What is the best ham to serve for Easter?

What kind of ham is best for Easter dinner? Look for a fully-cooked, bone-in ham that isn't spiral cut —it stays juicier in the oven! Shank-end hams are the big, beautiful ones you're used to seeing for the holidays and those work great here.

How long is leftover ham good for in the fridge?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ham is good for three to five days in the refrigerator after it is cooked. If you need more time to use up those leftovers, ham will last up to two months in the freezer. The USDA also recommends wrapping up leftovers well.

How many pounds of ham per person for Easter dinner?

The best rule of thumb for ham is to plan about 1/2 pound per person when picking a bone-in ham (it's heavier) and 1/3 pound if boneless . Look, at the end of the day, some people will eat more than expected, some will eat less—it'll even out.

Should Easter ham be served warm or cold?

Cured hams don't necessarily need to be cooked. Be sure to check the label of your ham. Most cured hams (although not all), as well as cured and smoked hams come ready to eat. So, it's really up to you and depends on your taste if you prefer to eat it cold or heated through .

What part of the ham is the tastiest?

The shank end (or leg portion) sports that classic ham profile, so it's a good choice for a picture-perfect table. The meat tends to be leaner and it has one long bone, which makes carving easier. The butt end (the top half of the ham) has more tender, fattier meat, lending a richer flavor.

How do you use pre cooked ham?

Place the ham on a rack in a large baking pan and add about 1/4- to 1/2 inch of water to the pan. If the ham is labeled "fully cooked" (does not require heating), heat it in the oven for about 10 minutes per pound, or to an internal temperature of 140 F.

What to add to already cooked ham?

If you're using your oven, place the ham on a roasting rack—cut side down—set inside a pan. Add 1/2-3/4 of a cup of wine or stock to the pan (you don't want the ham swimming in liquid) and throw some aromatics in there— a few whole cloves, some star anise, and cinnamon sticks are all good options.

What can I do with store bought ham?

Place the ham, cut-side-down, on heavy-duty aluminum foil and wrap the ham thoroughly. Or use an oven roasting bag; follow instructions on the bag for preparation. Bake in a preheated 325F oven for 10-14 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer registers 135F.

Can cooked ham be frozen?

You can freeze delicious ham and it'll last for weeks before you need to use it. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that fully cooked frozen ham is safe to eat for up to one to two months . If you find yourself with leftover ham, freezing it for future use is both easy and convenient.

These Leftover Ham Recipes Will Make the Post-Easter Meal Plan Easy (2024)

These Leftover Ham Recipes Will Make the Post-Easter Meal Plan Easy (1)

Easter Monday means one thing: half the fridge filled up with leftover Easter ham.

No matter how many people we invite, or how many times we try to calculate how much ham to prepare, it's inevitable that we'll have ham for days. Luckily, ham is delicious, keeps well, and can easily fit in a wide variety of dishes!

For our April breakfasts, we're often making a Spring Veggie Frittata, or munching on some pre-made Ham and Cheese Pinwheels. For lunch, you might find us whipping up a Croque Madam sandwich with fries, and for dinner, we're probably eating some Corn Risotto with chunks of the leftover ham flecking the surface.

You can also freeze ham! We like to dice it up and then put it in separate portion-sized baggies, for adding to soups, casseroles, and even scrambled eggs. And don't forget that bone! It's perfect for flavoring beans and soups.

What's your favorite thing to do with leftover ham? Let us know in the comments!

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Spring Vegetable, Ham, and Goat Cheese Frittata

If there was ever a brunch recipe just begging for you to set some leftover ham aside for it, it's this one. Spring veggies, simple cheese, and farm fresh eggs complete the meal.

Get the recipe for Spring Vegetable, Ham, and Goat Cheese Frittata.

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Croque Madames

It's quite possibly the most decadent sandwich. Make it for dinner, make it for brunch. But whatever you do, save a little of the leftover ham to make it.

Get the recipe for Croque Madames.

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Black Bean-and-Chile Soup

Dried beans cooked with ham hocks — or with a leftover ham bone— take on a delicious smoky, rich flavor. Here's it's the base for a lick-the-bowl soup.

Get the recipe for Black Bean-and-Chile Soup.

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5-Bean Summer Salad

Want a lighter dish that'll still use up that leftover ham bone? Use it to flavor the lima beans in this fresh bean salad.

Get the recipe for 5-Bean Summer Salad.

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Ham and Pimiento Grilled Cheese

Leftover ham is turned into a lunch you want to munch with the caviar of the South: pimento cheese.

Get the recipe for Ham and Pimiento Grilled Cheese.

Cobb Sandwiches

This recipe calls for diced turkey, but leftover ham works equally well.

Get the recipe for Cobb Sandwiches.

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Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Though the recipe calls for thinly sliced deli ham, small strips of ham will also work in these tasty, savory puff pastry rolls.

Get the recipe for Ham and Cheese Pinwheels.

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Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Country Ham

We love Brussels sprouts recipes of all kinds here, but the combo of ham, sprouts, and a tangy vinegar, really makes this side dish sing.

Get the recipe for Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Country Ham.

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Ham and Potato Gratins

These simple, elegant sides are an easy way to turn leftovers into something everyone will want to eat.

Get the recipe for Ham and Potato Gratins.

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Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake

Corn-and-Ham Risotto

If you want a way to elegantly elevate your leftover ham, this risotto idea is a delicious way to do just that.

Get the recipe for Corn-and-Ham Risotto.

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Spinach and Ham Egg Bakes

These hearty little egg bakes are perfect for busy mornings.

Get the recipe for Spinach and Ham Egg Bakes.

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Ham Biscuit Sandwiches with Apricot Mustard

These flaky biscuit sandwiches make great brunch snacks—or excellent New Year's Eve treats!

Get the recipe for Ham Biscuit Sandwiches.

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Ham-and-Leek Baked Gnocchi

Chop up some of that leftover ham and add it to a package of gnocchi and some fontina cheese.

Get the recipe for Ham-and-Leek Baked Gnocchi.

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Avocado and Ham Sandwiches

Our take on the classic French country lunch — a ham and butter sandwich on a baguette — is improved, we might boast, with a simple slice or two of avocado. Try it and see.

Get the recipe for Avocado and Ham Sandwiches.

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Cuban Sandwiches

Crunchy pickles, gooey cheese, pork, and ham makes these warm sandwiches great for both lunch and dinner.

Get the recipe for Cuban Sandwiches.

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Crustless Ham-and-Leek Quiche

Give yourself the gift of this make-ahead brunch, and you can have a lazy weekend morning that is actually lazy!

Get the recipe for Crustless Ham-and-Leek Quiche.

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Ham and French Toast

You know what makes a classic French toast recipe even better? A thin slice of ham—the savory addition perfectly balances out the sweet maple syrup.

Get the recipe for Ham and French Toast.

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Ham Pot Pie

Sure, ham itself is considered comfort food, but we think you should up the ante by turning it into pot pie. Feel free to use your leftover vegetables, like corn and peas, in this recipe.

Get the recipe for Ham Pot Pie at Chelsea's Messy Apron.

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Slow Cooker Cheesy Ham Chowder

Chowder isn't only enjoyed in the summer, you know. Case in point? This recipe that uses tasty morsels of your leftover ham.

Get the recipe for Cheesy Ham Chowder at The Chunky Chef.

These Leftover Ham Recipes Will Make the Post-Easter Meal Plan Easy (2024)

Spring Vegetable, Ham, and Goat Cheese Frittata

Croque Madames

Black Bean-and-Chile Soup

5-Bean Summer Salad

Ham and Pimiento Grilled Cheese

Cobb Sandwiches

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Country Ham

Ham and Potato Gratins

Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake

Corn-and-Ham Risotto

Spinach and Ham Egg Bakes

Ham Biscuit Sandwiches with Apricot Mustard

Ham-and-Leek Baked Gnocchi

Avocado and Ham Sandwiches

Cuban Sandwiches

Crustless Ham-and-Leek Quiche

Ham and French Toast

Ham Pot Pie

Slow Cooker Cheesy Ham Chowder

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