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37 Ways to Use the Rest of That Leftover Ham

37 Ways to Use the Rest of That Leftover Ham

March 21, 2018

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1508 Warm Lentil-Ham Salad with Dijon Cream

Photo: Randy Mayor

There's so much we can make besides fried rice or ham sandwiches (but those are great, too).

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Hearty Ham and Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

Gina DeSimone

Outmaneuver your morning fast-food cravings with these savory grab-and-go breakfast muffins. Leftover ham comes to the rescue with day-sustaining protein; equal parts cornmeal and flour yield a not-so-bready muffin with a perfect tender crumb. Make a batch of these on the weekend and save the leftovers for breakfast all week long.

View Recipe: Hearty Ham and Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

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French Onion Soup With Ham

Gina DeSimone

Classic French onion soup gets a tasty upgrade with leftover ham. Though you might be tempted to add a little sugar to speed up the caramelization of the onions, resist; there are few culinary delights that equal the rich savory-sweet balance of slowly caramelized onions. A dash of sherry cuts through the rich soup with just the right amount of tang.

View Recipe: French Onion Soup With Ham

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Veggie Fried Rice with Crispy Ham

Photo: Linda Pugliese

View Recipe: Veggie Fried Rice with Crispy Ham

Full on flavor and not too high in calories, ham can bring a whole new dimension of flavor to meals. Be creative when adding ham to recipes, a little goes a long way. Thin slices or small dices can easily be spread throughout a dish for that umami flavor without over doing it on the sodium levels.

For this quick family dinner, a small amount of salty ham is crisped and used as a topping. That way you can use far less and still get a big flavor impact.

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Summer Melon and Ham Salad with Burrata and Chile

Photo: Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: Summer Melon and Ham Salad with Burrata and Chile

"This is an obvious play on melon wedges wrapped in prosciutto," Christensen says. "Here the melon is sliced to the same thickness as the ham. Instead of 'making melon taste good,' it puts two beautiful things in balance. I love the balance of the musky fruit with the salty-sweet ham and the creaminess of the burrata cheese (you can sub fresh mozzarella). You have a lot of strong flavors at play, and the cheese sets the canvas for the whole thing.”

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Ham and Gruyère Belgian Waffles with Sautéed Pears

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Ham and Gruyère Belgian Waffles with Sautéed Pears

While traditional Belgian waffles are made with yeast, we use beaten egg whites to give these salty-sweet waffles their light, airy texture and crispy exterior. Sweet delicious pears top this breakfast beauty for a tasty touch of fall.

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Fiery Avocado and Ham

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Fiery Avocado and Ham

This protein-packed snack is a handy way to fuel up while you're on the go. Pack individual bags of ham and avocado, and grab one as you head out the door for work, the gym, or the market.

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Savory Bread Puddings with Ham and Cheddar

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Savory Bread Puddings with Ham and Cheddar

Bread pudding becomes a main dish inspired by the flavors of a loaded baked potato. Preparing the puddings in individual ramekins gives them a dressier feel and shortens cook time.

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Mozzarella, Ham, and Basil Panini

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Mozzarella, Ham, and Basil Panini

A few special ingredients—like freshly baked ciabatta bread or imported Dijon mustard—make a quick, simple sandwich seem like a restaurant treat for a midday meal.

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Fig, Ham, and Ricotta Pizza

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Fig, Ham, and Ricotta Pizza

Ricotta cheese is dreamy and our homemade version is simply the best you'll ever taste. It's silky and creamy, milky and slightly sweet, moist and never grainy. The cheese is delicious eaten by the spoonful, and once you've had your fill of it unadorned, you can turn it into an array of dishes that are as healthful as they are delectable.

Thinned out a little and made creamier, ricotta can be used as both the sauce and the cheese for pizzas and flatbreads. Top pizza dough with a ricotta cheese mixture, figs, onion, and ham to make this quick weeknight meal.

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Crispy Rice with Ham and Bean Sprouts

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Crispy Rice with Ham and Bean Sprouts

Toasting half the rice in this recipe yields warmth and crunch that takes this ultra-comforting 5-ingredient entrée from ordinary to exceptional. For an added kick, serve with a drizzle of Sriracha.

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Grilled Ham and Pineapple Pizza

Photo: Johnny Autry

View Recipe: Grilled Ham and Pineapple Pizza

Both children and adults will love the flavor of this homemade pizza. Grilling the ham gives it a nice smoky flavor, and the pineapple adds sweetness.

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Savory Buckwheat Crepes with Ham and Mornay Sauce

Photo: Lauren Rubinstein

View Recipe: Savory Buckwheat Crepes with Ham and Mornay Sauce

Use a younger Gruyère rather than well-aged cheese to help prevent the sauce from breaking.

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Ham and Veggie Fried Rice

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Ham and Veggie Fried Rice

Tossing in frozen green peas at the end of cooking keeps them bright and lively.

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Ham, Collard Greens, and Egg Noodle Bowl

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Ham, Collard Greens, and Egg Noodle Bowl

Egg noodles, smoked ham, chopped veggies, and collard greens combine with chicken broth for a hearty meal. Make sure to simmer the greens until crunchy-tender and no more than that, especially if you plan to reheat the soup for another meal.

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Spinach and Ham Stuffed Potatoes

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Spinach and Ham Stuffed Potatoes

Time: 30 minutes

Prep Pointer: Cut one-third off each potato to scoop out and stuff more easily. For a flavor swap, sub 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken breast for the ham.

Serve with Apple and Almond Salad: Combine 1½ tablespoons olive oil, 1½ tablespoons white wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add 6 cups mixed spring greens, ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds, and 1 thinly sliced medium apple. Toss to coat. SERVES 4 (serving size: 1½ cups) CALORIES 110; FAT 8g (sat 0.9g); SODIUM 120mg

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Split Pea Soup with Ham

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Split Pea Soup with Ham

Although a favorite across the nation, this dish was introduced to the U.S. by early English settlers. This recipe omits the salty ham hock, but adds smoked paprika for extra smoky flavor.

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Grilled Ham, Chicken, and Gruyère Sandwiches

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Grilled Ham, Chicken and Gruyère Sandwiches

This ham and chicken sandwich is ready to devour in no time. Enjoy with fresh fruit or a simple green salad for a quick and delicious meal.

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Ham, Gruyère, and Onion Stuffing

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Ham, Gruyère, and Onion Stuffing

This recipe brings a hearty dose of comfort food to an already-classic side dish.

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Grilled Turkey and Ham Sandwiches

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Grilled Turkey and Ham Sandwiches

Update sandwich night with a hearty grilled stacker loaded with turkey, ham, veggies, and a Dijon spread.

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Ham and Swiss Egg Sandwiches

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Ham and Swiss Egg Sandwiches

This delicious handheld breakfast will get the kids going in the morning and out the door without delay. Warm and savory, it will truly start the day off right.

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Sweet Potato, Leek, and Ham Soup

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Sweet Potato, Leek, and Ham Soup

Pureed in a blender, this creamy soup spells comfort in a bowl. Though it tastes like slow food, it comes together in a flash thanks to pre-chopped sweet potato and cooked ham.

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Ham, Cheese, and Apple Panini

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Ham, Cheese, and Apple Panini

If you don’t have a panini press, you can make these easy sandwiches in a nonstick skillet, much like you make grilled cheese sandwiches.

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Ham and Cheese Corn Muffins

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Ham and Cheese Corn Muffins

These savory muffins are great for breakfast on the go or served with a rustic soup or stew. Whole kernal corn and diced ham are the stars here.

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Grilled Ham, Muenster, and Spinach Sandwiches

Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Grilled Ham, Muenster, and Spinach Sandwiches

Mild Muenster cheese is too often overlooked; it’s great for sandwiches, burgers, omelets, or just plain snacking. It matches well with thinly sliced ham, fresh spinach, and sweet-and-tangy chowchow in these crusty-breaded sandwiches.

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Mexican Ham and Bean Soup

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Mexican Ham and Bean Soup

This filling soup makes good use of leftover ham. Pair with fresh bread for a complete meal.

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Mozzarella, Ham, and Basil Panini

Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Mozzarella, Ham, and Basil Panini

You don't need a fancy machine to make a panini, just two skillets and about six minutes. This preparation, with sharp mustard and balsamic vinegar to balance the creaminess of the cheese, can be made with turkey, roast beef, or just about any cold cut instead of ham, and your favorite sliced cheese in place of the mozzarella.

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Ham and Cheese Tartines with Cherokee Purple Tomato Salad

Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Ham and Cheese Tartines with Cherokee Purple Tomato Salad

The spicy red-wine flavor of Cherokee Purple tomatoes matches perfectly with the Spanish cheese and ham on the open-faced tartines. This dish makes for an easy and elegant lunch you can make ahead and take to work or on a picnic, and contains only 269 calories per serving.

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Corn Bread Shortcake with Ham and Fresh Peach Salsa

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Corn Bread Shortcake with Ham and Fresh Peach Salsa

This recipe elevates the down-home Southern flavor of corn bread and smoked ham into haute cuisine with a sweet-savory salsa. Impress your guests with an elegant plate presentation, but keep some extra salsa for yourself to eat with any kind of grilled meat, or, heck, plain old tortilla chips.

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Ham and Cheese Scones

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Ham and Cheese Scones

These savory scones are perfect paired with a salad or soup for a light meal.

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Ham and Egg Fried Rice

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Ham and Egg Fried Rice

Fried rice has the best texture when prepared with cold cooked rice, making it an ideal use for leftovers. Tiny rounds of thinly sliced green beans add flecks of color and crunch.

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Ham and Asparagus Frittata

Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Ham and Asparagus Frittata

Leftover Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter ham is a perfect candidate for this recipe―a thick, hearty open-face omelet suitable for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. Turn the frittata into a quiche by pouring the mixture into a pie crust before baking.

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Bacon, Gruyère, and Ham Strata

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Bacon, Gruyère, and Ham Strata

This casserole is easy to prepare, especially if you purchase diced ham from your supermarket. Gruyère is a type of Swiss cheese. Its sweet nuttiness enhances this dish, though you can substitute Edam, Gouda, or even cheddar cheese.

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Ham and Garlic

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Ham and Garlic

Roasting brings out the best in Brussels sprouts: It lightly caramelizes their edges but keeps them tender inside. Plus the country ham imparts saltiness to the dish and will make for a scrumptious entrée.

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Ham and Mushroom Quesadillas

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Ham and Mushroom Quesadillas

Serve these non-traditional quesadillas with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole. Flip them gently so that the filling stays inside. You can keep the quesadillas warm by placing them in the oven at the lowest setting.

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Ham and Gruyère Potato Gratin

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Ham and Gruyère Potato Gratin

We prefer the richness of Gruyère for this gratin, but you can also substitute any type of Swiss cheese. Try a mandoline or the slicing blade of a food processor to create uniformly thin potato slices. You can use a skewer to check the tenderness of the potatoes as the gratin bakes.

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Ham and Cheese Hash Browns

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Ham and Cheese Hash Browns

This recipe resembles a hearty potato hash and is a great use for leftover ham. Cooked entirely in the microwave, it's ready to eat in less than 15 minutes, so pair it with fresh fruit or a salad for a truly effortless dinner.

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37 Ways to Use the Rest of That Leftover Ham

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Hearty Ham and Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

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French Onion Soup With Ham

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Veggie Fried Rice with Crispy Ham

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Summer Melon and Ham Salad with Burrata and Chile

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Ham and Gruyère Belgian Waffles with Sautéed Pears

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Fiery Avocado and Ham

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Savory Bread Puddings with Ham and Cheddar

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Mozzarella, Ham, and Basil Panini

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Fig, Ham, and Ricotta Pizza

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Crispy Rice with Ham and Bean Sprouts

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Grilled Ham and Pineapple Pizza

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Savory Buckwheat Crepes with Ham and Mornay Sauce

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Ham and Veggie Fried Rice

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Ham, Collard Greens, and Egg Noodle Bowl

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Spinach and Ham Stuffed Potatoes

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Split Pea Soup with Ham

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Grilled Ham, Chicken, and Gruyère Sandwiches

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Ham, Gruyère, and Onion Stuffing

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Grilled Turkey and Ham Sandwiches

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Ham and Swiss Egg Sandwiches

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Sweet Potato, Leek, and Ham Soup

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Ham, Cheese, and Apple Panini

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Ham and Cheese Corn Muffins

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Grilled Ham, Muenster, and Spinach Sandwiches

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Mexican Ham and Bean Soup

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Mozzarella, Ham, and Basil Panini

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