The traditional Easter ham many of us serve doesn’t always get completely eaten each year. With grocery costs these days, who’s going to toss out perfectly good meat? There are plenty of creative ways to repurpose your Easter leftovers.
Cooked ham typically keeps about three to four days in the refrigerator and up to four months in the freezer, per the USDA, though exact times vary by ham type. Refer to this chart to estimate how long your ham will remain safe to eat.
If you’re seeking meal ideas beyond nuking ham slices the next day (not that there’s anything wrong with that straightforward route), here are several tasty options.
Turn Leftover Ham into a Comforting Soup
Almost any “ham and ___” soup combination is a winner. Try ham and beans, ham and cheese, ham and potato, ham and split pea, or similar pairings. Stale rolls or bread from your Easter table can be transformed into croutons for garnish. Plus, soup freezes well if you make a large pot.
Don’t delay too long — depending on your climate, those chilly days for enjoying a steaming bowl of soup may be numbered.
Build a More Substantial Ham Sandwich
A classic ham-and-cheese can be satisfying, or you can layer ham into a grilled cheese for added heft. If you want to elevate things, assemble a Cuban or a Monte Cristo. Sandwiches are handy for work lunches, saving you money compared with eating out, or for an easy weeknight meal with chips on the side.
Replace Bacon: Use Ham for Breakfast
Holiday ham makes a great base for a breakfast hash or can be folded into a Denver omelet. You might even enjoy a midweek brunch by trying a twist on eggs Benedict. (We’re not equating Canadian bacon with ham.) Another option is a large ham, egg, and cheese casserole that provides grab-and-go breakfasts for several days. Move over, store-bought breakfast sandwiches.
Stretch Your Easter Ham Further
Cutting down on food waste is a smart move. Ham works as a flavorful main, an extra protein on salads, or the start of your first quiche. If you’d rather freeze leftovers than reinvent them right away, wrap them tightly and label with the date before freezing.
You might also have an eager but doleful-looking dog hoping for a scrap. While ham isn’t directly poisonous, the American Kennel Club advises against feeding it to dogs due to high sodium and fat levels that aren’t ideal for their diets.
For you, though, that leftover ham could mean several days’ worth of soups and casseroles.
Alex Morgan is a senior freelance editor at Savinly.
