You invite friends or family over for a cookout, and as usual, you made way too much food. What do you do with the barbecue leftovers? You could eat plain burgers and sausages for days, or you could transform your leftovers into delicious new meals by combining them with new ingredients.
If you’re wondering what to do with all that leftover barbecue chicken, beef, and pork, as well as sides like watermelon and veggies, turn to the following recipes for inspiration. Several of them are suitable for special diets, like low-carb, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Never has your family been this excited to eat barbecue leftovers.
Photo: Deposit Photos
Safety note: You should always refrigerate leftovers as quickly as possible. If there is any chance that they have been left out for too long and have spoiled or been contaminated, DO NOT use them.
Recipes using leftover grilled chicken
Try these leftover chicken barbecue recipes to create new dishes so good that you’ll forget you’re eating yesterday’s dinner.
This low-carb Cobb salad with chicken recipe uses chicken breasts, bacon and a hard-boiled egg to create the perfect summer lunch. If you’re looking for something a little more filling for dinner, but still want to satisfy your craving for bacon, try this chicken bacon ranch casserole recipe.
This sriracha chicken wrap recipe uses a creamy sriracha sauce and chicken tenderloins to make a portable meal for on-the-go. Add a little sweetness to your table with these loaded sweet potato fries that use leftover chicken and feta cheese to create the perfect finger food.
Try a twist on the classic chicken salad with this tahini chicken salad, which is gluten-free, paleo and packed with veggies. Add some pineapple and ham to your leftover barbecue chicken when making this Hawaiian chicken salad; it makes a great lunch for kids and adults alike. Or, mix up this curry chicken salad for another take on a summer favorite. It’s gluten-free and dairy-free.
Leftover beef barbecue recipes
Not sure what to do with your remaining ground beef or steaks after the cookout? Don’t toss them! Put your leftovers to good use with these recipes using beef barbecue.
This satisfying bacon cheeseburger casserole will leave the whole family happy, while this easy taco salad recipe makes for a delicious work lunch. If you have steak instead of ground beef, eat your greens using this steak salad with avocado dressing.
Leftover brisket can also be used in a variety of ways. This smoked queso dip recipe uses cream cheese to achieve maximum creaminess, and is filling enough to be the main course for dinner. Try this smoked brisket chili when you’re looking for a low-energy meal. An easy brisket grilled cheese is another way to make the best of your leftover beef barbecue in a tasty and simple way.
Recipes with leftover barbecue pork
Use your leftover pulled pork, sausage or pork tenderloin in these recipes, and they’ll become the star of your dinner table again.
The words “savory” and “waffle” may seem like a strange combination, but this BBQ pulled pork savory waffle recipe may very well change your mind. Or, try replacing your standard pepperoni with leftover pork when making a keto BBQ pulled pork pizza. Combine pork leftovers with sweet potatoes and eggs in this sweet potato pulled pork hash that would work well for dinner or breakfast.
If you have leftover pork tenderloin, turn your leftovers into tacos using this grilled pork tenderloin tacos recipe, which uses homemade salsa verde for an extra twist. Leftover sausage can be put to use in sausage kale soup or in sun-dried tomato pasta.
Some recipes are flexible enough to accommodate whatever types of barbecue leftovers remain after your cookout. This delicious cabbage soup will liven up any remaining barbecue chicken, beef or pork. Repurpose any meaty leftovers in a udon noodle stir fry or air fryer nachos. You might even consider mixing different types of grilled meat in the same dish.
Watermelon recipes
Photo: Happy Kitchen
No summer barbecue is complete without some fresh watermelon. But often, you end up with more than you need. Use these suggestions to make good use of the summer classic.
Mix up a watermelon daiquiri to sip poolside (or just in your favorite lawn chair) or a watermelon mojito popsicle for an even more portable treat. A watermelon feta salad with mint combines unlikely flavors to create a delicious side dish. For a slightly different take, make these watermelon skewers with feta and pesto to enjoy as a snack or an appetizer.
Combine your leftover fruit with other summer favorites, so they can be enjoyed together. We like this pineapple watermelon salsa or watermelon pico de gallo.
Recipes using up your leftover cookout sides
Photo: Amy Gorin Nutrition
Even side dishes are perfect for saving and eating later. With the right recipe, they can even change from a side dish into the main course. Use these ideas to get started.
Whip up a little comfort food with this air fried mac and cheese balls recipe that will put all that leftover mac and cheese to good use. Turn your remaining mashed or baked potatoes into tasty gluten-free potato pancakes that can be enjoyed with chutney, sour cream or eggs. Throw together all your leftover in-season veggies to create a new main course with this summer vegan power bowl recipe.
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