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)

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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

How long is ham good in the fridge after cooking? ›

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 do you keep leftover ham moist? ›

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.

How long does ham stock last in fridge? ›

Ham stock can be refrigerated, covered, for up to one week or stored in the freezer for up to three months. If freezing, it is best to store your stock in smaller portions so that you only thaw what you need. Quart-sized freezer storage bags or glass jars work great.

What can I do with the liquid from a ham? ›

Ham stocks generally go well with pulses and the stock could be used to make a black bean soup, a lentil soup such as the Yellow Split Peas and Frankfurter Soup (from Feast) or the Chick Pea and Pasta Soup (from How To Eat).

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 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 reheat a cooked 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.

How long will an unopened spiral ham last in the refrigerator? ›

A fully-cooked, unopened, vacuum-sealed ham can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator, according to the USDA, but the clock starts ticking once you open that package. Sliced meat, like fresh cut ham or spiral-cut ham from the store, will last in the refrigerator for only three to five days.

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

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.

Which is healthier, stock or broth? ›

And the Winner Is..

Stock! Whether homemade or store-bought it has more protein and usually less sodium per serving as compared to broth. Plus, the flavor is just better which means you'll start with something tastier and will hopefully use less salt to taste at the end.

What is the difference between stock and broth? ›

Stock is generally made from bones, and broth is generally made from flesh. In both cases, they are often supported with aromatic vegetables, but in the case of stock, left unseasoned for maximum flexibility in recipes, whereas broth will usually contain at least salt and pepper.

Is ham good in the fridge for 10 days? ›

Most ham will last about five days in the fridge

The outlet notes that cured and fully cooked spiral hams that have been opened and cooked at home will stay fresh in the refrigerator for three to five days afterward, while country ham lasts up to a full week.

Why do people put soda on ham? ›

Cola adds caramel sweetness to a ham glaze and can stand up to other strong ingredients like bourbon and cloves. If you'd rather not cook with alcohol, use apple juice instead. Start with our Classic Cola-Glazed Ham recipe and give it your own spin, depending on the soda you're using.

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.

What to 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.

Can ham last 2 weeks in the fridge? ›

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.

Is ham good after 8 days? ›

When Should You Throw Out Ham? If your ham has been stored in the fridge for more than five days after the package has been opened or in the freezer for more than six months, it is best to throw it out. Ham that has been exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit should also be disposed of.

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

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 long is Honey Baked Ham good for in the fridge? ›

How long can I keep my Honey Baked ham or turkey breast in the refrigerator? Once thawed, your Honey Baked Ham will stay fresh for 7 to 10 days and the Honey Baked Turkey Breast will stay fresh for 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.

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