Leftover Roast Beef Stew
This tasty Leftover Roast Beef Stew doesn’t use potatoes or carrots, so it’s an easy low-carb dinner when you have leftover roast beef! This recipe calls for a pound of cooked roast beef, but see suggestions for other things to substitute or a similar recipe to make with uncooked beef.
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This Leftover Roast Beef Stew is a recipe from the early days of my site that suddenly got popular again recently, and I wondered why. Then I realized that now beef is so much more expensive that when people splurge on a nice beef roast, they’re probably searching for another dinner idea to make with the leftovers! And this recipe is the perfect way to use leftover roast beef to make a tasty stew!
This beef stew recipe also a perfect example of something that’s tasty no matter what kind of diet you’re following, and with all the flavor from green pepper, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, oregano, and basil, you won’t miss the potatoes or carrots a bit. This is a flexible recipe, and you can adjust amounts and ingredients to what you have hanging out in the fridge.
The one thing I think is essential is the dried herbs that are simmered in the stock, with the addition of some fresh basil or frozen basil at the end. For me it was a good reason to buy one of those basil plants that you see in the grocery store, and so far I am keeping it alive in my window! But even if you don’t have fresh basil this is delicious and I hope you’ll try it if you get some leftover roast beef!
What ingredients do you need?
- onion
- green pepper
- olive oil
- leftover roast beef or steak
- canned beef broth (or use homemade beef stock if you have some)
- canned diced tomatoes
- dried oregano
- dried basil
- mushrooms
- fresh basil or frozen basil (probably optional, but good)
- salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste
What if you don’t have fresh or frozen basil?
If you don’t have fresh basil or frozen basil you can use the chopped basil that’s sold in a tube, but another easy option if you don’t need the recipe to be dairy-free would be to use my favorite purchased basil pesto to add that basil flavor.
What makes this leftover beef stew extra flavorful?
Of course starting with roast beef adds flavor to this Italian beef stew. But the stew is also extra flavorful from the green pepper, tomatoes, mushrooms, dried oregano, and dried basil. And if you finish it off with some fresh basil that makes it even better.
What if you have less than a pound of leftover roast beef?
If you have a whole pound of leftover roast beef, I urge you to use the full amount (or even more). But if you don’t have a full pound of beef cubes you can still make a tasty stew. You could use more green pepper or more mushrooms, or add zucchini, add red bell pepper, add artichoke hearts, or add another vegetable you enjoy in stew. You could also add some bacon or sausage to the stew.
What if you don’t have leftover roast beef?
Check out Italian Beef Stew with Zucchini, Mushrooms, and Basil if you’d like to make a similar stew recipe that starts with uncooked chuck roast.
Want more tasty low-carb stew recipes?
Check out Low-Carb and Keto Stew Recipes for lots more tasty ideas for stew, with stews made from beef, fish, sausage, chicken, and vegetables.
How to Make Leftover Roast Beef Stew:
(This is just a summary of the steps shown in the photos. Scroll down for complete recipe including nutritional information.
- Cut up onion and bell pepper.
- Cut up leftover roast beef into large bite-sized pieces.
- Wash mushrooms if needed and thickly slice.
- Heat olive oil over medium-high heat, add onions and green peppers, and cook about 3 minutes.
- Add dried oregano and basil and cook about 3 minutes more.
- Add mushrooms and cook 2-3 minutes more.
- Add the cubes of leftover roast beef, beef broth, and canned tomatoes with liquid.
- Reduce heat to very low and let stew simmer about 45 minutes.
- If you have fresh basil, use a knife or Herb Scissors (affiliate link) to cut the basil into thin strips.
- (You can also use frozen basil if you have some. Or use my favorite purchased basil pesto.)
- Add basil to the stew and simmer about 5-10 minutes more.
- Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve hot.
Make it a low-carb meal:
This stew made with leftover roast beef could definitely be a one-dish meal. But if you want to add something else, this would taste great with toasted Olive Bread or Savory Almond Flour Bread and Spring Mix Salad with Mary’s Perfect Dressing.
More Low-Carb Dinners with Beef:
Ground Beef Gyro Meatball Lettuce Wraps
Pan-Grilled Steak with Olive Sauce
Leftover Roast Beef Stew
Leftover Roast Beef Stew is delicious idea for a low-carb dinner when you're lucky enough to have leftover roast beef!
Ingredients
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 lb. leftover roast beef (see notes)
- two 14 oz. cans beef broth (see notes)
- one 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
- 2 tsp. dried oregano
- 2 tsp. dried basil
- 8 oz. mushrooms, cut in thick slices
- 3-4 T chopped fresh basil (see notes)
- salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut up onion and bell pepper into 3/4 inch pieces.
- Cut up leftover roast beef into large bite-sized pieces, about 1 1/2 inches square.
- Wash mushrooms if needed and thickly slice. (Or you can use pre-sliced mushrooms like I did, which makes it easy.)
- Heat olive oil in dutch oven or large frying pan with high sides over medium-high heat, add onions and green peppers, and cook about 3 minutes.
- Add the dried oregano and dried basil and cook about 3 minutes more.
- Add mushrooms and cook 2-3 minutes more.
- Add the cubes of leftover roast beef, beef broth, and canned tomatoes with liquid.
- Reduce heat to very low and let the stew simmer about 45 minutes, or until it has thickened.
- If you have fresh basil, use a knife or Herb Scissors (affiliate link) to cut the basil into thin strips. (You can also use frozen basil if you're lucky enough to have some. Or use my favorite purchased basil pesto.)
- Add the basil to the stew and simmer about 5-10 minutes more.
- Taste and add salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve hot.
Notes
Use at or least 2 cups diced beef cubes for this recipe if you don't have a full pound of leftover roast beef. You can also use leftover steak.
You can use 3 1/2 cups homemade beef stock instead of canned beef broth if you have some.
This recipe is a perfect use for frozen chopped basil. You can also use the chopped basil that's sold in a tube if you prefer or use my favorite purchased basil pesto to add the basil flavor.
Recipe created by Kalyn with inspiration from a magazine she saw years ago at Rand's house, but she can't remember what it was.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 229Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 1980mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 5gSugar: 6gProtein: 26g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.
Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
This leftover roast beef stew would be suitable for low-carb and low-glycemic diets, and as long as you use lean roast beef (less than 10% fat), this recipe would be approved for all phases of the original South Beach Diet. The recipe is also Gluten-Free and Paleo.
Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Soups and Stew Recipes for more tasty ideas like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, or on Instagram to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.
70 Comments on “Leftover Roast Beef Stew”
This was so good! I put in a couple celery ribs and a small zucchini cut into quarters along with the onions. I did steam some carrots with my instant pot and added to it. I’m recommending it to all I know!Â
So glad you enjoyed it. I love how people are improvising with this recipe.
Can I use crushed tomatoes instead of crushed?
Not quite sure what you mean, but since the recipe calls for diced tomatoes I’m guessing you’re asking if you can use crushed instead of diced. That would be just fine. Hope you enjoy!
Hi Kalyn.
I made this tonight, absolutely delicious, only variation was I roasted cut up fresh tomatoes & red & green peppers in olive oil & sprinkled oregano & dry basil on top, then when roasted, just added to your recipe, served with baby hergy roast potatoes.
John Bath
UK.
So glad you enjoyed it; your version sounds even better!
I found this recipe looking for Keto compliant ideas to use of a tough leftover chuck roast. OMG! It was so good and tasty! I used chicken stock I made with a leftover rotisserie chicken the night before, some fresh tomatoes that were going mushy. Triple leftover killer! I added zucchini and celery to up the veggie content. Served with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and grated Parmesan. Hearty, nutritious, filling. Thanks for the dinner inspiration!Â
My pleasure Kris, so glad you enjoyed it!
Can't wait to try this! I hate leftover roast beef, mainly because I don't know what to do with it other than slap it on some bread. It just isn't that good reheated. We have some in the fridge right now that I was thinking would likely go to waste. Now it won't!
This recipe shows that healthy food can be hearty and satisfying. Happy New Year, Kalyn!
Thanks so much I can't wait to make this fortune hubby tonight!!
Meagan, you could definitely make this in the slow cooker. I haven't tried it, but I would use less stock (maybe 1/2 cup less.) I don't eat potatoes often so I don't have much experience with them in the slow cooker, but I'm guessing that would work too.
Hi, I was just wondering if you could slow cooker this recipe? Also would some potatoes work in this or would it be too hearty? Thanks so much !!
Meagan
Leslie, so glad you're enjoying it!
I am so happy that social media somehow lead me to this recipe. Oh my goodness! I'm eating it as I type and it's so so good! I followed your recipe exactly and will be returning it in the future. My stomach thanks you! 🙂
Hi Heather,
I am so tired of the cold weather! I'd probably just use more tomatoes in place of the mushrooms (or red bell pepper if you like that.) This recipe is pretty flexible so you can change the amounts around a bit to fit what you have.
Hi! This soup looks SO good, and sounds fairly easy to make. Since it's still practically winter in Utah these days I was thinking of making it with my leftover roast beef from yesterday. Danen hates mushrooms though, so would you suggest just cutting them out OR adding something in place of them? THANKS!!
Laura, thanks. So happy to hear the blog is helpful for you. Sounds like you came up with your own variation of this recipe!
This recipe is amazing. Last night I made a roast that I found tough but had lots leftover for my phase 1 hubby and I to eat, and I love this. It was perfect for a dark november evening. I didn't have any green pepper, but put in some asparagus, zucchini and celery and some spinach, and used a big 28 oz can of diced tomatoes. This was perfect. I did also add the bay leaf and jus from the roast itself.
I can't tell you enough how inspiring your blog in to keep phase 1 food delish!!
Glad to hear it was a keeper!
my follow up to yesterday's post… excellent! :)~
I started with a leftover rump roast, sliced the grisly fat off and cubed it up med rare. added red wine to the broth and fine diced a couple small garlic cloves to add, put them in after the onion – with a red bell instead of a green – decreases my heartburn, and they were on sale.
My take on the "tomato situation" – I used these new Hunt's fire-roasted canned diced toms. great! it is really, really good and so simple… thanks again! keeper!
I'm glad so many people are trying this. I had a friend make it recently with green anaheim chiles when she could't get green bell peppers, and she said that was a good variation.
since its 100-degrees out still… too hot hang out by the grill. going to make this tomorrow. sounds great, and almost all of it on hand! thanks so much for sharing.
I added some Chorizo slices and would add some Tabasco were it not for the kids.
i tried your recipe, which turned out great, i did add some diced potatoes. keep up the good ideas!!