What to Do With Leftover Ham: 10 Ways to Use It
Ten ideas for what to do with leftover ham, with USDA and FSIS fridge and freezer times, the 165°F reheating rule and a tip on the ham bone.
What to do with leftover ham: use it in soup, fried rice, a frittata or a croque monsieur within 3 to 4 days of cooking it, or freeze it for 1 to 2 months. Reheat leftover cooked ham to 165°F, according to USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
After a holiday dinner, a ham can feel like a three-day commitment. The way through is to portion it on day one: some for sandwiches, some for a soup pot, and the rest sliced and frozen. That keeps you inside the safe window and means you aren't eating the same plate on repeat.
How long does leftover ham last?
FSIS's ham storage chart lists leftovers from a consumer-cooked ham at 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. USDA's holiday ham guidance says ham after home cooking keeps 3 to 4 days, and FSIS's general leftover guidance says the same. When sources differ, we use the shorter one. The USDA says ham can be frozen indefinitely, but for best quality, use frozen ham within 1 to 2 months.
| Leftover cooked ham | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (40°F or below) | 3 to 4 days (the FSIS ham chart allows up to 5; we use the shorter number) | USDA, FSIS hams guide |
| Freezer (0°F) | 1 to 2 months for best quality | FSIS hams guide |
| Reheat leftover ham to | 165°F | FSIS hams guide |
| Refrigerate within | 2 hours of cooking (1 hour above 90°F) | FSIS leftovers guide |
Slice or cut a whole ham into smaller portions before you refrigerate or freeze it, because FSIS says smaller pieces cool faster. A whole ham in a roasting pan can stay warm in the middle for a long time.
When in doubt, throw it out. If the ham has been in the fridge past day four, or you can't say when it was cooked, discard it. We also keep a general leftovers chart and a post on eating leftovers after 7 days.
What to do with leftover ham besides sandwiches?
| Idea | What you do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ham and bean soup | Simmer diced ham (and the bone, if you have it) with white beans, onion and carrot | 45 minutes |
| Split pea soup | Simmer split peas with ham, onion and broth until thick | 60 minutes |
| Ham fried rice | Stir-fry cold rice with diced ham, egg and frozen peas | 12 minutes |
| Ham and cheese frittata | Fold diced ham and cheese into beaten eggs, finish in the oven | 20 minutes |
| Croque monsieur | Layer ham and Gruyère or Swiss on bread, brown in butter and broil with cheese on top | 15 minutes |
| Scalloped potatoes with ham | Layer potato slices, ham and cream sauce, bake until tender | 60 minutes |
| Ham salad | Pulse ham with pickle relish, mustard and mayonnaise | 10 minutes |
| Pasta with ham and peas | Toss pasta with ham, peas, garlic, cream and Parmesan | 20 minutes |
| Breakfast hash | Fry diced ham with potato and onion, top with eggs | 20 minutes |
| Sliders | Warm ham on rolls with Swiss and mustard butter | 15 minutes |
Ham is salty, so go easy on added salt, and taste before you season. In soups, a splash of vinegar or lemon at the end sharpens the flavors the salt covers up.
How do you reheat leftover ham safely?
FSIS says leftover cooked ham should be heated to 165°F. A ham sold already cooked in a USDA-inspected plant has a lower target of 140°F, but that applies to the ham as you bought it. Once it's been cut, repackaged or sitting in your fridge as a leftover, use 165°F.
Slices reheat well in a covered skillet with a spoonful of water or broth, in a covered dish in a 325°F oven, or in a soup pot. Cover leftovers while they heat to keep them moist. Check with a food thermometer in the thickest part.
Sandwich ham served cold needs to have stayed in the fridge, and to be inside the 3 to 4 day window.
Can you freeze leftover ham?
Yes. USDA says ham may be frozen indefinitely, and for best quality it should be used within 1 to 2 months. Freeze it in useful portions: diced for soup and fried rice, sliced for sandwiches, and the bone on its own for stock.
Wrap each portion tightly in freezer bags or foil and label it with the date. Thaw in the refrigerator, in cold water in a leak-proof bag, or in the microwave. FSIS says leftovers thawed in the fridge should be used within 3 to 4 days.
Our broader guide, can you freeze food, has the general freezing basics.
How can Well Stockd help with leftover ham?
Well Stockd doesn't have recipes written for leftover ham. The recipe library is mostly fresh two-serving dinners, and it has only one ham dish and several using prosciutto, which is not the same as cooked ham. So for the ideas above, you're on your own, and we'd rather say so than dress it up.
The app does one useful thing for holiday leftovers. It keeps a list of what's in your kitchen, sorted by what's closest to expiring, and shows the recipes you can make right now from it. Add three foods from your fridge and see what you can cook. Try it free. The guide to cooking with what you have shows the method, and the best app to track food expiration dates compares the tools.
Frequently asked questions about leftover ham
How long is leftover ham good for in the fridge?
Three to four days after home cooking, per USDA. FSIS's ham table allows 3 to 5 days for leftovers from a consumer-cooked ham, so use the shorter number if you want to be safe.
Can you eat leftover ham cold?
Yes, if it's been refrigerated at 40°F or below and is inside the 3 to 4 day window. When you reheat leftover ham, heat it to 165°F.
Can you freeze leftover ham?
Yes. It's safe frozen for as long as you like, but 1 to 2 months gives the best texture and flavor.
What do you do with a leftover ham bone?
Treat the bone as a leftover. Use it in soup within the same window, or freeze it for later.
For more leftover makeovers, read what to do with leftover prime rib and what to do with leftover mac and cheese.