The holidays are a time for joy, family, and, of course, magnificent feasts! While the main event often gets all the glory, one of the unsung heroes of post-holiday dining is undoubtedly the humble leftover ham. Whether it’s from an Easter brunch, a festive Christmas dinner, or any special occasion that calls for a grand ham, you often find yourself with a generous portion remaining. Instead of letting it go to waste or defaulting to the same old sandwich, why not transform it into something truly spectacular?
We understand the post-holiday fatigue. After all the cooking, baking, and entertaining, the last thing you want is a complicated recipe. That’s precisely where these easy leftover ham recipes come into play! This curated collection offers effortless and incredibly delicious ways to repurpose your cooked ham, ensuring every last savory bite is enjoyed. From hearty breakfast options to comforting casseroles, quick skillet dinners, and unique appetizers, you’ll discover innovative meals that are anything but boring.
The beauty of leftover ham lies in its versatility and convenience. It’s already cooked, smoked, and bursting with flavor, providing a fantastic base for countless dishes. We often strategically buy the largest ham available, knowing that the leftovers are just as anticipated as the holiday meal itself! This approach not only extends the enjoyment of your holiday investment but also simplifies meal prep for the days following a big celebration.
For those interested in preparing the initial ham, classic methods like a succulent Crock-Pot Ham or the lightning-fast Instant Pot Ham are fantastic choices, ensuring you have plenty of delicious leftovers to work with. But once that holiday ham is carved, the real culinary adventure begins!
So, if you’re staring into your fridge, wondering “what to do with all this leftover ham?”, you’ve arrived at the perfect destination. Get ready to banish food waste and embrace a world of flavorful possibilities. From cheesy delights to warming soups, quick salads, and even delicious breakfast creations, we’ve got your leftover ham needs covered with these fantastic recipes.
Why Leftover Ham is a Culinary Gem
Leftover ham isn’t just about reducing waste; it’s a genuine culinary asset. Its rich, smoky flavor and tender texture make it a highly adaptable ingredient that can elevate a wide array of dishes. Ham is inherently savory and often slightly sweet, providing a complex flavor profile that pairs well with many ingredients, from sharp cheeses and creamy sauces to vibrant vegetables and starchy potatoes. Plus, because it’s pre-cooked, it significantly cuts down on prep time, making it ideal for busy weeknights or lazy weekend brunches.
Beyond its taste, the convenience factor is unmatched. Diced, shredded, or thinly sliced, leftover ham can be effortlessly incorporated into almost any meal. It’s a protein powerhouse that can anchor a dish or simply play a supporting role, adding depth and substance. This makes it an invaluable ingredient for meal planning, helping you create diverse and delicious meals without starting from scratch every time.
Smart Storage Tips for Your Leftover Ham
To make the most of your holiday ham, proper storage is key. After your feast, allow the ham to cool completely before storing it. For short-term use, leftover cooked ham should be refrigerated in airtight containers or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It will typically stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days, making it perfect for those immediate post-holiday meals.
If you have a substantial amount of ham and want to enjoy it further down the line, freezing is an excellent option. For best results, consider dicing or shredding the ham into portions suitable for future recipes before freezing. Store it in freezer-safe bags or containers, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Frozen ham maintains its quality for about 1 to 2 months, giving you plenty of time to explore all the delicious recipes below!
20 Easy Leftover Ham Recipes to Savor
One Pot Cheesy Ham Tortellini Skillet from Meatloaf and Melodrama offers a wonderfully simple yet satisfying solution for a quick weeknight dinner. Imagine tender tortellini bathed in a creamy, cheesy sauce, studded with savory pieces of your leftover ham. It’s an incredibly flavorful meal that comes together in just one pan, minimizing cleanup – a true gift after the holiday cooking marathon. For an even faster experience, consider their Instant Pot version which makes ham and cheese tortellini in your Instant Pot!
Delightful Breakfasts & Brunches
Cheesy Ham and Egg Cups from Meatloaf and Melodrama are ideal for those busy mornings when you need a nutritious, grab-and-go option. These delightful little cups combine the savory goodness of ham with fluffy eggs and melty cheese, baked into convenient portions. They are also a fantastic low-carb choice, making them perfect for meal prepping a healthy breakfast or snack throughout the week.
Elevate your morning with a Ham and Cheese Breakfast Strata. This elegant casserole uses rich brioche bread, eggs, and plenty of cheese, creating a luxurious and comforting dish that’s perfect for a weekend brunch or a special breakfast. It’s a truly delicious and sophisticated way to utilize that delicious leftover holiday ham, offering a delightful blend of textures and flavors in every forkful.
A classic Ham and Cheese Quiche from What the Fork Blog is an effortlessly delicious option that works wonders for breakfast, brunch, or even a light lunch. This savory tart, filled with tender ham, sharp cheese, and a creamy egg custard, is a timeless favorite. It’s an elegant dish that can be prepared ahead of time, making hostessing or simply enjoying a leisurely meal a breeze.
I absolutely adore a well-made frittata, and this Ham Mushroom & Asparagus Frittata from Bell’alimento is a showstopper. It combines the savory notes of ham and mushrooms with the fresh, slightly bitter crunch of asparagus, all bound together in a fluffy egg base. It’s incredibly versatile, serving as a satisfying meal for breakfast, a sophisticated brunch item, or a delightful light lunch.
Hearty Main Courses & Family Dinners
For ultimate comfort food with minimal effort, try the Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Hash from Simply Stacie. This recipe transforms your leftover ham and potatoes into a warm, inviting dish perfect for a chilly evening. Let your slow cooker do all the hard work, simmering the ingredients to tender perfection, resulting in a hearty and satisfying meal the whole family will love.
The Ham and Cheesy Potato Casserole from Our Home Made Easy is a match made in heaven for fans of ham and potatoes. This delightful casserole combines tender chunks of ham with creamy, cheesy potatoes, baked until golden and bubbly. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a wonderfully comforting dish that perfectly showcases the savory flavor of your leftover ham.
Take your favorite potato casserole to the next level with Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes with Ham from Butter your Biscuit. Layers of thinly sliced potatoes are baked in a rich, creamy sauce with savory ham and a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. This dish is a decadent and satisfying side or main course that perfectly highlights the comforting combination of ham and potatoes.
If you’re a true cheese lover, the Cheesy Ham Skillet Dinner from Kitchen Gidget is absolutely perfect for you. This one-pan wonder combines your leftover ham with plenty of gooey, melted cheese and other delicious ingredients for a quick and satisfying meal. It’s a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish that’s perfect for a weeknight when you crave maximum taste with minimal fuss.
For a quick and easy skillet dinner that tastes incredibly decadent, try the One Pot Ham and Peas Alfredo from The Kitchen Girl. This creamy pasta dish combines tender ham and sweet peas with a luscious Alfredo sauce, all cooked in a single pot. It’s a brilliant way to transform your leftovers into a comforting and sophisticated meal with minimal effort.
Who can resist a good mac and cheese? Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with ham is an incredibly easy and quick way to get a comforting meal on the table using your electric pressure cooker. The savory ham adds a wonderful dimension to the classic creamy pasta. If you don’t own an Instant Pot, you can still enjoy this delightful combination with a baked Ham Macaroni & Cheese from Saving Room for Dessert, offering that same cheesy, hearty goodness.
The Cheddar Chive Savory Ham and Potato Crumble from Savory Nothings is an utterly comforting casserole that’s both easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying. This dish brings together the creamy goodness of potatoes, the sharp flavor of cheddar, fresh chives, and, of course, delicious chunks of your leftover ham, all topped with a delightful crunchy crumble. It’s a perfect family dinner that feels gourmet yet is wonderfully simple.
Comforting Soups for Any Day
Don’t let that ham bone go to waste! The Instant Pot Ham and Lentil Soup from Meatloaf and Melodrama utilizes the leftover ham bone to create a deeply flavorful broth, infusing the entire soup with a rich, smoky essence. Cooked quickly in a pressure cooker, this hearty and wholesome soup is packed with tender lentils and savory ham, making it a warming and nutritious meal that’s perfect for a chilly day.
There’s nothing quite like a comforting bowl of soup, and this Leftover Ham and Potato Soup from The Life Jolie truly delivers. It’s a hearty, creamy concoction that combines tender pieces of ham with soft, starchy potatoes in a rich broth. This soup is the epitome of comfort food, perfect for warming you up from the inside out and making the most of your delicious holiday leftovers.
Quick Lunches & Savory Appetizers
Looking for an easy and flavorful appetizer or sandwich filling? This Creamy Dijon Ham Salad from 4 Sons R Us is an absolute winner. It transforms diced ham into a delectable spread with the zesty kick of Dijon mustard and a creamy base. Serve it with crackers for an effortless appetizer, or pile it high on your favorite bread for a delightful lunch.
For a refreshing and easy lunch or side dish, the Pasta Salad with Peas and Ham from Smart Savvy Living is a fantastic choice. This vibrant salad combines tender pasta, sweet green peas, and savory ham in a light, flavorful dressing. It’s simple to prepare, incredibly satisfying, and perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick midday meal.
These elegant Ham and Cheese Jambon Pastries from Happy Foods Tube are perfect for a sophisticated appetizer or a delightful snack. Flaky puff pastry encases savory ham and gooey cheese, baked until golden and irresistible. They look impressive but are surprisingly simple to make, making them an excellent choice for entertaining or a special treat.
Creative Twists & Global Flavors
Take your ham and cheese sandwich concept to a whole new level with Ham and Cheese Stromboli from Ann’s Entitled Life. This delicious baked Italian turnover is filled with savory ham and melted cheese, all wrapped in a golden, crispy crust. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal that’s perfect for sharing, making it a fantastic family dinner or party food.
Add an exciting twist to your meal rotation with Secret Ingredient Ham Fried Rice from The Little Kitchen. This recipe transforms leftover ham into a vibrant and flavorful Asian-inspired dish. The “secret ingredient” ensures a depth of flavor that makes this fried rice truly stand out, offering a quick, customizable, and incredibly delicious way to use up your ham.
These absolutely delicious Ham Brie and Cranberry Sliders from Flavor the Moments are a particularly tasty and festive way to use up leftovers, especially from a Christmas dinner. The combination of savory ham, creamy Brie cheese, and tart cranberry sauce, often enhanced with a maple rosemary mustard, creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures in a convenient, miniature sandwich.
I genuinely hope you’ll be inspired to try one or more of these incredibly easy and delicious leftover ham recipes very soon! Don’t let that precious holiday ham go to waste; turn it into a new culinary delight that your family will love. Enjoy the extended flavors of your holiday feast!
This post was originally published in 2018 and has been comprehensively updated in 2021 to include even more helpful tips and delicious recipe ideas. Photos and recipes were used with consent from the original publishers. Please visit their respective sites via the links provided to discover the full recipe details and to pin their wonderful images directly.