It’s made with a hearty shredded beef tomato sauce, ziti pasta, and lots of melty cheese. The best part is that the ragu sauce is made from leftover beef roast, so you can use the same ingredients for two great dinners.
Italian beef sandwiches are truly delicious. The thinly sliced roasted beef soaked in a flavorful broth is so tasty But what do you do when you have leftover italian beef juice after assembling your sandwiches? Don’t pour it down the drain! That flavorful juice can be used in so many ways
I love making italian beef sandwiches. The zesty flavor of the juice takes the sandwich to another level. But I often have extra juice left over after putting the sandwiches together. I used to just throw out the extra juice until I realized how useful it can be for enhancing other dishes.
If you find yourself asking “What should I do with leftover italian beef juice?” – read on for some great recommendations!
How Long Does Leftover Italian Beef Juice Last?
Before getting into what you can do with the leftover juice, first a word on how long it will keep. The juice will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. To extend its shelf life, you can freeze the juice in a sealed container or freezer bag. It will keep for 2-3 months in the freezer.
Be sure to let it thaw completely in the refrigerator before using. I like to divide it into portion sizes so I can thaw just what I need. The frozen juice may separate a bit, but just give it a good stir or shake once thawed and it will blend back together.
Great Uses for Leftover Italian Beef Juice
Now onto the fun part – here are some of my favorite ways to use up that leftover italian beef juice!
Boost Flavor in Soups or Stews
One of my top suggestions is adding a spoonful or two of the juice to soups, stews or chilis. The zesty, beefy flavor it contributes is amazing. Italian beef juice can amplify flavors in tomato-based soups and pair nicely with peppers, onions and beans found in many stews.
Start with a small amount and add more to taste. About 1-2 tablespoons per 4 servings is a good starting point.
Use as a Cooking Liquid
You can cook other meats or vegetables in the italian beef juice. Try using it to braise pot roasts chicken, or shrimp. Saute or roast vegetables like onions mushrooms or peppers in the juice instead of oil or broth.
The leftover juice substantially boosts flavor in these dishes and prevents you from needing extra oils or fats.
Marinate Other Proteins
That zing from the italian seasoning in the juice makes it a phenomenal marinade. Use it to marinate beef for fajitas or kabobs. Chicken and pork also take well to marinating in italian beef juice.
Let meats marinate for a few hours in the refrigerator before grilling, broiling or pan frying. The juice adds so much robust flavor!
Make Gravy and Sauces
Leftover italian beef juice has the perfect base for making killer gravies and pan sauces. After cooking meats or vegetables in a skillet, deglaze the pan with a splash of the juice.
Then let it simmer while scraping up any browned bits. Thicken it with a starch like cornstarch or flour for an easy, delicious gravy packed with flavor.
You can also reduce the juice into more of a glaze and use it as a sauce topping for pasta, meats or veggies
Boost Flavor of Rice or Grains
In place of regular water or broth, cook rice, quinoa or other grains in italian beef juice. The infusion of savory flavor is so satisfying.
I’ll use about 3 parts liquid to 1 part grain. Then finish off the flavor with some extra virgin olive oil or parmesan cheese stirred in.
Punch Up Salad Dressings
Homemade salad dressings get a major boost of appetizing zing from italian beef juice. Use it in place of part of the vinegar or lemon juice called for in vinaigrette recipes.
I also love adding a splash to creamy dressings as part of the liquid component. It gives tang without overpowering other dressing ingredients.
Bake with It
When baking quick breads, muffins or cakes, swap out some of the liquid in recipes for italian beef juice. It pairs especially well in sweet and savory combinations.
Try it in recipes with cheese, italian herbs and vegetables like zucchini or sweet peppers. The juice infuses wonderful flavor into baked goods.
Add to Bloody Marys
For a gourmet twist on bloody mary cocktails, use italian beef juice in place of plain tomato juice. It contributes a depth of savory umami flavor you won’t get with regular tomato juice from a can.
Rim the glass with a mix of celery salt and italian seasoning for a thematic touch. Garnish with beef stick, pickled vegetables or italian-flavored olives.
Tips for Using Leftover Italian Beef Juice
Here are a few handy tips to make the most of leftover italian beef juice:
- Mix with equal parts broth or stock to tone down the intensity if needed
- Freeze in ice cube trays for easy use – pop out a cube whenever you need some
- Add to canned tomato products like sauce or diced tomatoes to boost flavor
- Use within 3-4 days for freshest flavor
- Combine with red or white wine for cooking for extra dimension
- Swap in for oil or butter when sauteing aromatics like garlic, onions, shallots
Put That Juice to Work
With such concentrated beefy flavor, it’s a shame to waste leftover italian beef juice. Use it to amplify tastes in all kinds of dishes. Soups, stews, grains, vegetables, marinades and baked goods all benefit hugely from incorporating the juice.
Next time you make a batch of italian beef sandwiches, make a little extra juice. It keeps for several days in the fridge or months in the freezer. Then you’ll have this liquid gold on hand whenever you need a flavor boost in the kitchen!
Why We Love It!
- Perfect Use for Pot Roast Leftovers! – I love it when leftovers can be used to make a second dinner that tastes just as good as the first! This Beef Ragu Pasta Bake tastes just as good as the Beef Roast dinner it came from the night before! My Simply Perfect Beef Roast is a family favorite and a fond memory from my childhood that my mom and grandma served me many times. This Ragu Pasta Bake can be made with leftovers from these Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches, which are also delicious and perfect for feeding a crowd.
- Simple Flavors—My beef pot roast only needs three things to make it: beef, onion, and stock. After some prep work in the morning, it cooks all day in the oven and is ready for dinner. These basic flavors make it easy to turn into the best recipes for shredded beef leftovers!
- Making Use of Leftovers—It’s easy to make a hearty shredded beef tomato sauce by mixing it with ziti pasta and broiled melty cheese! It’s a quick and easy weeknight meal that makes preparing the beef roast yesterday worth it!
- Onions
- Pot Roast: If you have any Simply Perfect Beef Roast left over, you can put it in the fridge for a day or two and then use it to make this ragu pasta bake. Remove and throw away any white fat that has risen to the top. For this recipe, you can use any amount of leftover beef, about 1 to 2 cups.
- Red Wine—Sealing the pan with red wine makes the food taste better.
- Two types of tomatoes: tomato paste and crushed tomatoes. I like to use one can of tomato paste and one can of crushed tomatoes for the base of my ragu pasta sauce because they make it thick and rich. You can also use whole tomatoes that have been peeled; just chop them up or pulse them in a food processor.
- Herbs: Basil, parsley, oregano, and thyme are some fresh Italian herbs that give the ragu pasta bake a sweet taste. You can use 2 teaspoons of dried Italian seasoning instead of fresh if you don’t have any fresh In the summer, we like to freeze a mix of herbs from our garden. They are great in this dish.
- Ziti Pasta: You can use any short pasta you like, like rigatoni, penne, or ziti. Something hearty that can handle the strong, rich beef ragu pasta sauce
- Cheese: Put a lot of shredded melty white cheese on top of your ragu pasta bake. Provolone, mozzarella or even white cheddar are great options.
- Cheese: Shredded Parmesan cheese gives food more of an Italian taste.
Step 1 – In a large sauce pot, saute the onion in olive oil. Add garlic and your leftover shredded beef roast. Discard any white fat that has solidified after being refrigerated.
Step 2 – Deglaze with red wine and add canned tomato. Season with salt, pepper, and a handful of fresh herbs. Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes or longer until ready to assemble.
Step 3 – Preheat oven to high broil. Cook pasta following package instructions, drain and add to the simmering sauce. Mix well to combine.
Step 4: Put it in a casserole dish or bake it in the pot itself if it’s safe for the oven. Top with shredded cheese.
Broil in the oven until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 3 minutes. Garnish with more fresh herbs. Serve with an Italian Mixed Greens Salad and crusty bread!.
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Why Sandwiches Dipped in Beef Juice are a Culinary Delight
FAQ
What can I do with beef drippings?
Can you save steak juice?
How to store leftover Italian beef?
What to do with leftover beef rib roast?
These slow cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches are the best way to up your leftover beef Rib Roast. Easy to make in the slow cooker, these sandwiches really make the best out of your roast beef! Take a classic Rib Roast and make Roast “Planned-Overs” with these easy beef sandwiches. SO MUCH FLAVOR!
What can I do with leftover pot roast?
Onions & Garlic – Give your leftover pot roast some Italian flavor with sauteed onions and garlic. Leftover Pot Roast – Your leftover Simply Perfect Beef Roast can be refrigerated a day or two and then used to make this ragu pasta bake. Scrape off and discard any white fat that has settle on the top.
How do you cook Leftover shredded beef?
Add garlic and your leftover shredded beef roast. Discard any white fat that has solidified after being refrigerated. Step 2 – Deglaze with red wine and add canned tomato. Season with salt, pepper, and a handful of fresh herbs. Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes or longer until ready to assemble. Step 3 – Preheat oven to high broil.
How long can you keep leftover Italian beef?
You can store leftover Italian Beef in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or place in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Need some creative ideas to use up your leftovers? Try these: Easy shredded Italian Beef made in the crockpot, just SIX ingredients and loaded with flavor!