When you’ve had your fill of barbecue but still have meat left on the bone, you might be wondering what to do with leftover ribs. Instead of reheating them the same old way, turn those tender, smoky bites into something brand new—think sandwiches, pastas, tacos, or even chili. With a little inspiration, last night’s ribs can become today’s most exciting meal.
Oh and if you're always struggling to find your next meal with what's left in your fridge, try this recipe generator from ingredients, Trust me you'll never have this problem again!
TL;DR – 10 Best Leftover Ribs Recipes
Need a quick hit of inspiration? Here’s every leftover ribs recipe from this list at a glance.
- BBQ Rib Sandwich with Slaw – Smoky, saucy rib meat piled into a toasted brioche bun with creamy coleslaw.
- Rib Mac and Cheese – Ultra-cheesy comfort food with crispy rib bits and golden breadcrumbs.
- Rib Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema – Fresh, bold, and tangy tacos with smoky rib filling and cool crema.
- BBQ Rib Pizza – Wood-fired vibes with melty cheese, red onions, and BBQ drizzle.
- Smoky Rib Chili – Hearty, slow-simmered chili with a rib-loaded twist.
- Rib Pasta Bake – Bubbly, cheesy baked pasta packed with rib meat and marinara.
- Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ribs – Colorful peppers filled with cheesy rice and shredded ribs.
- Loaded Baked Potato with Rib Meat – A full meal in a potato, topped with BBQ rib meat, cheese, and sour cream.
- Korean-Style Rib Fried Rice Bowl – Savory, umami-packed rice with crispy rib bits and a fried egg.
- BBQ Rib Sliders – Mini sandwiches with big BBQ flavor—perfect for snacks or parties.
1. BBQ Rib Burger with Slaw
This juicy BBQ sandwich piled high with smoky meat and creamy slaw is the ultimate leftover ribs upgrade.
Ingredients
1 brioche bun, toasted
¾ cup shredded leftover ribs
2 tbsp BBQ sauce
¼ cup coleslaw (your favorite kind)
2 pickle slices
Butter (for toasting the bun)
Recipe Steps
- Warm the shredded ribs in a pan with BBQ sauce until hot and caramelized.
- Butter and toast the brioche bun in a skillet until golden.
- Layer the bottom bun with ribs, then top with coleslaw and pickles.
- Close the sandwich and serve hot with fries or chips.
Don't like fries and have leftover baked potatoes hanging around too? Check it out!
2. One of our Favorite Leftover Ribs Ideas - Rib Mac and Cheese
We tried many leftover ribs ideas and to be honest this one felt different, ultra-creamy mac and cheese meets crispy, smoky rib meat, comfort food doesn’t get better than this.
Ingredients
2 cups cooked macaroni
1 cup shredded leftover ribs
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 ½ cups milk
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
½ cup mozzarella
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Chives (optional, for garnish)
Recipe Steps
- Make a roux by melting butter in a saucepan and whisking in flour. Gradually add milk, stirring until thickened.
- Add cheeses, stirring until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine with macaroni and rib meat. Pour into a greased baking dish.
- Toss breadcrumbs with olive oil and sprinkle on top.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 mins or until golden and bubbly. Garnish with chopped chives.
3. Rib Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema
Charred rib meat, a cool crema drizzle, and a squeeze of lime take these tacos straight to flavor town.
Ingredients
6 small flour tortillas
1 cup shredded leftover ribs
¼ red onion, sliced
Fresh cilantro leaves
1 jalapeño, sliced
1 lime, cut into wedges
Crema: ½ cup sour cream + juice of 1 lime + 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
Recipe Steps
- Warm tortillas in a dry skillet.
- Heat rib meat in a pan until hot and slightly crisped.
- Mix crema ingredients in a bowl.
- Assemble tacos: rib meat, onion, jalapeño, and cilantro.
- Drizzle with crema and serve with lime wedges.
4. BBQ Rib Pizza
Your favorite pizzeria just got out-ribbed. This BBQ rib pizza brings bold flavor and crisp crust together perfectly.
Ingredients
1 ball pizza dough
½ cup shredded leftover ribs
¼ cup BBQ sauce (plus more for drizzle)
½ cup shredded mozzarella
¼ red onion, thinly sliced
Fresh cilantro leaves
Recipe Steps
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) or as high as it goes.
- Roll out the dough onto a floured surface or pizza stone.
- Spread BBQ sauce, then top with mozzarella, rib meat, and red onion.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until the crust is puffed and charred.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and drizzle with extra BBQ sauce before serving.
5. Smoky Rib Chili
Deep, rich, and slow-simmered—this rib chili is what fall weekends were made for.
Have a Dutch oven and would like to get better at it? Make sure to check out our 5 best dutch oven recipes, they are a certain hit for family gatherings!
Ingredients
1 cup chopped leftover ribs
1 tbsp olive oil
½ onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Sour cream, shredded cheese, and cilantro for topping
Recipe Steps
- Heat olive oil in a pot. Sauté onions and garlic until soft.
- Add rib meat, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Add beans and tomatoes, bring to a boil, then reduce heat.
- Simmer for 20–30 mins to develop flavor.
- Ladle into bowls and top with sour cream, cheese, and cilantro.
6. Leftover Pork Ribs Pasta Bake
Thise leftover pork ribs pasta bake are full of Bubbling cheese, saucy noodles, and bits of smoky rib, this one’s a cozy dinner hit.
Ingredients
2 cups cooked pasta (penne or rigatoni)
1 cup shredded leftover ribs
1 cup marinara sauce
½ cup ricotta or cottage cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella
½ tsp garlic powder
Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Recipe Steps
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix pasta, ribs, marinara, garlic powder, and ricotta.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish.
- Top with mozzarella.
- Bake for 20–25 mins or until cheese is bubbly and golden. Garnish with parsley.
7. Stuffed Bell Peppers with Leftover Ribs
These colorful peppers are stuffed with rib meat, rice, and melted cheese. They’re as satisfying as they are beautiful.
Ingredients
2 large bell peppers, halved and deseeded
1 cup shredded leftover ribs
1 cup cooked rice
½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
¼ cup onion, finely chopped
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Recipe Steps
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded ribs, rice, chopped onion, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Spoon the mixture into the bell pepper halves. Top each with shredded cheese.
- Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish with a splash of water at the bottom. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
8. Loaded Spud with Rib Meat
A full meal packed inside a potato—cheesy, creamy, and loaded with smoky rib goodness.
Ingredients
1 large russet potato, baked
½ cup shredded leftover ribs
2 tbsp sour cream
2 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbsp chopped chives
BBQ sauce (for drizzle)
Salt to taste
Recipe Steps
- Slice baked potato open and fluff the inside with a fork.
- Top with rib meat, cheese, sour cream, and chives.
- Drizzle with BBQ sauce and season with salt.
- Serve hot with a fork and napkin—it’s messy in the best way.
9. One of Korea's Classic Leftover Rib Meat Recipes - Rib rice bowl
Savory, sweet, and rich with umami—this bowl is fast, flavorful, and totally satisfying.
Ingredients
1 cup cold cooked rice
½ cup chopped leftover ribs
1 egg
¼ cup diced red bell pepper
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 spring onion, chopped
1 tsp sesame seeds
Recipe Steps
- In a hot pan, add sesame oil and sauté red pepper and rib meat until caramelized.
- Add rice and stir-fry to break up clumps. Pour in soy sauce and mix well.
- Fry the egg separately until the yolk is runny.
- Spoon rice into a bowl, top with the egg, chopped onion, and sesame seeds.
10. BBQ Rib Sliders
Perfect for parties or snacking, these mini sliders are packed with bold BBQ flavours.
Ingredients
4 slider buns
1 cup shredded leftover ribs
3 tbsp BBQ sauce
¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Fresh parsley (optional)
Potato chips (for serving)
Recipe Steps
- Warm rib meat in a pan with BBQ sauce.
- Toast slider buns lightly.
- Fill each bun with rib meat and top with shredded cheddar.
- Garnish with parsley and serve with chips or a quick slaw.