After a big holiday dinner, the last thing you want is more heavy fattening food. So, I have gathered up these Healthy Leftover Ham Recipes from my fellow food bloggers to help you with some healthy leftover ham inspiration! Whether you have a leftover spiral ham, picnic ham, slow cooker ham, or you have a precooked boneless ham you picked up at the grocery store, I have easy leftover ham recipes for all of it! I have included my favorite leftover ham recipes, as well as leftover ham salad, soup, pasta, rice, and leftover ham casseroles.
These Ham Main dishes include healthy dinners with everything from ham pastas, ham pizza, ham rice and ham sandwiches. Healthy leftover ham recipes are especially popular after Easter, but also during the holiday season (Christmas and Thanksgiving) or anytime that you have ham to use up.
Main Dishes
Creamy Ham Pasta & Peas
Use up that leftover ham and leftover mascarpone cheese with this Healthy Leftover Creamy Ham Pasta & Peas recipe!
Pita Pizza
This Healthy Pita Pizza Recipe is quick and easy, using pantry items and items you'd have on hand, leftover ham and you don't have to make any dough! Who says pizza can’t be healthy? These mini pizzas swap the big crust for a base that’s just right-sized, topped with sweet pineapple and savory ham.
Ham, Rice and Beans
This Healthy Leftover Ham, Rice and Beans recipe is not only healthy, it's easy, flavorful and has a little kick!
Read also: Healthy Taco Meat Dishes
Skillet Chicken Cordon Bleu
This Easy Skillet Chicken Cordon Bleu has all the flavors of the classic dish but is healthy and ready in under 30 minutes.
Hawaiian Pineapple Fried Rice
This Hawaiian Pineapple Fried Rice is a great weeknight dinner.
Ham and White Bean Soup
Leftover Ham and White Bean Soup is a clean-out-the-refrigerator type of meal. Comfort in a bowl! This soup is hearty, healthy, and a fantastic way to put that ham bone to good use.
Pea Soup
This BEST Pea Soup recipe is made with a ham bone and is easy to make on the Stove Top, Instant Pot, or Crock Pot!
Lighter Options: Salads and More
Cobb Salad
A good recipe for Cobb salad is always worth getting excited about. I love to make this recipe using leftover ham and serve it with a dairy-free ranch dressing. This vibrant salad is packed with ham, hard-boiled eggs, and veggies galore. It’s a complete meal that feels indulgent but is totally wholesome.
Read also: Delicious Fries Dishes
Creamy Ham Salad
This creamy Ham Salad is a perfect appetizer or sandwich filling.
Creamy Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad
Creamy Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad is the perfect pasta salad made with a mayonnaise based dressing. Baby Peas add a bright pop of color and crunch.
Avocado Egg Salad with Ham
A tasty twist on the classic egg salad: Avocado Egg Salad with Ham seasoned with everything bagel seasoning. Creamy, tangy, and loaded with protein, this egg salad jazzes things up with a touch of ham.
Roasted Asparagus Salad with Warm Ham Vinaigrette
Roasted Asparagus Salad with Crispy Turnips and Warm Ham Vinaigrette is a cozy roasted vegetable salad that's actually made under your broiler.
Deviled Ham
Deviled ham is sometimes referred to as ham salad, depending on where you're from. No matter! It's great on crackers, with pita chips or on sandwiches. This retro classic gets a fresh twist with lean ham and simple, wholesome ingredients.
Read also: Managing Blood Pressure with a Diabetic Diet
Southern Style Ham and Beans
This Southern Style Ham and Beans is great for using up leftover ham! Cozy, filling, and packed with fiber, this ham and bean soup is healthy comfort food at its best.
Breakfast and Brunch Ideas
Denver Omelette Egg Cups
This Denver Omelette Egg Cups recipe makes a great easy and healthy breakfast! These cheesy egg bites are the low-carb, high-protein snack your leftover ham has been waiting for.
Crustless Quiche
Crustless quiche is a healthy and easy way to use up leftover ham and put a breakfast together in a matter of minutes. This crustless quiche is low-carb, packed with flavor, and the best way to turn leftover ham into a show-stopping brunch dish.
Cheesy Ham Breakfast Casserole
This Cheesy Ham Breakfast Casserole with eggs and green onion is the perfect breakfast bake to make with leftover ham!
Denver Omelette Waffles
These Denver Omelette Waffles are a fun, healthy, savory twist on your weekend waffles.
Ham and Veggie Breakfast Hash
Start your day right with this hearty breakfast hash. It’s loaded with veggies, potatoes, and plenty of ham for a healthy start to the day.
Casseroles: Comfort Food Reimagined
Healthy Broccoli Casserole with Ham
This creamy and Healthy Broccoli Casserole with ham is made with creamy cauliflower sauce. No cream or cans of cream soup whatsoever. This healthy Cauliflower Broccoli Casserole is actually my mom's recipe. I am considering this a healthy ham casserole recipe because it is loaded with vegetables. And secondly, instead of a cream + butter + flour white sauce or cans of processed cream of something soup, my sauce is mainly made from cauliflower! In order to make it taste great (and not all veggie-ish), caramelized onions and garlic are pureed with the cooked cauliflower to create a wonderful flavorful sauce! I let you decide for yourself if these are healthy enough for you. Ham was the original animal protein my mom always added to this healthy broccoli and cauliflower casserole. But you can definitely switch it up. Make it vegetarian or turn this into a broccoli casserole with chicken. There isn't a lot of cheese in this ham and vegetable casserole recipe. But if you want to make it entirely dairy-free, you could omit the cheese. Unlike any other crackers, they aren't made from refined white flour or re high in unhealthy trans fats. And most importantly, they taste awesome. The resealable bags they come in are also really handy. And for this crunchy cracker casserole topping, I could just crush them up right in they bag they came in. Crunchmaster Crackers are available at many major retailers like Target, Whole Foods, or Walmart. Although any large casserole dish will work for this recipe, I still love my Pyrex glass casserole dish.
Low Carb Ham Casserole
Our Low Carb Ham Casserole starts with leftover ham, cauliflower rice, and broccoli. This keto ham and cheese casserole is my favorite thing to make with leftover ham from Easter or any holiday. It’s loaded with veggies, but it tastes like comfort food. Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with veggies, this low-carb casserole turns leftover ham into a comforting dinner without the carb crash. Rich, creamy, and baked to bubbly perfection, this casserole skips the carbs but keeps the comfort. Ham and broccoli have never looked better together.
Ham Casserole with Cauliflower Rice
This recipe is great with leftover ham, which I seem to have on hand often. If you don’t have leftover ham you can purchase the little bag of diced ham to use for this. This ham and cheese casserole was originally published in September 2018.
Ham Fried Rice
This Healthy Ham Fried Rice makes for fantastic family friendly side dish or meal-made with simple ingredients like diced ham, fresh and frozen veggies, eggs, and leftover rice! This is simple to make and can be made in under 30 minutes!
Ham Steak
Ham steak is one of the easiest dinners in my repertoire. It's simple, flavorful, and ready in 15 minutes. This ham steak recipe is as easy as can be because we're using fully cooked ham and merely heating it up in a skillet while adding butter and seasonings. And despite being such an easy recipe, it's delicious!
Ingredients
- Ham: You'll need two fully cooked steaks.
- Butter: For pan-frying the ham.
- To season: Garlic powder, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper.
- Maple syrup: Just 2 teaspoons. This small amount is all that's needed to create that lovely sweet-and-salty combination while preventing the dish from being too sweet.
Instructions
- Cut the ham pieces in half. Each half will be one serving.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Cook until browned on the bottom, for about 3 minutes.
- Add the maple syrup, flip the ham pieces, and cook them until browned on the second side, about 2 more minutes.
- Transfer the ham to plates.
Tips
- Since the ham is fully cooked, you should cook it briefly, just to heat it up. Overcooking will make it dry. Cook it just until it's browned, and remove it from the pan immediately.
- While you could theoretically add the maple syrup at the start of the cooking process, right after the butter has melted, it's better to add it right before you flip the ham. If you add it at the start, it will caramelize too much by the time the ham is ready and could even start to slightly burn.
Other Ham Recipes
Ham Salad Scones
These tender scones are cheesy, hammy perfection in every bite. They’re the ultimate savory snack or breakfast treat.
Avocado Ham Sandwich
Creamy avocado and turkey-or your leftover ham-make a dream team in this hearty yet healthy sandwich twist.
Food Safety and Storage
How long is cooked ham good for in the fridge?
Cooked ham is good for up to 4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
Can you freeze cooked ham?
If you purchase a precooked ham, it can be frozen prior to the best before date. After cooking or heating a ham, leftovers can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Can I use the ham bone for anything?
Absolutely! The ham bone is perfect for making a rich and flavorful stock. Use it as a base for soups like split pea, white bean, or vegetable soup. You can freeze the bone for future use if you don't plan to make stock right away.
How should I reheat ham without drying it out?
Reheat ham in the oven by wrapping it in aluminum foil with a small amount (1-2 tsps) of liquid, like broth or water, to keep it moist. Heat at 275°F (135°C) in the oven until warm. Alternatively, reheat small portions in the microwave with a cover (do NOT put aluminum foil in the microwave).
Tips for Cooking with Leftover Ham
- Don't Overcook: Ham is already cooked, so you're just reheating it. Overcooking will dry it out.
- Add Moisture: When reheating, add a little liquid to keep the ham moist.
- Versatility: Ham can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups and salads to casseroles and breakfast items.
- Freeze for Later: If you have a lot of leftover ham, freeze it in portions for future use.