What To Do With Leftover Country Style Pork Ribs – 18 Creative Recipes

Country style pork ribs are a delicious cut of meat that are great for grilling, smoking, or braising. However, they tend to yield quite a bit of leftovers While having an abundance of leftover barbecue ribs may seem like a good problem to have, it can be challenging to figure out creative ways to use them beyond just reheating

In this article, I’ll share 18 recipes for repurposing leftover country style pork ribs. From weekday lunches to party appetizers to main dishes, these ideas will help you get the most out of your leftovers.

Quick and Easy Lunch Ideas

Leftover ribs make for fast and delicious lunch options with little effort. Here are some go-to ideas for weekday meals:

BBQ Pork Rice Bowls

Transform leftover ribs into hearty rice bowls. Simply reheat the shredded pork ribs and mix together with cooked rice, vegetables like corn and edamame, chopped scallions, and a drizzle of BBQ sauce. Top with a fried egg for extra protein.

Rib Tacos

Warm corn or flour tortillas, stuff with shredded rib meat, crunchy cabbage, avocado, and a squeeze of lime. Add salsa or hot sauce for a kick.

Rib Quesadillas

Fill a tortilla with Monterey jack cheese, chopped rib meat, and sautéed peppers and onions. Grill the quesadilla until the cheese melts and the tortilla gets crispy.

Rib Hash

Sauté diced potatoes with the shredded pork, onions, bell peppers, and spices like paprika and cumin. Top with a poached or sunny side up egg.

Easy Dinners

Stretch those leftovers into filling dinners for your family with these easy dinner recipes:

Rib Fried Rice

Transform leftover rib meat into a savory fried rice. Sauté the pork with rice, carrots, broccoli, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and eggs.

Rib Pasta

Toss the shredded rib meat with pasta, olive oil, chopped basil, Parmesan cheese, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper.

Rib Stir Fry

Heat up a wok and stir fry the shredded pork with your choice of vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, etc. Season with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Serve over rice.

Rib Enchiladas

Wrap shredded rib meat, Monterey jack cheese, and sautéed onions and peppers into tortillas. Top with enchilada sauce and more cheese then bake until bubbly.

Party Appetizers

Leftover ribs can become fabulous finger foods for your next gathering. Here are some crowd-pleasing appetizers:

Rib Sliders

Pile tangy BBQ pulled pork onto mini buns with crunchy coleslaw and pickles.

Rib Egg Rolls

Wrap shredded rib meat, shredded cabbage, carrots, green onions, and spices into wonton wrappers then deep fry until crispy. Serve with a dipping sauce.

Rib Pizzas

Top individual pizza crusts with leftover rib meat, cheese, barbecue sauce, red onions, jalapeños, and cilantro.

Rib Quesadillas

Fill small tortillas with Monterey jack cheese, rib meat, and caramelized onions. Grill until the cheese melts and serve with guacamole and pico de gallo.

Game Day Eats

Leftover pork ribs can become the ultimate game day grub. Try these crowd-pleasing recipes:

Rib Nachos

Pile tortilla chips with melted cheese, shredded pork, black beans, sautéed peppers and onions, guacamole, pico de gallo, and jalapeños.

Rib Chili

Simmer the shredded meat in a pot with tomatoes, beans, onions, chili powder, cumin, and beer. Top with cheese, onions, cilantro, and lime wedges.

Rib Tater Tot Casserole

Mix together tater tots, rib meat, cheese, corn, and bake until bubbly. Top with scallions, jalapeños, and sour cream.

Rib Flatbread Pizzas

Top pre-made flatbreads or naan with rib meat, barbecue sauce, caramelized onions, blue cheese, and buffalo sauce. Add fresh arugula after baking.

Main Dishes

For heartier meals, turn to these rib recipes:

Rib Jambalaya

Sauté the pork with celery, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and Cajun seasoning. Add rice and chicken broth. Once rice is cooked, stir in shrimp and scallions.

Rib and Potato Casserole

Combine leftover rib meat with potatoes, onion, cream of mushroom soup, cheese, and top with corn flakes or potato chips. Bake until bubbling and crispy.

Rib Pot Pie

Make a creamy sauce with vegetables like peas, carrots, celery, and onion. Add shredded pork. Pour into a pie crust and top with a second crust. Bake until golden brown.

Rib Stuffed Peppers

Fill bell peppers with Spanish seasoned rib meat, rice, black beans, corn, and cheese. Bake until peppers are tender and filling is hot.

Breakfast for Dinner

Yes, you can enjoy ribs for breakfast too! Try these creative recipes:

Rib Breakfast Burritos

Scramble eggs with shredded rib meat, potatoes, peppers, onions, and cheese. Wrap in a tortilla and top with salsa and avocado.

Rib Hash

Pan fry pork with potatoes, peppers, onions, and spices. Top with fried eggs.

Rib and Cheese Omelet

Make fluffy omelets filled with BBQ pork, cheddar cheese, and scallions.

Rib Benedict

Top an English muffin with pulled pork, poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce. Sprinkle with fresh chives.

As you can see, the possibilities are endless when it comes to using up leftover country style pork ribs. With a little creativity, you can transform them into all sorts of delicious meals. Next time you have an abundance of leftover barbecue ribs, try whipping up one of these recipes for a quick and easy meal, party appetizers, or game day grub. Your family and friends will love these creative ways to savor every last bite of those tasty ribs!