What do you do with leftover Lechon?
It’s a question that many people face after a holiday feast or party.
Here are several ideas on how to use up that delicious pork goodness.
From sandwiches to soups, there’s something for everyone.
So don’t let those leftovers go to waste – get cooking.
Make some sandwiches
Smoked Lechon makes for a great sandwich.
Why?
Because it has that same smoky flavor that you get from the original roast, but in a much more convenient form to eat.
Just fire up your panini press or grill and enjoy.
I really like this simple recipe due to its simplicity.
Just get some buns, spread on a bit of mayo, add the pork and you’re good to go.
If you have more time, then try out this recipe for fried Lechon sandwiches.
The crispy outer layer really takes it up a notch.
Make Lechon tacos
Lechon tacos are a simple yet delicious dish.
Just take your corn tortillas, add the pork and spicy salsa verde.
You can also add other things like onions, cilantro, or avocado to make it more flavorful.
This way of serving it takes advantage of the crispy skin outside of the Lechon.
Plus, it’s easy to eat since you can just pick them up with your hands.
Make Ramen or Pho with leftover pork
This recipe is probably my favorite because who doesn’t love hearty soup?
The leftovers from the Lechon are perfect for this dish.
Just add some rice noodles, some veggies and you have a good ramen or pho base.
Just to note, there are ready-made packets of ramen that can be bought at the grocery store.
You just need to dump it in boiling water, then add the Lechon meat.
It’s instant food at its finest.
This recipe is also very simple and delicious.
Create the base by boiling some chickens, bones, and aromatics.
Once it’s boiled for a while, add in some veggies and the leftovers from the Lechon.
Let it simmer for a bit to infuse all that goodness into the broth.
Make Lechon quesadillas
Quesadillas are a quick and easy snack to make.
All you need is flour tortillas, Lechon meat, cheese, and spices.
It’s best to use mozzarella for this dish because it has a milder flavor compared to other cheeses.
Just place them in a panini press or grill until the cheese melts, then you’re good to go.
This is a great lunch or afternoon snack because it really hits the spot.
Make Lechon Paksiw
Paksiw na Lechon is a Filipino dish that consists of pork simmered in vinegar, water, garlic, soy sauce, and bay leaves.
The leftovers from your Lechon are great for this dish.
The meat is already well-seasoned so the ingredients will just make it pack even more flavor.
The best thing about Paksiw na Lechon is that it’s easy to make and you only need limited time (about 1 hour) to make a flavorful dish.
If you like vinegar then this is for you.
Make Lechon empanadas
Lechon empanadas are great for parties.
You can even make them ahead of time and freeze them until needed.
Just reheat then serve with your favorite dipping sauce like vinegar or spicy salsa verde.
Here’s another version if you want to try something different.
These are made with puff pastry so they’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Make Lechon hash
Lechon hash is a great breakfast meal.
Just take the Lechon meat and combine it with some potatoes, spices, and veggies.
You can enjoy this for a hearty meal or as a side dish – either way, you’ll have delicious leftovers.
If you need to make this dish in bulk (like for Christmas mornings), then try out this recipe instead.
It requires you to make the hash mixture ahead of time, so you only have to cook it when needed.
Serve Lechon as a side dish
If you’re planning on cooking something else, then just add the Lechon meat as a side dish.
You can do this with some pasta or any other type of cooked veggies.
One example would be Lechon stuffed peppers.
This is where you place the leftover pork mixture inside green bell peppers and top it off with cheese.
Bake in the oven and serve once the cheese is nicely melted.
Use leftovers in soup or stew
Leftover Lechon can be added to any type of soup or stew.
The pork is already very flavorful, so it will just boost the taste like you wouldn’t believe it.
The advantage of this method is that you can use it in any soup or stew.
So if you’re having a sick day, then this will definitely do the trick.
Just toss everything into your crock-pot and let it cook until the meat is tender.
It’s an easy dish to make while you’re at work because there’s less cooking involved compared to when you’re actually in the kitchen.
Use leftovers in casseroles
Casseroles are another dish that can be made with leftover Lechon meat.
There are other types of casseroles that you can make but they’re normally prepared with (or without) cheese.
You just need to prepare the veggies and meat.
You can add in the leftovers from your Lechon and you’re good to go.
Use leftovers in an omelet
Omelets are great for breakfast or even during dinners.
They’re very quick and easy to make, so it’s a no-brainer that we included this on our list.
You can make this dish by incorporating other ingredients like veggies, salsa, and sausage.
Just take the leftover Lechon meat and place it in an omelet mixture then cook.
Top with your favorite sauce or salad dressing then serve.
Use leftovers in pasta dishes
You can use Lechon in a wide variety of pasta dishes.
The meat is already seasoned so it will just give the pasta that delicious boost of flavor.
Here’s an example of how to make macaroni and cheese with leftover Lechon.
You can also add veggies like tomatoes, olives, and bell peppers for a more interesting dish.
Freeze leftovers for later consumption
Leftover Lechon can last for about 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
But if you have too much food leftover, then you can always freeze them to use at a later time.
In the freezer, it can last for about a month or so.
Just thaw it out, let it sit at room temperature for a while, then reheat using either the stove or the oven.
Just make sure that you place it in an airtight container and keep it away from moisture.
Label the container with the date and contents of the food then store it in the freezer.
Just reheat the Lechon meat when you need to use it, and you’re all set.
Conclusion
There are many different ways that you can use leftover Lechon meat.
You can add it to soup, stew, casseroles, omelets, pasta dishes, and more.
The possibilities are endless and I’ve given you some ideas to get started.
So don’t let those leftovers go to waste – be creative and have fun with your food.
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