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What to do with Leftover Ham

Albertina Roca
  |   August 12, 2016   |  

It’s always difficult to judge what size ham we’ll need for our holiday feast or family get-together, and often times we figure, hey, better to have too much than too little. By the end of the meal, every last guest is full to the brim, yet there’s still a sizeable amount of tasty ham remaining, which begs the question: What to do with leftover ham?

Since your remaining ham is likely to consist of smaller rather than larger pieces, it’s usually well-suited for appetizers. Or you can incorporate it into pastas, quiches, casseroles, and so on.

Appetizers

Mini tropical shish kebabs: Cut the ham into cubes and skewer these alongside fruits like pineapple, grape or peach to create mini tropical shish kebabs. The perfect combo of savory and sweet!
Ham Sliders: cut your ham thin, top with top with Swiss cheese, chives and Dijon mustard, and sandwich between small buns or biscuits. You just made yourself a set of yummy sliders.
Ham and Cheese Dip: Dice your ham into small chunks and combine with melted Manchego, Cheddar or Gruyere for an ultra-creamy dip.
Ham and Veggie Soup: create a simple but satisfying soup by combining your ham pieces with peas, carrots, leeks and lentils alongside butter, flour and ham stock.
Cheese and Mango Quesadillas: Use your ham as a protein for cheesy quesadillas; you can bring a fresh and juicy dimension to these by adding mangos, peppers and/or salsa.

Larger Meals

Potato-Ham Casserole: cube your ham and potatoes and bake in the oven with shallots, flour and seasonings for a deliciously crisp casserole.
Italian-style Pasta: you can use leftover ham for literally thousands of Italian pasta recipes, ranging from Ham and Peas Linguine to Asparagus Fettucine to Spaghetti Alfredo.
Jambalaya or Paella: Cajun Jambalaya and Spanish Paella are both dishes that incorporate a number of meats and ingredients (often leftover ones), making them obvious choices for using leftover ham. Leftover ham drippings are also popularly used to flavor jambalaya.
Ham and Cheese Quiche: add your cubed ham to eggs, milk, butter and cheddar cheese with some leeks or broccoli and bake for a simple but delicious, golden-brown quiche.
Egg and Ham Tortillas: create a Mexican style breakfast dish comprising ham, egg, veggies and spicy sauce over tortillas.
Hawaiian-Style Pizza: leftover ham can also be used as a tasty pizza topping. Combine with pineapple for a classic Hawaiian topping.
Ham Sandwiches: If all else fails, just slice your ham thin and stick it between two slices of bread for a tasty sandwich, such as a Cubano, Ploughman or Monte Cristo. Grill some cheese, butter your bread or add some sauce if the ham is too dry by itself. Change the bread to biscuit for a real Southern-style treat!

Ham Juices

One thing we forgot mention: while being cooked, ham often releases flavorful juices (called broth or drippings) into the pan, which you can save for later use. This is especially true for wet-cured and glazed hams.

Most people use salty/savory ham broth to flavor soups, sauces and gravies. But it can also be used to cook rice, risotto, polenta, grits and vegetables.

Sweeter ham drippings are better-suited to flavoring chicken, pork, BBQ ribs or baked beans.

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Author

Albertina Roca

Copywriter & Certified Cheese Addict

Meet Albertina, a seasoned food writing wordsmith and marketing creative split between the sizzling vibes of Miami and the charming streets of Buenos Aires. With a solid 20 years in the traditional and digital advertising world for the gourmet food industry, she’s mastered the art of making words as mouthwatering as the dishes they describe. She’s proudly been part of the Gourmet Food Store family (and its brands) since its very beginnings, and what a fun, flavor-packed journey it has been!

Highlights

Albertina's journey in copywriting is marked by a passion for creativity and a knack for connecting with audiences. Her expertise spans SEO-driven content that boosts visibility, engaging social media strategies that spark conversations, persuasive advertising campaigns that captivate, and heartfelt storytelling that resonates deeply.

Experience

With a diverse portfolio spanning numerous articles, blogs, and captivating content pieces, Albertina has left her mark on the industry. From informative guides to persuasive sales copy, her work not only informs but also inspires action.

Education and Background

Her journey began at Rutgers College, where she studied in History and Political Science, with a minor in English Lit. She honed her craft at The Miami Ad School in South Beach, where creativity and copy collided under the South Florida Sun. From the neon streets of South Beach to the tango beats of Buenos Aires, her pen dances with the rhythm of whatever gastronomic tales she gets to write at the time.

Currently savoring life in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she’s bilingual in English and Spanish, an avid reader, and cheese addict.

Her writing? Seasoned with creativity, spiced with experience, and garnished with a dash of wit.

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