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A convenient collection of more than 15 favorite recipes for leftover ham! From soups and pots of beans that take advantage of a ham bone or ham hock, to casseroles that stretch the remaining meat to feed a family, or salads that benefit from a rich, smoky flavor, these delicious meals will make you forget that you’re using up leftovers. Whether you’re finishing off a Christmas ham, faced with a freezer full of Easter extras, or just enjoyed a Sunday supper, these leftover ham recipes will bring new life to your table!
Easy Leftover Ham Recipes
Ham is big business in Virginia, so we have plenty of tasty and unique ways to take advantage of the rich, flavorful, smoky meat. We’ve rounded up more than 15 of our favorite family-friendly, easy recipes for leftover ham, and we’re so excited to share them with you today! Bookmark this convenient collection for your next busy week, because these options are all great ways to take advantage of the extra meat that you may have stashed in your fridge or freezer. You might even be able to avoid an extra trip to the grocery store!
What If I Don’t Have Any Leftover Ham?
If you’d like to prepare these recipes but you don’t have any leftover ham on hand, no problem! You can purchase ham steaks (that you dice at home), or buy pre-diced or pre-cubed ham in the meat section at almost any grocery store.
If a recipe calls for a smoked ham hock, you can purchase those separately at the grocery store as well, or use a smoked ham bone instead. You don’t need to bake a giant Christmas ham in order to enjoy these meals!
What can I make with already cooked ham?
The options are truly endless! Having leftover cooked ham stashed in your fridge or freezer is a great shortcut ingredient for casseroles, soups, salads, sandwiches, and more. We love to use smoked ham hocks or smoked ham bones to flavor pots of beans, greens, rice, or soups, too.
How long does leftover cooked ham last in the fridge?
Wrapped tightly or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, leftover cooked ham will keep for 3-5 days. To extend the life of your leftovers, store the ham in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Leftover Ham Recipes for Dinner
Any of these delicious options will work well for lunch or dinner, so browse the list and let me know what you’re planning to try first!
Old-Fashioned Southern Ham and Beans
Simple, hearty, and flavorful, ham and beans is a traditional meal that’s been enjoyed throughout the south and Appalachia for generations. The smoky Great Northern beans are delicious alongside a skillet of cornbread, a pot of greens, or a crisp salad.
Southern Ham Bone Soup
An old-fashioned classic, this easy ham bone soup recipe is a nourishing and satisfying supper that’s full of flavor! Smoky and rich, the homemade soup comes together quickly on the stovetop or in the Crock Pot (no soaking the beans). Delicious with a side of cast iron skillet cornbread!
Dump-and-Bake Ham & Cheddar Casserole
With just 5 minutes of prep, this dump-and-bake ham, broccoli, cheddar, and rice casserole is an easy dinner that cooks in one dish! There’s no need to pre-cook the rice or the veggies — just stir everything together and pop it in the oven.
Virginia Chicken Gumbo with Ham
Putting a Virginia spin on classic chicken gumbo with the addition of ham and oysters! Top each bowl of stew with a scoop of rice for a hearty, flavorful, and satisfying Southern meal.
Ham and Potato Soup
There’s nothing cozier than a warm bowl of this creamy ham and potato soup on a chilly day. Use leftover ham from a holiday meal, or pick up a package of diced ham or ham steaks at the grocery store. The comfort food classic is delicious alongside cornbread muffins, buttermilk biscuits, or a loaf of crusty bread!
Farmhouse Ham Casserole with Cornbread
Cozy, down-home comfort food (and perfect for leftovers)! This farmhouse ham casserole is an easy dinner recipe that the whole family will love. The sweet cornbread topping is paired with a creamy, cheesy filling for a hearty supper that will warm you from the inside out!
Ham and Bean Soup {Quick and Easy!}
A classic from my childhood, this easy Ham and Bean Soup recipe is a nourishing and satisfying supper that’s full of flavor! Smoky and rich, the homemade soup comes together quickly on the stovetop (no need to soak the beans!), but can also be prepared in the slow cooker. It’s perfect alongside a loaf of crusty bread or a pan of cornbread. Just get the pot simmering and your work is done!
Ham and Cheese Casserole
This ham and cheese casserole is ooey, gooey, cheesy, and full of flavor! The baked mac and cheese with ham includes gruyere and sharp cheddar cheeses, smoky leftover ham, and a buttery garlic breadcrumb topping. It’s a cozy, made-from-scratch, family-friendly dinner that’s perfect alongside a simple green salad, tender green beans, or a basket of old-fashioned corn sticks!
Virginia Ham Salad Recipe
A pride of Virginia culture, ham is a Southern tradition that has been loved for centuries. This classic ham salad recipe combines the salty, smoked meat with crisp celery, bright green onions, hard-boiled egg, and a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing. It’s perfect as an appetizer or lunch spread with crackers, or equally delicious in a ham salad sandwich. Buy ham steaks at the store, or use up your leftover ham from a holiday feast!
New Orleans Red Beans and Rice Recipe
This authentic New Orleans Red Beans and Rice recipe has all of the classic Cajun flavors that you know and love from the old-fashioned dish. Andouille sausage and a smoked ham hock give the meal a rich, satisfying flavor. Serve each bowl with fluffy white rice, a dash of hot sauce, and plenty of cornbread to soak up the extra broth!
Hoppin’ John
A classic Southern dish! Hoppin’ John, or “Carolina Peas and Rice,” is a simple, flavorful combination of black-eyed peas, rice, bacon, smoked ham hock, onion, celery, garlic, and herbs. Often served on New Year’s Day, the delicious field peas pair nicely with other lucky foods like cornbread and collard greens. Don’t wait for a New Year’s tradition, though — this humble dish deserves an appearance on the table more than once a year!
Ham Pasta Salad
Full of simple and fresh ingredients, this ham pasta salad is the perfect side dish for your next cookout, an easy option for a light weeknight dinner, or a refreshing make-ahead lunch. You’ll love the flavorful combination of peas, lemon, dill, and a creamy mayo dressing. Serve the cold ham and cheese pasta salad with grilled chicken, steak, pulled pork, cornbread, biscuits, or blueberry muffins.
Appalachian Soup Beans {Pinto Bean Soup}
Simple, hearty, and flavorful, soup beans is a traditional Appalachian meal that’s been enjoyed for generations. The cozy pinto bean soup is delicious topped with bacon, chow chow, onions or ramps, and served alongside cornbread, potatoes, and greens. Prepare the classic dish in a Dutch oven or in a Crock Pot, and savor a taste of the mountain South!
Baked Ham and Cheese Omelet
This baked ham and cheese omelet is a simple egg casserole that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. With just 10 minutes of prep, the ham and cheese omelette is an easy way to use up leftover ham, or you can substitute with sausage or bacon instead. It’s flavorful, nutritious, and delicious alongside a loaf of crusty bread, blueberry muffins, and a fresh fruit salad.
Crock Pot Beans and Cornbread
Simple, hearty, and flavorful, Crock Pot beans and cornbread is a traditional meal that’s been enjoyed throughout the south, southwest, and Appalachia for generations. The cozy pinto beans are delicious alongside a simple skillet of cornbread, and paired with greens or a crisp salad. It’s an affordable, satisfying, and easy dinner!
Ham, Cheddar and Broccoli Quiche
This easy Ham, Cheddar and Broccoli Quiche comes together with just a few minutes of prep! It’s a perfect make-ahead option for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner!
Southern Lima Beans with Ham {Butter Beans}
This classic Southern Lima Bean recipe is a delicious side dish or budget-friendly entrée. The rich, smoky butter beans are flavored with a ham hock and slowly simmered until tender. Serve a bowl of the thick, creamy lima beans with a side of sweet honey cornbread for the ultimate comfort food supper!
Bean Soup {Stovetop + Slow Cooker}
Thick, smoky and satisfying, this healthy ham and bean soup recipe is the perfect meal for a chilly day! The easy dinner can be prepared on the stovetop, in the slow cooker, or in an Instant Pot for a convenient option that suits your schedule. 15 bean soup is also a great way to use up that leftover ham from Christmas or Easter!
Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup with Ham
Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup is a cozy slow cooker dinner recipe for busy nights — and a great way to use up leftover ham! This hearty, satisfying soup combines broccoli, cheese, carrots, potatoes, onion, and ham in every bite. Serve the easy broccoli cheese soup alongside a loaf of crusty bread, a basket of buttermilk biscuits, or a pan of honey cornbread for a delicious family meal!
Split Pea Soup with Ham
A healthy and easy dinner recipe that warms and satisfies your body! This classic Split Pea Soup with ham can be prepared in the slow cooker, in the Instant Pot, or on the stovetop. Make it with a smoked ham hock, leftover ham bone, diced ham or bacon for a simple and flavorful prep-ahead meal that reheats beautifully throughout the week. Serve each warm bowl with a loaf of crusty bread or some flaky buttermilk biscuits!
Ham Casserole
This cheesy Ham Casserole with noodles and broccoli is an easy dinner recipe to throw together on busy weeknights. Use up your leftover ham from a recent holiday, or purchase cubed ham at the grocery store — either way, your family will love this simple, hearty one dish meal!
Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Scalloped Potatoes and Ham is a classic Southern dish that requires just 10 minutes of prep and only a handful of simple ingredients. Thinly-sliced potatoes cook in a rich and creamy garlic sauce with leftover ham and plenty of sharp cheddar cheese. Serve the cheesy scalloped potatoes for an easy dinner alongside a simple green salad, collard greens, or flaky buttermilk biscuits!
