Here are some leftover ham recipes to try. You can turn sliced ham into soups, casseroles, breakfast, brunch, or quick meals. These easy recipes stretch every bit of that holiday ham and give you fresh ideas for busy weekdays and weekends any time of the year. Some cook low and slow, others come together fast, but they all make good use of your leftovers.
Leftover Ham Recipes
We made a Honey Baked Ham a few days ago and can't get enough of it. Luckily, we made way more than we needed for a meal.
We actually have about 5 pounds left, and we're not letting any of it go to waste.
Here are some recipes we're trying out, from soups to casseroles, quiches, breakfast dishes, and sandwiches.
Gotham Salad
The Gotham Salad comes from the BG Restaurant at Bergdorf Goodman in New York. It's a mix of chicken, bacon, ham, beets, Gruyere, and lettuce tossed with a homemade Thousand Island dressing.
Italian Antipasto Salad
This antipasto salad mixes Italian meats, cheeses, and fresh veggies for a colorful, flavor-packed starter or side. It's a simple way to bring classic antipasto flavors into a light salad.
Keto Caesar Salad
My Caesar Salad has imaginary croutons, so the flavor stays strong without the bread. Some days I load it with cheese, and other times I toss in whatever protein I have, like prosciutto or diced ham.
Storage Tips for Leftover Ham
- Wrap tightly in foil or freezer paper before bagging.
- Refrigerate cooked ham up to 4 days.
- Freeze sliced ham up to 3 months.
- Freeze the ham bone for beans or split pea soup.
Denver Omelet
A classic diner omelet with eggs, ham, peppers, and onions cooked until tender. It's simple, filling, and comes together fast for a high protein breakfast.
Pea Soup with Ham
This classic split pea soup turns leftover ham into a rich, earthy bowl of comfort. The peas break down as they cook, giving the soup a thick texture with a smoky depth from the ham bone or diced ham.
Ham Breakfast Hash
This breakfast hash mixes ham, peppers, onions, and hashbrowns into one skillet meal. Crack in a few eggs, add a little cheese, and bake until everything sets. It's simple, filling, and great for weekend mornings.
Skillet Ham Macaroni and Cheese
This skillet mac and cheese is loaded with diced ham and cooks in one pan. The sauce turns creamy and coats every bite, making it a simple comfort dish that comes together fast.
Ham and Cheese Quiche
This quiche brings together leftover ham, a flaky crust, and simple ingredients you probably already have. It bakes fast and works for breakfast, lunch, or a light dinner. It's a delicious way to turn leftovers into something really special.
Ham Fried Rice
Here's a quick weeknight meal that tastes better than takeout. Cold rice, chopped veggies, and bits of ham come together in a hot pan with a simple sauce. It's ready in minutes and makes great leftovers.
What To Do With Too Much Ham
- Dice and freeze in 1-cup portions
- Freeze the bone
- Make breakfast sandwiches
- Make soups for meal prep
- Add ham to casseroles for freezer meals
Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes with Ham
This classic scalloped potato dish gets even better with leftover diced ham. It's creamy, comforting, and perfect for a holiday table or Sunday dinner.
Deviled Ham
Deviled ham is a quick ham spread made with chopped ham, a little heat, and pantry ingredients. It's great for sandwiches, crackers, or stuffing into celery sticks for an easy snack.
Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
Warm up with a bowl of slow-cooker ham and bean soup, loaded with beans and savory ham. It simmers all day, so dinner's ready when you are.
Ham Broccoli Rice Casserole
This casserole mixes rice, ham, and broccoli into one simple dish. The homemade sauce keeps it vegan and gluten free without losing its charm. Every bite has a little ham, just the way grandma would have liked.
Navy Bean Soup with Ham
Navy bean soup brings back that old family warmth. The beans simmer slowly with ham until the broth turns rich and hearty. It's the kind of soup that fills the house with a familiar smell.
Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup
This Instant Pot soup is an easy way to turn leftover ham into a warm, filling meal. The beans cook quickly under pressure, and the ham adds a deep, salty flavor that tastes like it simmered all day.
Ham Cheese and Cranberry Rollups
Ham, cheese, and cranberry sauce come together in these easy crescent wrap roll-ups for a sweet-savory snack or light lunch.
Crockpot Bean Soup with Ham
If you want something hands-off, this slow cooker ham and bean soup does the job. The beans soften as the ham flavors the broth, giving you a hearty bowl that's just right on a cold day.
Electric Skillet English Muffins with Ham and Cheese
This easy skillet recipe layers toasted English muffins with ham and melted cheddar. It's a simple breakfast or lunch you can make in minutes, and it tastes great with a fried egg on top.
Dutch Oven Ham and Bean Soup (Tomato-Based)
This rich ham and bean soup starts with a tomato base, giving it a rich color and bright flavor. The beans simmer with leftover ham until tender, making a warm meal that's great for cold nights.
Tortellini Alla Panna Creamy Pasta
Treat yourself to a creamy pasta dish with tortellini in a rich panna sauce. It's a restaurant quality meal that takes 30 minutes to pull together.
Recipes That Go with Leftover Ham
Leftover Ham Recipes
Leftover ham is absolutely delicious, and it makes cooking the next few days much easier. You can turn it into soup, breakfast, casseroles, or quick lunches without much effort.
Choose a few of these dishes. You can turn that holiday ham into healthy dinners all week. Enjoy plenty of variety and create almost no waste.
For more budget-friendly ideas, visit Affordable Meat and Chicken Recipes.
FAQ
Leftover ham keeps about 4 days in the fridge when wrapped well or stored in an airtight container.
Use leftover Christmas ham in soups, casseroles, breakfast dishes, and quick lunches. Add it to fried rice, quiche, pasta, omelets, or salads, or freeze it in small portions for easy meals later.
Yes. Freeze sliced ham or small diced portions for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn.
Absolutely. Freeze the bone for soups like split pea, navy bean, or ham and potato.
Warm it gently in a skillet or cover with foil and reheat in the oven at a low temp so it stays juicy.
Ham has gone bad if it smells sour, feels sticky or slimy, or has a dull gray or green tint. When in doubt, throw it out.
Yes. You can buy ham that's not heavily processed. Look for uncured or minimally cured hams made with simple salt brines instead of chemical preservatives. Many butchers and small farms sell fresh, bone-in hams that are smoked the old-fashioned way without additives.
The healthiest way to eat ham is to keep the portions small and pair it with fresh vegetables or whole foods. Choose uncured or minimally processed ham when you can, and use it in salads, omelets, or soups.
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