Yummy Leftover Ham Recipe Ideas That Will Jazz Up Your Meals

If you have leftover ham, there are plenty of ways to jazz it up so it becomes something entirely new. These 15 ideas and recipes for ham are so delicious, nobody will mind that they're eating leftovers.

Southwestern Corn Tequila Chowder

Smoky ham is the perfect complement to a corn tequila chowder. You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to six months. Reheat on the stove.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 cup leftover ham, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeño, stems and seeds removed and finely chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, peeled and chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed and chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free all-purpose flour)
• ½ cup tequila
• 6 cups chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 3 cups fresh or frozen corn
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• Chopped, fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
• Chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
• Grated cheese for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat the oil on medium-high until it shimmers.
2. Add the ham and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to crisp, about four minutes.
3. Add the onion, jalapeño, carrots, celery, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds.
5. Add the flour. Cook, stirring constantly, for one minute.
6. Add the tequila. Use the side of a spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
7. Add the chicken broth, chili powder, sweet potato, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potato is fork tender, about 10 minutes.
8. Add the corn. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the corn cooks through, about three minutes.
9. Stir in the heavy cream.
10. Serve garnished with the cilantro, green onions, and cheese.

Penne Carbonara With Roasted Red Pepper and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Pasta is always a great way to use leftover ham. The smokey ham adds depth to this simple sauce while roasted red peppers and sun-dried tomatoes add color and depth of flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup chopped leftover ham
• 1 shallot, minced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (16-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 16 ounces penne pasta, cooked according to package instructions and drained (or gluten-free penne)
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on medium-high until it shimmers.
2. Add the ham and cook, stirring occasionally, until the ham begins to crisp, about four minutes.
3. Add the shallot and cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds.
5. Add the roasted red peppers and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook, stirring, for two minutes more.
6. Add the cooked and drained pasta. Cook, stirring, to mix well - about two minutes more.
7. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
8. Reduce the heat to low. In a thin stream, pour the egg and cream mixture into the pasta, stirring. Cook, stirring, until it is just warm, about two minutes more.
9. Serve garnished with the shredded Parmesan cheese.

Keto Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole

On a low-carb or keto diet? No worries - this breakfast casserole cuts back on the carbs, but not on the flavor. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to five days and reheat in the microwave for about 2 minutes on high. You can also freeze this in individual servings for up to six months.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 cups chopped leftover ham
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed and chopped
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 8 eggs
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1½ cup shredded Swiss cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, heat the oil on medium-high until it shimmers.
3. Add the ham, onion, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about five minutes.
4. Add the baby spinach and cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach wilts, about two minutes more. Allow to cool.
5. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, heavy cream, garlic powder, mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper until well blended.
6. Fold in the cooled vegetables and the cheese.
7. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
8. Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole sets, about one hour.

Slow Cooker Ham Stock

You can also make ham stock from the leftover ham bone and from leftover vegetable trimmings. It's so easy to do! Whenever you cut or peel onions, leeks, scallions, carrots, mushrooms, garlic, or celery or have leftover stems from fresh herbs such as fresh thyme or fresh rosemary, save the peelings, stems, and trimmings in a large zipper bag in the freezer. Don't use trimmings from cruciferous vegetables, chili peppers, or bell peppers. You can also save leftover ham bones in a zipper bag in the freezer. Use the stock to make soups and stews; it will freeze well in one-cup servings for up to a year in the freezer.

Ingredients

• 1 or 2 leftover bones from bone-in ham
• 3 to 4 cups of vegetable and herb trimmings
• Water to fill your slow cooker
• 8 peppercorns

Instructions

1. In a slow cooker, combine all ingredients.
2. Cover and cook on low for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.
3. Strain solids.

10 More Ideas for Leftover Ham

Of course, you can also enjoy leftover ham in other ways as well.

• Scramble it with eggs or fold it into an omelet.
• Chop it up and add it to a chopped salad.
• Fry it in oil and use it as a garnish on soup.
• Add thin slices to a grilled cheese sandwich.
• Make ham and bean soup.
• Chop it finely and add it to croquettes.
• Slice it thinly and add it to chicken cordon bleu.
• Use thinly sliced leftover ham to make ham and cheese pinwheel sandwiches.
• Slice it thinly and wrap it around slices of honeydew melon.

• Add it to a monte cristo sandwich.

Enjoy Leftover Ham

With its salty, smoky flavor and tender texture, leftover ham is the perfect add-in for a lot of recipes. So there's no reason to let leftover ham go to waste; chop it up and add it to your favorite recipe.