The Best Things to Make With Leftover Ham (That Don’t Taste Like Leftovers)

Breathe new life into your leftover ham with these recipes.

By
Yasmine Maggio
Yasmine Maggio
Yasmine Maggio
Associate Editor
Yasmine is an Associate Editor at Serious Eats. Her work has been featured in Women’s Health and on L’Officiel USA, and she recently graduated from New York University with a master's in journalism. You can find her at Bleecker Street Pizza on any given weekend.
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Published December 24, 2025

Christmas ham is a thing of beauty, but after a day or two, we've usually had our fair share. So what should one do with the leftovers, other than reheating them? We're so glad you asked. Below, you'll find some of our favorite ways to use leftover ham—including easy scones, warming soups, and hearty sandwiches—that will hopefully inspire you to breathe some new into that big hunk of meat.

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  • Split Pea and Ham Soup

    Overhead view of split pea and hand soup

    Serious Eats / Fred Hardy

    There are countless versions of this soup all over the world, but this simple rendition with smoky pork is an American classic. It hits all the right notes, from its affordability to its deliciousness and its undeniable ability to warm bellies in the colder months.

  • Ham and Cheese Sandwich

    ham and cheese sandwich hero

    Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

    This sandwich features a generous mound of satiny and savory ribbons of ham sandwiched between a thin layer of tangy Swiss cheese, with tart mustard and pickles added to counter the sweet and salty deli ham. It’s all piled high and cooked in a skillet, where it’s pressed for a portion of the time, until the bread is golden and crisp and the cheese melts and blankets the warm ham.

  • Easy Ham and Cheese Scones

    20170303-gruyere-cheese-ham-scones-vicky-wasik-22.jpg
    Vicky Wasik

    These scones are the best way to use up leftover ham, and a welcome addition to any brunch. Dice up your leftover ham, grab a handful of scallions, and coarsely shred some cheese. That's all it takes to put a savory twist on a batch of plain and simple scones.

  • Ohio Sauerkraut Balls

    Plate of Ohio sauerkraut balls with one ball open, small bowls of ketchup and mustard.

    Serious Eats / Qi Ai

    The key to these Ohio sauerkraut balls is all about balance between savory pork chops, salty ham, and zingy sauerkraut. It's the perfect little appetizer, bar snack,

    Continue to 5 of 12 below

  • Western Omelette With Bell Pepper, Onion, Ham, and Cheese

    20200602-western-denver-omelette-daniel-gritzer-8
    Daniel Gritzer

    Thanks to nicely browned onions, bell peppers, ham, and a pinch of smoked paprika, this omelette truly tastes like it came straight from a diner.

  • Cuban Sandwiches

    Cuban sandwiches

    Serious Eats / Diana Chistruga

    Here, three flavors of pork—sweet ham, savory roast pork, and funky salami—give the sandwich layered complexity. Pressed with cheese, mustard, and pickles until toasty and warm, it's the unchallenged champion of ham and cheese sandwiches.

  • Iowa Ham Balls

    Overhead view of plated ham balls

    Serious Eats / Qi Ai

    Per countless vintage sources, the Iowa ham ball originated as a way to repurpose leftovers. These aren't your average meatballs—they're a regional favorite in which ham and ground pork are bound with buttery crackers and tangy buttermilk.

  • Diner-Style Ham and Cheese Omelette for Two

    20160418-american-omelet-ham-and-cheese-21.JPG
    Photographs: J. Kenji López-Alt. Video: Serious Eats Video

    Our basic technique for diner-style omelettes with large, tender, browned curds leaves plenty of space for fillings—including all that leftover ham.

    Continue to 9 of 12 below

  • Monte Cristo

    Side view of a monte cristo

    Serious Eats / Victor Protasio

    Our take on the Disney classic (which includes ham, cheese, and so very much butter) is also some once-in-a-lifetime kind of magic. Tangy and savory Dijon offsets the rich and buttery bread, and tart dipping preserves balance each salty bite.

  • Sheet-Pan Cuban Sandwiches

    20190415-sheet-pan-cuban-sandwiches-morgan-eisenberg
    Morgan Eisenberg

    These sheet-pan Cuban sandwiches feature all of the flavors of the classic sandwich, but in an easy-to-make package for that post-holiday crowd you may still be hosting.

  • French Crepes With Ham, Cheese, and Eggs

    20170206-spinach-egg-cheese-crepe-24.jpg
    Photographs: J. Kenji López-Alt. Video: Serious Eats Video

    A sunny-side-up fried egg surrounded by ham and cheese makes an extra-special presentation for classic French crepes.

  • Cheesy, Gooey Croques Monsieurs

    20160317-croque-monsier-madam-vicky-wasik-8.jpg
    Vicky Wasik

    Ham, cheese, rich sauce, and golden-toasted bread make this French classic perfect. Put an egg on it, and you have the equally delicious croque madame.

April 2023

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