Tasty Ways to Use Leftover Christmas Ham 35 Recipes - the Imperfectly Happy home (2024)

Leftover Christmas ham can be used a ton of delicious recipes! I have been hosting Christmas dinner for 23 years. I love cooking up a huge ham with my family’s secret sauce. But I also make so many side dishes and goodies that there is always a good amount of leftover Christmas ham to be used up.

But I don’t worry about that anymore because I have collected and used so many amazing recipes now that I am able to use up all the leftover Christmas ham without making the whole family sick of it!

Tasty Ways to Use Leftover Christmas Ham 35 Recipes - the Imperfectly Happy home (1)

Leftover Christmas Ham 35 Recipes

I’ve listed 35 amazing ways to use your left ham from Christmas. The hardest part just might be picking which one to use!!! I typically can get 2 or 3 leftover meals out of my leftover ham; which is great because I don’t want to shop or cook much after the holidays.

FAQ About Leftover Christmas Ham

How long is leftover ham good in the refrigerator?

According to FoodSafety.gov most consumer-cooked hams (like pre-cooked spirals or sliced) can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 – 5 days after being removed from packaging and cooked at home.

Can I freeze leftover Christmas Ham?

Again, according to FoodSafety.gov a packaged, pre-cooked ham, that has been consumer cooked at home can be frozen for up to 2 months. Some uncured hams can go as long as 4 months.

Be sure to check the entire list for Ham Storage to make sure the exact time you can store or freeze your ham.

My Favorite Recipe for Leftover Christmas Ham

My favorite way to use our leftover ham is my grandmother’s ham and beans! It is a great, and yummy, way to use a lot of ham at once. And if you have your family staying with you after Christmas, this will still feed a large crowd. Serve it with leftover Christmas rolls, make some drop biscuits or whip up some cornbread.

Tasty Ways to Use Leftover Christmas Ham 35 Recipes - the Imperfectly Happy home (2)

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My Grandma’s Best Southern Ham and Beans Recipe

This is a delicious budget-friendly meal. And if you have a big crowd, this recipe is easily doubled so everyone can enjoy it!

Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 1lbsof dry pinto beansor whatever bean you prefer
  • 4or 5 smoked ham hocksor use dicedleftover ham, about 1/2 – 3/4 lbs should do it
  • 1large yellow onionchopped
  • 2– 3 teaspoons of black pepper
  • 1bay leafoptional
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Wash the beans (you don’t have to soak them overnight with this method)

  2. Put the beans, ham hocks, chopped onion, pepper and bay leaf in a large stock pot and cover with water.

  3. Bring to boil and then turn down to a low simmer.

  4. Cover and let simmer low for several hours.

  5. Stir and check often – you may need to add a bit more water, but only enough to keep everything covered

  6. Beans will be tender and the sauce will thicken up.

  7. Break up the meat into the beans and serve in a bowl with warm corn bread.

Leftover Christmas Ham 35 Recipes

Leftover Ham Recipes – Breakfast / Brunch

Feeding a crowed or just your family the day after Christmas? Here are some wonderful breakfast and brunch recipes for that leftover Christmas ham!

Kohlrabi, Ham & Mushroom Frittata from Lil Suburban Homestead

Overnight Eggs Benedict Casserole from Cooking Classy

Baked Western Omelet with Ham from The Seasoned Mom

Tasty Ways to Use Leftover Christmas Ham 35 Recipes - the Imperfectly Happy home (3)

Easy Ham and Cheese Quiche from I Heart Naptime

Stuffed Honey-Ham Biscuits from Pillsbury

Breakfast Ham Fajitas from Cooking Classy

Leftover Ham Breakfast Enchiladas from Grace and Good Eats

Overnight Breakfast Casserole from Food Storage Moms

Leftover Ham Recipes – Soups

A warm bowl of soup with leftover Christmas ham can be the perfect winter meal!

Loaded Baked Potato Soup fromImperfectly Happy

Crock Pot Ham and Bean Soup from Spend with Pennies

Creamy Ham Potato & Corn Chowder from Cooking Classy

Slow Cooker Creamy Ham & Wild Rice Soup from Betty Crocker

LeftoverHamRecipes–Casseroles

A fast and easy casserole is about all I want to cook after all my holiday endeavors! LeftoverChristmashamcasserolestotherescue!

Tasty Ways to Use Leftover Christmas Ham 35 Recipes - the Imperfectly Happy home (5)

Ham and Noodle Casserole from the Salty Marshmallow

Cheesy Leftover Ham and Rice Casserole from I Wash You Dry

Cheesy Ham, Potato and Bacon Casserole from Oh Sweet Basil

Mother’s Ham Casserole Recipe from Taste of Home

Leftover Ham & Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes from The Seasoned Mom

LeftoverHamRecipes– Pasta

Mix up your leftover hams with some yummy pasta – game changer!

Macaroni Ham and Broccoli from Belle of the Kitchen

Tasty Ways to Use Leftover Christmas Ham 35 Recipes - the Imperfectly Happy home (6)

Ham and Cheese Penne from Jo Cooks

Ham, Peas and Pasta with Garlic Parmesan Sauce from Damn Delicious

One Pot Ham, Cheese and Pasta Recipe from Show Me the Yummy

LeftoverHamRecipes–EverythingElse

Pockets, Puffs and Pizza…oh my leftover ham!!!

Tasty Ways to Use Leftover Christmas Ham 35 Recipes - the Imperfectly Happy home (7)

Homemade Ham and Cheese Pockets – Taste of Home

Ham, Cheese & Spinach Stuffed Sweet Potatoes from Everyday Maven

Ham and Swiss Stromboli from The Girl Who Ate Everything

Mississippi Sin Ham Dip from McCormick

Ham & Mashed Potato Cakes from All Recipes

Ham and Cheese Spinach Puffs from The Chunky Chef

Ham Fried Rice from Fav Family Recipes

Leftover Ham Hawaiian Pizza from Joanie Simon

Ham and Potato Hash from Simple Recipes

Classic Cobb Salad with Ham from Recipe Girl

LeftoverHamRecipes– Specialty Diets

Keto? Low Carb? Paleo? Still have some great ways you can use your leftover Christmas Ham!

Keto Ham and Cheese Scones from All Day I Dream About Food

Paleo Ham Chowder from Paleo Leap

Keto Cheesy Ham Hash Egg Cups from I Breathe I’m Hungry

Keto Cheesy Ham Hash Egg Cups from I Breathe I’m Hungry

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The Most Delicious Vintage Cookie RecipesHow to Make the Perfect Thanksgiving TurkeyBreakfast Casserole with Bacon and Hash Browns

Tasty Ways to Use Leftover Christmas Ham 35 Recipes - the Imperfectly Happy home (2024)

FAQs

How long will Christmas ham keep in the fridge? ›

How long does Christmas ham last? Christmas ham stored in the fridge, either on the bone or carved off and wrapped in plastic and foil, will keep perfectly well for up to two weeks. Ham wrapped in plastic and foil and then frozen will last in the freezer for up to a month.

How long does a ham last in a ham bag? ›

We did some investigating and it turns out your ham can last up to two or three weeks! You'll need to look after it though – keeping it moist using a calico 'ham bag'. Other solutions include a damp tea towel or even a moist pillowcase. Pop some vinegar and water over it and repeat every three to four days.

What kind of vinegar do you use for ham bags? ›

Here is how to keep your ham fresh and moist. Rinse a ham bag or large, clean tea towel with a mixture of 1 cup of water and 1 tablespoon DYC White Vinegar. Squeeze any excess liquid from the bag or tea towel. Place the ham in the bag or wrap in the tea towel to completely enclose.

Can ham last 2 weeks in the 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.

Is ham still good after 7 days? ›

Of course there are many options, but one thing you should not do is let it sit too long in the refrigerator. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ham is good for three to five days in the refrigerator after it is cooked.

Do you eat Christmas ham hot or cold? ›

A ham on the bone is phenomenal served cold, but at Christmas time a lot of people love to glaze their ham and serve it hot. The process of glazing your ham merely warms the ham through and bakes on the glaze. It creates a lovely caramelised, darkened glaze over the fat on the top of your Christmas ham.

Can you eat Christmas ham cold? ›

Christmas ham can be served either hot or cold, depending on your preference. You can pre-glaze and bake your ham, then wrap it in baking paper and foil and chill it before serving. Or, bake it fresh on the day to serve it warm.

Can dogs eat ham? ›

Is Ham Bad for Dogs? Ham is not toxic to dogs, but it's also not a healthy treat for them. So if your pup eats a little piece that fell to the floor, they should be totally fine. But feeding ham to your dog as a regular snack can cause some long-term health issues.

How can you tell if ham has gone bad? ›

Ham has gone bad if it has turned gray in color, smells sour, or the surface is tacky, slimy, or moldy. After that, there's no saving it, and it's time to throw it out.

Are Christmas hams already cooked? ›

Do you have to cook Christmas ham? While most hams come fully cooked and can be enjoyed without further cooking, some are typically perfectly baked in the oven. Find the best Christmas ham recipe for you, and then follow its method for cooking a Christmas ham, whether it be in the oven or the slow cooker.

What juice keeps ham moist? ›

How to Prepare the Most Tender, Juicy Ham With Apple Juice or Pineapple | Livestrong.com. If you want to prepare pre-cooked ham so it's tender, juicy and flavor, the key is in the glaze. Here's how to bake the best ham with apple juice or pineapple.

Why do you soak a ham bag in vinegar? ›

Extend the life of your Xmas ham by reducing moisture loss and allowing it to breathe while in the fridge. This easy wash cotton will ensure you can reuse it for many Christmases to come! To prepare for Ham: Soak Ham Bag in 4 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.

What is the shiny green stuff on ham? ›

What gives sliced ham that iridescent sheen? The shiny, greenish, rainbow like color on sliced ham is a sign of oxidation that occurs when the meat is exposed to the metal on a knife or slicer. The nitrate-modified iron content of the meat undergoes a chemical change that alters the hams pigmentation.

Can I eat ham that's been in the fridge for a week? ›

Hams labeled “fully cooked” can be served cold or reheated to an internal temperature of 140° F. Both plastic-wrapped and vacuum-packaged hams must be refrigerated. A plastic-wrapped ham will keep about one week. A vacuum-packaged ham should be consumed by the “use by” date or within 1 week after the “sell by” date.

How long before ham goes bad in fridge? ›

Most ham will last about five days in the fridge

If you're wondering if you can wait another few days to put together that ham sandwich or eggy ham strata, take note. According to the USDA, the ham you and your kin enjoyed for Sunday brunch might have another two to three days of shelf life.

How many days can you keep a spiral ham in the refrigerator? ›

Spiral-cut hams and leftovers from consumer-cooked hams may be stored in the refrigerator three to five days or frozen one to two months. Keep your refrigerator at 40 °F or less and your freezer at or near 0 °F. See also Ham and Food Safety.

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