How To Make The Most Of Your Leftover Ham

After a big holiday meal, you might be left with a fridge full of leftovers, including a delicious ham. Don’t let that Leftover Ham go to waste! I’ll share my top tips for storing leftover ham, recipe ideas, and cooking tips to help you make the most of this versatile ingredient.

Leftover Ham

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season filled with delicious food and quality time with loved ones. Now that the festivities have come to an end, you might be left with some leftover ham. Fear not, my friends! Leftover ham is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of delicious dishes. In this post, I’ll share some tips on how to store leftover ham, recipe ideas, and tips for cooking with ham.

To prevent food waste and get the most out of your ham, it’s important to use it up before it goes bad. One tip is to plan out meals in advance and incorporate small amounts of ham into dishes for extra flavor. For example, you can add ham to scrambled eggs or a breakfast sandwich, sprinkle it on top of a salad, or use it as a pizza topping.

Another tip is to freeze small portions of ham for later use in soups, stews, or casseroles. This is a great way to have a quick and easy protein source on hand when you need it. With these tips, you can make the most of your ham and enjoy delicious meals while reducing food waste.

Storing Leftover Ham

First things first, let’s talk about how to store leftover ham. Proper storage is key when it comes to keeping leftover ham fresh and safe to eat. You should store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. For refrigerator storage, it’s best to use the ham within 3-5 days. For freezer storage, the ham can be stored for up to 6 months. It’s important to be aware of how long leftover ham can be stored to prevent food borne illness.

Recipe Ideas

Now, onto the fun part – recipe ideas! There are many delicious dishes that can be made with leftover ham. Here are some of my favorites:

Leftover Ham and Cheese Breakfast Muffins

Leftover Ham And Cheese Breakfast Muffins are a scrumptious and convenient way to repurpose your leftover ham into a wholesome morning meal. These savory, protein-packed muffins combine the irresistible flavors of ham, cheese and lots of veggies, in a portable, easy-to-prepare format that's perfect for busy mornings.

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Leftover Ham and Bean Soup

Looking for a delicious and comforting way to use up leftover ham? Look no further than this hearty and flavorful Leftover Ham And Ban Soup! Packed with tender ham, aromatic vegetables, and creamy cannellini beans, this soup is easy to make and perfect for chilly days.

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One-Skillet Ham and Cheese Gnocchi

This One Skillet Ham and Cheese Gnocchi makes for a perfect dinner of gnocchi paired together with ham and loads of cheese, perfect comfort food that is bursting with flavor!

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Ham and Cheese Pockets

Get ready to meet your new go-to comfort food: Ham and Cheese Pockets that are as delectable as they are easy to make. Picture this: Melt-in-your-mouth ham and gooey cheddar cheese enveloped in a soft, homemade dough that's golden and slightly crispy on the outside.

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Ham And Cheese Sliders

These Ham and Cheese Sliders are made with Hawaiian sweet rolls loaded with Swiss cheese and sliced ham, topped with a delicious poppy seed and mustard melted butter and finally baked to a yummy perfection. Incredibly easy, quick and a total crowd pleaser.

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Club Sandwich

A classic Club Sandwich recipe with turkey, ham and bacon piled high, along with cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato, in between fresh slices of toasted bread spread with homemade mayo.

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Olive Ham and Cheese Loaf

This Olive Ham and Cheese Loaf is packed with incredible flavors. Ham, Gruyere cheese, olives, and a touch of mint send this quick bread right over the edge. It's almost a meal in itself!

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Deviled Ham

This Deviled Ham is a tasty and savoury spread made by combining deli ham with a flavorful cream cheese mixture. Ready in under 10 minutes, it's ideal on top of sandwiches, bread or crackers.

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Hawaiian Pizza

This Hawaiian Pizza is a tropical delight on a plate. Experience the sweet and savory symphony of pineapple, ham, and bacon, perfectly complemented by earthy shiitake mushrooms and aromatic basil, all nestled on a golden, crispy crust.

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Split Pea Soup

This one-pot Split Pea Soup is tremendously heart-warming and comforting, and absolutely ideal to make with that leftover Holiday ham. A hearty soup loaded with tender split peas, delicious ham and lots of veggies!

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Croque Monsieur

In this classic French Croque Monsieur, melted Gruyere and savory black forest ham are smothered with silky white bechamel sauce, a touch of Dijon, and then finished with just a sprinkle of Herbes de Provence to make this incredibly delicious indulgent hot sandwich! It’s classy, but easy to make and pairs perfectly with a green salad or cup of soup!

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Leftover Ham and Cheese Penne

This delicious incredibly creamy and cheesy Leftover Ham and Cheese Penne comes together in just 30 minutes! Made with perfectly cooked pasta, chunks of savory ham, and tender peas tossed together in a yummy cheese sauce and then topped with more parmesan cheese to serve, it’s an unbelievably tasty meal that your whole family will love!

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Chef Salad

This Chef Salad is healthy and delicious that's perfect for lunch or dinner with a homemade dressing and the perfect meal for under 30 minutes. 

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Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

When you combine juicy shredded chicken and diced ham together in a creamy white cheese sauce and then top it with panko what you’ve got is Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole! This spin on the famous classic is hands down delicious and ridiculously easy to make!

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Black Eyed Peas Recipe

This Black Eyed Peas Recipe is a Southern New Year's Day tradition. Since the peas swell when cooked, they symbolize prosperity, and who wouldn't want that for the upcoming year! Made with ham, bacon and lots of veggies, these black eyed peas are a perfect meal.

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Tips For Cooking With Leftover Ham

Here are some tips and tricks for cooking with leftover ham:

1. Use the ham bone for extra flavor – If you have a leftover ham bone, don’t throw it away! Ham bones can be used to add extra flavor to soups, stews, and broths. Simply place the ham bone in a pot with water and vegetables, and let it simmer for a few hours to create a flavorful broth. You can then use this broth as a base for soups, stews, and casseroles.
2. Incorporate small amounts of ham into dishes for extra flavor – Leftover ham can be added to a variety of dishes for extra flavor. For example, you can add small amounts of ham to scrambled eggs, omelettes, salads, or pasta dishes. You can also use ham as a pizza topping or in a grilled cheese sandwich for a tasty twist.
3. Slice and store leftover ham for later use – If you don’t plan to use all of your ham right away, slice it into thin pieces and store it in an airtight container or freezer bag. This makes it easy to grab a quick protein source for meals. Frozen ham can be stored for up to 6 months.
4. Get creative with leftovers – Don’t be afraid to get creative with your ham! You can use it to make a variety of dishes, such as quiches, frittatas, casseroles, and soups. You can also use leftover ham in place of bacon in recipes, such as potato soup or mac and cheese, for a delicious twist.

By using these tips, you can make the most of your leftover ham and enjoy delicious meals while reducing food waste. So next time you have leftover ham, don’t let it go to waste – get creative in the kitchen and try something new! By storing it properly, trying new recipes, and getting creative with your cooking, you can make the most of your leftover ham and enjoy delicious meals for days to come.

Other Delicious Recipes To Try

• Crockpot Brown Sugar Cola Glazed Ham
• Instant Pot Ham
• Crockpot Honey Mustard Glazed Ham
• Bourbon Glazed Baked Ham
• Hawaiian Ham And Cheese Stromboli