30 Best Leftover Ham Recipes to Make After Your Holiday Feast
Tasty ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
A big holiday ham is sure to make your whole family happy! But no matter how many servings your crew goes for, you'll probably have plenty of leftovers after dinner. Instead of throwing out the scraps at the end of the night or picking at the remnants the following day, why not get creative with the remaining pieces? From baked casseroles to fresh sandwiches, there are so many inventive leftover ham recipes to reimagine all the uneaten slices. That way, you'll get to savor every last bite of smoky, salty goodness for days on end.
To start, you'll first want to know how to cook a ham (don't worry, it's easy!). Once you familiarize yourself with the process, you'll then choose a ham recipe like Ree's popular root-beer glazed ham or slow cooker ham. The next day (or the next few days, as the case may be), use your golden-brown roast to create scrumptious soup recipes, fun pasta dishes, or next-day breakfasts like a cheesy frittata or a cozy morning casserole.
Of course, there's always the trusty ham sandwich for a quick weekday lunch. To elevate this classic dish, try creative twists like a ham panini layered with pears and Swiss, or turn your ham-and-cheese sandwich into New Orleans-inspired muffuletta pinwheels. There are even a few ways to use up that ham hock! Whichever you choose, these leftover ham ideas are all worth trying and will let you enjoy every bit of that baked goodness.
Ham Salad
This creamy, flavorful spread spotlights diced ham, along with its supporting cast: mayo, mustard, and a touch of relish. Spread it on crackers or stuff it in sandwiches for an easy snack or meal idea that everyone is sure to love.
Get the Ham Salad recipe.
Ham Tetrazzini
For fans of turkey tetrazzini, this ham-filled variation is a must-try! Every forkful of this baked spaghetti dish has diced ham, green peas, and parsley smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with crunchy breadcrumbs.
Get the Ham Tetrazzini recipe.
Ravioli Primavera
Fresh green veggies like peas, asparagus, and broccoli are mixed with hearty ham and cheese-filled ravioli for a dish that's guaranteed to be a hit. Plus, it comes together in just 25 minutes!
Get Ree's Ravioli Primavera recipe.
Muffuletta Pinwheels
Get a bite-sized taste of New Orleans! They're packed with layers of ham, mortadella, salami, green olive salad, and cream cheese. Assemble them in advance and come back when you're craving a snack.
Get Ree's Muffuletta Pinwheels recipe.
Easter Breakfast Casserole
While you can certainly make this for Easter morning, you can make it anytime you have ham leftovers. Inspired by the French croque monsieur, this casserole sandwiches thin slices of ham and cheese between baguette slices.
Get the Easter Breakfast Casserole recipe.
Chef's Salad on a Stick
Even if you're not into salads, this twist is a must-try! Not only is it fun to eat, but it's packed with hearty ingredients, like ham, cheese, and hard-boiled eggs.
Get the Chef's Salad on a Stick recipe.
Ham Sandwiches with Arugula and Pesto Mayo
Upgrade your leftover ham sandwich with two easy swaps. First, use focaccia instead of sandwich bread. And second, make your own pesto mayo. It will be your new favorite condiment!
Get Ree's Ham Sandwiches with Arugula and Pesto Mayo recipe.
Ham and Cheese Croissants
An airy croissant filled with smoky ham and melted cheese is always a good idea. Thanks to store-bought puff pastry, this leftover ham recipe requires just 20 minutes of prep work, so you'll get to enjoy all the delicious results with half the effort!
Get Ree's Ham and Cheese Croissants recipe.
Ham and Cheese Quiche
Ham and cheese—the quintessential flavor combination—makes the perfect filling for a homemade quiche. And this leftover ham recipe calls for a a clever time-saving hack: store-bought, refrigerated pie crust!
Get the Ham and Cheese Quiche recipe.
Ham Casserole
If you're looking for a quick, comforting weeknight dinner, you'll definitely want to put this ham casserole on your list. Just mix your leftover ham together with cheese, peas, and rice, and pop the medley into the oven!
Get the Ham Casserole recipe.
Ham and Bean Soup
This comforting soup comes together in just 35 minutes so it couldn't be easier for a weekday lunch or dinner during the week. Just pop open a can of beans and use your leftover ham for quick and easy flavor.
Get the Ham and Bean Soup recipe.
Hoppin' John
You don't have to wait until New Year's Day to make this classic dish. Cube up your leftover ham instead of using a ham hock to flavor the black-eyed peas and rice.
Get Ree's Hoppin' John recipe.
Breakfast Casserole
Feeding quite a few overnight guests? Make this easy breakfast casserole ahead! You can load it up with anything you like, including leftover ham, veggies, and lots of cheese.
Get Ree's Breakfast Casserole recipe.
Collard Greens
While this classic Southern recipe calls for smoked turkey, you can also use your ham bone to help flavor the greens. Adding cubes of ham meat to finish will add the right amount of salty goodness to the dish.
Get the Collard Greens recipe.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
These flaky bites are swirled with slices of ham and three types of cheese: ranch cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and gruyère. They'll be a hit with both kids and adults, alike.
Get the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Ham
Diced ham, crunchy bell peppers, peas, cheddar cheese, and a creamy dressing come together to make this simple pasta salad an all-time crowd-pleaser. Watch it get devoured in no time!
Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Ham recipe.
Green Eggs and Ham
Inspired by the classic children's book, this breakfast dish is packed with green veggies, eggs, and salty ham. It also has lots of fresh chopped herbs for flavor and color.
Get the Green Eggs and Ham recipe.
Ham and Cheese Sliders
Ham and cheese sliders might seem like an obvious choice, but this recipe takes things one step further by adding a honey-jalapeño mayo for a sweet and spicy kick.
Get the Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe.
Split Pea Soup with Ham
Ham and split pea soup are the perfect pairing. It's comforting, hearty, and one of the easiest one-pot meals you can make when you have leftover glazed ham laying around. Just dice up the ham and toss it in or simmer the soup with the ham bone for even more flavor.
Get the Split Pea Soup with Ham recipe.
Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
This is one of the Drummond family's favorite ways to use leftover ham! The creamy potatoes can accompany your favorite meat or be served as a main course with just a simple side salad.
Get Ree's Scalloped Potatoes and Ham recipe.
Broccoli Salad
Greek Lemon Potatoes
Strawberry Pavlova
Pull-Apart Garlic-Herb Biscuits
