21 Leftover Ham Recipes You’ll Look Forward to Making (2024)

So you cooked a big holiday feast and now have a ton of leftover ham. Here you'll find some amazing leftover ham recipes that go beyond a leftover ham soup or sandwich (though we've got those, too). These leftover ham ideas from our Test Kitchen will have you excited to enjoy your leftovers in new, delicious ways.

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Stovetop Savory Ham and Veggie Oatmeal

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Kick things off with delicious, hearty breakfast recipe with leftover ham. Easy oatmeal is amped up into a powerhouse meal by adding chopped ham, sweet peppers, and broccolini. Since it uses slower-cooking steel-cut oats, this leftover ham breakfast would be great for a relaxing family meal just after a holiday.

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Scalloped Potato and Ham Soup

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If you love scalloped potatoes, wait until you try this cozy soup. It's got the same creamy flavor as the potato side, only we've added lots of veggies and leftover ham to the pot. Lightly toasted and seasoned panko breadcrumbs add an irresistible crunch.

What Is a Dutch Oven—and How Do You Use It?

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Quick Pasta Toss with Peas and Artichokes

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Insteading of hiding leftover ham under a heavy sauce, this lighter pasta dish highlights it. Toss it with pasta, peas, artichokes, and fresh tomato, then douse everything in a bright sauce with olive oil and lemon juice. Make this recipe for leftover ham something craveable by adding a sprinkle of cheese at the end.

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Ham, Asparagus, and Cheese Strata

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When in doubt, turn leftover ham (and bread!) into a delicious breakfast. You can easily whip up this cheesy egg bake the night before. Once morning arrives, all you'll have to do is pop it in the oven and enjoy a cup of coffee while it bakes.

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Ham and Spinach Two-Cheese Pasta

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This leftover ham recipe is just the cozy dish you need to curl up with a cold night. Bake up ham, pasta, spinach, and cheese in individual ramekins to make an easy dinner or just a single portion meal. It's got the best blend of fresh ingredients and easy comfort food.

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Leftover Ham Chef's Salad

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This leftover ham recipe is so great, our Test Kitchen made sure it was part of the title. Simply chop your leftover ham and toss it with crisp lettuce, veggies, hard-cooked eggs, and plenty of cheese. It's a main dish salad you'll crave even when there's no more leftover ham from Easter.

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Crustless Denver-Potato Quiche

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Combine two favorites–Denver potatoes and quiche–into one extra tasty breakfast. New potatoes, ham, peppers, onions, and cheese all mingle together in an easy quiche that cooks right in your Dutch oven. Make this leftover ham recipe for a hearty breakfast or brunch, or save it for a comforting breakfast-for-dinner night.

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Ham and Pea Tortellini

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Decadent meals don't have to take a ton of time to prepare. Take this 20-minute pasta recipe, for example. Cheese tortellini, leftover ham, and peas swim in a rich, creamy sauce. A couple handfuls of arugula add a peppery bite while also providing extra nutrients to the dish.

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Skillet-Baked Eggs and Ham

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We love a good skillet meal and this leftover ham recipe is perfect for breakfast or a quick breakfast-for-dinner idea. Leeks add a light onion flavor while cream and Gruyère cheese add richness to every bite.

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Ham and Asparagus Macaroni

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Macaroni and cheese probably crossed your mind as you were brainstorming recipes for leftover ham, but this one takes it up a notch. If you have ham left from Easter, toss leftover cooked asparagus right in with noodles, Parmesan cheese, and ham. The result is a bit more upscale mac and cheese that's great for an easy spring dinner.

Quiche

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There's nothing like starting the day with a slice of quiche with a buttery, flaky piecrust. This simple quiche recipe can be easily adapted to whatever you've got on hand. In this case, we're obviously starting with leftover ham, but feel free to use chicken or crab, too.

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Asian Egg and Rice Cups with Plum Sauce

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If all of the usual ham leftover recipes aren't exciting you, go in a completely different direction. These savory egg cups are filled with ham, of course, but they also dress it up with cooked rice, fresh veggies, and sweet-and-sour plum sauce. This Asian-inspired leftover ham recipe can be a filling breakfast, fun lunch, or easy dinner.

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One-Pot Ham and Greens Pasta

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This one-pot meal is sure to make weeknight dinners a breeze. And when we say one pot, we mean it. The leftover ham, pasta, and greens all require a single Dutch oven to come together for less mess.

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Sweet Potato Biscuit Sandwiches with Ham and Redeye Gravy

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Talk about a mouthwatering brunch! Everyone will be snapping a pic before diving into one of these delicious leftover ham biscuit sandwiches. If you haven't had a chance to try redeye gravy yet, you can make it using leftover coffee (yes, coffee!).

52 Delicious Easter Brunch Recipes to Make This Year

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Lentil-Ham Soup

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Keep this leftover ham soup recipe in mind for the day after Easter. The easy slow cooker dump dinner comes together in minutes. You'll look forward to coming home to a comforting bowl of this delicious soup.

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Grilled Apple, Ham, and Brie Sandwich

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Ok, ok, you're in the mood for a sandwich, but want something a little more than ham on white bread. When that's the case, this upgraded sandwich is one of the best leftover ham recipes for putting a new spin on a classic. The trick is to use sourdough, brie cheese, spinach, and sliced apples to upgrade the ham, then grill until everything is hot, cheesy, and delicious.

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Danish Gronkaal Soup (Green Kale Soup)

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When you've exhausted all the traditional soup recipes with leftover ham, it's time to look around the globe. This Danish-inspired recipe will use up two cups of cooked ham (plus ham broth, if you have any leftover), plus potatoes, leeks, celery, and fresh kale. If you're craving a healthy, veggie-filled dish after a heavy holiday meal, this is the dish to get you back on track.

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Cheesy Ham Chilaquiles

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Strips of corn tortillas provide the base for diced ham, salsa, fried eggs, and cheese. Sliced fresh jalapenos are optional but we love the heat they bring to the dish. Smother this leftover ham recipe with sour cream and dig in.

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Apple-Fennel Ham and Egg Casserole

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This egg casserole recipe is loaded with fresh flavors like fennel, apple, and green onion. Tart Granny Smith apples pair perfectly with creamy Havarti cheese and salty ham. Save the fennel fronds and use them to top the baked dish.

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Greens, Eggs & Ham Frittata

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Customize this leftover ham recipe with your favorite greens or a mix of chard, kale, or spinach. You'll love how the smoky flavor of the ham balances the Pecorino cheese and spring onion in the egg mix. As one BHG home cook raves, "This was amazing! I used pepper jack cheese instead of the Monterey, as that was what I had on hand. This is a recipe that lends itself well to substitutions."

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Mozzarella, Pesto & Ham Toasties

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There's nothing more satisfying than a melty ham and cheese sandwich. Take it to the next level with a tangy mint-almond pesto, roasted bell peppers, and crusty sour dough bread. Don't feel like making roasted red peppers? The jarred version works great in this ham sandwich recipe.

21 Leftover Ham Recipes You’ll Look Forward to Making (2024)

FAQs

21 Leftover Ham Recipes You’ll Look Forward to Making? ›

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. The USDA also recommends wrapping up leftovers well.

How long will cooked ham keep in the refrigerator? ›

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. The USDA also recommends wrapping up leftovers well.

What to do with 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 make leftover ham moist? ›

Reheating ham via skillet is an easy way to get a few slices nice and hot in a flash. To reheat ham slices on the stove, add a few slices at a time to a skillet over medium-high heat. Add up to ½ cup of chicken broth to keep the meat moist or opt for a couple of tablespoons of butter or oil to give the ham a nice sear.

What are two ways the ham can be used? ›

Soups and Sandwiches with Ham

Soups and sandwiches are the best way to use a holiday ham! Ham bone infuses so much flavor into soups of every kind, not just split pea. And ham sandwiches are a classic way to use leftovers, especially when paired with soup.

Is a 2 year old frozen ham still good? ›

Freezer storage time is for quality only. Frozen hams remain safe indefinitely. For more information, see Ham and Food Safety.

Is ham still good after 7 days? ›

Whole cured hams last in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, fresh ham only lasts a few days in the refrigerator, about three or four once you've cooked it. It doesn't matter if the ham is whole or sliced; the lack of preservatives allows it to spoil more quickly.

What liquid keeps ham moist? ›

You can use water, but if you want to add more flavor, you should use wine or beef, chicken, or vegetable stock. Most of this liquid will cook off, but your tinfoil cover will help your meat absorb those juices.

What can I add to ham for flavor? ›

Brown Sugar Bourbon-Glazed Ham

You'll need a whole lot of cloves for this flavor-packed glaze. Spicy brown mustard, cola soft drink, brown sugar, and bourbon round out the flavorful sauce. Keep the ham moist by leaving a thin layer of fat when trimming.

How do you reheat ham so it's not dry? ›

Place in an oven-safe baking dish. Cover top of ham with loosely wrapped aluminum foil to keep moisture in. Bake at 275 degrees F at 10 minutes per pound–or until meat thermometer reads 135 – 140 degrees.

What is grandmother ham? ›

About this product: A fully boned leg which is hand trimmed and tied with the skin left over, then smoked over german beech. A full Grandmother Ham is approximately 3 to 5kg, a half Grandmother Ham approximately 2 to 3kg.

How long will Honey Baked Ham last in the fridge? ›

How To Store Leftover Honey Baked Ham. If you happen to have ham leftovers, refrigerate the ham and eat the ham within five days. Keep a whole ham tightly wrapped or store slices in an airtight container.

Are leftovers good after 7 days? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

How long can you keep leftover Christmas ham? ›

How long does Christmas ham last? Christmas ham stored in the fridge, either on the bone or carved off and wrapped in plastic and foil, will keep perfectly well for up to two weeks. Ham wrapped in plastic and foil and then frozen will last in the freezer for up to a month.

How do you store leftover cooked ham? ›

To store your ham properly, it's best to use vacuum-sealed bags or airtight containers to prevent moisture loss and bacteria growth. Also, remember to take a look at your refrigerator's temperature range! Ideally, it should be between 34°F and 40°F or 1°C-4°C.

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