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32 Leftover Ham Recipes That Taste Just as Good on the Second Day

Mmm, egg caprese cups

The Christmas ham was stunning in its glory…but once the festivities are over, all you can focus on are those sad slices lingering in the fridge. Believe it or not, they’re about to be tonight’s amazing dinner. From simple ham and cheese sliders to cheesy ham mashed potato cakes to classic split pea soup, here are 32 leftover ham recipes that will make your holiday feast last forever.

How long can you use leftover ham?

According to the USDA, spiral-cut hams and their leftovers can be kept in the fridge for three to five days. So, depending on when you bought that glorious ham, you have up to five days to eat it (or freeze it).

Can you freeze leftover ham?

You’re in luck: As long as your leftover ham is less than five days old, you can stash it in the freezer for one to two months, per the USDA.

Hosting for the Holidays? Here’s How to Safely Store Your Crowd-Pleasing Dishes


1. Croque Madame Dutch Baby

Fluffy pancakes for dinner? That’ll be a “yes” for us.

2. Caramelized Pineapple Ham And Cheese Turnovers

This might be the most ingenious combo ever. It’s like Hawaiian pizza, but pinkies out.

3. Ham And Cheese Breakfast Casserole

The perfect lazy brunch dish after all the holiday festivities.


4. Schinkennudeln (ham & Cheese Pasta)

Mac and cheese lovers, this one’s for you. (There are two types of cheese!)

5. Ham And Sausage Hash Brown Egg Bake

This breakfast of champions takes only 10 minutes to prepare.

6. Overnight Ham And Cheese Strata

Now this is something we’d get out of bed for, post-holiday soirée.

7. Ham, Egg And Cheese Pockets

This childhood favorite is making a comeback (and hopefully this time it won’t scorch the roof of your mouth).

8. Cheesy Ham And Potato Soup

Comfort food is absolutely necessary once the glow of all the celebrations wears off.

9. Microwave Egg Caprese Breakfast Cups

You’ve never had pesto for breakfast? You’re in for a treat.

10. Cuban Sliders For A Crowd

Because nothing says “party” like mini sandwiches.


11. Ham Mashed Potato Cakes

Do it for the cheese pull.

12. Ham, Spinach And Swiss Stuffed Crepes

We’re never eating plain old sandwiches again.

leftover ham recipes ham cheddar and chive scones recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

13. Ham, Cheddar And Chive Scones

We appreciate a sweet treat as much as the next person, but some things can benefit from a little bit of savory.

leftover ham recipes ham sandwich
Emily Morgan

14. Ham, Swiss And Apple Sandwich

Wait, did we swear off sandwiches? We were totally kidding.

leftover ham recipes cuban sandwich
Michael Beltran

15. Cuban Sandwich

Savory and cheesy doesn’t begin to cover it—this sammie’s topped with *plantain chips* for crunch.

leftover ham recipes sliders
Averie Cooks

16. Ham And Cheese Sliders

These beauties are brushed with a buttery mustard topping that's loaded with poppy seeds and dried onion.

leftover ham recipes baked ham and cheese omelet recipe
Averie Cooks

17. Baked Ham And Cheese Omelet

Standing by the stove flipping individual omelets for everyone at the table? Not today.

leftover ham recipes split pea soup
The Defined Dish

18. Split Pea Soup With Ham

ICYMI, soup season is September through April. This one is going on our weekly rotation, leftover ham or not.

leftover ham recipes breakfast sandwich
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

19. The Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich

What better way to mark the most important meal than with the mac daddy of morning treats? Behold this breakfast sandwich.

leftover ham recipes instant pot hambone soup
Damn Delicious

20. Instant Pot Leftover Hambone Soup

Sure, this soup is simple, but it’s also anything but boring thanks to that smoky ham.

leftover ham recipes croissant sandwich
Damn Delicious

21. Baked Ham And Cheese Croissants

The sprinkle of poppy seeds takes this already-OTT recipe to a new level.

leftover ham recipes croque madame toast recipe
Spoon Fork Bacon

22. Croque Madame Toast

The French basically invented the concept of “put an egg on it.”

leftover ham recipes quesadilla
Damn Delicious

23. Ham, Egg And Cheese Breakfast Quesadillas

We’ve never met a quesadilla we didn't like, breakfast included.

leftover ham recipes broccoli ham and cheese soup recipe
Damn Delicious

24. Broccoli Ham And Cheese Soup

It’s not just cozy and warming, it’s also kid friendly to boot.

leftover ham recipes pasta
Damn Delicious

25. Ham And Peas Pasta With Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce

This one comes together in practically no time. (And by that, we mean 30 minutes tops.)

leftover ham recipes ham and cheese hash brown foil packets recipe
Damn Delicious

26. Ham And Cheese Hash Brown Foil Packets

That melted cheese makes you want to dive right in, doesn’t it?

leftover ham recipes brunch cups
Pinch of Yum

27. Ham, Egg, And Cheese Brunch Cups

We won’t tell if you sneak a few in the kitchen before serving at your cocktail party.

leftover ham recipes brunch casserole
Pinch of Yum

28. Egg And Croissant Brunch Bake

It’s all the cheesy, flaky goodness of a breakfast sandwich wrapped into one dish.

leftover ham recipes carmelized onions
Pinch of Yum

29. Hot Ham And Cheese Sandwiches With Bacon And Caramelized Onions

The ham is great and all, but we can’t get enough of the caramelized onions.

leftover ham recipes apple sandwiches
Chellie Schmitz/Chef Junior

30. Apple Sandwiches

Feel free to swap in any lunchmeat once that leftover ham is all gone.

leftover ham recipes creamy baked gnocchi with ham and peas recipe
Spoon Fork Bacon

31. Creamy Baked Gnocchi With Ham And Peas

Your leftovers have never looked (or tasted) fancier. Even better, it’s ready in 35 minutes.

leftover ham recipes ham salad sandwiches recipe
Foodie Crush

32. Ham Salad Sandwiches

A mayo-based salad made that also cleans out the fridge is the greatest holiday gift of all.



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Freelance PureWow Editor


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Former Senior Food Editor

  • Headed PureWow’s food vertical
  • Contributed original reporting, recipes and food styling
  • Studied English Literature at the University of Notre Dame and Culinary Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education