St. Patrick's Day Leftovers

Don’t let that goodness go to waste—let’s turn those St. Paddy’s Day extras into something spectacular! 10 ideas to repurpose your leftovers.

I love cooking with leftovers because it’s a chance to get creative in the kitchen while reducing waste! As a home chef, I enjoy transforming yesterday’s meal into something fresh and exciting—whether it’s repurposing roasted veggies into a hearty soup or turning corned beef into a crispy hash. It’s all about maximizing flavor, saving time, and making every ingredient count!

St. Patrick’s Day may be all about the feast, but the real magic happens the next day—when you open the fridge and realize you have a treasure trove of delicious leftovers waiting to be transformed! From tender corned beef to hearty potatoes, sweet carrots, and flavorful cabbage, these ingredients are the perfect foundation for creative, no-fuss meals. Whether you're making crispy hash, hearty sandwiches, or a comforting soup, these leftovers ensure the Irish celebration continues. So don’t let that goodness go to waste—let’s turn those St. Paddy’s Day extras into something spectacular!

Here are some delicious ways to repurpose your Slow-Cooker Corned Beef Brisket Dinner leftovers:

1. Corned Beef Hash

Chop up the brisket, potatoes, and carrots, then sauté them in a skillet with onions and butter until crispy. Top with a fried egg for a hearty breakfast!

2. Reuben Sandwich

Layer sliced corned beef with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian or 1000-Island dressing on rye or pumpernickel bread. Grill until golden brown and serve with a side of chips or a pickle.

Russian Dressing vs. Thousand Island Dressing: What’s the Difference?

Both Russian dressing and Thousand Island dressing are creamy, tangy condiments often used on sandwiches, burgers, and salads, but they have distinct differences:

- Russian Dressing: Spicier and more savory,made with mayonnaise, ketchup (or chili sauce), horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and paprika
- Thousand Island Dressing: Sweeter and more mild, made with mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, and sometimes hard-boiled eggs

3. Corned Beef & Cabbage Soup

Simmer chopped corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and beef broth for a cozy and flavorful soup. Serve alongside a grilled cheese sandwich on rye, sourdough, or a pretzel roll.

4. Irish Egg Rolls

Fill egg roll wrappers with shredded corned beef, cabbage, and Swiss cheese. Roll them up, fry or air-fry until crispy, and serve with Guinness mustard sauce.

5. Corned Beef Quesadillas

Stuff flour tortillas with corned beef, shredded cheese, and sautéed cabbage. Grill until crispy and serve with a spicy mustard, creamy horseradish sauce, or 1000-Island dressing.

6. Cottage Pie with Corned Beef

Swap ground beef for chopped corned beef in a classic cottage pie. Layer with leftover veggies, and frozen peas, top with mashed potatoes, shredded Swiss and/or gruyere cheese, and bake until golden.

Cottage Pie and Shepherd’s Pie are both classic, comforting meat pies topped with mashed potatoes, but the key difference lies in the protein used:

- Shepherd’s Pie is traditionally made with ground lamb, aligning with its name (since shepherds tend sheep).
- Cottage Pie is made with ground beef, making it a more common version in many households.

7. Corned Beef & Potato Breakfast Tacos

Warm up corn tortillas with scrambled eggs, chopped corned beef, potatoes, cheese, and a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce.

8. Cabbage & Corned Beef Slaw

Thinly slice raw cabbage and toss it with shredded corned beef, carrots, and a tangy peppercorn mustard vinaigrette for a fresh and crunchy salad. Serve atop a hot dog with 1000-Island dressing or over a bed of steamed rice.

9. Corned Beef Pizza

A crispy pizza crust (homemade or store-purchased) layered with creamy horseradish sauce or 1000-Island dressing, melty cheese, and corned beef, then topped with sour kraut, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

10. Corned Beef Chowder

A warm and hearty chowder featuring tender corned beef, potatoes, and vegetables in a rich, creamy broth. The perfect way to enjoy leftover corned beef!

Corned Beef Chowder Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 celery stalks, diced

• 3 cups chicken or beef broth

• 2 medium cooked carrots, diced

• 2 cups cooked potatoes, diced

• 1 cup cooked cabbage, chopped

• 1 cup corn kernels

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• ½ teaspoon sea or kosher salt (adjust to taste)

• 2 cups cooked corned beef, diced

• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for thickening, optional)

• Fresh parsley or chives, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and celery. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

2. Pour in broth and bring to a simmer. Add diced carrots, potatoes, cabbage, corn, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.

3. Stir in the corned beef and heavy cream. If a thicker consistency is desired, stir in the cornstarch slurry and let it simmer until thickened.

4. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives.

5. Serve hot with crusty bread or Irish soda bread.

Happy Cooking!

xoxoxo

~ bek