These Leftover Ham Recipes Will Make the Post-Easter Meal Plan Easy (2024)

Repurpose those leftovers into dozens of delicious dishes, from soup to casseroles!

By Chloe Gorman and Christopher Michel
These Leftover Ham Recipes Will Make the Post-Easter Meal Plan Easy (1)

Easter Monday means one thing: half the fridge filled up with leftover Easter ham.

No matter how many people we invite, or how many times we try to calculate how much ham to prepare, it's inevitable that we'll have ham for days. Luckily, ham is delicious, keeps well, and can easily fit in a wide variety of dishes!

For our April breakfasts, we're often making a Spring Veggie Frittata, or munching on some pre-made Ham and Cheese Pinwheels. For lunch, you might find us whipping up a Croque Madam sandwich with fries, and for dinner, we're probably eating some Corn Risotto with chunks of the leftover ham flecking the surface.

You can also freeze ham! We like to dice it up and then put it in separate portion-sized baggies, for adding to soups, casseroles, and even scrambled eggs. And don't forget that bone! It's perfect for flavoring beans and soups.

What's your favorite thing to do with leftover ham? Let us know in the comments!

1

Spring Vegetable, Ham, and Goat Cheese Frittata

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If there was ever a brunch recipe just begging for you to set some leftover ham aside for it, it's this one. Spring veggies, simple cheese, and farm fresh eggs complete the meal.

Get the recipe for Spring Vegetable, Ham, and Goat Cheese Frittata.

2

Croque Madames

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It's quite possibly the most decadent sandwich. Make it for dinner, make it for brunch. But whatever you do, save a little of the leftover ham to make it.

Get the recipe for Croque Madames.

3

Black Bean-and-Chile Soup

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Dried beans cooked with ham hocks — or with a leftover ham bone— take on a delicious smoky, rich flavor. Here's it's the base for a lick-the-bowl soup.

Get the recipe for Black Bean-and-Chile Soup.

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4

5-Bean Summer Salad

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Want a lighter dish that'll still use up that leftover ham bone? Use it to flavor the lima beans in this fresh bean salad.

Get the recipe for 5-Bean Summer Salad.

5

Ham and Pimiento Grilled Cheese

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Leftover ham is turned into a lunch you want to munch with the caviar of the South: pimento cheese.

Get the recipe for Ham and Pimiento Grilled Cheese.

6

Cobb Sandwiches

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This recipe calls for diced turkey, but leftover ham works equally well.

Get the recipe for Cobb Sandwiches.

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7

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

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Though the recipe calls for thinly sliced deli ham, small strips of ham will also work in these tasty, savory puff pastry rolls.

Get the recipe for Ham and Cheese Pinwheels.

8

Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Country Ham

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We love Brussels sprouts recipes of all kinds here, but the combo of ham, sprouts, and a tangy vinegar, really makes this side dish sing.

Get the recipe for Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Country Ham.

9

Ham and Potato Gratins

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These simple, elegant sides are an easy way to turn leftovers into something everyone will want to eat.

Get the recipe for Ham and Potato Gratins.

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10

Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake

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One of our favorite make-ahead breakfast casseroles, this is super easy to prepare the night before, and then just bake off in the morning. We've been known to do it the day after Easter!

Get the recipe for Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake.

11

Corn-and-Ham Risotto

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If you want a way to elegantly elevate your leftover ham, this risotto idea is a delicious way to do just that.

Get the recipe for Corn-and-Ham Risotto.

12

Spinach and Ham Egg Bakes

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These hearty little egg bakes are perfect for busy mornings.

Get the recipe for Spinach and Ham Egg Bakes.

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13

Ham Biscuit Sandwiches with Apricot Mustard

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These flaky biscuit sandwiches make great brunch snacks—or excellent New Year's Eve treats!

Get the recipe for Ham Biscuit Sandwiches.

14

Ham-and-Leek Baked Gnocchi

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Chop up some of that leftover ham and add it to a package of gnocchi and some fontina cheese.

Get the recipe for Ham-and-Leek Baked Gnocchi.

15

Avocado and Ham Sandwiches

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Our take on the classic French country lunch — a ham and butter sandwich on a baguette — is improved, we might boast, with a simple slice or two of avocado. Try it and see.

Get the recipe for Avocado and Ham Sandwiches.

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16

Cuban Sandwiches

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Crunchy pickles, gooey cheese, pork, and ham makes these warm sandwiches great for both lunch and dinner.

Get the recipe for Cuban Sandwiches.

17

Crustless Ham-and-Leek Quiche

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Give yourself the gift of this make-ahead brunch, and you can have a lazy weekend morning that is actually lazy!

Get the recipe for Crustless Ham-and-Leek Quiche.

18

Ham and French Toast

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You know what makes a classic French toast recipe even better? A thin slice of ham—the savory addition perfectly balances out the sweet maple syrup.

Get the recipe for Ham and French Toast.

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19

Ham Pot Pie

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Sure, ham itself is considered comfort food, but we think you should up the ante by turning it into pot pie. Feel free to use your leftover vegetables, like corn and peas, in this recipe.

Get the recipe for Ham Pot Pie at Chelsea's Messy Apron.

20

Slow Cooker Cheesy Ham Chowder

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Chowder isn't only enjoyed in the summer, you know. Case in point? This recipe that uses tasty morsels of your leftover ham.

Get the recipe for Cheesy Ham Chowder at The Chunky Chef.

These Leftover Ham Recipes Will Make the Post-Easter Meal Plan Easy (2024)

FAQs

What holiday do you eat ham? ›

Many food historians believe that our holiday ham tradition is linked with cold weather months (Thanksgiving and Christmas) thanks to our medieval ancestors.

What is a good side dish to-eat with ham? ›

Mashed potatoes are a classic and easy side dish for ham for a reason: they are inexpensive, filling, and so delicious. They are basically comfort food at its finest. You simply can't go wrong by punching up the flavor with a little (or a lot) of garlic, like we do in our steakhouse inspired mashed potato recipe.

Why do Americans eat ham instead of lamb on Easter? ›

Ham was a practical alternative to lamb because it was more affordable and could be purchased in a larger serving size. Not only were hogs cheaper to raise than sheep, but the farmers could slaughter the hogs in the fall and let the meat cure throughout the cold winter months.

Why do Christians eat ham for Easter? ›

The tradition of eating ham on Easter is deeply rooted in the agricultural calendar. Before the advent of modern refrigeration, pigs were often slaughtered in the fall, and the meat was preserved through the winter months using salt and smoke.

Why is ham always served at Easter? ›

While The Daily Meal notes lamb was originally the main course for most Easter dinners, a tradition that spanned 3,000 years and still holds true for many, including the Jewish holiday Passover. Ham became a less expensive alternative to lamb on Easter once there was less demand for wool in the U.S. after World War II.

How long is cooked ham good for in the fridge? ›

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ham is good for three to five days in the refrigerator after it is cooked. If you need more time to use up those leftovers, ham will last up to two months in the freezer. The USDA also recommends wrapping up leftovers well.

How do you use pre cooked ham? ›

Cut the ham free from the package, cover it in foil and reheat it to a good serving temperature. Cooking it at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes per pound should do the trick, depending on the type of ham (whole or half, bone-in or no bone ― these specifics are outlined here).

What to add to already cooked ham? ›

"Cubed ham sauteed with onions and pineapple in a sweet sauce," says Melissa. "It's a great take on a Hawaiian-style dinner and great for leftover ham." It's also great with broccoli.

How long does ham last in fridge? ›

Whole cured hams last in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, fresh ham only lasts a few days in the refrigerator, about three or four once you've cooked it. It doesn't matter if the ham is whole or sliced; the lack of preservatives allows it to spoil more quickly.

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