32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (2024)

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Mmm, egg caprese cups

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (1)

By Delia Mooney

Published Dec 8, 2021

Additional reporting by

Katherine Gillen

The Christmas ham was stunning in its glory…but once the festivities are over, all you can focus on are those sad slices lingering in the fridge. Believe it or not, they’re about to be tonight’s amazing dinner. From simple ham and cheese sliders to cheesy ham mashed potato cakes to classic split pea soup, here are 32 leftover ham recipes that will make your holiday feast last forever.

How long can you use leftover ham?

According to the USDA, spiral-cut hams and their leftovers can be kept in the fridge for three to five days. So, depending on when you bought that glorious ham, you have up to five days to eat it (or freeze it).

Can you freeze leftover ham?

You’re in luck: As long as your leftover ham is less than five days old, you can stash it in the freezer for one to two months, per the USDA.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1. Croque Madame Dutch Baby

Fluffy pancakes for dinner? That’ll be a “yes” for us.

Get the recipe

2. Caramelized Pineapple Ham And Cheese Turnovers

This might be the most ingenious combo ever. It’s like Hawaiian pizza, but pinkies out.

3. Ham And Cheese Breakfast Casserole

The perfect lazy brunch dish after all the holiday festivities.

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4. Schinkennudeln (ham & Cheese Pasta)

Mac and cheese lovers, this one’s for you. (There are two types of cheese!)

5. Ham And Sausage Hash Brown Egg Bake

This breakfast of champions takes only 10 minutes to prepare.

6. Overnight Ham And Cheese Strata

Now this is something we’d get out of bed for, post-holiday soirée.

8. Cheesy Ham And Potato Soup

Comfort food is absolutely necessary once the glow of all the celebrations wears off.

9. Microwave Egg Caprese Breakfast Cups

You’ve never had pesto for breakfast? You’re in for a treat.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

10. Cuban Sliders For A Crowd

Because nothing says “party” like mini sandwiches.

Get the recipe

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11. Ham Mashed Potato Cakes

Do it for the cheese pull.

12. Ham, Spinach And Swiss Stuffed Crepes

We’re never eating plain old sandwiches again.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

13. Ham, Cheddar And Chive Scones

We appreciate a sweet treat as much as the next person, but some things can benefit from a little bit of savory.

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Emily Morgan

14. Ham, Swiss And Apple Sandwich

Wait, did we swear off sandwiches? We were totally kidding.

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Michael Beltran

15. Cuban Sandwich

Savory and cheesy doesn’t begin to cover it—this sammie’s topped with *plantain chips* for crunch.

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32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (17)

Averie Cooks

16. Ham And Cheese Sliders

These beauties are brushed with a buttery mustard topping that's loaded with poppy seeds and dried onion.

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (18)

Averie Cooks

17. Baked Ham And Cheese Omelet

Standing by the stove flipping individual omelets for everyone at the table? Not today.

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (19)

The Defined Dish

18. Split Pea Soup With Ham

ICYMI, soup season is September through April. This one is going on our weekly rotation, leftover ham or not.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

19. The Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich

What better way to mark the most important meal than with the mac daddy of morning treats? Behold this breakfast sandwich.

Get the recipe

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (21)

Damn Delicious

20. Instant Pot Leftover Hambone Soup

Sure, this soup is simple, but it’s also anything but boring thanks to that smoky ham.

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (22)

Damn Delicious

21. Baked Ham And Cheese Croissants

The sprinkle of poppy seeds takes this already-OTT recipe to a new level.

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (23)

Spoon Fork Bacon

22. Croque Madame Toast

The French basically invented the concept of “put an egg on it.”

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (24)

Damn Delicious

23. Ham, Egg And Cheese Breakfast Quesadillas

We’ve never met a quesadilla we didn't like, breakfast included.

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (25)

Damn Delicious

24. Broccoli Ham And Cheese Soup

It’s not just cozy and warming, it’s also kid friendly to boot.

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (26)

Damn Delicious

25. Ham And Peas Pasta With Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce

This one comes together in practically no time. (And by that, we mean 30 minutes tops.)

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (27)

Damn Delicious

26. Ham And Cheese Hash Brown Foil Packets

That melted cheese makes you want to dive right in, doesn’t it?

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (28)

Pinch of Yum

27. Ham, Egg, And Cheese Brunch Cups

We won’t tell if you sneak a few in the kitchen before serving at your co*cktail party.

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (29)

Pinch of Yum

28. Egg And Croissant Brunch Bake

It’s all the cheesy, flaky goodness of a breakfast sandwich wrapped into one dish.

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (30)

Pinch of Yum

29. Hot Ham And Cheese Sandwiches With Bacon And Caramelized Onions

The ham is great and all, but we can’t get enough of the caramelized onions.

Chellie Schmitz/Chef Junior

30. Apple Sandwiches

Feel free to swap in any lunchmeat once that leftover ham is all gone.

Get the recipe

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (32)

Spoon Fork Bacon

31. Creamy Baked Gnocchi With Ham And Peas

Your leftovers have never looked (or tasted) fancier. Even better, it’s ready in 35 minutes.

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (33)

Foodie Crush

32. Ham Salad Sandwiches

A mayo-based salad made that also cleans out the fridge is the greatest holiday gift of all.

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32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (34)

Delia Mooney

Freelance PureWow Editor

read full bio

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (35)

Katherine Gillen

Senior Food Editor

Katherine Gillenis PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...

read full bio

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day (2024)

FAQs

32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day? ›

Add 1/2-3/4 of a cup of wine or stock to the pan (you don't want the ham swimming in liquid) and throw some aromatics in there—a few whole cloves, some star anise, and cinnamon sticks are all good options. Cover the ham with foil and place in a 250-degree oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 100℉.

How do you make cooked ham taste better? ›

Add 1/2-3/4 of a cup of wine or stock to the pan (you don't want the ham swimming in liquid) and throw some aromatics in there—a few whole cloves, some star anise, and cinnamon sticks are all good options. Cover the ham with foil and place in a 250-degree oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 100℉.

Can you eat cooked ham after 7 days? ›

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.

What to add to already cooked ham? ›

Ham and Pineapple Dinner

"Cubed ham sauteed with onions and pineapple in a sweet sauce," says Melissa. "It's a great take on a Hawaiian-style dinner and great for leftover ham." It's also great with broccoli.

What can I add to ham for flavor? ›

Popular glaze ingredients for smoked ham include brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, and cloves, among others. Glazing can be done during the final stages of cooking or reheating the ham, allowing the sugars in the glaze to caramelize and create a tasty, flavorful crust.

Why do you soak a ham before cooking? ›

If necessary, soak the gammon (ham) in cold water to reduce saltiness, according to butcher or packet instructions (most do not need this anymore as curing methods have changed). Weigh to calculate the cooking time. Place in a large pan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil.

Should I put anything on my ham before cooking? ›

Preheat the oven to 325°F. You don't need to wash a ham before baking. If you ask us, baked ham is delicious even when you leave it plain; however, scoring a diamond pattern with a chef's knife in the outer layer and brushing on a glaze during baking makes the ham a showy centerpiece and adds flavor.

How do you cook an already cooked ham? ›

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place the ham on a rack in a large baking pan and add about 1/4- to 1/2 inch of water to the pan. If the ham is labeled "fully cooked" (does not require heating), heat it in the oven for about 10 minutes per pound, or to an internal temperature of 140 F.

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 9 day old ham? ›

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.

Can you eat 8 day old ham? ›

Hams labeled “fully cooked” can be served cold or reheated to an internal temperature of 140° F. Both plastic-wrapped and vacuum-packaged hams must be refrigerated. A plastic-wrapped ham will keep about one week. A vacuum-packaged ham should be consumed by the “use by” date or within 1 week after the “sell by” date.

How do you warm up leftover 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? ›

If you have a whole ham, it can last in the fridge for up to seventy-five days. If you have a half ham, it will last for about sixty days. Ham that has been precooked or spiral cut will last for about one week.

How do you add moisture to a ham? ›

Cover it in Foil

To cook ham, your first step should be to cover it in tinfoil and place it in a roasting pan. The foil traps steam and keeps the meat moist. You don't have to wrap the aluminum foil tightly around the ham because you'll want to be able to check on it later.

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

Cooked ham will last for up to a week in the refrigerator if it is stored properly. To store cooked ham, wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator. If the ham has been sliced, it should be placed in an airtight container.

How do you use pre cooked ham? ›

Place the ham on a rack in a large baking pan and add about 1/4- to 1/2 inch of water to the pan. If the ham is labeled "fully cooked" (does not require heating), heat it in the oven for about 10 minutes per pound, or to an internal temperature of 140 F.

How long is ham good for in the fridge? ›

Both plastic-wrapped and vacuum-packaged hams must be refrigerated. A plastic-wrapped ham will keep about one week. A vacuum-packaged ham should be consumed by the “use by” date or within 1 week after the “sell by” date. Both plastic-wrapped and vacuum-packaged hams can be frozen.

What compliments a ham dinner? ›

(Here's an easy way to figure out how much ham to serve per person, by the way.) Potatoes are a classic side dish, of course, but it never hurts to have something crunchy and colorful on the table as well, such as a salad, biscuits, beans, roast carrots, and sweet potatoes all make classic sides as well.

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