After a huge feast during the holiday season, it’s common to have some leftover ham or even a ham bone. The last thing you want to do is let it go to waste! These 35 tasty leftover ham recipes are the perfect way to make the most of your extra ham.
Ham is a common centerpiece on dining tables during holidays such as Easter and Christmas. Since these are huge feasts with a ton of yummy side dishes, it is very likely that you will have quite a bit of ham leftover.
Fortunately it can be repurposed for other meals the following day, or even months if you freeze the leftover ham.
These are curated recipes that don’t suck!!! You can choose any of these and know that you will have a great recipe for your leftover ham.
Here are 35 of my favorite recipes to use up your leftover ham.
1. Leftover Ham and Cheese Waffles
Savory Waffles with Ham and Cheese
A fluffy and savory waffle made with ham, cheese and green onions in the mix! A great way to have a unique waffle.
Check out this recipe
2. Leftover Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole
Overnight Ham & Egg Breakfast Casserole Recipe
An amazing breakfast casserole that has bread cubes soaked in a flavorful egg and milk mixture. Great make-ahead breakfast that is easy to prepare!
Check out this recipe
3. Leftover Ham and Egg Cups
Sausage Egg Cups (sub in ham)
These Egg Cups are such a great breakfast or breakfast-for-dinner. They are made with breakfast sausage, but you can sub in the same amount of cooked ham for a great way to use up leftover ham!
Check out this recipe
4. Eggs in a Hole with Ham
Egg in a Hole
We are amping up the traditional Eggs in a Hole recipe by making it with croissant toast, gruyere cheese, butter and some really delicious leftover smoked ham.
Check out this recipe
5. Smoked Ham Breakfast Hash
Smoked Ham Breakfast Hash
Smoked Ham Breakfast Hash made with holiday ham. Potato and ham hash is the perfect use for leftover Easter or Christmas ham!
Check out this recipe
6. Croque Madame Bake
Croque Madame Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake
An easy dish, this ham and cheese breakfast bake is a sure hit. Gruyere and ham boost the flavor but refrigerated biscuits keep it easy.
Check out this recipe
7. Bake Ham and Cheese Rolls
Baked Ham and Cheese Rolls
Classic ham and cheese sandwiches meet Stromboli in these baked rolls made with pizza dough and finished with honey mustard poppy seed glaze.
Check out this recipe
8. Leftover Ham and Potato Chowder
Ham and Potato Chowder
A thick and creamy potato chowder with ham. This is a great recipe to use up leftover ham.
Check out this recipe
9. Ham and Cheese Sliders
Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls are also known as Tailgate Sandwiches because they are the perfect game-day party fare! Also the perfect way to use up leftover holiday ham!
Check out this recipe
10. Split Pea Soup
Split Pea Soup
Split Pea Soup like mom used to make with tender split peas, leftover smoked ham bone and vegetables. Enjoy a hot bowl of this hearty, protein packed and affordable soup on a cold winter day!
Check out this recipe
11. Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice (crock pot too!)
Make amazing red beans and rice in the Instant Pot or Crock Pot. Ham, smoked sausage, and red beans in a nice thick Cajun gravy. Serve it over white rice for a crazy good dinner!
Check out this recipe
12. Shrimp Carbonara (sub ham for the bacon)
Shrimp Carbonara
Shrimp Carbonara is an Italian pasta dish that is made with shrimp and bacon in a creamy egg and butter sauce. In this case you will sub ham in place of the bacon!! Over-the-top delicious way to use up your leftover ham!
Check out this recipe
13. Ham Soup
Ham Soup
This Ham Soup recipe is made with beans and vegetables in a savory broth with the best combination of seasonings. It’s freezer-friendly and easy to make on the stove top or in the crock pot!
Check out this recipe
14. Ham Balls
Ham Balls
Ham Balls are a classic midwestern meatball recipe. Ground ham and ground beef are mixed together with graham crackers and topped with a tomato brown sugar sauce.
Check out this recipe
15. Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Deluxe Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Recipe
This Scalloped Potatoes and Ham recipe is one of the best you will make! It has layers of tender potatoes and ham that are coated in a delicious onion cream sauce with a little cream cheese added. It is sure to become a favorite comfort food dinner! Great for when you have leftover ham.
Check out this recipe
16. Green Beans and Potatoes with Ham
Country Green Beans, Potatoes and Ham in the Instant Pot Recipe
Country Green Beans and Potatoes with Ham in the pressure cooker. Fast and easy way to get tender green beans and potatoes with pieces of smoky ham.
Check out this recipe
17. Pressed Italian Sandwiches
Pressed Italian Sandwich
Pressed Italian Sandwich piles Italian deli meats and cheese into hollowed out ciabatta and gets pressed by a brick. A leftover ham fav!
Check out this recipe
18. Chicken Cordon Bleu
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Chicken Cordon Bleu is loaded with Swiss cheese & leftover ham, then coated in breadcrumbs. It’s baked until golden and topped with a creamy sauce!
Check out this recipe
19. Monte Cristo Sandwich
Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe
The Monte Cristo is the best ham and cheese sandwich ever. It is a perfect combination of flavor, delicious for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.
Check out this recipe
20. Quick Ham and Bean Soup
Quick Bean and Ham Soup
Bean and Ham Soup ready in 35 minutes and absolutely LOADED with flavor. Large chunks of veg swim in a savory broth alongside beans and ham.
Check out this recipe
21. Hawaiian Toast
Toast Hawaii (Baked Ham and Pineapple Sandwich)
Toast Hawaii is a simple German nostalgia food at its best, invented in the 50’s by bringing together pineapple, ham and cheese on toast.
Check out this recipe
22. Creamy Ham and Pea Salad
Ham and Pea Salad
Ham and Pea Salad is a creamy cold pea salad with chunks of cheese and ham – perfect as a salad side dish, this ham and pea salad is a crowd pleasing recipe
Check out this recipe
23. Ham Salad
The Best Ham Salad
The best ham salad recipe only requires a food processor, leftover ham, mayonnaise, celery, onion and perfectly combined seasonings!
Check out this recipe
24. Hoppin’ John
Hoppin’ John
Ring in the new year with a bowl of Hoppin’ John! Made with black-eyed peas and rice, this Southern recipe is thought to bring great fortune without spending one.
Check out this recipe
25. BBQ Hawaiian Pizza
BBQ Hawaiian Pizza
This bbq Hawaiian pizza is the perfect use for all that leftover ham. Tangy bbq sauce topped with melted cheese, red onions, pineapple, and ham. You’ll love how easy this is to throw together!
Check out this recipe
26. Cobb Salad (sub ham for the chicken)
Cobb Salad
Classic Cobb Salad With Chicken, Bacon, Tomatoes, Hard Boiled Eggs, Avocado, Blue Cheese, Chives, And A Simple Red Wine Vinegar Dressing. Sub ham for the chicken or bacon!
Check out this recipe
27. Mac and Cheese + Ham
Skillet Mac and Cheese
Classic Macaroni & Cheese made in one skillet, in under 30 minutes. No cooking and draining pasta. Traditional macaroni & cheese flavors- cheese, pasta, milk, butter, and salt. Just add a cup or two of diced leftover ham!
Check out this recipe
28. Ham and Potato Croquettes
Ham and Cheese Potato Croquettes
Potato Croquettes are fried mashed potato balls loaded with ham and cheese. Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside and a great way to use up leftovers!
Check out this recipe
29. Ham and Cheese Dip
Hot Ham and Cheese Dip Recipe
Use up your leftover ham to make this easy, cheesy dip!
Check out this recipe
30. Ham Tetrazzini
Deluxe Tetrazzini
An elevated Tetrazzini that has a homemade sherry laced cream sauce filled with spaghetti, chicken, peas and mushrooms. It is creamy, cheesy and a delicious crowd-pleasing dinner! Simply sub cooked diced ham for the chicken in the recipe!
Check out this recipe
31. Dirty Rice and Beans
Skillet Dirty Rice & Beans
Skillet Dirty Rice & Beans is a one pan dinner that is easy to make and full of Cajun flavors and spices. To use up your leftover ham, simply swap out the smoked beef for smoked ham.
Check out this recipe
32. Ham Fried Rice
Ham Fried Rice
This Ham Fried Rice recipe is a delicious, sweet and savory dish to serve for dinner or weekly lunch prep.
Check out this recipe
33. Creamy Cajun Pasta
Cajun Pasta Recipe
Cajun pasta is a delicious dinner. Penne pasta, peppers, and onions are coated in a creamy Cajun sauce with plenty of seasonings. To use up your ham, swap it in place of the smoked beef sausage.
Check out this recipe
34. Corn Chowder + Ham
Corn Chowder Recipe
A delicious Corn Chowder made with fresh corn on the cob. It starts with a little bacon, and has tender potatoes, crisp corn and a really creamy texture. Add a cup or two of leftover ham to amp up the flavors!
Check out this recipe
35. Ham + Cheesy Rice
Cheesy Rice
Cheesy Rice is a delicious dish that is perfect for any meal! It is cheesy, creamy and a little tangy, add some leftover ham to make it a complete meal.
Check out this recipe
I hope you love all these leftover ham recipes. Leave a comment below and let me know which one you chose! Or if you have your own way to use up leftover ham, share that too!
Edwina
I made the ham and kale egg cups and we all enjoyed them for breakfast. Usually when I’m using leftover ham I think of dinner recipes so I was pleased to make a breakfast recipe instead. They were delicious. I love the look of those little ham quiches as well, I’ll have to make them sometime soon. Thanks for so many great ideas to use leftover ham.
Jo Thrasher • Jo Eats
Um is it weird that I’m hoping for a cold front to roll through so I can make the ham chowder? Yes please.
Susie
LOL… I know!! It is such a good recipe, but not sure it is worth having cold weather again. I am SO done with winter.
Deb @ Cooking on the Front Burner
I love all these recipes – thanks for including mine!
Susie
Of course.. thank you so much for contributing. I appreciate it : )
Rose
Leftover ham is a post holiday perk, look at all the great recipes to keep the yummy dinners going in the week after the party.
Susie
Definitely! A lot of these recipes are worth making a larger ham to have leftovers.
Traci
I lovvvve leftover ham! It’s the best excuse to make any one of these gorgeous dishes! Thanks for the roundup…ALL the yummy recipes are right here in one place! 🙂
Susie
I LOVE it too! There are some really great recipes in here! Don’t forget to pin it for easy access later.
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ
Such a great collection of recipes and some really good ideas for using leftovers. I don’t like to waste food either so having other ways to use food in different recipes is always good.
Susie
Food waste kills me! Especially if I had to toss my leftover Easter ham! I use everything down to the ham bone. YUM
Kathy
So many wonderful and delicious options! Definitely saving and pinning this roundup! Love all those great ideas!!!
Susie
There are a lot of wonderful bloggers who contributed to this list! Thank you so much for pinning.
Dannii
What a great idea. We hate wasting any food, so there are some great ideas here. Love the sound of the egg cups.
Susie
I HATE throwing away food, especially any protein! The egg cups are so easy and delish. They are a great “make-ahead” dish for the week. They warm up perfectly in the microwave.
Dana Sandonato
This is *such* a useful compilation. I mean, I always loved eating ham cold out of the fridge, but creating new and exciting meals out of leftovers definitely seems better.
Susie
Also.. my kids can be finicky when I say “leftovers for dinner”, so if I say “mac and cheese with ham” they are less likely to scoff. Always a bonus!
Laineey
What an absolute great round up! One of my favorite meats is ham and I could eat each and every one of these recipes! Now the question is, where do I start?
KalynsKitchen
Looks like a great collection of recipes! Thanks for including some of my favorites.
Susie
Yes! Thank you for checking it out.