If you’re like me, you probably have leftover corned beef after your St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Although it is an American-Irish tradition to make this dish, it is one that we continue to make year after year in our house.
No matter how you make it (boil it, bake it, or cook it in your air fryer), it tastes amazing, but the leftovers can actually taste even better. And I don’t mean heating up the leftover meat and eating it in the same way you did on St. Patrick’s Day. Instead I am talking about the several ways that you can turn it into something new and delicious.
Corned beef is pretty versatile, so you can use it in many ways. Whether you want breakfast, lunch, or dinner ideas, there’s a recipe out there that can help you make the most of your leftovers. From sandwiches to casseroles, corned beef can add a lot of flavor and heartiness to your meals.
Today I’ll share some easy and delicious ways to use up your leftover corned beef. You don’t need any fancy ingredients or complicated steps, just simple ideas to help you make the most out of what you already have. Below I have listed some of my favorite ways to enjoy leftover corned beef, and I hope you find a few recipes that you will enjoy as well.
Leftover Corned Beef Recipes
*Several of the recipes don’t need any further explanation. However, many of the recipes have specific recipe instructions and correlating tips and tricks. To view the actual recipe click on the name of the recipe and it will take you to the complete article and printable recipe card.
Breakfast/Brunch Recipes
This is a classic way to use leftover corned beef. Just chop it up with some diced potatoes, onions, and peppers, then fry everything together until it’s crispy. Then top it with a fried egg for a hearty breakfast.
You can add a pinch of paprika or hot sauce if you like a little heat. I prefer to serve it with toast or a side of fresh fruit to balance out the richness of the dish.
2. Corned Beef Breakfast Burritos
Mix chopped corned beef with scrambled eggs, cheese, and cooked & diced breakfast potatoes, then wrap it all in a tortilla. I like to toast my burrito in a skillet so that it holds together better and it gives a crunchy element to your breakfast.
Add some salsa or hot sauce for a little kick, and you’ve got a filling breakfast that’s easy to take on the go.
3. Corned Beef Omelette
Add chopped corned beef to an omelette along with cheese and veggies like onions, peppers, or spinach. It’s a simple way to use leftovers for breakfast or brunch. Serve with toast or hash browns on the side.
Appetizers/Side Dish Recipes
4. Corned Beef Nachos
Layer tortilla chips with corned beef, cheese, and then your favorite nacho toppings like jalapeños, black beans, and olives. Bake until the cheese is melted, then add sour cream, salsa, or guacamole on top. It’s a fun way to use up leftovers for a party or casual dinner.
5. Corned Beef Quesadillas
Keeping with the Mexican cuisine theme, turn your leftover corned beef into delicious quesadillas. Stuff tortillas with corned beef, cheese, and any other fillings you like, such as onions or bell peppers.
Then cook them in a skillet until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy. Serve with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole on the side.
6. Corned Beef Fried Rice
Add chopped corned beef to leftover rice along with some veggies like peas, carrots, and green onions. Fry it all together with a splash of soy sauce and/or a scrambled egg for a quick and tasty side dish or meal.
7. Corned Beef Mac and Cheese
Stir chopped leftover corned beef into your favorite mac and cheese recipe. It adds a nice savory flavor and makes the dish even more filling. Try adding some breadcrumbs on top and baking it for a crispy finish.
Soup/Salad
8. Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup
Turn your St. Patrick’s Day leftovers into a comforting soup by adding chopped corned beef, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes to a pot of chicken broth. Let it simmer until all the flavors come together. Don’t forget to season the soup with salt, pepper, and then add a bay leaf before heating for extra flavor.
9. Corned Beef Salad
Add chopped corned beef to a green salad with your favorite veggies, cheese, and dressing. It’s a great way to use leftovers in a lighter dish. You can even add hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, and croutons for extra texture and flavor.
Leftover Corned Beef Sandwiches
10. Reuben Sandwich
One of my favorite sandwiches to order at our local restaurant is a Reuben sandwich. Layers of corned beef with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island or Russian dressing on rye bread.
Grill it until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. If you don’t have Russian dressing, you can mix mayonnaise with a bit of ketchup and relish as a substitute.
*Try it with a bowl of chili and you will have a delicious and filling meal that will keep you feeling full for hours.
11. Corned Beef Grilled Cheese
Not a fan of sauerkraut? No worries, you can make a modified Reuben sandwich which I simply call Corned Beef Grilled Cheese. Add slices of corned beef to a classic grilled cheese sandwich for extra flavor and heartiness.
Use a sharp cheddar or Swiss cheese and grill on buttered bread until golden brown. Serve with a side of Russian dressing, pickles or serve with tomato soup.
12. Corned Beef Sliders
Make mini sandwiches using corned beef, cheese, and then add your favorite condiments. Serve them on small buns for a fun and easy appetizer.
You can also brush the tops of the buns with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds before baking for extra flavor. (Use my Ham and Cheese Slider recipe has a guideline on how to bake these leftover corned beef sliders).
Lunch/Dinner Recipes
13. Corned Beef Tacos
These tacos are a twist on the original version by using corned beef instead of the usual fillings.
Add some shredded cabbage, cheese, and a drizzle of spicy sauce (Sriracha sauce for me) for a quick and easy meal. You can use flour or corn tortillas and top with a squeeze of lime and fresh cilantro for added freshness.
14. Reuben Pizza
Sure you could use corned beef as a topping for homemade pizza, but it is even better when you make a Reuben Pizza. Add a little sauerkraut and cheese and then drizzle the top with Russian dressing for a unique twist.
15. Stuffed Peppers
Instead of ground beef or ground turkey use diced corned beef to make your favorite stuffed bell pepper recipe. Don’t have a lot of corned beef to work with? No problem! Turn this Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers Recipe that is designed for two people into your new, favorite, leftover corned beef recipe.
Use corned beef as the filling for classic pot pie. Add some veggies like carrots, celery and peas, and then mix with gravy. Pour the filling into a baking dish and then top with pie crust or biscuits. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
17. Corned Beef Pasta
Toss chopped corned beef with cooked pasta, veggies, and then in a creamy sauce like Alfredo or a simple garlic butter sauce. You can even add some grated Parmesan or Swiss cheese on top for extra flavor. This makes for a quick and comforting dinner that takes little time to prepare.
18. Corned Beef Shepherd’s Pie
Use corned beef instead of ground meat in a shepherd’s pie. Layer it with veggies like peas and carrots, then top with mashed potatoes. Put it in the oven to bake until golden and bubbly. Just like when making corned beef pasta you can even sprinkle a little cheese on top for added flavor.
Leftover Corned Beef Recipes
There you have it, 18 creative ways to use your leftover corned beef. With all these options, you may even find a new favorite recipe (or two).
Whether you’re in the mood for something hearty or light, there’s a recipe here that’ll fit the bill. So don’t let that corned beef go to waste, instead, turn it into something delicious!
And if you don’t have time to put your leftovers to good use, freeze the meat in an air-tight container. It will last for up to 3 months. Just be sure to label the container before freezing.
Enjoy!
Mary and Jim
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.
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