For busy moms juggling daily life, leftovers can be a saving grace. Make sure you take advantage of opportunities that come up–like having a big ham for the holidays. We have you covered with our roundup of recipes for leftover spiral ham.
From savory casseroles to leftover spiral ham soup recipes, we’ve got the perfect answers to the perennial question: what to make with leftover spiral ham? You won’t run out of leftover spiral ham ideas now!
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After you serve a holiday ham, you’re likely to have leftovers! With a little planning ahead, you can store that leftover spiral ham to make a variety of new meals.
Using leftover meat is a great way to avoid food waste, plus it saves you money.
Next time you’re planning a holiday dinner with ham, you’ll be prepared with these spiral ham leftover recipes.
How to store leftover ham
Keep a few food storage staples on hand so you’re ready to pack up extra ham after your holiday meal (or the next day). It’s important to store leftovers properly for food safety.
My tip: Divide the leftover spiral ham into smaller portions for more convenient storage. Use measuring cups or a food scale to portion out what you’ll need for future meals. I’ll even write the name of the future meal on the freezer bag so I’ll remember what it’s for.
How long can you keep cooked ham in the refrigerator?
Place the leftover ham in shallow airtight containers. You can also wrap it tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
Be sure to store leftover ham in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking to prevent bacteria growth.
Ham will be safe in the fridge for 3-4 days, so use it within that timeline for best quality.
That’s the window to use it with these recipes with leftover spiral ham.
How long can you keep cooked ham in the freezer?
If you don’t plan to use that ham within 4 days, it’s better to freeze it. Another tip: Slice or chop the ham so it will be ready to use down the road. You’ll also be able to store it flat in the freezer, and it will be quicker to defrost.
For longer storage, wrap the ham tightly in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or freezer bags. The goal is to minimize exposure to air and prevent freezer burn.
Use a Sharpie to label the packaging with the date so you’ll know how long it’s been in the freezer.
Frozen ham can typically be stored for 1-2 months without significant loss of quality.
How to defrost frozen ham
When you’re ready to use the frozen ham for one of our leftover ham recipes, thaw it in the refrigerator. I typically pull the freezer bag out the night before and set it in a bowl. It takes a while, but it’s the safest method.
If you’re in more of a hurry, you can use the cold water method. Submerge the freezer bag of ham in cold tap water, then change the water every 30 minutes.
Always follow safe food handling guidelines to prevent foodborne illnesses. If the ham shows signs of spoilage, such as an off smell or unusual color, it’s best to discard it to ensure your family’s safety.
More recipes using leftovers
Roundup of leftover ham recipes
Just a note–none of the recipes below are cooked in the crock pot. We have a whole separate list of Leftover Ham Slow Cooker Recipes.
Recipes for leftover spiral ham
Making a spiral ham for the holidays? You're bound to end up with leftovers! Check out our big list of leftover ham casseroles, soups, quiches and more.
This easy pickle dip recipe has ham, pickles, and is packed with creamy delicious flavors. This is a great party recipe, can be used as an appetizer, quick lunch, and more!
Making a crustless quiche is quick and easy. This spinach and ham quiche can be made without without the mushrooms. Try the spinach mushroom quiche for breakfast, brunch, or even breakfast for dinner.
This 7 Layer Salad is a delicious & light way to use leftover holiday ham. It’s served in a beautiful trifle dish and acts as a one-bowl meal!
Add some island flair to your fried rice. This quick and easy one pot meal is loaded with flavors and whips up in 20 minutes or less!
Do you have a lot of leftover ham from Thanksgiving, Christmas or a big feast and don't know what to make? Try out this authentic and the best ham fried rice recipe.
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!
Use up that leftover ham and leftover mascarpone cheese with this Healthy Leftover Creamy Ham Pasta & Peas recipe! It's a quick, easy and delicious leftover ham recipe in 30 minutes!
This delicious creamy Italian ham and tomato penne al baffo is such a great recipe for that leftover holiday ham. It's so fast and easy to make you can have it on the table in the time it takes to boil the water and cook your pasta!
This recipe is a great way to use leftover ham. It's delicious served as an appetizer or even a main dish. It blends some of our favorite takeout flavors and nestles them together in a crunchy, oven-baked wonton.
This Southern White Acre Peas w/ Ham recipe recreates childhood memories. Cook in a conventional pot on top of the stove or in a pressure cooker.
Ham and Cheese Waffles are the perfect use of leftover ham. The recipe makes savory waffles that are crispy and salty and packed with ham and cheese, perfect topped with maple syrup or as a snack on their own!
Who couldn't use a little "quiche" in the morning? This easy version, featuring smoked ham and nutty gruyere, comes together in minutes, making it "un bon choix" for breakfast, brunch or lunch, alongside a tossed green salad.
This ham and asparagus quiche is perfect for breakfast, brunch or a light dinner. Learn how to make the perfect quiche at home with this easy recipe.
Casseroles made with Leftover Ham
Stretch that leftover ham into another family meal with these easy casserole recipes.
This Cheesy Ham Breakfast Casserole is a fantastic way to use up leftover ham! A hearty and flavorful dish, you’ll find yourself making this one for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Use up your Christmas ham leftovers with this easy ham and cheese potato casserole. It's perfect for parties and potlucks!
A simple way to enjoy the flavors of swiss cheese, ham and chicken but without all the fuss.
This leftover rice casserole is perfect for repurposing that rice and ham left in the fridge. It's creamy, delicious, and so easy to make!
Ham and vegetable pasta bake with lots of cheese, easy to make, and bound to make your children (and everyone else) happy!
You'll make ham just to have leftovers for this scalloped potato and ham casserole. It's a perfect comfort food family meal.
Use your leftover ham in this cheesy casserole and you'll be sure to cook an extra large ham every time!
Baked Ham Penne Pasta is a delicious dinner to make with leftover ham. Penne pasta and ham with a delicious creamy garlic – cheese sauce is sure to please the whole family.
This ham casserole is loaded with ham, veggies and egg noodles, all in a creamy cheese sauce.
Ham and Rice Casserole is an easy, one pot recipe made right on your stove top! You'll love this savory recipe for leftover ham, or any ham you have on hand.
This super easy ham and tater tot breakfast casserole is a perfect recipe for using up leftover ham! A great family favorite!
If you love Eggs Benedict but dislike the fuss, this easy eggs Benedict casserole is the answer. It can be prepared the night before and is popular at any brunch gathering.
Air Fryer Ham Casserole is perfect for using up leftover ham or pasta. It tastes great and is so easy to make. You’ll have dinner on the table in about 15 minutes.
Sandwiches using Leftover Ham
Not just cold leftovers sandwiches--we have lots of delicious options to turn that leftover spiral ham into new meals.
These simple and fast poppy seed ham and cheese sliders are perfect to use up all that leftover ham after your holiday gathering!
These hot ham and cheese sliders are the best way to use up leftover ham! Spread them with an easy Dijon butter and bake to ooey gooey perfection.
This deliciously unique ham sandwich will bring rave reviews! Adding a British twist to your ham leftovers will have everyone asking for the secret!
These Ham and Turkey Sliders turn deli lunchmeat or leftover ham or turkey into something special with the addition of caramelized onions and arugula. Watch them disappear on game day!
So much tastier than ordinary ham and cheese, these flavorful little sandwiches are easy to make ahead.
Ham salad is the perfect way to use up leftover holiday ham, or maybe it is the perfect excuse to make a ham – so that you can make this delicious sandwich spread!
A simple tasty and filling snack which can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
Deviled ham doesn't have to come from a can and tastes completely different than the store-bought stuff. It’s tangy, sweet, spicy (according to your tastes), and (depending on your ham) can be salty or mild. Use your food processor, and it's ready in seconds.
Baked Ham Sandwiches are the best. This simple recipe is ideal for using leftover ham or making a simple ham sandwich upscale and fun to eat!
Soups using Leftover Ham
One of the easiest ways to use up leftover ham is by adding it to soups and chowders.
This Navy Bean Soup, a wholesome and tasty blend of tender navy beans and leftover ham, offers a straightforward yet satisfying meal. Ideal for either lunch or dinner, it pairs wonderfully with a side of buttery bread.
Ham And Cheese Soup without potato is an easy one pot meal that makes a quick weeknight dinner. Great way to use up leftover ham from Easter and Christmas!
Leftover ham? This easy split pea soup. Am be made in the stovetop in under an hour.
Thai curry chili is easy to make and a great way to warm up on a chilly winter evening. Try making this simple recipe for dinner tonight!
Ever wonder what else you can do with leftover ham and ham bone? Don’t let any of it go to waste. Leftover ham bone soup is a delicious meal-in-one!
Have leftover ham and a ham bone? This Old Fashioned Ham and Bean Soup is simple to put together, super flavorful, and freezes well for future meals.
Ham and Potato Soup is creamy, cozy, and delicious. It's an excellent way to use up any leftover ham. Make a big pot of this easy recipe any time you want to feel warm and happy.
White Bean Soup and Ham is a hearty soup packed with protein. This is the perfect soup to use up leftover ham you might have on hand or using pre-cooked ham.
