Creative and Savory Leftover Prime Rib Chili Recipe

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Looking for a creative way to repurpose leftover prime rib? Look no further than this savory leftover prime rib chili recipe. This recipe is packed with bold flavors and tender chunks of prime rib and is a perfect way to transform your leftovers into a mouthwatering meal. 

Using prime rib as the base of the chili adds a rich and unique ingredient that takes this classic comfort food to the next level. Combined with a variety of spices and beans, this recipe is sure to satisfy the whole family. To change it up even more, this recipe doesn’t use any tomatoes or tomato sauce. This adds a savory level of sophistication you don’t get from traditional chili recipes. It’s kind of like high-class or luxury leftovers!

This recipe is a Dined and Dashed Level 1 recipe, which means it takes 15 minutes or less to prepare and the cooking process couldn’t be easier.

Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering or simply craving a hearty and satisfying outside-the-box meal, this leftover prime rib chili will be a hit. It’s easy to make, versatile and can be prepared in advance, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights. So, dust off your cooking skills and give those leftovers a new lease on life with this delicious and creative recipe.

We often do prime rib for Christmas dinner. It’s become a family favorite and even though we do like our leftovers around here, this year we ended up with a bit more than we bargained for, so after day 3 of eating prime rib, I knew I needed to change it up.

I scoured the web for leftover prime rib recipes and I just wasn’t happy with my options. Soup, hash, pot pies, sandwiches, pizza, stew, oh my! But nothing sounded like a home run to me.

So, I started looking through the pantry for ideas and noticed I had a couple of cans of chili beans, but drat, no tomato paste or tomato sauce. I did, however, have beef stock and so that’s when I decided to make leftover prime rib chili without a tomato base.

My family was wary.

I think they even mocked me out loud.

But I persisted.

And I had the last laugh.

Because IT. WAS. GREAT.

Benefits of using leftover prime rib for chili

I’m not sure I need to elaborate on the benefits of using leftover prime rib for chili. I mean, it’s prime rib, no one should need an explanation there.

Yum.

But, to satisfy those who aren’t as familiar with prime rib, it’s tender and delicious and elevates the chili way beyond ground beef. Another benefit is that it doesn’t go to waste if you happen to have a lot of it left over. It also adds a different, unique texture to the chili, elevating it as something a bit fancier than traditional chili.

Ingredients for leftover prime rib chili

As I mentioned, this leftover prime rib chili recipe is not a tomato-based chili. If you think that’s weird, well, it may be, but the test will change your mind.

Below is a quick summary of what you need.

If you don’t have prime rib, I do think this recipe will be just as good with any kind of leftover steak, leftover roast beef, leftover pot roast, leftover standing rib roast, or leftover brisket. For the roast beef, if you have leftover au jus, I would use that instead of beef broth or stock.

• leftover, cooked prime rib roast
• canned beans
  • pinto beans
  • black beans
  • kidney beans
• beef broth/stock
• seasonings
  • minced onion
  • minced garlic
  • chili powder
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • cumin
  • chipotle powder
• arrowroot for thickening (optional)

Step-by-step instructions for making leftover prime rib chili

The hardest part of this recipe is cutting up the prime rib into small pieces, the rest is so super easy. I used an enamel Dutch oven on the stove top for mine but you could use your magical slow cooker if you prefer.

Step 1: cut up the meat into small bite-sized pieces. I did pieces no bigger than 1/2 inch.

Step 2: add everything to the Dutch oven or crock pot.

Step 3: stir until combined.

Step 4: bring to a very low boil over medium-high heat stirring frequently and then cover and simmer (stirring occasionally) until ready to serve. I cooked mine for at least two hours.

Variations of leftover prime rib chili

The chili has amazing flavor served right away, but I found it was even better the next day. Leftover leftovers! But adding Worcestershire sauce can add some flavor to this leftover prime rib chili, also you could try adding cayenne pepper, although I found this pretty spicy already and I like things hot.

Lime juice or a bottle of beer would also be an interesting addition to this recipe, we’d love to hear if you change it up and how it turned out.

Serving suggestions and ideas for leftover prime rib chili

This recipe makes a lot of chili. If you serve it as-is with some Colby jack or pepper jack cheese and sour cream on top, you will easily get 8 bowls of chili. If you serve it with flour tortillas as more of a Tex-Mex taco idea, it will go a lot farther.

Serving it over elbow macaroni or penne pasta will also make the recipe go a lot farther if you are serving a crowd.

Storing and reheating leftover prime rib chili

Since your prime rib is already leftover, you will want to make sure to eat the chili within 2 days or so of making it. If you won’t be able to, it will freeze pretty well!

If you are looking for an appetizer to serve while this cooks, check out our quick and easy skillet queso dip recipe.

This leftover prime rib chili recipe has lots of flavor, is super easy to make, and is very versatile because you can use whatever cut of steak or beef you happen to have sitting in your fridge.

It’s a hearty chili with a unique sophisticated flavor that is a great option for using up leftover meat scraps and is sure to become a family favorite dish. Serve it at a Super Bowl party, or any time you need to use up some leftover prime rib!