How To Use Up Leftover Ham

We do not do a lot of ham in our house so when we do the occasional ham usually after they go on sale around Easter we need to get creative to use all of the leftovers up.

A lot of the time I will store the leftovers away to make use of at a later date in another meal.

Storing leftover ham

No matter how hard you try, sometimes you will find that you have a lot more harm than you can use. Trying to use it all up in just a few days can get boring, particularly if you have a family that are not big fans of ham.

Ham slices can be stored in your freezer in an air-tight container or vacuum-sealed until needed.

Ham can easily be frozen in portions you can use for your favorite recipes, making it quick and easy to move from the freezer to the dinner table. I will slice or dice the ham then vacuum seal with the FoodSaver and label with the date before tossing it into the deep freezer.

If you are lucky enough to find ham on sale and you do not want to use it up right away your entire ham can go right into the freezer in the original packaging.

How long does ham last? How do you store ham?

Your ham before opening should last until the expiration date on the package. If the package begins to bloat up it has gone bad and should be tossed out without opening.

Leftover ham can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days after opening and cooking.

Ham can be stored in the freezer for 3 to 6 months for the average freezer and up to a year in a deep freezer.

What to make with leftover ham

There are many great ways to use up leftover ham when you are ready. Using up your leftover ham is a great way to save money and prevent food waste. With the cost of food these days this is vital.

Casseroles

You can make a casserole with leftover ham to use it up. Cut up your leftover ham into chunks and combine with potatoes, eggs, and cheese for an easy dish that can be served either for breakfast or dinner. Add a can of cream of mushroom soup in place of the eggs to make a creamy ham casserole.

Sandwiches

You can still make sandwiches out of the ham you cook in the oven, even if it isn’t thickly sliced. You can make sliders and sub sandwiches with thicker slices.

You can also use ham on grilled cheese sandwiches like you would bacon to take advantage of the classic ham and cheese flavor combo. This goes really well with cheddar.

Try making these super easy ham and cheese sliders to use up your leftover ham. They are super fun and perfect for parties or game day.

Breakfast

Breakfast is incomplete without ham. You can dice leftover ham up and add it to omelets and quiches for a great way to use it up. Pair it with cheese and veggies for the perfect breakfast or breakfast for dinner.

I like to use ham and cheese with diced potatoes, peppers, and onions to make a breakfast hash.

Pea or bean soup

To make pea soup, you can use the bone from your ham. This works well with beans. You can flavor your soup with the broth made from a ham bone, which is loaded with nutrients.

Flavor scalloped potatoes

You can add flavor to cheesy potato dishes by chopping up leftover ham and adding it in for a protein boost. This is a great addition to scalloped potatoes.

Bulk up macaroni and cheese

Macaroni and cheese can be made into a fun and filling meal that’s suitable for the entire family, including the adults. Make it even more filling by adding some peas or corn. This is a fun way to make use of the game and cheese flavor combination.

Make a pot pie

Ham can easily be used to create a simple pot pie. In your favorite chicken pot pie recipe, you can substitute leftover ham chunks for the chicken. You can make it taste more like chicken by soaking your ham in chicken broth before making your pie.

Use as a pizza topping

To top a homemade pizza with diced ham, peppers, or pineapple, combine it with other meats, veggies, or cheese. My husband likes ham, bacon, black olives, and mushrooms on his pizza.

Ham salad

You can use leftover diced ham to make a simple and easy ham salad with pickles, mustard, and mayonnaise. This salad can be served with bread for a quick meal or snack. Personally, I am not a fan of anything with pickles but the kids love them.