Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (2024)

Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (1)

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Prime Rib Tacos are the best way to use leftover prime rib. With avocado horseradish sauce and caramelized onions they are taco perfection.

Prime rib is one of those meals that just begs to be made for a special occasion. Like Christmas dinner. But what do you do with the leftovers?If you are asking yourself that question, you’ve reached the right recipe post because I am going to tell you exactly what to do with your leftover prime rib.

Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (2)MAKE TACOS!

Because Tacos.

But not just any tacos, mind you, Prime Rib Tacos with Avocado Horseradish Sauce. Sounds fancy right? It’s not. It’s totally easy. And with a few steps you can wow your family with your ability to turn your leftovers into another show stopping meal.

Let’s talk about what you need:

What you need:

Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (3)

LEFTOVER PRIME RIB: I like to slice it thin, or you could dice it into small pieces similar to carne asada.

TORTILLAS: Corn work best!

YELLOW ONIONS AND GARLIC: Sliced thin as well. Sautéed they go perfectly with these tacos!

Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (4)

Now we all know that horseradish cream sauce is a must when making Prime Rib, so I figured these tacos needed to have some horseradish too. But with a latin twist. Whether you want to call it Avocado Horseradish Sauce or Horseradish guacamole, this stuff is amazeballs. To make it you’ll need:

AVOCADO

GARLIC

LEMON JUICE: The lemon juice does double duty here. First, it adds brightness to the avocado and it also keeps it from oxidizing and turning brown.

PREPARED HORSERADISH: You can find this in the condiment aisle of your grocery store. Keep in mind, prepared horseradish is different than the creamy horseradish sauce. Beaver’s Prepared Hot Horseradish (affiliate link) is my go-to brand.

SALT

How do you make prime rib tacos?

Like most taco recipes, this one is easy too!

STEP #1: Start by preparing the avocado horseradish sauce. Place avocado, garlic, lemon juice, horseradish and salt together in a food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate while you prepare the tacos.

Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (5)

DES’ TIP:I use a mini 3.5 cup food processor (affiliate link)for this. If the food processor is too big, it won’t blend this enough unless you double the batch. You can also use a potato masher to mash it together for a chunkier version.

Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (6)

STEP #2: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook onions until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and sliced prime rib. Cook just until the prime rib is warmed through. Transfer to a plate, cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.

Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (7)

STEP #3: In the same skillet you cooked the meat, heat a thin layer of oil. Fry a taco shell, 30 seconds on each side and transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Repeat with remaining taco shells.

STEP #4: To assemble a taco, place a spoonful of prime rib mixture in the middle of a shell. Spoon avocado sauce on top. Sprinkle with cilantro. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Serve.

Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (8)

If I’m being honest, while the prime rib is great (duh) it’s the sauce that totally steals the show! It also makes it not *super* kid friendly since the horseradish gives it a little kick. I just gave my kiddos regular guacamole and all was right!

Can’t get enough tacos? Welcome to the club! Here are some of my most popular taco recipes:

Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Cream Sauce

Fish Tacos with Spicy Slaw

Baked Chorizo Tacos

Seasoned Taco Meat

Shredded Beef Taquitos

If you’re looking for more Beef recipes check these out!

Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Flat Iron Steak with Balsamic Sauce

Dutch Oven Pot Roast

Instant Pot Chili

French Dip Sandwich

Beef Stew with Red Wine

Note: This recipe was originally posted in 2014. It was updated with new photos and nutrition facts in 2020.

Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (9)

Prime Rib Tacos with Avocado Horseradish Sauce

Prime Rib Tacos are the best way to use leftover prime rib. With avocado horseradish sauce and caramelized onions they are taco perfection.

4.8 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Ingredients

Taco Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 onion sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 2 cups sliced cooked prime rib
  • 8 taco shells
  • oil for frying
  • 1/4 cup cilantro

Avocado Horseradish Sauce

  • 1 avocado pitted and removed from skin
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Start by preparing the avocado horseradish sauce. Place avocado, garlic, lemon juice, horseradish and salt together in a food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate while you prepare the tacos.

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook onions until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and sliced prime rib. Cook just until the prime rib is warmed through. Transfer to a plate, cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.

  • In the same skillet you cooked the meat, heat a thin layer of oil. Fry a taco shell, 30 seconds on each side and transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Repeat with remaining taco shells.

  • To assemble a taco, place a spoonful of prime rib mixture in the middle of a shell. Spoon avocado sauce on top. Sprinkle with cilantro. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Serve.

Notes

Nutrition facts for estimation purposes only.

Nutrition

Calories: 472kcalCarbohydrates: 16.4gProtein: 15.7gFat: 37.5gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 205mgFiber: 2.9gSugar: 0.8g

Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!

Keywords: avocado, beef, entree, prime rib, tacos

Leave a Comment

  • Reply

    Elaine

    January 3, 2022 at 7:27 pm

    Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (10)
    Loved this recipe. Just finished eating. It was a big winner! The only change I would make was doubling the horseradish. We don’t have any little kids anymore and we love horseradish.

    • Reply

      Deseree

      January 5, 2022 at 8:00 pm

      Glad you enjoyed these, Elaine!

  • Reply

    Jeanne Monroe

    December 29, 2019 at 6:02 pm

    Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (11)
    Hey, did anyone else have trouble with making the avocado sauce? Everything just gets whipped onto the sides of the processor bowl, all still chunky? I was expecting smooth. Seems there is not enough to fill the bowl and I followed the recipe exactly….wish I would have at least put the garlic thru the press. :( I am sure it’ll be fine, the flavors seem spot on, so thanks.

    • Reply

      Deseree

      December 29, 2019 at 6:16 pm

      Hi Jeanne! I’m glad that you enjoyed the flavor! The sauce isn’t supposed to be super smooth but if it’s super chunky, it might come down to the size of the food processor you’re using. If you’re using a super large one, this might not be enough stuff to make it work well if that makes sense. What size are you using? You could always try mashing with a potato masher to see if that helps!

  • Reply

    Ed

    August 26, 2019 at 4:38 pm

    Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (12)
    These are amazing. But, it’s not limited to a prime rib roast (since I make s prime rib once or twice a year.). Living in California, we grill tri-tip a lot and there’s always leftovers. That sauce is wonderful on s tri-tip taco!!!

    • Reply

      Deseree

      August 26, 2019 at 8:57 pm

      Ooooh that is fabulous to know Ed! I will have to try that next time!

  • Reply

    Dianna

    May 13, 2019 at 6:14 pm

    Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (13)
    Fabulous, used left over prime rib and horseradish too. Made my salsa. My hubby is the horseradish guy
    He says yumm

    • Reply

      Deseree

      May 13, 2019 at 9:03 pm

      That’s great too hear! I adore pretty much anything with horseradish too!

  • Reply

    Danielle Green

    December 29, 2017 at 11:20 am

    These simply look amazing!

  • Reply

    Sweet Basil

    December 29, 2017 at 9:52 am

    We love horseradish and that sauce sounds like the absolute perfect way to top a prime rib taco!

  • Reply

    Alecia

    December 29, 2017 at 6:38 am

    Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (14)
    I completely agree about winter ending with Christmas! I think these tacos will do a good job making me forget the frozen tundra I live on for a while though ;-)

  • Reply

    Betsy @ Desserts Required

    December 28, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    My mouth is watering just looking at this!

  • Reply

    Allison Miller

    December 27, 2017 at 1:26 pm

    A prime rib taco sounds like the best idea ever!

  • Reply

    Derek Deen

    December 26, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (15)
    This is a must try! We just tried this tonight with Christmas leftovers and this in my wife’s words is the best leftover idea yet! Thanks for sharing

    • Reply

      Deseree

      December 27, 2017 at 9:07 pm

      I am so happy to hear that Derek! It is one of our favorite ways to use leftover prime rib too!

  • Reply

    Jill S

    July 20, 2016 at 7:25 pm

    These were so very tasty! We added some yellow bell peppers to the sautéed onions and added some lettuce and sharp white cheddar to the toppings. Delish.

    • Reply

      Des @ Life's Ambrosia

      July 21, 2016 at 2:34 pm

      Yay! I am so happy to hear that you like them and I LOVE the sound of adding some sharp white cheddar. Yum!

  • Reply

    Cheryl Benecke

    June 23, 2015 at 4:52 am

    I am making these tonight. Can’t wait to try them. Will report back. I had left over prime rib from Father’s Day and Googled recipes for left over prime rib and yours was the first to pop up. Looks fabulous! Thank you! Love your blog too. I will be following you from now on. Oh and brilliant photos by the way, thanks to your hubby as you mentioned. We certainly eat with our eyes first.

  • Reply

    Laura T

    February 24, 2015 at 8:46 pm

    These are brilliantly inventive! What a great way to make sure extra meat does not go to waste. And I love the horseradish with the beef–such a classic combo and for good reason!

  • Reply

    fakeginger

    February 24, 2015 at 8:03 pm

    These are my kind of tacos! I want one RIGHT NOW.

  • Reply

    Nibbles By Nic

    February 24, 2015 at 6:38 pm

    Wow, is this pretty!! I love the fried taco shell idea!! How creative :-)

  • Reply

    Brandy M

    February 24, 2015 at 10:06 am

    We do taco Tuesday a lot, this would be a great change of pace from what we usually have! Thank you for sharing it.

  • Reply

    Heather // girlichef.com

    February 24, 2015 at 5:47 am

    Seriously, there is no other explanation needed than…tacos! These sound absolutely perfect…I need a few.

  • Reply

    Rachel Cooks

    February 24, 2015 at 3:59 am

    You had me at prime rib! The fried taco shell and the sauce are totally icing on the cake! Wowza.

  • Reply

    Alice

    February 24, 2015 at 12:37 am

    haha I absolutely love this! ;) we do this all of the time! This is so perfect to lighten up these dark, dreary, winter days! Plus, as a first time visitor to your blog, I absolutely love the layout and everything, it is so easy to navigate and so pleasing to the eye!

    • Reply

      Deseree

      February 24, 2015 at 9:33 pm

      Thank you Alice!

  • Reply

    Karen @ The Food Charlatan

    December 19, 2014 at 11:28 am

    I have to try that avocado horseradish sauce!! Also, I’m so with you. Let’s just skip January-April.

  • Reply

    Heather @FrenchPress

    December 19, 2014 at 7:53 am

    I am SO looking forward to our prime rib leftovers now

  • Reply

    Meg

    December 19, 2014 at 5:24 am

    Prime rib tacos?! I am sold!

  • Reply

    Sharon

    December 19, 2014 at 4:57 am

    These look amazing! We’re huge fans of beef in my house, we’ll definitely be making these soon!

  • Prime Rib Tacos | Leftover Prime Rib Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (2024)

    FAQs

    How long does cooked prime rib last in the fridge? ›

    As soon as dinner's finished, wrap any leftover prime rib tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate or freeze. While it's best the next day, leftover prime rib is good for between five and seven days in the fridge or up to six months in the freezer.

    How many minutes per pound to cook a prime rib? ›

    In a 325 degree F oven: Medium-rare: 20 to 25 minutes per pound. Medium: 25 to 30 minutes per pound. Medium-well: 30 to 35 minutes per pound.

    Can you shred leftover prime rib? ›

    Slice the Prime Rib thinly across the grain, then cut again into small shredded pieces.

    Can you grill leftover prime rib? ›

    Elevate your lunch game effortlessly by repurposing leftover prime rib into a delectable Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. Simply slice the prime rib into thin strips and sauté them with bell peppers and onions on the Flat Top Grill until they reach a tender, caramelized perfection.

    Can you eat cooked meat after 7 days? ›

    USDA recommends using cooked beef within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days.

    Is frozen prime rib as good as fresh? ›

    If beef is flash frozen at the moment of peak freshness, the quality of the meat, including the taste, texture, and color, is indistinguishable from that of fresh beef. In fact, flash frozen beef can deliver an even better end result compared to its fresh counterpart.

    How do restaurants make prime rib so tender? ›

    How do restaurants make prime rib so tender? The secret to restaurant-style prime rib is cooking the meat super slow at low temperatures. I recommend cooking prime rib at no higher than 200 degrees F. This cooks the meat very slowly, turning the fat into butter and rendering the proteins juicy and soft.

    Is it better to cook prime rib at 325 or 350? ›

    Cook Time and Temperature:

    Start by cooking your prime rib at 500°F for 15 minutes and then lower the oven temperature to 325° F and cook for 10-12 min per pound for rare, or 13-14 min per pound for medium rare, or 14-15 min per pound for medium well. A meat thermometer is essential to ensure you cook it perfectly!

    What can I do with the bones from prime rib? ›

    And don't forget to use those bones. If your prime rib came bone-in, save 'em, roast 'em, and turn 'em into spectacular bone broth. You can use it to make soups or just as an on-its-own sipper that'll keep you feeling warm and cozy all winter long.

    How do you reheat prime rib without making it tough? ›

    Reheat it in a steamer

    Giving the meat a quick steam session is a nice, gentle way to warm up sliced prime rib. To make it happen, grab a steamer basket (or a plate and some tin foil, or an aluminum pie plate), put it in a pot with a few tablespoons of water in the bottom, and bring the liquid to a simmer.

    What is a prime rib sandwich made of? ›

    Leftover Prime Rib Sandwich

    We think the best prime rib sandwich is loaded with amazing smoked prime rib, sweet caramelized onions, peppery arugula, and provolone cheese all on a crusty baguette!

    Can I pan fry leftover prime rib? ›

    Remove the prime rib from refrigerator 30 minutes before you want to reheat it, and allow it to come to room temperature. Either add the steak to a pan with a splash of broth and heat over medium-low or slice the steak into smaller pieces and heat quickly over high heat and sauté for a few minutes.

    Can you air fry leftover prime rib? ›

    It's also wise to avoid reheating prime rib in an air fryer or deep fryer, since "these methods can easily result in a rubbery, dry, and flavorless prime rib,” Anthony adds.

    What happens if you cook prime rib too long? ›

    Overcooking the Prime Rib

    That's why prime rib is so expensive: it's a huge piece of extremely good beef. Therefore, it's important not to cook it beyond medium-rare. Going past that temperature means the roast will no longer be tender.

    Can I keep a rib roast in the fridge for 7 days? ›

    Position the wrapped roast so that the ribs are facing downward and stash on the lower level of the refrigerator (set no lower than 34°F and no higher than 38°F) for 5 to 7 days.

    Are leftovers good after 7 days? ›

    Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

    Can I eat cooked steak after 5 days? ›

    Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, steaks and chops may be kept 3 to 5 days. After cooking, meat, poultry and seafood can be safely stored in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days.

    Is prime rib good reheated? ›

    Yes, your prime rib leftovers can taste as juicy and tender as when you first made them. Learning how to reheat prime rib is essential if you're planning to make the tender, marbled cut of beef or if it's your go-to order at a steakhouse.

    References

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