Transform Your Leftover Ribs Into A Popular Southwestern Breakfast

Amidst a well-established routine of cereal boxes and toasted bread, we tend to forget that breakfast can still be exciting, different, and more than anything, creative — oftentimes without requiring too much effort. The inspiration can come from anywhere, maybe even those leftover ribs you had last night. Cold but otherwise still perfectly flavorful and tender, they're brimming with possibilities for a Southwestern breakfast. Stuff them inside a tortilla, with eggs cooked to perfection, some fresh veggies or salsa nearby, and soon enough, your morning won't be all that boring or ordinary anymore. Breakfast tacos are the second chance your leftover ribs deserve.

Straight out of the fridge, leftover ribs are conveniently ready for a quick revival. They've been seasoned, glazed, and cooked to perfection, just soaked in hidden flavors. A few minutes on the sizzling pan and you will have successfully coaxed them out again. Savory, smoky, rich meat with caramelized edges brings the kind of depth you can't get with eggs and veggies alone.

Meanwhile, any lackluster or flatness the ribs might have developed overnight is effortlessly masked by the bright herbs and intense seasonings. And not to mention the eggs' creamy, delicate curds, the tortilla's wheaty bite, and maybe even a crumble of tangy cheese. Surrounded by harmoniously flavorful ingredients, the ribs hardly taste like leftovers anymore.

Breakfast tacos typically call for a fried or scrambled egg, avocados (or guacamole), spoonfuls of salsa, and a few crumbles of queso fresco. Feel free to switch up the salsa with pico de gallo or the guacamole with avocado crema for little twists every now and then. Add lime juice if you want extra brightness, or cilantro for a hint of aroma. This remains the same with leftover ribs in the mix, but of course, it always comes with greater creative potential.

Yes, that means branching beyond the usual topping choices by leaning into the ribs' original taste profile. Grilled ribs, drenched in a tangy BBQ sauce, would no doubt shine in the company of coleslaw or pickled jalapeños. Their smoky undertone and savory richness also make a perfect addition to chorizo breakfast tacos, seamlessly blending into the sausage's own meaty smokiness. Got a plate of red-wine-braised beef short ribs? You're already off to quite a flavorful start, so a simple herby dressing should do the trick. Or, consider utilizing any roasted vegetables you have from last night's side. Glimpsing into Korean cuisine, galbi (Korean barbecued short ribs) is adorned with the kind of umami that works like a charm with kimchi or Asian slaw.

What's even better is that this twist works for more than just breakfast tacos. Breakfast tostadas, with crispy shells that perfectly contrast the melt-in-your-mouth ribs and soft eggs, never disappoint. Good enough to come along with you are breakfast burritos, a handheld marvel you can unwrap and enjoy on the go.