32 Easy Recipes for Leftover Ham - Budgeting for Bliss (2024)

Looking for recipes to use up your leftover ham? These 32 Easy Recipes for Leftover Holiday Ham are the best way to stretch your grocery budget and make simple meals your whole family will enjoy.

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Ham is a great option for holiday meals because of how simple it is to prepare and how many people it will feed. Since most hams come pre-cooked, it makes the prep work even easier.

But, as great as ham is as the main dish for your holiday meal, it’s the leftovers that many people look forward to the most. Leftover holiday ham is probably one of the best parts of the meal because of all the delicious recipes that can be put to use afterward.

These simple leftover ham recipes are the perfect inspiration for breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. You will find salad, sandwiches, soup, and casserole ideas. Your family is sure to discover something that they will love in this list of 32 Easy Leftover Holiday Ham Recipes.

A Quick Tip-You can find ham at a great price through the holiday season. This is the perfect time to stock up to stretch your food budget to help you save on your grocery bill.

Looking for more ways to save on groceries:
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Best tips for using Leftover Holiday Ham

How long can leftover ham be stored in the fridge?

Ham can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days as long as it’s kept in an airtight container or a plastic storage bag.

Can you freeze leftover ham?

Yes, if you are unable to use it all before the 5 days are up. Then, put it in a freezer bag and toss it into the freezer so it doesn’t go to waste. It can last up to 3 months.

Don’t forget to save the ham bone and use it for soups. You can also freeze it to use at a later time.

32 Easy Recipes for Leftover Holiday Ham

Breakfast

Breakfast is one of the best ways to use up leftover holiday ham. There are so many easy and quick options for breakfast. The best part is that you can make up a large batch and freeze it for later.

Omelet

Omelets are so versatile and can be made with anything you have on hand. Grab some eggs, ham, cheese, onions, and peppers to make yourself a Denver omelet.

Breakfast Pizza

We love breakfast pizza. The first time we ever had it was at Disney World and once we got home, we decided to make our own version. You can buy the pre-made crust to make it easier if you prefer. However, I like to use frozen bread dough for my pizza crust. ( I just let it thaw overnight).

Then, just combine scrambled eggs with your leftover holiday ham and spread on the dough. Sprinkle with your favorite cheese and bake at 425° for 8-10 minutes. (If the dough is already precooked it shouldn’t take more than 5-6 minutes to melt the cheese).

Egg Bagel Sandwiches

These are so simple and delicious. Just fry an egg, melt cheese over the top, and add a warmed piece of leftover ham to a toasted bagel.

If you are making these for a crowd or want to freeze them for later, you can whisk together a dozen eggs, pour them into a greased 9×13 inch pan, and bake at 350° for 20-30 minutes or until eggs are cooked through. Once eggs are cooled, cut into squares and place on bagels with ham and cheese.

If you want to freeze them, you can wrap them individually in aluminum foil and place them in a freezer bag. When reheating using a toaster oven or the oven is best (350° for 10-12 minutes) because the microwave will make them soggy.

Egg, Ham, and Cheese Muffins

A quick and tasty meal that everyone seems to enjoy. These are made exactly like our egg bagel sandwiches, we just use english muffins instead. These make a great freezer breakfast meal to enjoy on those busy weekday mornings.

Ham Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders

(Homemade Interest)

Breakfast Burritos

Breakfast burritos are simple to make and are a great freezer meal if you are trying to make your leftover holiday ham stretch. All you need to do is scramble some eggs with shredded cheddar cheese and diced ham. Put a small amount in a flour tortilla shell and wrap up.

To freeze, wrap burritos in aluminum foil and place them into a freezer bag. When you want to reheat them, take them out of the aluminum foil and wrap them in a paper towel, and microwave for a couple of minutes until heated through.

Breakfast Crunch wrap

We make breakfast crunch wraps exactly like our breakfast burritos except instead of rolling them up we fold them in a square.

We place the scrambled egg, cheese, and ham in the middle of a tortilla shell and start by folding the side closest to you toward the center. Then, just keep folding around the center until eventually when you turn it over it’s square.

Put it in a warm skillet, folded side down until brown. Turn over and brown the other side. Serve with salsa and sour cream

Egg, Ham, and Cheese Crunch wrap

Grilled Egg, Ham, and Cheese Sandwich

My son loves cooking breakfast sandwiches and came up with this recipe one day while making breakfast. Since he isn’t a huge fan of English muffins, he likes to make his egg, ham, and cheese sandwiches with bread.

He decided to combine a grilled cheese sandwich with an egg, ham, and, cheese breakfast sandwich and its perfection.

It’s as easy as frying an egg (he adds garlic powder, Italian seasonings, salt, and pepper). He adds the cooked egg, to two slices of bread, cheese, and ham then cooks it like a grilled cheese sandwich in a warm skillet.

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A few more hearty breakfast recipes for leftover holiday ham:

Ham and Broccoli Quiche

(Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom)

Ham, Asparagus and Mushroom Frittata

(Flavor the Moments)

Ham, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

(Happy Brown House)

Ham and Egg Bubble Up

(Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen)

Lunch

Chef Salad

Chef Salad is a great lunch option to use up your leftover holiday ham. Combine lettuce, with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, chopped eggs, cheese, and ham. Top with ranch dressing for a fresh and delicious lunch.

Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad

(With a Blast)

Ham and Cheese Sliders

(Yellow Bliss Road)

Monte Cristo Sandwich

(House of Nash Eats)

Ham and Cheese Club Sandwich

Club sandwiches are a hearty lunch option and so easy to assemble. Just toast 3 slices of bread, add mayo, ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and bacon.

Classic Ham Salad

(Family Fresh Meals)

Ultimate Grilled Ham and Cheese

(Real Mom Kitchen)

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

(Sweet Pea’s Kitchen)

Looking for more easy lunch options?
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Dinner

Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are one of my very favorite comfort foods. Adding these tasty additions will take it to the next level of deliciousness.

Prepare your homemade mashed potatoes the way you like them. I love using my instant pot to cook potatoes because it’s so easy and quick. Then, add bacon, cheese, leftover ham, green onions, sour cream and serve.

Related:
  • 25 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for the Beginner-simple and quick instant pot recipes that will make cooking dinner a breeze.

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

(Adore Foods)

Flaky &Buttery Ham Pot Pie

(The Salty Pot)

Hawaiian BBQ Pizza

(Queenslee Appetit)

Pineapple Ham Fried Rice

(Foodtastic Mom)

Delicious Casseroles to make with your Leftover Holiday Ham

Creamy Ham Fettuccine Casserole

(The Country Cook)

Ham and Noodle Casserole

(Casserole Crissy)

Ham Broccoli Rice Casserole

(Together as Family)

Chicken Cordon Bleu Stuffing Casserole

(The Chunky Chef)

Comforting Soup Recipes Made from Leftover Holiday Ham

Slow Cooker Ham and Corn Chowder

(The Kitchen is my Playground)

Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup

(Bunny’s Warm Oven)

Split Pea Soup

(The Cozy Cook)

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A few other options to use up leftover ham from the holidays include:

  • Adding it to scrambled eggs
  • Use it in your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe. (We love this instant pot macaroni and cheese recipe from The Salty Marshmallow.
  • Put ham in pasta salads and wraps.

Hopefully, you’ve been inspired to try one of these easy and delicious recipes to use up your leftover ham this holiday season. Enjoy!

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32 Easy Recipes for Leftover Ham - Budgeting for Bliss (9)

32 Easy Recipes for Leftover Ham - Budgeting for Bliss (2024)

FAQs

What to do with liquid from ham? ›

Yes, you can transform your ham drippings into a creamy, savory Ham Gravy! Your holiday dinners will never be the same once you discover the deliciousness and ease of this ham gravy recipe.

What to do with a frozen ham? ›

Don't sweat it if you forgot to pull your holiday ham out of the freezer, or if it simply hasn't thawed as quick as you expected it to thaw. It's perfectly safe to cook a frozen ham. Just know that it takes about 50 percent longer to cook a fully-frozen ham.

How do you store leftover 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.

How do you make leftover ham juicy again? ›

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 juice keeps ham moist? ›

Apple juice is a common ingredient used to keep a pre-cooked ham tender, moist and juicy. The sweet and tart taste of the juice enhances the flavor of your ham, too.

How long will ham last 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.

Can dogs eat ham? ›

Yes and no. Although ham isn't toxic for your dog, it's best to avoid it in large quantities. The odd small bite is unlikely to cause an issue (unless your dog has a known or underlying medical condition), but it's not the best meat for your pup to consume a lot of.

Can you freeze a ham for 2 years? ›

Technically, freezing ham will keep it safe indefinitely, but it might not taste good after years of sitting in the freezer. To determine how long frozen ham lasts and maintains its quality, here's what foodsafety.gov says: Fresh, uncured, uncooked ham: 6 months. Fresh, uncured, cooked ham: 3 to 4 months.

Can you eat cooked ham after 7 days? ›

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 to tell if ham is off? ›

If your ham starts to take on a green or grey hue, or even gets black or brown in a few areas, throw it away. If it doesn't smell good, throw it away. Ham should have a salty or smokey aroma, almost sweet. If there is a sour smell or something smells off, don't take the chance of a food-borne illness.

What is a ham bag? ›

A handy drawstring bag for storing ham in the refrigerator. It is manufactured from 140gsm unbleached natural cotton and extends the life of a ham by reducing moisture loss and allowing it to breathe.

Can ham juice go down the drain? ›

Never pour cooking oil, pan drippings, bacon grease, salad dressings or sauces down the sink or toilet or into street gutters or storm drains. Dispose of food scraps into the trash, not the sink. Don't use a garbage disposal or food grinder.

Should I drain ham juice? ›

Like I mentioned above, save the ham juices from the packaging, and pour them into the bottom of the pan; this will help your ham to stay moist.

Is ham stock good for you? ›

A new study has shown that Bone Broth made from dry-cured ham bones may be beneficial for cardiovascular health because ham bones contain peptides that could have cardioprotective effects.

Why does ham have so much water in it? ›

Cooked ham is commonly wet-cured with a brining solution (often water, salt, phosphates or nitrates, and sugar). This makes the meat more seasoned and less likely to dry out when reheated at home. It also allows the producer to make more money by increasing the weight of the ham with water.

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