What to Do With Leftover Stew

A pot of stew often tastes better on day two, but three days of the same bowl gets old. Here's how to turn leftover stew into something that feels like a new meal.

Leftover stew is already a finished sauce with meat and veg in it, so it only needs a new base. Top it with mash and bake it into a pie, thin it with stock into soup, spoon it over rice, or serve it with bread dumplings.

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What can I make with leftover stew?

A mash-topped pie
Spread stew in a skillet, cover with mashed potato and brown it in the oven. Try Shepherd's Pie Skillet.
Stew into soup
Loosen thick stew with stock and extra potatoes for a goulash-style soup. Try Hungarian Goulash Soup.
With bread dumplings
Stale bread turned into dumplings is the classic partner for a reheated stew. Try Czech Bread Dumplings.
Over rice
A tomato-based stew stirred through cooked rice becomes a quick jollof-style dish. Try Nigerian Jollof Rice Remix.

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How long does leftover stew keep, and how do I reheat it?

Cool stew quickly, refrigerate it within two hours and eat it within 3–4 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat it on the hob until it's bubbling all the way through, adding a splash of water or stock if it has thickened.

Make it a pie: Stew is a ready-made pie filling. Top it with leftover mash, pastry or sliced potatoes and bake until golden. If it's very thin, simmer it down a little first so the topping doesn't sink.
Stretch a small amount: A cupful of stew won't feed everyone, but it will flavour a pot of soup, a pasta sauce or a pan of rice. Chop any large pieces of meat small so they go further.
Freeze in portions: Freeze single portions flat in bags so they thaw fast. Potatoes can go a little grainy after freezing; that matters less once the stew becomes a pie or soup.