Easy Leftover Ham Recipes

With over 25 recipes, you’ll have a hard time choosing just one of these delicious and easy leftover ham recipes to make!

If you have a bunch of holiday ham leftover and are looking for easy recipes using ham, you’ve come to the right place!

From hearty soup recipes to creative recipes for ham and cheese sandwiches, this collection includes some of the best leftover ham recipes.

You may actually wish you had bought a bigger ham when you check out some of these mouthwatering recipes!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions (and answers!) readers often ask about the best way to handle leftover ham.

How long is ham good for in the fridge?

Freshly cooked ham will last about 3-4 days in the refrigerator. You might like to check out this food safety chart from the FDA.

Do you cut ham with the grain or against it?

Always slice a ham against the grain, which are the fibers in the meat. Just like with beef, ham will be tough and chewy if you cut it with the grain.

Can I freeze leftover ham?

Yes, leftover ham can be frozen. Here’s how: wrap the ham in plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. Slide that package into a freezer bag. Be sure to label! Cooked frozen ham will last in the freezer for 3-4 months.

How do you reheat leftover ham?

Preheat your own to 325-degrees F. Place the ham in the oven and cook until the internal temperature reaches at least 135-degrees F. If you have leftover glaze, it’s best to baste your ham once or twice to keep it from drying out.

How do you know if ham has gone bad?

If the ham smells funny, looks greyish, or feels slimy, it’s time to throw it out.

Our Favorite Leftover Ham Recipes

For easy leftover ham recipes, look no further. Here are my four favorite ways to use up ham leftover from a holiday meal.

Spoiler Alert – sometimes what we do with the leftovers the next day is even better than the original Easter or Christmas dinner!

Close up image of ham pot pie on a black and white plate.

Ham Pot Pie Recipe from Juggling Act Mama – flaky pie crust on top of leftover ham with tender vegetables like Yukon gold potatoes, carrots, peas, and corn in a creamy sauce is a delicious way to use up all kinds of leftovers this holiday season!

Ham and Cheese Croissants piled on a blue and white plate.

Ham and Cheese Croissants from Juggling Act Mama – Hands down this is one of my favorite ham recipes and a great way to use up leftovers from your holiday dinner. I use my favorite Muenster cheese, but Swiss cheese would be equally tasty in this easy recipe.

These savory puff pastry rolls can be served alongside a fried egg or breakfast hash for brunch, but they also make an awesome snack.

Top down view of cheesy Ham and Potatoes Au Gratin on a plate with a fork.

Ham and Potato Au Gratin from Juggling Act Mama – This creamy casserole with savory ham is a fantastic way to use leftover ham. You don’t need tons of ingredients for this delicious dish. With layers of tender potatoes and cheese, it’s a hearty comfort food meal everyone will love.

Ham and Pasta Salad from Juggling Act Mama – the creamy ham salad with pasta and cheddar cheese makes a great side dish that the whole family will love. Don’t skip the green onions, which give this salad a little bite.

You could also leave the pasta out and add in a little bit more cheese and about half the sauce. Then, follow the instructions for this Buffalo Chicken Crescent Ring to make a cheesy ham version!

Ham and cheese casserole on a plate with a fork.

Tater Tot and Ham Casserole from Juggling Act Mama – this cheesy casserole uses leftover ham, onion, and green pepper to make a deliciously creamy meal that’s perfect for breakfast or dinner!

More Easy Ham Leftover Recipe Ideas

Like chicken, ham is a versatile protein that can be added to a variety of main dishes because it pairs well with pasta and potatoes, especially. It’s fabulous with breakfast foods like eggs and a staple in many quiche recipes. And, of course, it’s perfect for soups, salads, and sandwiches.

With so many amazing and delicious leftover ham recipes, I’ve broken these yummy recipes down into categories for you.

I know you’re going to love this list of leftover ham recipes!

Main Dish Recipes

Top down image of scalloped potatoes and ham.

Easy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham from Adore Foods.

There are plenty of delicious meals you can make, and this cheesy casserole is right near the top of my list!

Ham Tetrazzini from Spicy Southern Kitchen
Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole from Bowl Me Over
Ham and Cheese Tortellini with Peas from Jersey Girl Cooks
Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Casserole from Six Sisters Stuff
Ham Casserole with Rice and Broccoli from The Cozy Cook

Salads

Chef’s Salad with Ham from Small Town Woman.

From a classic dish with greens to pasta dishes, there are so many different ways to enjoy ham in a salad.

Ham and Pineapple Pasta Salad from Spend with Pennies
Creamy Potato and Ham Salad from Happy Foods Tube
Ham Caesar Salad from Taste of Home

Sandwiches and Sliders

Monte Cristo Sandwich sliced in half from She wears Many Hats.

Monte Cristo Sandwich from She wears Many Hats.

Sandwiches are of course a popular choice for leftover ham. After all, extra ham is a delicious addition to a boring cheese sandwich!

Classic Ham Salad Sandwiches from Stay at Home Chef
Ham and Cheese Sliders from Averie Cooks

Soups & Chowders

Red Lentil Soup with Ham from A Little and a Lot.

Another great thing about ham is how simple it is to make a variety of ham soup or a version of corn chowder full of great flavor.

Instant Pot Ham and Potato Soup Recipe from Bowl Me Over
Ham Mac and Cheese Soup from The Fresh Cooky
Potato Ham Chowder from Damn Delicious
Navy Bean Soup with Ham from The Forked Spoon

Breakfast

Ham and Spinach Frittata from Spend With Pennies.

Ham and eggs are an obvious choice for leftover ham recipe ideas. Easy breakfast recipes are the perfect way to go because salty ham pairs so well with eggs and creamy cheese.

Ham Breakfast Casserole from Persnickety Plates
Cheesy Potato Egg Scramble from Everyday Delicious
Breakfast Potatoes with Ham from Fun Money Mom
Cheesy Ham Breakfast Bake from Dancing Through the Rain

Appetizers, Snacks and More

Ham, Melon and Mozzarella Bites From Urban Bliss Life.

Whether you’re having company for a late holiday celebration or just kicking back to watch the game, the good news is that you can use up more of your ham leftovers in these delicious recipes.

Ham and Pineapple Bruschetta from Juggling Act Mama
Baked Ham and Cheese Rollups from High Heels and Grills
Ham, Cheese and Cranberry Rollups from A Cedar Spoon

Best Side Dishes for Ham

Don’t forget to add some side dishes for baked ham to round out your menu. A good side dish needs to complement the taste of the meat and, of course, be super delicious. These sides are tasty, filling, and absolutely fantastic with leftover ham.