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This leftover prime rib soup recipe is made without bones, so you can use up prime rib, either lingering from the holidays or after a special dinner, and transform it into something super tastyโpacked with egg noodles, mushrooms, and vegetables in a rich beef broth, it’s the perfect way to stretch an expensive meat into an incredible family meal.
See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.
Why This Recipe is So Good
- This is hands-down the smartest recipe for prime rib soup by using leftovers. Instead of dry reheated slices, you’re getting fork-tender beef that’s been gently warmed in savory broth. The meat stays juicy and flavorful, and you’ll actually look forward to leftovers for once!
- The flavor here is rich and deeply satisfying without being heavy. That beef broth base gets amped up with Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and herbs, while the mushrooms add this incredible umami depth that makes every spoonful taste like you’ve been simmering it for hours. It’s the kind of soup that warms you from the inside out on a cold winter night.
- This is a complete meal in one pot โ protein, veggies, and noodles all together means zero side dish stress. Plus, cleanup is a breeze since everything cooks in your stock pot. Your family gets a balanced, filling dinner, and you get to skip doing a million dishesโwin-win all around!
What You Need to Know Before You Start
- Add your prime rib at the very end of cooking to keep it tender and prevent it from becoming tough or dry. Since the meat is already fully cooked, it only needs about 2 minutes in the hot broth to warm through. If you add it too early and let it simmer for 20 minutes, you’ll end up with chewy, overcooked beef instead of that melt-in-your-mouth texture we want here!
- Boiling too vigorously will cause your vegetables to turn mushy, your noodles to break apart, and your meat to toughen up, so keep it at a simmer. You want those little bubbles gently breaking the surface โ that’s the sweet spot where flavors develop, and everything cooks evenly without falling apart.
- Add your noodles about 8 minutes before you’re ready to serve, which gives them just enough time to cook through without getting soggy or absorbing all your broth. If you’re planning to have leftovers, cook the noodles separately and add them to individual bowls when serving โ this prevents them from soaking up all the liquid overnight.
- Your carrots and potatoes should be roughly the same size, so cut them about ยฝ inch. This allows them to finish cooking at the same time. Nobody wants to fish around for that one giant chunk of carrot while everything else is perfectly tender!
Recipe Variations
Make it with Different Pasta: Swap the egg noodles for any pasta shape you prefer โ penne, rotini, or even orzo would be delicious. Just adjust the cooking time according to the package directions.
Add Different Vegetables: Toss in diced parsnips, turnips, or sweet potatoes along with the regular potatoes for extra depth. Green beans (fresh or frozen) would also be fantastic.
Boost the Creaminess: Stir in ยฝ cup heavy cream or sour cream right before serving for a richer, creamier version. This works especially well if you’re feeding kids who prefer milder flavors.
Use Different Leftover Meat: This recipe works beautifully with leftover pot roast, beef stew meat, or even deli roast beef. Just follow the same method of adding the pre-cooked meat at the very end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but with a caveat. The soup base freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, but egg noodles don’t freeze well โ they get mushy when thawed. Your best bet is to freeze the soup without the noodles and prime rib, then add fresh noodles and meat when you reheat it.
No problem! You can use any leftover cooked beef like pot roast, steak, or even deli roast beef in a pinch. You could also start with 1 pound of stew meat โ just brown it first, then let it simmer in the broth for about 45 minutes before adding the vegetables.
This is a great option if you donโt want to stand over a stove; just add everything except the noodles, prime rib, and frozen vegetables to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. About 20 minutes before serving, add the noodles and turn to high, and then add the meat and frozen veggies in the last 5 minutes.
For a thicker soup, mash some of the cooked potatoes against the side of the pot with a wooden spoon โ they’ll naturally thicken the broth. You can also whisk together 2 tablespoons of flour with ยผ cup of cold water and stir it in during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Fresh peas or blanched carrots work wonderfully. Just add them at the same time as the prime rib, so they have a couple of minutes to warm through. Fresh green beans would also be delicious โ just slice them into bite-sized pieces first.
More Delicious Soup Recipes
- โโHomemade Turkey Noodle Soup
- Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Soup
- Easy Tom Yum Soup
- Healthy Creamy Clam Chowder (Whole30, Paleo, Dairy Free)
- Manhattan Clam Chowder
- Seafood Soup
- Instant Pot Tomato Soup
- Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Cajun Shrimp Bisque
- Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Whole30 Lasagna Soup
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions or variations listed are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
Leftover Prime Rib Soup
Equipment
- Large stock pot 6-8 quart capacity
- chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Ladle for serving
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic divided
- 2 ribs celery thinly sliced
- 2 carrots halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- ยฝ teaspoon dried thyme
- ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 medium Yukon gold potatoes cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups dried egg noodles
- 8 ounces button or creamini mushrooms sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 2 cups leftover prime rib cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a large stock pot over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add 2 ribs thinly sliced celery, 2 halved and thinly sliced carrots, and 1 large diced yellow onion to the pot.
- Sautรฉ the vegetables for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add 6 cups beef broth, 8 ounces sliced mushrooms, 2 medium bite-sized Yukon gold potatoes, ยฝ teaspoon dried thyme, ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.
- Bring the broth to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat slightly to maintain a gentle simmer (not a vigorous boil). Cook for 5 minutes.
- Add 2 cups dried egg noodles to the pot and stir well to prevent clumping. Continue cooking for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender and potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Reduce heat to low.
- Add 1 cup frozen peas and carrots and 2 cups bite-sized leftover prime rib pieces. Stir gently and cook for 2 minutes, just until vegetables are heated through and prime rib is warmed.
- Taste and adjust salt if needed. Ladle into bowls and serve immediately.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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Sounds delicious! What a great way to use up leftovers. Just curious, what kind of mushrooms would you recommend for this recipe?
Hi there! Sliced button or creamini mushrooms are used in this recipe. Be sure to let us know if you try it! ๐