Transforming Sunday’s grand roast into a hearty weeknight meal has never been easier with this Comforting Leftover Prime Rib Beef Stew. This recipe is a culinary game-changer, designed to breathe new life into those delicious prime rib scraps, offering an incredibly satisfying and budget-friendly meal that practically makes itself.
Key Ingredients for Comforting Leftover Prime Rib Beef Stew
- 1.5 lbs leftover prime rib, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or rendered beef fat
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds
- 3 celery stalks, cut into 1/2-inch thick pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste, as prime rib is already seasoned)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups beef broth (low sodium is recommended)
- 1 cup dry red wine (optional, but highly recommended for depth of flavor)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 lb small Yukon Gold potatoes or red potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup frozen peas (added in the last 10 minutes of cooking)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
How to Make Comforting Leftover Prime Rib Beef Stew
This Comforting Leftover Prime Rib Beef Stew is a marvel of simplicity and flavor, proving that gourmet meals can be achieved with minimal effort. The magic lies in the tender chunks of leftover prime rib, which imbue the rich, savory broth with an irresistible umami depth. In approximately 20 minutes of active prep time and about 1 hour of simmering, you’ll create a deeply satisfying, visually appealing stew with a luxuriously thick gravy that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sear the Prime Rib: Pat the cubed prime rib dry with paper towels. Heat the olive oil or rendered beef fat in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the prime rib cubes in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Sear for 1-2 minutes per side until nicely browned. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside. Don’t worry if it’s not cooked through; it will finish cooking in the stew.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the same pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables have softened and the onion is translucent.
- Infuse with Garlic and Herbs: Add the minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, black pepper, and a pinch of salt (remember the prime rib is seasoned) to the pot. Cook for another minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.
- Build the Flavor Base: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir to coat. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to cook out the raw flour taste. This will help thicken the stew.
- Deglaze and Add Liquids: Pour in the red wine (if using) and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Let the wine simmer and reduce by about half, which should take 2-3 minutes. This process adds significant depth of flavor. Then, pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Add the bay leaf.
- Return the Beef and Simmer: Return the seared prime rib cubes to the pot. Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it gently simmer for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the beef to become more tender.
- Add Potatoes: Stir in the cubed potatoes. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Incorporate Frozen Peas: In the last 10 minutes of cooking, stir in the frozen peas. This will heat them through and add a pop of color and freshness.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Remove the bay leaf. Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Ladle the Comforting Leftover Prime Rib Beef Stew into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley.
Why You’ll Love This Comforting Leftover Prime Rib Beef Stew
This Comforting Leftover Prime Rib Beef Stew is an absolute dream for busy home cooks and discerning palates alike. Its primary appeal lies in the incredibly tender, deeply flavored chunks of prime rib that melt in your mouth, transforming humble leftovers into the star of the show. Beyond its exquisite taste, this stew is a true testament to smart cooking, offering a significant cost-saving benefit by repurposing a premium cut of meat into a hearty, satisfying meal that rivals any restaurant’s offering.
Imagine the rich, savory aroma filling your kitchen, the velvety broth clinging to every tender piece of beef and perfectly cooked vegetable – it’s pure comfort in a bowl, a welcome upgrade from a simple shepherd’s pie. Don’t let those precious prime rib leftovers go to waste; give them a second life and treat yourself to this incredible, budget-friendly stew today!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing your delicious Comforting Leftover Prime Rib Beef Stew is straightforward, ensuring you can enjoy its comforting flavors for days to come. Once the stew has cooled slightly, transfer it to airtight containers. Properly stored in the refrigerator, the stew will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, this hearty stew freezes beautifully. Allow it to cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date, and it can be kept frozen for up to 3 months.
To reheat refrigerated stew, gently warm it in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. For a thicker stew, you may need to add a splash more beef broth. If reheating from frozen, the best method is to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat as described above. Alternatively, you can reheat from frozen by placing the stew in a saucepan with a little extra liquid and simmering gently, covered, over low heat until fully thawed and hot. Avoid high heat, as this can toughen the meat.
Final Thoughts
This Comforting Leftover Prime Rib Beef Stew is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to savor the richness of premium ingredients long after the special occasion has passed. We encourage you to try this simple yet profoundly delicious way to elevate your leftovers and experience true home-cooked comfort.
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Comforting Leftover Prime Rib Beef Stew
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the cubed prime rib dry with paper towels. Heat the olive oil or rendered beef fat in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the prime rib cubes in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Sear for 1-2 minutes per side until nicely browned. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside. Don’t worry if it’s not cooked through; it will finish cooking in the stew.1.5 lbs leftover prime rib, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1-inch cubes, 2 tablespoons olive oil or rendered beef fat
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the same pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables have softened and the onion is translucent.1 large yellow onion, chopped, 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds, 3 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch thick pieces
- Add the minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, black pepper, and a pinch of salt (remember the prime rib is seasoned) to the pot. Cook for another minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.4 cloves garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir to coat. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to cook out the raw flour taste. This will help thicken the stew.2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Pour in the red wine (if using) and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Let the wine simmer and reduce by about half, which should take 2-3 minutes. This process adds significant depth of flavor. Then, pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Add the bay leaf.4 cups beef broth, 1 cup dry red wine, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- Return the seared prime rib cubes to the pot. Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it gently simmer for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the beef to become more tender.1.5 lbs leftover prime rib, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1-inch cubes
- Stir in the cubed potatoes. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.1 lb small Yukon Gold potatoes or red potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
- In the last 10 minutes of cooking, stir in the frozen peas. This will heat them through and add a pop of color and freshness.1 cup frozen peas
- Remove the bay leaf. Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Ladle the Comforting Leftover Prime Rib Beef Stew into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley.Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish