Ready to make the kind of meat that tastes just as strong on day three as it did fresh off the heat? We gathered 19 dishes that hold up in the fridge, reheat cleanly, and retain their bite through every round of leftovers. We lean on sturdy cuts, bold seasoning, and cooking methods that hold up long after dinnerโ€™s done. Stick with us for make-ahead meats that save time without losing the good stuff.

Beef shank braised in red wine with tender meat falling from the bone.
Red Wine Braised Beef Shank. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast

Juicy slow cooker turkey breast sliced on a platter with herbs and pan juices pooling underneath.
Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow cooking keeps this lean turkey moist while building gentle, savory flavor. The steady heat makes slicing clean and predictable.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast

Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup with Short Ribs

Hearty slow-cooked beef and barley soup filled with tender short rib pieces in a deep bowl.
Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup with Short Ribs. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Short ribs soften slowly, enriching the broth with deep, beefy flavor. Barley cooks evenly, thanks to the slow cookerโ€™s consistent heat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup with Short Ribs

Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Lentils, Turnips and Carrots

Beef stew with lentils, turnips, and carrots slow-cooked to tenderness in a rustic bowl.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Lentils, Turnips and Carrots. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

The slow cooker breaks the beef down into tender pieces with rich broth. Veggies soften steadily, keeping the whole pot balanced.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Lentils, Turnips and Carrots

Slow Cooker Beef Shanks

Slow cooker beef shanks cooked tender in broth with vegetables surrounding the meat.
Slow Cooker Beef Shanks. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Long, low heat melts the shanks into fall-apart meat with bold flavor. The method stays hands-off, ideal for packed days.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Shanks

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow cooker pot roast with falling-apart beef and vegetables in savory broth.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Steady heat turns the roast buttery tender while keeping moisture locked in. We rely on this method for reliable, stress-free timing.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed Italian peppers slow cooked with sausage and cheese filling.
Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow cooking steams the peppers soft and keeps the filling juicy. The pot handles the heat, so every pepper finishes evenly.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers

Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken Wings

Chicken wings slow cooked in sweet chili sauce falling off bone.
Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

The sauce reduces slowly, giving the wings sticky, spicy coating. We let the cooker handle moisture so the chicken stays tender.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken Wings

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Turkey chili simmered slow with beans and spices.
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Turkey stays tender as the chili thickens into a smoky, hearty mix. The slow cook keeps flavors steady and well-rounded.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Osso Buco

Osso buco with braised shanks in rich tomato sauce served with herbs on top.
Osso Buco. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

A long braise softens the shanks into rich, tender meat with glossy sauce. Steady simmering does most of the work for you.
Get the Recipe: Osso Buco

Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

Guinness beef stew with deep rich broth and chunks of beef and vegetables.
Guinness Beef Stew Recipe. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Guinness cooks down into a dark, robust broth while the beef turns tender. The slow simmer keeps depth building without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

Easy & Creamy White Chicken Chili

Creamy white chicken chili served in a bowl with tender chicken and green chiles visible.
Easy & Creamy White Chicken Chili. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

A gentle simmer keeps the chicken moist while the sauce turns smooth. The quick cook fits weeknight timing without sacrifice.
Get the Recipe: Easy & Creamy White Chicken Chili

Dutch Oven Pot Roast

Dutch oven pot roast with tender beef chunks and vegetables in thick gravy.
Dutch Oven Pot Roast. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Even heat breaks the roast down into tender slices and rich drippings. We choose the Dutch oven for its predictable moisture control.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Pot Roast

Easy Dutch Oven Carnitas

Dutch oven carnitas shredded with crispy browned bits and steam rising from the hot cast iron pot.
Easy Dutch Oven Carnitas. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow braising keeps the pork juicy before a hot finish turns edges crisp. The technique guarantees clean shreds loaded with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Easy Dutch Oven Carnitas

Braised Pork Shanks

Braised pork shanks with deep browned surfaces resting in savory braising liquid.
Braised Pork Shanks. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

A slow braise melts the shanks into tender, silky meat. The pot keeps heat steady, building flavor without any fuss.
Get the Recipe: Braised Pork Shanks

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef

Shredded beef slow cooked until tender with juices pooling beneath the pulled strands on a platter.
Slow Cooker Shredded Beef. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

The slow cooker softens the roast into easy-pull strands packed with bold seasoning. Heat stays steady so texture never dries out.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Shredded Beef

Hatch Chili Creamy Turkey Soup

Creamy hatch chili turkey soup with shredded turkey and roasted chilies in a thick broth.
Hatch Chili Creamy Turkey Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Hatch chiles add smoky heat while the turkey stays tender in the creamy broth. We keep the simmer low to let flavors deepen.
Get the Recipe: Hatch Chili Creamy Turkey Soup

Cider Braised Pork Short Ribs

Cider braised pork short ribs cooked tender with caramelized apples and onions.
Cider Braised Pork Short Ribs. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Cider cuts through the richness as the ribs braise into tender meat. The long cook finishes consistently, giving you clean bones.
Get the Recipe: Cider Braised Pork Short Ribs

Chicken Paprikash

Chicken paprikash simmered in creamy paprika sauce with tender chicken pieces.
Chicken Paprikash. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Paprika builds warm flavor while the sauce simmers smooth and velvety. Steady heat keeps the chicken tender from start to finish.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash

Red Wine Braised Beef Shank

Beef shank braised in red wine with tender meat falling from the bone.
Red Wine Braised Beef Shank. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Red wine reduces into a rich glaze while the shank turns fork-tender. The braise moves slowly, giving you deep, reliable flavor.
Get the Recipe: Red Wine Braised Beef Shank

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About the Author

Kita Roberts is the meat maven and award-winning recipe developer behind Girl Carnivoreยฎ, with 15+ years of grilling, smoking, and cooking experience. Her recipes are tested on everything from backyard grills to professional smokers – and always built for real home cooks.
As the lead creative force behind Girl Carnivoreยฎ, she is widely recognized as an authority on all things meat.

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