When the holidays are over, the festive feasts have dwindled to a close, and you're left with the remnants of a holiday ham, don't despair. Instead, celebrate! Ham, with its rich, savory taste, can be the star ingredient in a variety of dishes, ensuring that your kitchen adventures are far from over. In this post, we'll explore 5 Delicious Leftover Ham Recipes You Must Try to transform your leftover ham into delectable meals that will have you looking forward to making the most of your holiday leftovers.
Ham and Cheese Strata
This breakfast classic is a perfect way to wake up your taste buds with the lingering flavors of the holidays. Here’s how you can whip it up:
- Butter an 8x8 baking dish.
- Cube 6 slices of bread and layer them at the bottom of the dish.
- Spread about 1 cup of diced leftover ham over the bread.
- Scatter 1 cup of shredded cheese over the ham.
- In a bowl, mix together 6 eggs, 2 cups of milk, a pinch of salt, and some pepper. Pour this over the layers.
- Let it sit in the fridge for an hour to let the bread absorb the egg mixture.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes or until it’s set in the center.
🍳 Note: If your strata looks too browned but isn’t set, cover it with foil for the remainder of the cooking time.
Ham and Potato Soup
A cozy, comforting bowl of soup is always in order, especially with a hearty chunk of ham. Here’s a simple recipe:
- In a pot, melt 3 tablespoons of butter, then sauté 1 diced onion until translucent.
- Add 3 diced potatoes, 2 cups of water or chicken broth, and bring to a boil.
- Simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Stir in 2 cups of diced ham, 1 cup of milk, and season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer gently for another 10 minutes.
- For extra creaminess, blend some of the soup and return it to the pot.
🍲 Note: This soup can be made thicker or thinner by adjusting the amount of milk or broth you add.
Ham Fried Rice
Turn your leftover ham into a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner:
- Heat oil in a large pan or wok over high heat.
- Scramble 2 eggs, remove from the pan, and set aside.
- Add more oil, then stir fry 1 cup of diced ham until lightly browned.
- Push ham to the side, add chopped onions, peas, and carrots, and stir fry for a few minutes.
- Mix in 4 cups of cold, cooked rice, and stir fry until heated through.
- Return eggs to the pan, add soy sauce to taste, and cook for a final minute.
Ham and Broccoli Pasta Bake
An all-in-one bake that’s creamy, comforting, and convenient:
- Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter, whisk in 4 tablespoons of flour, and cook for 2 minutes.
- Gradually add 2 cups of milk, stirring until thickened.
- Remove from heat, stir in 1 cup of cheese, 2 cups of ham cubes, and 2 cups of steamed broccoli.
- Mix with pasta and pour into a greased baking dish.
- Top with bread crumbs mixed with melted butter and bake at 350°F (175°C) until bubbly and browned on top.
Scalloped Potatoes with Ham
Here’s a decadent way to use up that leftover ham:
- Slice 4-5 potatoes thinly.
- Layer the potatoes in a buttered dish with slices of ham, chopped onion, and sprinkle with flour.
- Pour over a mixture of 1 ½ cups heavy cream or milk, seasoned with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking until the top is golden and bubbly.
With these recipes in your culinary arsenal, leftover ham becomes not just a remnant of a past celebration, but a catalyst for new flavors and family favorites. These dishes ensure that every last bit of your holiday ham is used to create memorable meals. Whether you're craving comfort food or something a little more gourmet, ham's versatility ensures that there's always something delightful to cook.
Can I freeze leftover ham?
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Yes, you can freeze leftover ham. Just wrap it tightly to prevent freezer burn, and it will last for up to 6 months.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover ham?
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The best method is to wrap slices of ham in aluminum foil and warm them in an oven at 325°F (165°C) until heated through. This helps to retain moisture.
Can ham be used in salads?
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Absolutely! Diced ham is a great addition to pasta salads, green salads, or even as a topping for Cobb salad.
How can I make my ham dishes healthier?
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Opt for low-fat dairy options, reduce salt in recipes, and increase the amount of vegetables to make your ham dishes healthier.
Are there vegetarian alternatives to ham in these recipes?
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Yes! You can substitute ham with smoked tofu or tempeh for a similar texture and flavor profile, although you might need to adjust the seasoning.
