Italian beef sandwiches are a beloved comfort food for many. The tender thinly sliced beef is simmered for hours in a flavorful broth full of spices like oregano basil, and garlic. This produces incredibly moist and juicy meat that packs a serious punch of flavor. But what do you do when you have leftover Italian beef juice after making these sandwiches? Don’t let that precious jus go to waste!
In this article I’ll provide 12 delicious ways to use up leftover Italian beef juice. From soups and stews to gravies and risottos, this flavorful liquid can transform a variety of dishes.
Why Save the Leftover Juice?
Before jumping into the recipes, let’s look at why you should save that Italian beef juice rather than pouring it down the drain:
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It contains concentrated beef flavor from the many hours of simmering. This adds a meaty, savory taste to anything you use it in.
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The spices infused in the broth will impart flavor without any extra effort.
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It’s an easy way to add moisture and juiciness to otherwise dry dishes,
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Making your own beef broth from scratch is time consuming. Using the leftover jus eliminates that step.
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Store-bought broth often contains preservatives and sodium. You control exactly what goes into homemade Italian beef juice.
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It allows you to get the most mileage out of your original ingredients. Less food waste is always better!
Now let’s check out 12 ingenious ways to repurpose leftover Italian beef juice.
1. Italian Beef Soup
This is probably the easiest option for using up Italian beef juice. Just simmer vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions in the broth. Then add noodles or rice, leftover shredded beef, and seasonings like basil and oregano. Finish it off with a splash of red wine for extra flavor.
2. French Onion Soup
Caramelized onions are the star of French onion soup. To make it, cook down halved onions in butter or oil. Deglaze the pan with red wine. Then pour in the Italian beef broth and simmer for 30 minutes. Top with toasted bread and melted cheese.
3. Beef and Barley Stew
Transform your broth into a hearty beef barley stew. Saute aromatics like garlic and carrots. Add pearl barley, the jus, some red wine, and leftover shredded beef. Simmer until the barley is tender.
4. Risotto
For an easy, restaurant-quality risotto, use the Italian beef broth as your cooking liquid. Saute onions and garlic, then add Arborio rice. Ladle in the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until creamy. Mix in Parmesan at the end.
5. Pot Roast Gravy
Pot roast needs a good gravy for serving. Saute mushrooms and onions in the beef juice. Whisk in a slurry of cornstarch and water to thicken. Season with Worcestershire sauce, red wine, and herbs. Drizzle over sliced pot roast.
6. Beef and Vegetable Chili
The leftover broth provides a solid base for beef chili. Brown ground beef with onions and peppers. Add beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, and the jus. Let it all simmer until thickened. Garnish with cheese, sour cream, etc.
7. Creamy Mushroom Soup
Saute mushrooms and shallots in olive oil and butter. Stir in some flour to make a roux. Whisk in the beef broth, cream, and seasonings. Bring to a simmer until thick. Blend until creamy and smooth. Garnish with more mushrooms.
8. Shepherd’s Pie
For the meaty filling, brown ground beef with veggies like peas and carrots. Pour in the Italian beef jus and Worcestershire sauce. For the topping, prepare mashed potatoes. Assemble by layering the meat mixture and potatoes in a baking dish. Bake until hot and bubbly.
9. Beef Stroganoff
Use the leftover broth to make a fast Beef Stroganoff. Saute strips of beef with mushrooms and onions. Make a roux with butter and flour. Whisk in beef broth, Worcestershire, mustard, and cream. Cook egg noodles, then mix everything together.
10. Beef Enchiladas
Make a simple enchilada sauce by heating up the Italian beef broth with tomato sauce and chili powder. Dip corn tortillas in the sauce. Fill them with shredded beef, cheese, etc. Roll up and top with more sauce and cheese. Bake until melty.
11. Italian Wedding Soup
Transform the broth into homemade Italian wedding soup. Cook meatballs, pastina, and spinach in the liquid. Finish with grated Parmesan. You can even add leftover shredded beef for extra heartiness.
12. Warm Beef Dip
This beloved bar food is perfect for using the last bit of jus. Shred or slice the leftover Italian beef. Pile it on a hoagie roll and place in a baking dish. Pour the warm broth over top. Broil until the bread crisps and cheese melts. Dig into the juicy warm sandwich.
Storing and Freezing the Leftover Juice
To get the longest life out of your leftover Italian beef juice, follow these storage tips:
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Let it cool completely before storing.
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Transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Squeeze out excess air.
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Store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
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For longer storage, keep in the freezer for 2-3 months.
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Freeze broth in ice cube trays for easy portioning later on.
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When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge or in a bowl of hot water.
With a little creativity, you can transform leftover Italian beef juice into all sorts of mouthwatering dishes. It provides an incredible flavor boost without much effort. Next time you make Italian beef sandwiches, save every last drop of that precious broth! Just refer back to this article for inspiration on how to put it to delicious use.