisture loss, so it’s best to warm it over moderate heat on the stovetop or at a low temperature (around 250°F) in the oven. You can also reheat leftover steak in the microwave but keep it brief to avoid drying it out.
If the thought of not one but two tasty steak meals has your mouth watering, check out these sources of dinn-spiration that will launch your leftover game to new heights.
Stuff it in a sandwich 
Sliced steak can elevate sandwiches from boring to mind-blowing with just a few additional ingredients. Perhaps the most famous example of this is Philly’s favorite sandwich, the cheesesteak. In this recipe, a sheet pan does most of the work, creating a simple version smothered with roasted peppers, onions, and gooey cheddar dip, but leftover steak is a perfect option, too.
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Philly Cheesesteaks
Toss it in a salad
A little bit of steak can turn just about any mix of veggies into a meal-worthy salad. This satisfying panzanella is also a tasty way to use up day-old bread that’s beyond its prime. Chunks of toasted ciabatta (or swap in whatever crusty loaf or dinner rolls you have on hand) add a satisfying crunch to a combo of grilled steak with zucchini, tomato, onion, and greens tossed with store-bought peppercorn dressing.
Get the recipe: Grilled Steak Panzanella Salad
Griddle it into a quesadilla
Grilled steak folded in a tortilla and with tangy-sweet peppers and cheese makes an ultra-satisfying meal that’s easy enough for busy weeknights. Top with your favorite fixings, like sour cream, guacamole, or salsa to create a tempting round-two meal of meaty quesadillas that taste like they came from a Tex-Mex restaurant.
Get the recipe: Grilled Skirt Steak with Peppers
Top a hearty grain bowl
Frozen grain and veggie blends are a time-saving shortcut that can round out a wide variety of nutritious meals. They can also star as a main course in the form of mix-and-match grain bowls topped with any of your favorite proteins, veggies, and cheeses. This filling recipe that preps in five minutes combines microwave-ready farro with steak and a flavorful, homemade herb sauce made with cilantro, mint, and garlic.
Get the recipe: Grilled Steak and Farro with Herb Sauce
Fold it into gyros
A few Mediterranean-inspired ingredients can take leftover steak sandwiches to the Greek Isles. These miniature gyros with creamy tzatziki and crisp veggies served on pita work as a portable lunch, light dinner, or finger-friendly snack for your next party or game night.
Get the recipe: Mini Grilled Steak Gyros
Roll it into a burrito
When you want to feed serious appetites, crowd-pleasing burritos are always a great choice. Turning leftover steak into burritos is a smart choice because it can help stretch the steak alongside more budget-friendly ingredients, like in this classic version bulked up with canned beans, bell pepper, and rice.
Get the recipe: Steak and Bean Burrito
Make it the star of a stir-fry
Endlessly customizable stir-frys are a tasty way to use up all kinds of proteins and veggies that you have on standby in the kitchen. This colorful recipe combines time-saving, pre-chopped peppers and broccoli from the freezer with tender pieces of steak and an Asian-inspired sauce made with pantry staples. When preparing it with leftover steak, add the beef to the pan at the end with the cooked ingredients and stir fry until just warmed through.
Get the recipe: Flank Steak Stir Fry
Pile it onto flatbread
Flatbread can be considered a cousin to pizza, but it’s even more versatile, lending itself to a wide range of flavors and textures. This version takes its cues from beefy fajitas, topped with peppers, onions, pepper jack cheese, and spicy marinara sauce.
Get the recipe: Fajita Steak Flatbread
