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

How long will cooked ham keep 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. The USDA also recommends wrapping up leftovers well.

What is a good ham dinner menu? ›

13 of the Best Side Dishes to Serve with Ham
  • Milk-Simmered Mashed Potatoes. ...
  • Popovers. ...
  • Minty Radishes and Snap Peas. ...
  • Butter-Roasted Carrots with Za'atar and Pomegranate Molasses. ...
  • Oeufs Mayonnaise. ...
  • Pasta with Creamy Cauliflower and Cheese Sauce. ...
  • French Carrot Salad. ...
  • Roasted Potatoes with Gouda and Thyme.
Mar 7, 2024

How do you make leftover ham moist? ›

Preheat oven to 325°F. Arrange slices in a single layer on a greased baking pan. Add a couple of tablespoons of broth or water and cover with foil. Bake for about 10 minutes or until heated through, turning slices once.

Can I eat ham that's been in the fridge for a week? ›

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 to tell if ham has gone bad? ›

How Can You Tell If Ham Is Bad?
  1. mold on the surface of the ham.
  2. a slimy or tacky texture.
  3. a sour smell.
  4. discoloration of the meat, gray in color.
Mar 15, 2022

What tastes good on ham? ›

Succulent, slow-cooked ham glazed with a zesty blend of brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, and Dijon mustard makes an impressive display for a holiday spread or special weeknight dinner. Hundreds of home cooks agree — this tantalizing honey-glazed ham recipe has what it takes to be your new favorite dish.

What is the best way to serve 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.

How many pounds of ham per person for dinner? ›

With a bone-in ham, plan on one-third to one-half pound of meat per person (or two to three servings per pound), or more if you want leftovers. For a boneless ham, figure about quarter-pound per person, or more for leftovers.

Do you bake a ham fat side up or fat side down? ›

Remove all packaging materials and place ham on its side, fat side up, on rack in shallow roasting pan; cover loosely with aluminum foil. 2. Heat approximately 15 to 20 minutes per pound until heated through.

Is ham better served hot or cold? ›

Both whole or half, cooked, vacuum-packaged hams packaged in federally inspected plants and canned hams can be eaten cold, right out of the package. However, if you want to reheat these cooked hams, set the oven no lower than 325 °F and heat to an internal temperature of 140 °F as measured with a food thermometer.

What liquid keeps ham moist? ›

You can use water, but if you want to add more flavor, you should use wine or beef, chicken, or vegetable stock. Most of this liquid will cook off, but your tinfoil cover will help your meat absorb those juices.

How do you make cooked ham taste better? ›

2 - Glaze your ham

A rich salty ham can be enhanced by brushing a lovely glazed over the surface several times while baking. The glaze seeps down into the ham, flavoring the meat and creating a crusty exterior. Try these amazing ham glazes: Bourbo, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.

How to reheat 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 a honey baked ham keep in the refrigerator? ›

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. See also Ham and Food Safety.

How long can you keep leftover Christmas ham? ›

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.

Are leftovers good after 7 days? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Is ham good after 8 days? ›

Once you open a package of ham, or if it comes open — like if it was sliced at the deli counter— you can safely eat your leftovers for up to five days.

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