. 8 Hearty beef and Potato Soups to Use Up Holiday Leftovers – esrecipes

8 Hearty beef and Potato Soups to Use Up Holiday Leftovers

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Okay, let’s be honest. That gorgeous holiday roast beef? The pile of perfectly roasted potatoes? They were amazing… but now you’re staring at them in the fridge, wondering what to do. Do you just…eat them cold? (Please don’t.) Fear not, my friend! We’re rescuing those leftovers from a lonely fate with a collection of seriously soul-warming beef and potato soups. Forget takeout – these are easy, customizable, and guaranteed to be a flavor explosion. I’m talking comfort food central. Get ready to become a soup superhero!

1. Classic Roast Beef & Potato Soup with Creamy Herbs

This isn’t your grandma’s watery beef soup. This is loaded. Think chunks of tender roast beef, hearty potatoes, and a ridiculously creamy herb finish. Seriously, it’s the ultimate cozy hug in a bowl. Who doesn’t love a soup that feels fancy but is shockingly simple?

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups leftover roast beef, cubed
  • 3 cups cooked potatoes, cubed (roast them extra crispy for added flavor!)
  • 4 cups beef broth (low sodium is your friend)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer.
  4. Add the cubed potatoes and roast beef. Cook until the potatoes are heated through, about 10-15 minutes.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream, parsley, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Serve hot and enjoy!

Why You’ll Love It: This soup is pure comfort. The combination of rich beef, creamy potatoes and fresh herbs is simply irresistible. IMO, the crispy roasted potatoes make a huge difference in texture.

2. Spicy Southwestern Beef & Potato Soup

Need to kick things up a notch? This soup adds a fiery Southwestern twist to the classic combo. The chipotle peppers in adobo sauce? Chefs kiss.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups leftover roast beef, cubed
  • 3 cups cooked potatoes, cubed
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (adjust to your spice preference!)
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and red bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add the garlic, chipotle peppers, chili powder, and cumin. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer.
  4. Add the potatoes and roast beef. Cook until heated through, about 10-15 minutes.
  5. Stir in the cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Garnish with extra cilantro and a dollop of sour cream (optional).

Why You’ll Love It: The smoky heat from the chipotle peppers perfectly complements the savory beef and potatoes. FYI, don’t skip the cilantro – it adds a gorgeous freshness.

3. Creamy Guinness Beef & Potato Stew

Okay, this one is a little more decadent, but SO worth it. Adding Guinness to a beef stew? Genius, I tell you. The malty flavor adds so much depth. I once tried substituting another stout… big mistake. Stick with Guinness.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups leftover roast beef, cubed
  • 3 cups cooked potatoes, cubed
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 bottle (11.2 oz) Guinness stout
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute more.
  4. Pour in the Guinness stout and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  5. Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Bring to a simmer.
  6. Add the potatoes and roast beef. Cook until heated through, about 10-15 minutes.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Why You’ll Love It: The Guinness adds a rich, complex flavor that elevates this soup to restaurant-quality. Don’t be scared – it doesn’t taste overwhelmingly like beer.

4. French Onion & Potato Beef Soup

Think French onion soup…but with potatoes! The caramelized onions add a sweet and savory depth that’s just incredible. Pro-tip: Caramelizing onions takes time. Don’t rush it!

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups leftover roast beef, cubed
  • 3 cups cooked potatoes, cubed
  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 1/4 cup dry sherry (optional, but highly recommended!)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • French bread slices, toasted
  • Gruyere cheese, shredded

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized, about 30-45 minutes. (Yes, it takes that long!)
  2. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the beef broth and sherry (if using). Add the bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
  4. Add the potatoes and roast beef. Cook until heated through, about 10-15 minutes.
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf.
  6. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top with toasted French bread slices and shredded Gruyere cheese.
  7. Broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Why You’ll Love It: This soup is a symphony of flavor – the sweetness of the caramelized onions, the richness of the beef, and the salty, nutty Gruyere. It’s a showstopper, for sure.

5. Hearty Italian Beef & Potato Soup with Parmesan

Layers of Italian flavor – what’s not to love? This soup benefits from good quality parmesan, don’t skimp.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups leftover roast beef, cubed
  • 3 cups cooked potatoes, cubed
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a simmer.
  4. Add the oregano and basil. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Add the potatoes and roast beef. Cook until heated through, about 10-15 minutes.
  6. Stir in the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese.

Why You’ll Love It: This is a cozy, flavorful soup that’s perfect for a chilly evening. The parmesan adds a lovely salty, umami twist.

6. Cheesy Broccoli & Beef Potato Soup

Don’t let the broccoli throw you off! It adds a lovely, unexpected freshness and a boost of nutrients to this rich and satisfying soup.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups leftover roast beef, cubed
  • 3 cups cooked potatoes, cubed
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer.
  4. Add the potatoes and roast beef. Cook until heated through, about 10-15 minutes.
  5. Add the broccoli florets and cook until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes.
  6. Stir in the cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Why You’ll Love It: The cheesy goodness combines with the hearty beef and potatoes for a soup that’s both satisfying and surprisingly healthy. :/ Broccoli haters, give this one a chance!

7. Loaded Baked Potato Beef Soup

Essentially, you’re eating a loaded baked potato… in soup form! Delicious and packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups leftover roast beef, cubed
  • 3 cups cooked potatoes, cubed
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup chopped chives
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer.
  4. Add the potatoes and roast beef. Cook until heated through, about 10-15 minutes.
  5. Stir in the sour cream, cheddar, and chives. Season with salt and pepper.

Why You’ll Love It: A hearty, creamy, comforting soup that celebrates the classics!

8. Lemon & Dill Beef & Potato Soup

Bright, zesty, and utterly refreshing, this soup is a delicious way to enjoy leftover beef and potatoes. The lemon and dill bring a freshness you wouldn’t expect.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups leftover roast beef, cubed
  • 3 cups cooked potatoes, cubed
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer.
  4. Add the potatoes and roast beef. Cook until heated through, about 10-15 minutes.
  5. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and dill. Season with salt and pepper.

Why You’ll Love It: A light, flavorful soup that’s perfect when you crave something fresh and comforting.

Soup’s On!

See? Turning those holiday leftovers into something amazing doesn’t require a culinary degree. Each of these soups is packed with flavor, surprisingly simple to make, and will rescue your fridge from a fate of sad, lonely leftovers. So, ditch the takeout menus and embrace the comforting power of a good bowl of soup. Happy cooking!

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