If you find yourself with leftover ham and are looking for recipes to use the meat or how to freeze it so you can have it later you’ve come to right place.
Although many of us will enjoy eating a slice or two of ham right out of the refrigerator, when you have a lot of leftovers, you will need to get creative.
After a ham sandwich or two, it is time to find other ways to incorporate the protein into meals. So instead to searching several websites for recipes, I have included different methods and 16 of our favorite recipes.
To make it easy, I have organized them into categories. Whether you are looking for a soup, breakfast, lunch or dinner, I am sure you will find a recipe or two to enjoy!
To get the recipe simply click on the title and it will take you to the article that includes not only the ingredients and cooking instructions, but also helpful recipe tips and tricks.
However, if you are currently have had your fill of ham but want to freeze it, I have included the best way to do so. Then you will have ham on hand whenever the craving strikes you.
Leftover Ham Recipes
Soups
One of the most popular ways to use the leftover meat is to make soup. Just remember that ham is naturally salty so don’t add too much salt when you go to season your soup.
1. Crock Pot Ham and Bean Soup
Ham and bean soup is a classic comfort meal that is delicious, heart warming, and is a meal that will keep you feeling full for hours. And if that wasn’t enough, when made in the slow cooker, it takes only minutes to prepare!
This cheesy potato and ham soup recipe is by far one of our family’s favorite meals. In fact, it is usually the first recipe that I made after Christmas.
A meaty and vibrant soup that’s great for using up leftovers. Not of fan of split peas? Don’t worry, you won’t even taste them!
A creamy chowder soup recipe filled with leftover ham, corn and potatoes that is perfect to serve any day of the year.
Breakfast
When it comes to making breakfast, ham is a common protein choice. Whether you eat a slice of ham alongside your eggs or put diced ham in an omelet or grits it is a great way to use leftover meat.
However, here are some other recipes that allows you to include it in your breakfast meal.
5. Low Carb Breakfast Scramble
Need to back off the carbs after the holidays? Make a low carb breakfast scramble.
It is so easy to prepare and you can customize it with whatever ingredients that you and your family prefer.
6. Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Making an overnight slow cooker breakfast casserole is the answer to all of your ‘what’s for breakfast’ worries. Put everything in the crock pot and when you wake up in the morning, breakfast is ready!
Whether you want to make this and bake it in the oven right away or make it the night before, this is a great recipe to use leftover ham.
This Breakfast Skillet recipe is a hearty dish that combines all of your favorite breakfast items including eggs, potatoes, ham, and veggies. It is the perfect breakfast recipe to make for yourself or a loved one.
Lunch
Leftover ham is turned into a delicious and creamy spread. Spread it between two pieces of bread or serve it as a dip with crackers for a delicious and easy to eat appetizer dip.
Although sometimes offered at brunch, this sandwich is a great lunch item as well. The best way to describe this sandwich is that it is a combination of French toast (minus the cinnamon) and a grilled ham and cheese sandwich.
Sprinkle the top with powdered sugar and you have a leftover ham sandwich recipe that you will want to make over and over again!
Ham slices and Swiss cheese layered between a package of Sweet Hawaiian Rolls and then topped with a seasoned buttery spread. Then it is baked until the cheese is melted and the buns are lightly toasted.
It is a great way to use up a lot of ham when you are serving a crowd. It is one of our favorite tailgate recipes!
Dinner
A quick and easy recipe that is made entirely on the stove top and requires only 5 simple ingredients. The perfect weeknight meal!
13. Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
If you love the taste of Chicken Cordon Bleu you are going to love this casserole recipe. It has all the flavors of the iconic dish but it is made into a casserole instead of stuffing individual chicken breasts with ham and cheese.
If you are looking for an easy, leftover ham recipe than this Teriyaki Ham Stir Fry is exactly what you have been looking for! Another great recipe that can be on the table in under 20 minutes!
Use your instant pot (or whatever brand of pressure cooker that you have) to make a delicious dinner that requires very little work! Ham, broccoli and rice mixed together and served as a complete meal.
16. Ham and Potato Casserole For Two
For those who are cooking for two, this recipe is for you! A small batch recipe that takes only 10 minutes to prepare.
Pour the mixture in a casserole dish and put it in the oven. With just 30 minutes of baking time, your leftover ham dinner is ready to be served!
How To Freeze Leftover Ham
For those who are tired of eating leftover ham right at the moment, you may want to freeze the ham to use in recipes later. Therefore, I have included the best way to freeze ham so that it will stay nice and fresh.
However, some varieties of ham will freeze better than others. Ham that has been injected with additives or water will not freeze as well as a ham that is 100% pure.
This is because the water or liquid additives will produce ice crystals. Although it is still edible, the ham will have a lace like texture when thawed.
Regardless of what type of ham you are freezing, the method is still the same. Start by slicing or dicing the leftover ham and separate it into various serving sizes.
Then make sure the ham is completely cool and pat it dry with paper towels so there is no moisture on the surface.
Wrap the ham in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer bag and remove the air. Then tightly wrap the package with foil.
Then place the foil wrapped ham in another freezer bag or storage container. Although you could skip the triple wrapping method and store using a Food Saver instead if you have one.
Both methods of freezing will help prevent freezer burn. Sliced or diced ham can be safely frozen for up to two months. And yes, you can freeze the ham bone too!
Enjoy!
Mary and Jim
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.
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