39 Leftover Ham Recipes To Feed The Whole Family

Ham Delights
Photo:

Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

That glistening glazed ham makes a lovely centerpiece at any dinner party or holiday soirée. When it comes to Thanksgiving, we like to offer multiple options for our guests, so we're serving Pineapple-Glazed Ham right alongside our stunning roasted turkey. No Christmas dinner is complete without a baked ham dripping in our best glaze. From the cold winter months to warm Easter afternoons, ham is a staple on our holiday tables.

But more often than not, we're left with lots to spare. In true Southern fashion, it's essential to ensure that there's enough to go around and then some, so we typically end up with half a ham leftover from our holiday meals.

Part of the fun of the holidays is finding new ways to repurpose those leftovers to feed the whole family for the days after. From sandwiches to soups, there are so many ways to plan makeovers for that leftover meat. We've rounded up our favorite recipes—from spectacular sides to catch-all casseroles—that will bring new life to your leftover ham.

01 of 39

Mac and Cheese with Ham

Baked Smokin’ Macaroni and Cheese
Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Ham adds a substantial, meaty component to this oh-so-classic gooey mac and cheese recipe. The kids will love it.

02 of 39

Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham

Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham
Jen Causey

On warm days, pack up a picnic basket with this Macaroni Salad and head to the park. We can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon.

03 of 39

Ham and Noodle Casserole

Ham and Noodle Casserole
Jen Causey

When we have leftovers, our first trick is to throw them into a casserole. This dish tastes like the comforting post-holiday meals of our childhood.

04 of 39

Crustless Ham and Collard Greens Quiche

Crustless Ham and Collard Green Quiche
Antonis Achilleos

Make a light, healthy family breakfast while using up your leftovers.

05 of 39

Country Ham Hash

Country Ham Hash
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Dice that leftover ham up and toss it in with your skillet potatoes to make a lovely campfire hash.

06 of 39

Southern-Style Collard Greens

Southern-Style Collard Greens in a white bowl with a bowl of cornbread beside it
Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Props Stylist: Christina Brockman

All Southerners know that the stewed collards are not complete without a healthy dose of ham hocks.

07 of 39

Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas

Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas
Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This baked gnocchi dish looks just as impressive as it sounds. Ham, peas, and melty Gruyere cheese add serious finesse to this French meal.

08 of 39

Croissant Breakfast Casserole

Croissant Breakfast Casserole
Victor Protasio

Bring new life to those day-old croissants with this dreamy breakfast casserole. From eggs to ham, it's got all of your breakfast staples in one dish.

09 of 39

Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham

Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham
Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham

This ultra-creamy twist on spinach and artichoke dip trades the artichoke for sautéed sweet onions and ham. It's built for game days and tailgate season.

10 of 39

Ham Biscuits

Buttermilk Biscuits with Ham
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

No Southern potluck spread is complete without a plate of Ham Biscuits. They're plain and simple—and absolutely irresistible.

11 of 39

Ham-and-Bean Soup

Ham-and-Bean Soup
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Stew up that leftover ham into a hearty Ham-and-Bean Soup. The broth is light enough to enjoy all year round.

12 of 39

Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad

Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Make these pretty pink puffs for your afternoon luncheon. This vintage recipe isn't going out of style any time soon.

13 of 39

Jambalaya de Covington

Jambalaya de Covington
Jambalaya de Covington

​​​You may not expect to find ham in your jambalaya, but this dish welcomes it with open arms. Jambalaya de Covington has a little bit of everything.

14 of 39

Capitol Hill Bean Soup

Capitol Hill Bean Soup
Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This dish has been on the Senate menu every day since 1903. If that doesn't convince you to try it, we don't know what will.

15 of 39

Cheesy Ham, Corn, and Grits Bake

Cheesy Ham, Corn, and Grits Bake
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Whether you serve it as a picture-perfect side or as a breakfast bowl (topped with a sunny-side-up egg, of course), this cheesy dish can rise to any occasion.

16 of 39

Pumpkin-Buttermilk Biscuits with Crispy Ham and Honey Butter

Pumpkin-Buttermilk Biscuits with Crispy Ham and Honey Butter
Photo: Victor Protasio; Propr Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

We like our ham extra crispy, and this recipe makes all of our day-after-the-holiday dreams come true.

17 of 39

Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks Recipe
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

What would Mama's collard greens taste like without ham? We don't want to know.

18 of 39

Creamy Potato-and-Ham Hock Slow-Cooker Soup

Creamy Potato-and-Ham Hock Slow-Cooker Soup Recipe
Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Toss all those leftover ingredients in the slow cooker and let it go low and slow all day long. By dinnertime, you'll have a hearty effort-free meal.

19 of 39

Funeral Sandwiches

Ham-Stuffed Biscuits With Mustard Butter
Photo: Tina Cornett


These big-batch sandwiches, also known as Funeral Sandwiches, certainly aren't just for sad occasions. You can find these popular finger foods at tailgates and potlucks across the South.

20 of 39

Ham-and-Cheese Sliders

Ham-And-Cheese Sliders
Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin

These croque monsieur-inspired sliders are fit for a weekend brunch, a spring picnic, a beach day, or the kids' lunchboxes.

21 of 39

Ham and Cheese Cake Salé Quick Bread

Ham and Cheese Cake Salé Quick Bread
Sheri Castle

Enjoy the savory side of cake with this creative recipe that will pair beautifully with your morning coffee.

22 of 39

Scalloped Potatoes With Ham

Scalloped Potatoes with Ham
Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

You need just a few ingredients to put this decadent dish on the table for a holiday or weeknight dinner.

23 of 39

Ham Delights

Ham Delights
Photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

A Southern potluck wouldn't be complete without a tray of ham biscuits, and we love this recipe that's served on sweet Hawaiian rolls.

24 of 39

Paola Velez's Ham-and-Cheese Empanadas

Paola Velez’s Ham-and-Cheese Empanadas
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Repurpose holiday leftovers with this inventive recipe from Washington D.C. pastry chef Paola Velez.

25 of 39

Collard Greens with Smoked Ham Hocks and Pickled Collard Green Stems

Collard Greens with Smoked Ham Hocks and Pickled Collard Green Stems
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Is there anything more comforting than some collard greens cooked with savory ham? We think not.

26 of 39

Savory Ham-and-Swiss Breakfast Pie

Savory Ham-and-Swiss Breakfast Pie

Don't forget that pies can be savory! This comforting recipe may even become your go-to dish when company calls.

27 of 39

Ham-and-Vegetable Cobbler

Ham-and-Vegetable Cobbler
Iain Bagwell

Move over chicken pot pie! There's a new savory bake in town and ham plays a starring role.

28 of 39

Buttermilk Grits with Country Ham and Shrimp

Slow-Cooker Buttermilk Grits
Antonis Achilleos

Upgrade your classic shrimp and grits with the addition of a Southern favorite, country ham.

29 of 39

Oven-Baked Risotto with Ham, Leeks, and Peas

Oven-Baked Risotto with Ham, Leeks, and Peas
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Grab your Dutch oven and dice up some leftover ham. This hearty risotto is anything but time consuming.

30 of 39

Classic Fresh Field Peas

Classic Fresh Field Peas
Photo: Iain Bagwell

Fresh peas and ham are a match made in heaven, and this simple side just about proves it.

31 of 39

Instant Pot Black-eyed Pea Soup

Instant Pot Black-eyed Pea Soup
Photography: Alison Miksch, Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland, Food Styling: Melissa Gray

Although traditionally eaten at New Years, this good luck dish can be enjoyed year-round, and happens to be a great way to use up leftover ham.

32 of 39

Deep-Dish Ham Pot Pie

Deep-Dish Ham Pot Pie
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Fold leftover ham into this French-inspired pot pie with a creamy Dijon mustard and tarragon-flavored sauce.

33 of 39

Navy Bean and Ham Soup

Navy Bean and Ham Soup

Photo: Hector M. Sanchez

This easy recipe really has only one step: Combine everything in the slow-cooker, set it, then forget it.

34 of 39

Pesto Primavera Ravioli with Ham

Pesto Primavera Ravioli with Ham
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

This fast and fresh weeknight meal combines spring veggies and ham for a filling and easy pasta dinner.

35 of 39

Stuffed Ham-and-Cheese Croissant Casserole

Stuffed Ham-and-Cheese Croissant Casserole
Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Missie Neville Crawford

This breakfast casserole combines all your favorite components of a breakfast sandwich, including ham, to make a warm and comforting dish you'll be excited to wake up to in the morning.

36 of 39

Okra In A Blanket

Okra In A Blanket

PHOTO: JAMES RANSOM, PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINE KEELY, FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN

Turn leftover ham into a cute and delicious appetizer for entertaining made easy.

37 of 39

Ham-and-Cheese Puff Pastries

Ham-and-Cheese Puff Pastries
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Frozen puff pastry makes this impressive looking recipe a breeze to put together.

38 of 39

Creamy Linguine with Corn, Leeks, and Mushrooms

Creamy Linguine with Corn, Leeks, and Mushrooms
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Salty bites of ham help make this light and bright pasta dish a little more savory.

39 of 39

Split Pea Soup With Ham

Split Pea Soup in a white bowl

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

While this soup calls for Cajun Tasso ham, leftovers from your holiday roast will work too.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles