If you happen to be in the South, you’ll find “a meat and three” on diner and restaurant menus. This popular offering includes things like fried chicken, meatloaf, pork chops, or country ham, along with the diner’s choice of three side dishes, which range from squash, okra (fried or with tomatoes), mac and cheese, green beans, corn, cheesy broccoli casserole, potato casserole, butter beans, black-eyed peas, hushpuppies, and other yummy southern sides. Since my husband is from the south, I often make a meat and three for dinner. The problem is that I usually have leftovers, and my husband won’t touch leftovers. I have been trying to think of a way to use them up in a good dish. The following Meat and Three Rice is my latest solution.

While testing this dish, my leftovers happened to be okra and tomatoes, fried yellow squash, and pinto beans. I have used other leftovers in this dish with similarly good results. Make sure you add the rice and water first, and top with the leftovers to prevent a “burn” alert on the Instant Pot.

8 Servings


1 tablespoon bacon fat
1 to 2 cups country ham, or chicken, meatloaf, pork chops, etc. diced
1 cup Converted Rice
1 3/4 cups water
1 tablespoon granular chicken or beef bouillon
1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces
3 cups leftover southern side dishes

1. Heat the bacon fat on the sauté setting of the Instant Pot.
2. Add the ham (or other protein from the meat and three) and sauté for a minute. Turn off the pot.
3. Stir in the rice, water, bouillon, and butter; stir well.
4. Place the leftover side dishes on top (do not stir in).
5. Cover the pot, set the valve to sealing, and set to manual for 6 minutes. When the cycle has finished, let sit 10 minutes. Release the pressure, stir, and serve.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 276 Calories from Fat 87
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 31% Protein 15% Carb. 54%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 10 g
Saturated Fat 5 g
Cholesterol 24 mg
Sodium 645 mg
Total Carbohydrate 37 g
Dietary Fiber 3 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 10 g

Vitamin A 4% Vitamin C 14% Calcium 0% Iron 16%