25 creative and delicious ways to use up your leftover holiday ham

Christmas ham is a staple during holiday season, but what do you do when you’re left with heaping piles of meat at the end of the day?

Thinking about divvying up that Christmas ham so soon? Think twice before you do, you could be giving away weeks worth of fuss-free meals for when you least feel like cooking.

From a heartwarming pea and ham soup to a delicious mortadella fritta cacio e pepe, here are the best recipes from delicious.com.au that feature ham as a key ingredient.

Ham and smoked cheddar rosti

“This dish makes for the perfect Boxing Day brunch – it’s quick, easy and so tasty.”

Mortadella fritta cacio e pepe (Italian fried ham)

Did you know you can crumb and fry ham too? Italians really have it down pat.

A quick, easy and Italian lunch.

Kimchi and ham dumpling salad

“After a big day of feasting, the best way to wake up your overloaded tastebuds is with punchy herbs and spices.”

Pea and ham soup

Make use of every little bit of Christmas ham with this tasty minimal waste recipe.

Don't judge it until you try it.

Rick Stein’s incredibly easy French ‘pizza’ of ham and cheese

“Funnily enough, I discovered this recipe in a pizzeria in Provence and found it stood up really well to Italian pizzas,” says Rick Stein.

Croque madame

The great thing about having a ham for Christmas is that there is plenty leftover for a croque madame the week after.

Christmas ham and potato rosti

Re-invent leftover Christmas ham in this very tasty rosti recipe.

Very tasty and very easy to make, what's not to love?

Hawaiian jaffle

This should be your go-to dish for the morning after any festive party! You will need a jaffle maker for this recipe.

Maple, honey and spice-basted ham with glazed pears

Follow the Nordic take on traditional trimmings and serve up this glazed ham for Christmas.

Jazz up your leftover ham with a few simple ingredients.

Leftover ham? Make these prawn and ham dumplings ASAP

These dumpling fillings are the perfect way to use up Christmas main leftovers, seafood and ham! Recipe by Jo Barrett, Alanna Sapwell, Thi Le and Lauren Eldridge.

Leftover ham fried rice

Fried rice isn’t really rocket science, but it’s a time-proven way to bring new life to the leftovers in your fridge.

A timeless solution to a fridge full of leftovers.

Christmas ham and cheese bread

This pull-apart cheesy loaf belongs on the Christmas table.

Leftover ham banh mi (pork roll) with cherry jam

Khanh puts an Aussie summer twist on a Vietnamese fan-favourite.

Even better with high quality Christmas ham.

Jamie Oliver’s pea, egg and ham pie

This pea, egg and ham pie is perfect for summer picnics.

Pea and ham croquettes with fiery aioli

Turn leftover Christmas ham into finger food for a crowd with these tasty croquettes.

Spend your afternoon picking at arancini's close cousin.

Ham and cheese French toast pigs with stick and straw coleslaw

The classic cheese and ham sandwich with a twist.

You would be hard pressed to find a better toastie than our ham and pesto jaffle

These golden toasties are a go-to comfort food. Perfect during the weekend, or as an office lunch.

Why eat the leftovers as they are when cheese toasties exist?

White bean and ham polpettine

These white bean and ham polpettine are perfect as a snack or a light lunch.

Leek and ham soup pot pies

“Don’t worry if the pastry sinks at the beginning of cooking – it will come back up again” - Justine Schofield. This is an edited extract from The Weeknight Cookbook by Justine Schofield.

The perfect way to turn leftovers into a delicious meal.

Trade up the bolognese for this ham hock, tomato and pea pasta

This smoked ham hock pasta sauce is a true family favourite, and makes the most of any ingredients you might have in the pantry or fridge. Begin this recipe 3 hours ahead.

Grilled haloumi, peach, ham and mint salad

The barbecue isn’t just for meat and this salad of chargrilled haloumi and peaches is tasty proof.

The perfect light and easy meal.

Ham hock, broccoli and rainbow chard soup

Begin this classic ham hock soup recipe 4 hours ahead.

The secret to this incredible ham and cheddar tart lies in its Jatz pastry

The Jatz crust really makes this savoury ham and cheddar tart recipe one you’ll be making on high rotation this season.

Who would have guessed Jatz biscuits make for the perfect crust?

Chicken, ham and leek pie

There is nothing like an old fashioned chicken pie to warm up the final days of winter. This gluten-free version with added ham and leek will not disappoint.

Ham, pea and parmesan salad

Craving the classic ham and pea soup still? Well Matt Wilkinson’s got a fresh alternative to this winter wonder in this ham, pea and parmesan salad.

For more food, lifestyle or travel news, go to delicious.com.au.

Originally published as 25 creative and delicious ways to use up your leftover holiday ham