50 Recipes to Help You Use Up Your Leftover Ham (2024)

Home Recipes Ingredients Pork Ham

50 Recipes to Help You Use Up Your Leftover Ham (1)Lisa Kaminski

50 Recipes to Help You Use Up Your Leftover Ham (2)Alyssa AsaroUpdated: Mar. 27, 2024

    Find new ways to use up your Easter or Christmas leftovers with these ham casseroles, soups, pasta dishes, breakfast ideas and more favorite leftover ham recipes.

    When you have an abundance of leftover ham in your fridge, it’s easy to not know what to do with all of it. That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to use these easy leftover ham recipes!We have everything you could want, from ham sandwiches to cozy soups. No matter if you want ham in your breakfast omelette, or prefer a meaty dinner entree, you won’t be disappointed with any of these options.

    1/43

    Taste of Home

    Buttermilk Biscuit Ham Potpie

    This potpie is probably the coziest way to rework leftovers. The addition of fresh fennel, tarragon and homemade biscuits really takes this dish to the next level. If you don’t have time to make homemade biscuits, use our pick for the best store-bought biscuits.

    Go to Recipe

    Find out if you can freeze ham.

    2/43

    Taste of Home

    From Christmas ham to the morning after, this six ingredient recipe is a quick breakfast that can be made while the kids are still asleep. Essentially a homemade Hot Pocket, you can eat these on the go.

    Go to Recipe

    3/43

    This cozy entree has all the staples; cheese, potatoes and ham. This dense and creamy dish is exactly what will get you through the cold winter months.

    Go to Recipe

    4/43

    The sweet and spicy sauce that’s paired with these cheesy scones will make you want to cook a ham just for the leftovers! Light and moist, the scones make a wonderful appetizer or snack.

    Go to Recipe

    5/43

    Taste of Home

    Jambalaya Rice Salad

    This cold rice salad has a bit of kick to it with red, green and cayenne peppers. Colorful and festive, it can also be served warm.

    Go to Recipe

    6/43

    Ham and Cheese Pockets

    Rather than using crescent rolls, these ham and cheese pockets are made with frozen bread dough. This gives them more of a rounded pocket shape.

    Go to Recipe

    7/43

    Taste of Home

    Mac ‘n’ Cheese Dinner

    This customizable macaroni and cheese makes use of leftover veggies, too. With peas and cheese, you’ll finish your plate with ease.

    Go to Recipe

    8/43

    Grilled Cheese, Ham and Apple Sandwich

    Ham and cheese sandwiches are pretty commonplace, but have you ever considered adding apple to the mix? The crunch and tartness make for an unforgettable combination.

    Go to Recipe

    9/43

    Taste of Home

    Quick Hawaiian Pizza

    The age-old debate of whether pineapple belongs on pizza is solved with this quick and simple dish. The homemade sauce is made by combining barbecue sauce with marinara for some sweetness.

    Go to Recipe

    10/43

    Apple Butter Biscuit Breakfast Bake

    This recipe is great for the holiday season, as it combines the warm winter flavors of ham and apple butter. This is a leftovers dream and will quickly become a tradition for years to come.

    11/43

    Casseroles are a gift to slow days, and this one is no exception. With broccoli and cauliflower, this can offset a traditionally sweet ham for a more savory and cheesy dish.

    Go to Recipe

    12/43

    Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

    Chicken cordon bleu is thin breaded chicken wrapped around ham and cheese. This dish reimagines the concept by taking all those ingredients and mixing them with pasta, onion and garlic for a creamy and indulgent meal.

    Go to Recipe

    13/43

    Taste of Home

    Priscilla’s Vegetable Chowder

    Panera’s bread bowls really changed the game for soups. This broccoli, carrot, celery and potato chowder is comfortable and homey with the added surprise and texture of ham.

    Go to Recipe

    14/43

    Taste of Home

    Southwestern Breakfast Slow-Cooker Casserole

    This slow cooker breakfast can be prepared right when you wake up and eaten in the later hours of a winter morning. The smell alone will lull you back to sleep while you wait for the delicious end result.

    Go to Recipe

    15/43

    Taste of Home

    Fiesta Ham Soup

    Chowders are a scrumptious way to warm the spirits during the holidays. This festive soup is brimming with ham, green chiles, potatoes and corn.

    Go to Recipe

    16/43

    Taste of Home

    Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

    You might have leftover ham but you won’t have any leftover casserole. If anything, you’ll have arguments over who gets the last plate.

    Go to Recipe

    17/43

    Taste of Home

    Potatoes and rutabagas are usually presented as side dishes to a ham dinner. This chowder combines them to make the ultimate comfort meal.

    Go to Recipe

    18/43

    My Best-Ever Jambalaya

    This jambalaya proudly earns its spot as the best. The Cajun seasoning and hot pepper sauce add a kick to the chorizo, ham and chicken.

    Go to Recipe

    19/43

    Taste of Home

    Chicken Cordon Bleu Crescent Ring

    This wonderfully presented take on chicken cordon bleu uses crescent rolls in the shape of a ring. This makes for a portable, hand-held treat for any party.

    Go to Recipe

    20/43

    Taste of Home

    Early-Riser Oven Omelet

    This fluffy breakfast omelet is packed with tomato, onion, broccoli and ham. It’s a simple but hearty meal that’ll set the tone for the rest of the day.

    Go to Recipe

    21/43

    Taste of Home

    These ham and chicken sandwich rolls can be served any time of day for a fast meal. They can even be refrigerated in advance for an event or trip.

    Go to Recipe

    22/43

    This cheesy, omelet-adjacent casserole highlights one of the most underrated breakfast dishes. Grits offer a nice and smooth texture for a meal that melts in your mouth.

    Go to Recipe

    23/43

    This one-pan dish relies on one ingredient: chive and onion cream cheese. The cream cheese works wonderfully in this pasta creates a creamy consistency and complements the ham and broccoli.

    Go to Recipe

    24/43

    Taste of Home

    Scrambled Egg Bread

    You’ve heard of avocado toast and egg sandwiches, but let’s meet somewhere in the middle for this scrambled egg bread. This fun breakfast takes a traditional omelet and turns it into something new with ease.

    Go to Recipe

    25/43

    Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

    This recipe is recommended as a dip for bread. Comforting and warm, this soup has all the fixings for a cold night.

    Go to Recipe

    26/43

    TMB Studio

    Green Bean and Cauliflower Casserole

    Adding cauliflower and ham to the traditional green bean casserole creates new flavors and textures that really complement this dish. Perfect for the day after Christmas, it can be a side dish or the main event.

    Go to Recipe

    27/43

    Ham and Spinach Pie

    This ham and spinach pie makes a wonderful breakfast and an equally as enticing breakfast for dinner. The mushrooms and spinach add a softness to the crunch that phyllo dough creates.

    Go to Recipe

    28/43

    Sweet Onion Creamed Corn

    This creamed corn has every comfort flavor you can imagine. Sweet and savory elements fight against each other for dominance and it’s for the best that all of them win.

    Go to Recipe

    29/43

    Taste of Home

    This is the pasta equivalent of a ham and Swiss sandwich. The crunchy breadcrumb topping is so divine over the creamy pasta that you’ll be happy you had leftover ham in the fridge.

    Go to Recipe

    30/43

    Taste of Home

    Truly Tasty Turnips with Greens

    These slow cooker greens are a wonderful way to bring people together. Your kitchen will smell heavenly throughout the day.

    Go to Recipe

    31/43

    Taste of Home

    Ham and Broccoli Cornbread

    Give your leftover ham and veggies the perfect home in this cornbread. Easy and accessible, these can make a great breakfast or appetizer for a group.

    Go to Recipe

    32/43

    Taste of Home

    Sweet Potato and Ham Hash

    A lot of breakfast recipes fail to utilize sweet potatoes, but this is not one of them. This recipe offers a fresh take on breakfast and gives you the option of what to serve it with.

    Go to Recipe

    33/43

    Taste of Home

    Chicken Marsala Lasagna

    This chicken marsala dish serves 12 people. This is not a rushed recipe, but the time and effort put in will really shine through in this lasagna remix.

    Go to Recipe

    34/43

    This is a very straightforward recipe for a quick lunch. These spicy sandwiches are surprisingly well-rounded while also being gooey and delicious.

    Go to Recipe

    35/43

    Muffuletta Pasta

    Muffuletta sandwiches are a New Orleans creation that combines olive salad and cold cuts. This pasta is all of that and more.

    Go to Recipe

    36/43

    Mustard Ham Strata

    Strata are a group of layered casseroles, usually for brunch, with cheese, eggs and bread as the base. This strata has mustard, ham and green onion.

    Go to Recipe

    37/43

    Roasted Red Pepper Triangles

    These roasted red pepper triangles have pepperoni and ham for some strong flavors. The spice from the red pepper is balanced with the cheese and meat.

    Go to Recipe

    38/43

    Grilled Ham Burgers

    Give your leftover ham new life with these delicious grilled burgers. With crushed pineapple, these burgers are sweet and smokey

    Go to Recipe

    39/43

    Beer-Braised Pulled Ham

    To jazz up ham, slow-cook it with a beer sauce. Buns loaded with ham, pickles and mustard are irresistible.

    Go to Recipe

    40/43

    Taste of Home

    Potato Ham Omelet Pie

    This pie is great to make when you have an abundance of leftover ham you want to get rid of. It contains layers of potato, ham and cheese and makes for a lovely breakfast or lunch.

    Go to Recipe

    41/43

    Taste of Home

    This pasta uses leftover and pantry staples to make a filling meal. If you’re not crazy about canned cream of mushroom soup, try your hand at making homemade cream of mushroom soup
    for this recipe.

    Go to Recipe

    42/43

    This versatile dish is a crowd-pleaser and easy to whip up with your leftover ham. Don’t be afraid to change the cheeses or veggie to make the most of what you have on hand.

    Go to Recipe

    43/43

    Grilled Pesto, Ham and Provolone Sandwiches

    Prepared pesto, basil and pickled cherry peppers add a ton of flavor and brightness to a standard ham sandwich. Serve these sammies with minestrone or a crisp salad for a complete lunch.

    Go to Recipe

    Up Next: Check out our leftover stuffing recipes.

    Originally Published: April 14, 2022

    50 Recipes to Help You Use Up Your Leftover Ham (46)

    Lisa Kaminski

    Lisa is a formerTaste of Home editor and passionate baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa also dedicated her career here to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, you'll find her working on embroidery and other crafts.

    50 Recipes to Help You Use Up Your Leftover Ham (47)

    Alyssa Asaro

    Alyssa has been with Taste of Home for just over a year, but has been in food and lifestyle publishing since 2018. As an associate editor, she writes and edits recipe collections and runs several newsletters, including Top 10, Slow Cooker & Casseroles, Quick Dinners and Balanced Plate.When she's not planning her next trip overseas, you can find Alyssa trying out new Chicago restaurants or watching a movie.

    50 Recipes to Help You Use Up Your Leftover Ham (2024)

    FAQs

    What are two ways the ham can be used? ›

    Other ham sandwiches include toasted sandwiches such as the Cubano, which uses two types of pork, melted Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard to create a tangy, tart meal. Along with stuffing sandwiches, ham is frequently found topping pizzas in the States, such as the Hawaiian-style pizza that features ham and pineapple.

    What to do with a fully cooked ham? ›

    A fully cooked, ready-to-eat ham (also referred to as a "city ham") can be sliced and served cold or at room temperature—there's no need to reheat it. A spiral-cut ham is delicious this way, whether eaten by the slice, tucked into biscuits, or in a grilled cheese sandwich.

    How do you upgrade a cooked ham? ›

    A rich salty ham can be enhanced by brushing a lovely glazed over the surface several times while baking. The glaze seeps down into the ham, flavoring the meat and creating a crusty exterior. Try these amazing ham glazes: Bourbo, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.

    Can you freeze ham after you cook it? ›

    Here's the good news: You can absolutely freeze cooked ham. In fact, many hams are cured and/or smoked, which were old-school (and still beloved) ways to preserve food for later use. Ham can be stored in the freezer for up to four months, according to USDA food safety guidelines.

    What is Kentucky ham? ›

    The renowned Kentucky hams of the United States, for example, are cut exclusively from Hampshire hogs that have been fattened on beans, wild acorns, and clover until the last few weeks before the slaughter, when their diet is restricted to grain.

    How long is leftover precooked ham good for? ›

    Information. Spiral-cut hams and leftovers from consumer-cooked hams may be stored in the refrigerator three to five days or frozen one to two months. Keep your refrigerator at 40 °F or less and your freezer at or near 0 °F.

    How long does a fully cooked ham last? ›

    According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ham is good for three to five days in the refrigerator after it is cooked. If you need more time to use up those leftovers, ham will last up to two months in the freezer.

    Can you eat a fully cooked ham without cooking it? ›

    Cooked canned ham and cooked vacuum-packaged ham, both from federally inspected plants, can be eaten right out of the package. All of these along with spiral-cut cooked ham are safe to eat cold or can be warmed to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), as they are already fully cooked.

    How do you jazz up a cooked ham? ›

    Peach preserves, hot pepper jelly, and maple syrup work as sweet bases for glazes that add sheen as well as distinct flavor. Tasty additions such as aromatics, herbs, and spices switch up a traditional ham and make it truly memorable.

    How do you jazz up a precooked ham? ›

    Add 1/2-3/4 of a cup of wine or stock to the pan (you don't want the ham swimming in liquid) and throw some aromatics in there—a few whole cloves, some star anise, and cinnamon sticks are all good options. Cover the ham with foil and place in a 250-degree oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 100℉.

    How to make a precooked ham good? ›

    The goal is to reheat the ham without drying it out. The best way to do this is to place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan. Add water to the bottom of the pan and cover the whole thing tightly with foil. Bake at 325F for 16-20 minutes per pound, until a meat thermometer registers 135F.

    Is a 2 year old frozen ham still good? ›

    An uncooked, cut country ham can be refrigerated for two to three months or frozen for one month. A cooked Country Ham should be refrigerated for seven days and or frozen for one month. Freezer storage time is for quality only. Frozen hams remain safe indefinitely.

    Can you freeze ham in ziplock bags? ›

    When freezing an uncooked ham, the original wrapper might not provide sufficient insulation against freezer burn. You might need to protect it by vacuum-sealing, enclosing it in a freezer bag, or wrapping it securely in several thicknesses of plastic wrap, freezer paper, or foil. Be sure to label and date the package.

    Can dogs eat ham? ›

    Is Ham Bad for Dogs? Ham is not toxic to dogs, but it's also not a healthy treat for them. So if your pup eats a little piece that fell to the floor, they should be totally fine. But feeding ham to your dog as a regular snack can cause some long-term health issues.

    What is ham used for? ›

    Ham is typically used in its sliced form, often as a filling for sandwiches and similar foods, such as in the ham sandwich and ham and cheese sandwich. Other variations include toasted sandwiches such as the croque-monsieur and the Cubano. It is also a popular topping for pizza in the United States.

    What are the two ways ham is generally cooked? ›

    It has been completely cooked either by baking, curing or smoking and in the hands of the home cook, simply has to be re-heated to an appetizing serving temperature so that its flavor is at its best. This is also sometimes called a city ham.

    What is ham good for? ›

    Compared with poultry and fish, pork products like ham are higher in iron, thiamine, and other B vitamins. Yet, pork may be lower in some nutrients than other red meats, such as beef (5). Ham also provides all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein.

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Kimberely Baumbach CPA

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6382

    Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

    Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Kimberely Baumbach CPA

    Birthday: 1996-01-14

    Address: 8381 Boyce Course, Imeldachester, ND 74681

    Phone: +3571286597580

    Job: Product Banking Analyst

    Hobby: Cosplaying, Inline skating, Amateur radio, Baton twirling, Mountaineering, Flying, Archery

    Introduction: My name is Kimberely Baumbach CPA, I am a gorgeous, bright, charming, encouraging, zealous, lively, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.