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

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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: Feb. 13, 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. While you’re at it, you must learn how to choose the best ham and also read up on even more ways to repurpose leftovers so not a scrap of your holiday meal goes to waste.

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    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.

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    Find out if you can freeze ham.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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

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    Muffuletta Pasta

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

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    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.

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    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.

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    Grilled Ham Burgers

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

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    Beer-Braised Pulled Ham

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

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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 can I do with a precooked 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.

    How long is precooked ham good for in the fridge? ›

    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.

    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.

    How do you add flavor to already 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 do you heat up a precooked ham without drying it out? ›

    Arrange slices in a single layer on a greased baking pan. Add a couple of tablespoons of broth or water and cover with foil. Bake for about 10 minutes or until heated through, turning slices once.

    How do you warm up leftover ham without drying it out? ›

    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.

    Does ham get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

    Editor's Tip: For a fall-apart tender ham, let it cook longer; 10 to 12 hours on low. This method is perfect for families who prefer a more casual dinner of shredded hot ham and roll sandwiches.

    How do you moisten over cooked ham? ›

    Here are a few suggestions:
    1. Baste with broth or stock: One way to add moisture to a dried out ham is to baste it with a flavorful liquid such as broth or stock. ...
    2. Wrap in foil: Another method to retain moisture is to wrap the ham in foil during cooking.
    Dec 31, 2022

    Why is ham sold fully cooked? ›

    The answer, in short, is if it is cured, smoked or baked, ham is considered “pre-cooked,” and would not technically need to be cooked. This includes the ham that is purchased at the deli. In fact, most ham that is sold to consumers is already cured, smoked or baked.

    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.

    Why is my ham slimy but not expired? ›

    Slimy ham is a sign of bacterial growth, so don't consume it if it's wet or oily. Some bacteria may cause ham to become sticky, too. In any case, avoid ham that doesn't feel right in your hand.

    Can I eat 5 day old cooked ham? ›

    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.

    Can cooked ham be frozen? ›

    You can freeze delicious ham and it'll last for weeks before you need to use it. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that fully cooked frozen ham is safe to eat for up to one to two months. If you find yourself with leftover ham, freezing it for future use is both easy and convenient.

    Should I cook already cooked ham? ›

    No. Both whole or half, cooked, vacuum-packaged hams packaged in federally inspected plants and canned hams can be eaten cold, right out of the package. However, if you want to reheat these cooked hams, set the oven no lower than 325 °F and heat to an internal temperature of 140 °F as measured with a food thermometer.

    How long can ham be in the fridge? ›

    Both plastic-wrapped and vacuum-packaged hams must be refrigerated. A plastic-wrapped ham will keep about one week. A vacuum-packaged ham should be consumed by the “use by” date or within 1 week after the “sell by” date.

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