The best leftover ham recipes
Turn your leftover ham into a cheesy pasta bake, a golden pie or a chunky toastie. Don't let this festive favourite go to waste.
A sprinkling of gammon or a generous helping of chunky Christmas ham can transform everyday recipes into fabulous festive family meals. Take your pick from a slice of golden brown pie, a piping hot bowl of soup or a simple but comforting sandwich. These recipes will save food from going to waste and keep you from having to venture to the supermarket on a cold winter's night – plus, they're delicious.
Get even more inspiration for stunning Boxing Day dishes with our Christmas leftovers recipe collection and family dinner ideas for Christmas leftovers.
1. Brie, ham & fig jam toastie
Turn a hearty slab of leftover ham into an indulgent, comforting snack in the form of our brie, ham & fig jam toastie. The combination of melted cheese, salty ham and sweetness from the jam is a real treat for the taste buds, and the golden stack is a surefire way to upgrade your Boxing Day grazing. If you have a stack of tortillas, try our cheese & chutney toastados, topped with chunks of ham or turkey.
2. Pea and ham soup
Nothing says 'winter warmer' quite like a steaming bowl of seasonal soup, served with a chunk of fresh bread. Our pea & ham soup is an easy way to use up your leftovers with a selection of storecupboard ingredients. You're just four simple steps from vibrant soup perfection with this recipe. It serves a family of four and is freezable, so you can save some portions for a later date.
3. Celeriac hash with ham hock & duck eggs
Use up a double dose of Christmas leftovers with our celeriac hash with ham hock & duck eggs. Chuck in your root veg, leftover ham and plenty of cheese and cook up a pan full of seasonal goodness. Serve straight from the pan for a no-fuss dinner with a difference.
4. Ham, turkey and sprout pie
Serve up a slice of our ham, turkey & sprout pie with a dollop of buttery mashed potatoes and greens for a warming, filling supper. We guarantee the dish will be scraped clean. Want to experiment? Swap sprouts for leeks or cabbage, depending on what ingredients you have to hand. The possibilities are endless.
5. Ham & watercress salad with clementine dressing
Want something lighter after a few weeks of festive indulgence? Throw together our ham & watercress salad with a sharp clementine dressing in just 20 minutes. This filling salad has a great balance of savoury ham and sweet fruit, with crunchy hazelnuts adding texture. A squeeze of clementine juice in the honey and mustard dressing adds a Christmassy twist.
6. Ham & veg crumble
Crumbles aren't just for summer. Mix your ham and root veg together in an irresistible crème fraîche sauce and bake with our savoury crumble topping until golden and crisp. Serve this simple ham & veg crumble with your favourite greens; Brussels sprouts would add a festive touch.
7. Melting nachos with shredded ham
Turn your leftovers into a Mexican treat with our melting nachos with shredded gammon. This is a simple 15-minute sharing plate you can split between friends and family. Top with spicy jalapeños, soured cream and plenty of guacamole for an easy, time-saving lunch. If you need a break from festive roasts and labour-intensive plates, dive into this quick bowlful of flavours.
8. Cheese & ham souffléd omelette
Our cheese & ham souffléd omelette is a fluffy and filling brunch for one. Serve a slice with a helping of baked beans and roasted tomatoes. Whipping the egg whites might mean slightly more effort, but trust us when we say the result is well worth it. Your omelette will have a cloud-like texture you don't get with a classic recipe. If you'd rather master the basics, try our classic omelette recipe and add fillings of your choice.
9. Ham, cheese & mushroom turnovers
A simple puff pastry turnover is a great way to use up a few leftovers at once, and this recipe is easily adaptable to suit your needs. Mix whatever leftovers you have with your white sauce and plenty of punchy cheddar, then spoon onto puff pastry triangles. Enjoy them warm from the oven when they're at they're gooiest. They're also perfect for packed lunches.
10. Creamy ham & mushroom pasta bake
You can't beat a classic creamy ham & mushroom pasta bake. If you have a bag of dried pasta in your cupboard, you're halfway to cheesy pasta goodness. This bumper recipe is designed to feed a hungry crowd of Christmas elves and isn't labour intensive.
Enjoyed these recipe ideas? Check out even more Christmas recipes...
Family dinner ideas for Christmas leftovers
Top 10 turkey leftover recipes
Slow cooker Christmas recipes
Alternative Christmas dinner recipes
What's your favourite recipe to use up leftover ham? Leave a comment below...