36 easy recipes for leftover ham, whether it’s honey baked, spiral sliced, smoked, or a ham steak. Soups, sandwiches, breakfasts, casseroles, sides, it’s all here. Let’s put that ham to work.
Our family’s personal favorites are these Funeral Sandwiches and this Ham and Hash Brown Casserole. Delicious for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
This post was originally posted in 2022 and has been updated in 2023 and 2026 with new recipes, more tips, and answers to common questions.
I Don’t Love Leftovers. I Love What They Can Become
I’ll admit it, I’m not really a leftover person. Same dinner two nights in a row and I start eyeing the takeout menu. Ham is the one exception. There’s just something about it that begs to be turned into ten other things, soup one night, sliders the next, quiche for breakfast the day after that. This collection is the one I come back to every single time there’s ham in my fridge.
Whatever you’re working with, casseroles, crockpot, Instant Pot, breakfast, even grilling; I’ve got you covered. So next time your fridge is packed with Easter ham (or Christmas ham), bookmark this page and come back. I promise you will find a winner!
Don’t Toss the Bone
Got a hambone sitting in the fridge? Don’t you dare throw it out. That bone is liquid gold for soup, it turns plain broth into something rich and savory in about twenty minutes of simmering. Use it straight in my Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup, or simmer it down first if you want a ham stock on hand for later.
Easy Recipes for Leftover Ham (Honey Baked or Any Kind)
Along with quite a few leftover recipes on my site, I also asked my blogging friends for recipes that are a good use for leftover ham.
While writing this, I am ready to run out and buy a big ol’ ham JUST so I have extras to make these amazing recipes.
Speaking of ham, if you need a simple and basic baked ham recipe, you might like this easy Honey Baked Ham, my new Orange Glazed ham or this Bourbon glazed ham. They might sound complicated but it takes less than 5 minutes to put together.
What to Make with Leftover Ham
Seems like we mostly have leftover ham around Christmas or Easter, which is why I thought it would be great to compile a big list of recipes.
From breakfast waffles, omelets, and casseroles to delicious slow-cooked soups and delectable appetizers, pasta dishes, and sandwich ideas.
Let’s start with leftover spiral ham recipes, but really, as long as you can slice and dice your ham, which means you can also use a ham steak!
Breakfast & Brunch Recipes with Leftover Ham
Leftover ham makes breakfast easy. Swap it into eggs, casseroles, and quiche and you’ve got a real meal, not just cereal. Where you would normally use Canadian bacon or prosciutto swap in ham instead!
Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole with Ham
Funeral Sandwiches (Ham and Swiss Sliders)
Best Hash Brown Crust Quiche Recipe with Prosciutto
Mock Eggs Benedict
Baked Frittata With Ham
Ham and Smoked Gouda Quiche
Ham and Cheese Waffles
Savory Ham and Cheese Scones
Ham and Cheese Monkey Bread
Soups & Stews
Soup is where leftover ham really earns its keep. Toss it into anything simmering with beans or potatoes, throw in some vegetables and you’ve basically got dinner.
Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
Potato Ham Soup
Easy Mac and Cheese Soup Recipe (with leftover ham)
Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
Homemade Split Pea Soup
Black-Eyed Pea and Collard Green Soup
Casseroles & Bakes
This is comfort food territory, ham stirred into something cheesy and baked until it’s bubbling. Feed a crowd or just feed yourself for a few nights.
Ham Pie Recipe
Scalloped Potatoes and Ham (Instant Pot)
Instant Pot Ham Tetrazzini
Cheesy Ham and Noodle Casserole
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Slow Cooker Green Beans and Ham
Sandwiches & Sliders
Sometimes the best use of leftover ham is the simplest one. Stack it, melt some cheese on it, and call it lunch.
Funeral Sandwiches (Ham and Swiss Sliders)
Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich
Deviled Ham Sandwiches
Ham and Cheese Calzones
Pasta & Rice
Ham and pasta were made for each other, salty meets creamy in every bite. These come together fast on a weeknight.
Easy Hawaiian Fried Rice Recipe (Ham and Pineapple)
Ham and Cheese Tortellini
Baked Ham and Penne Pasta
Fettuccine Alfredo with Ham and Peas
Sides & Small Bites
Not ready to build a whole meal around your leftovers? These smaller bites let a little ham go a long way.
Ham and Pineapple Kabobs
Ham and Cabbage Skillet
Ham and Cheese Cream Corn
Tex-Mex Mashed Potato Cakes
Spreads, Balls & Misc
The odds and ends that don’t fit anywhere else, but don’t sleep on them. This is where some of the most fun ways to use up ham are hiding.
Deviled Ham Salad
Iowa Ham Balls
Leftover Ham Turnovers
Fresh Tips for Leftover Ham
- DON’T OVERCOOK – Most hams come pre-cooked or smoked; overcooking is the most common way to dry it out. Reheat only until warmed.
- FREEZE – When in doubt, freeze leftover meat. Wrap well in foil or plastic wrap and then place in an airtight baggie or container.
Sides to Pair with These Recipes for Leftover Ham
I’m so glad you asked. Besides using the leftovers you already have, this corn casserole is so good, and I have a bunch of side ideas here in this post for what to serve with ham and cheese sliders.
FAQs
In the fridge, wrapped well or stored in an airtight container, it lasts 4-7 days.
Absolutely, don’t toss it! A ham bone is packed with flavor and makes incredible broth or stock. Simmer it in water with your favorite aromatics for a couple hours, then use that broth as the base for soups like my Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup.
For leftovers, plan on about ½ to ¾ cup of diced or shredded ham per serving in most of these recipes, soups and casseroles stretch it further, while sandwiches and sliders use a bit more. A pound of ham gets you roughly 3 cups diced, so it goes further than you’d think.
Yes, since ham is fully cooked, it’s safe to eat straight from the fridge. Just make sure it’s been stored properly and used within 4-7 days for the best quality and safety.
Yes! Wrap cooled ham well, store in an airtight container or freezer baggie from 3-4 months. Thaw and use in some of these delicious recipes.
If you just want to enjoy a repeat of your sliced cooked ham, place the desired number of slices in a shallow casserole dish, then follow below:
Pour about ½ cup of broth (ham, chicken, veggie or beef) over the ham and reheat in a 325° F (165° C) oven covered for about 20-25 minutes.
Rely on your senses; give it a good sniff. If it smells sour, is slimy or has turned a gray color it has most likely spoiled.
Refer back to the above post and browse to your hearts content! There’s everything from savory soups, slow cooker meals, sandwiches and sliders, ham pot pie, ham balls, deviled ham, breakfast recipes, fried rice and so much more!
Many of these recipes are delicious without ham, or substitute with chicken, turkey, even pork.
More Leftover Recipes You Might Like
I hope you loved these easy leftover ham recipes; if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
Be sure to let me know what your favorite is by leaving a comment below.
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