BBQ ribs are always a crowd pleaser. The tender, fall-off-the-bone meat coated in a finger-licking sweet and tangy barbecue sauce is hard to resist. But what happens when you have leftover bbq ribs after the party is over? Don’t let those leftovers go to waste! There are so many delicious ways to repurpose leftover bbq ribs.
Store Leftover BBQ Ribs Properly
First things first, you need to store leftover bbq ribs properly to keep them fresh and safe to eat.
Here are some tips for storing leftover bbq ribs:
- Let the ribs cool completely before storing. Don’t pack hot bbq ribs into an airtight container – this can cause bacteria growth.
- Store ribs in a shallow airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Bbq ribs can be kept refrigerated for 3-4 days.
- For longer term storage, freeze ribs for 2-3 months. Wrap ribs tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap before freezing.
- Don’t store ribs longer than 3-4 days in the fridge or freezer burn and flavor loss can occur. Use frozen ribs within 2-3 months for best quality.
Proper storage keeps leftover bbq ribs safe to eat and maintains texture and moisture. Now let’s look at delicious ways to enjoy those leftovers!
Repurpose Leftover BBQ Ribs
Leftover bbq ribs don’t have to end up in the trash. With a little creativity, you can transform them into tasty new dishes! Here are popular ways to repurpose leftover bbq ribs:
BBQ Rib Sandwiches
This is one of the easiest ways to use up leftover bbq ribs. Simply pile shredded or chopped bbq ribs onto a toasted bun and you have an amazing sandwich! Add your favorite toppings like pickles, coleslaw, and bbq sauce.
To make it extra decadent, melt cheese over the ribs on the bun and stick it under the broiler for cheesy bbq rib melts. Bbq rib sandwiches make excellent quick lunches or dinners.
BBQ Rib Tacos
Build delicious tacos with your leftover bbq ribs. Warm shredded or chopped ribs in the skillet with diced onions. Put the bbq rib mixture into warmed corn or flour tortillas and top with fresh salsa, guacamole, shredded lettuce, cheese, and sour cream.
BBQ rib tacos have great Tex-Mex flavors and are super filling. Switch up the toppings to customize them just the way you like.
BBQ Rib Pizza/Flatbread
Piling leftover bbq ribs on pizza or flatbread makes for an amazing meal. Spread bbq sauce over the dough. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese, leftover bbq ribs, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeños.
Bake until the cheese is bubbly for finger-licking good bbq rib pizza. Try bbq chicken, bacon, and pineapple as extra toppings too.
BBQ Rib Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a quick and easy way to use up bbq rib leftovers. Shred or chop the ribs. Place them between flour or corn tortillas with shredded cheese.
Cook the quesadillas in a skillet until the cheese melts and the tortillas are lightly browned. Cut into wedges and serve with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. Delicious!
BBQ Rib Salad
Turn leftover bbq ribs into flavorful salad toppings. Chop or shred the bbq ribs. Make a bed of mixed greens, vegetables like corn, tomatoes, avocado and black beans.
Top with the rib pieces, crumbled feta or blue cheese, and crunchy tortilla strips. Drizzle with your favorite dressing for a hearty main dish salad.
BBQ Rib Casserole
A rib casserole is comfort food at its finest. Mix chopped bbq ribs, corn, peas, onions, cheese and pour bbq sauce over bread cubes or potatoes in a casserole dish.
Bake at 350°F until heated through and the cheese is melted. You can also make it with mac and cheese or stuffing mix. Customize your bbq rib casserole with your favorite flavors.
BBQ Rib Soup or Chili
No need for the ribs to go to waste when you can use them in soups and chilis! Add shredded or chopped bbq ribs to your favorite chili recipe for extra flavor and heartiness.
BBQ rib pieces also make delicious additions to soups like loaded baked potato soup, chicken noodle, or minestrone. The tender bbq rib meat soaks up all the rich flavors.
BBQ Rib Eggs
Give breakfast a delicious smoky twist with leftover bbq ribs. Whip up bbq rib omelets or breakfast burritos stuffed with diced ribs, eggs, cheese, and toppings like caramelized onions and bell peppers.
For rib hash, sauté diced bbq ribs with potatoes, peppers and onion. Top with a fried egg for an easy week day breakfast.
BBQ Rib Pasta
Toss leftover chopped bbq ribs with hot cooked pasta and marinara sauce for a fast meal. Adding cream or ricotta cheese makes a rich, satisfying bbq rib mac and cheese.
Stir in vegetables like spinach, peas or roasted red peppers for extra nutrition. Pasta is a great way to repurpose bbq rib leftovers.
Get Creative with Leftover BBQ Ribs
If you bake or cook often, get creative with ways to use leftover bbq ribs in other recipes:
- Fold chopped bbq ribs into cornbread batter before baking for incredible flavor.
- Mix shredded ribs into biscuit or pizza dough along with cheese for tasty baked treats.
- Add small bbq rib pieces to oven-baked beans or mac and cheese.
- Use a few tablespoons of leftover rib meat in chili, soups, or pasta sauce for a flavor boost.
- Make bbq rib sliders on dinner rolls for appetizers.
- Toss rib meat with barbeque sauce and pile onto a baked potato.
With a little imagination, you can transform leftover bbq ribs into all types of mouthwatering dishes. They make fantastic flavor-packed additions to omelets, nachos, sandwiches, frittatas, and more!
What to Do with Lots of Leftover BBQ Ribs
Big gatherings like cookouts, potlucks, and barbecues often lead to large amounts of leftover bbq ribs. Here are great ways to handle lots of leftover bbq ribs:
Freeze in Portions
Break down a big batch of leftover ribs into meal-sized portions. Wrap individual 2-3 rib portions in foil or plastic wrap. Freeze in a single layer so they don’t stick together.
Frozen rib portions thaw quickly for weekday meals. Label bags with contents and date before freezing. Frozen ribs last 2-3 months.
Make Bone Broth
Simmer the bones from leftover ribs in water with garlic, herbs, and vegetables to extract nutrients and make a mineral-rich bone broth. Strain and use as the base for soups, stews, rice, etc.
BBQ Pulled Rib Meat
Pull or shred all the meat off of a large quantity of leftover rib bones. Toss the pulled rib meat with your favorite bbq sauce.
Use the flavorful bbq pulled rib meat to top baked potatoes, make sandwiches, fold into tacos, or eat as is. Refrigerate bbq pulled rib meat up to 4 days.
Rib Meat for Snacks
Chop leftover ribs into bite-sized pieces. Portion onto small plates or into snack bags. Enjoy rib bites as on-the-go high protein snacks. Kids love them too!
Make Dog Treats
Thoroughly cooked leftover rib bones are safe for dogs to eat. The natural meaty bones are healthy treats. Store the rib bones in the freezer. Dogs love gnawing on them!
With some planning, you can minimize waste and get more mileage from a big bbq rib feast. The ribs can continue to be enjoyed all week long.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leftover BBQ Ribs
How long do leftover bbq ribs last in the fridge?
Cooked bbq ribs that have been properly refrigerated in airtight containers will keep for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Make sure to refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. After 3-4 days, it’s best to throw away leftover bbq ribs as bacteria growth increases the longer they sit.
Can you reheat bbq ribs?
Yes, leftover bbq ribs can absolutely be reheated. The best way is to place them in a baking dish, cover with foil, and heat through in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes. An airtight container also works. Just be sure ribs reach 165°F.
You can also reheat ribs in the microwave but they may lose moisture – use a microwave-safe container and heat for 30-60 seconds at a time. Bbq rib meat can be crisped up again in a skillet too.
How do you freeze leftover bbq ribs?
First, let cooked ribs fully cool before freezing. Wrap individual portions of 2-3 ribs in aluminum foil or plastic wrap or seal in freezer bags. Flatten packages to freeze ribs in a single layer rather than a big clump.
Label with contents and freeze date. Frozen ribs maintain quality and flavor for 2-3 months at 0°F. Thaw bbq ribs in the fridge before reheating.
Can you make soup with leftover bbq ribs?
Absolutely! Soup is one of the most popular ways to use up leftover bbq ribs. Remove any bones, then roughly chop or shred the bbq rib meat. Add to broth along with vegetables, beans, pasta – get creative!
BBQ rib soup has incredible depth of flavor. Just bring the soup to a boil when reheating to 165°F for food safety.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover rib meat?
The gentle heat of the oven works wonderfully for reheating leftover rib meat safely. Place the shredded or chopped meat in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm at 325°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
Stirring rib meat scrambled into eggs is another good reheating method. You can also briefly sauté rib meat in a skillet or warm in a sauce.
Tips for Enjoying Leftover BBQ Ribs
- Add extra barbecue sauce or heated broth when reheating dried out leftover rib meat.
- Mix chopped ribs with mac and cheese or baked beans to add moisture and flavor.
- Wrap individual ribs in foil and reheat in the oven for juicy, tender results.
- Use rib meat in omelets, burritos, sandwiches, and tacos for flavorful fillings.
- Chop cooled ribs, then freeze in recipe-sized portions to use later in soups or stews.
- Shred large amounts of rib meat and freeze in batches for quick weeknight sandwich toppings or nachos.
- Pair leftover chopped or shredded ribs with potato dishes, eggs, salads, and pastas for easy meals.
- Cook leftover rib bones with vegetables and seasoning to create your own delicious bone broth.
With proper storage and reheating, leftover bbq ribs can be safely enjoyed for several meals. A little creativity transforms boring old leftovers into fun and tasty new dishes!
Conclusion
Leftover bbq ribs shouldn’t end up wasted in the back of your fridge. With proper storage and reheating, they can be repurposed into amazing sandwiches, pizzas, tacos, soups, pastas, and more! Get the most from your bbq ribs by freezing portions, making bone broth, and pulled bbq meat.
Next time you fire up the grill or smoker, cook up extra ribs. Knowing you have delicious leftover bbq ribs ready to go makes weeknight dinners a breeze. Bbq ribs are too tasty to only be enjoyed once. With endless possibilities for new dishes, let your imagination run wild with leftover bbq ribs!