We’ve all found ourselves stuck with leftovers after hosting family special occasions. Whether it’s country ham, mashed potato, turkey, salads, etc… I’ve got you covered ladies! So, instead of freaking out, take a deep breath, bring your large skillet and small saucepan to the top counter to start cooking. Recipes using Country Ham are just right here for you!
Before you indulge in your new cooking adventure, make sure you prepare the dinner table as you’ll finish in no time with these leftover country ham recipes.
So many recipes are awaiting you! You can cook them as a main dish or a side dish that is suitable for breakfast, lunch, and even dinner.
Explore Tasty Recipes Using Country Ham
You don’t need to live off mashed potatoes and pork tenderloin for the rest of the week. Instead, you can open your fridge or go to your local supermarket for a few simple ingredients to add to your new mouthwatering meal.
Do your taste buds a favor and cook the most delicious type of meat. You can use Country ham in a variety of dishes.
You’re sure to find a recipe that suits your desires! All you have to do is go through the following recipes and choose the one you like.
Tips and Tricks
Leftovers are tricky to deal with. We all know that. However, when following the right steps, you’ll create the most delicious meal. It might top off the main dish from yesterday!
- Take the country ham slices out of the fridge and let them cool down to room temperature. It’s an obvious trick but will make a huge difference.
- Avoid high heat as the slices are previously cooked. Instead, preheat the country ham leftovers on medium-low heat. Slow and steady. Use a meat thermometer.
- Melt some butter to add that savory taste to your dish. This trick is important if your planned meal contains carbohydrates, rice for example.
- Add a teaspoon of salt whenever you’re reheating any leftover meat. With extra juices, comes additional salt! Don’t forget to cover the tray with aluminum foil to trap the temperature and speed up the process.
- Prepare some red-eye gravy and put it aside. You never know who’s craving some gravy with their ham steaks.
Did You Know?
Despite this being about mouthwatering recipes using country ham, I wanted to share with you some fun facts about Ham, one of the oldest foods that humans consumed ever.
Ham Nutrients Facts
Country ham is particularly rich in selenium, which is crucial for maintaining muscle mass and reducing inflation. In addition, it has high iron levels and vitamin B compared with poultry. Moreover, country ham provides the human body with all nine essential amino acids.
It’s a lean protein source that helps you generate energy, just make a ham sandwich and you’re ready to tackle the day!
Curing Options to Consider When Preparing Recipes Using Country Ham
It all begins with a raw meat cut before a long curing process begins. Now, which curing method do you prefer? You have 3 options to choose from.
Dry Curing Method
Let’s start with the dry curing method, it’s all about adding the right aromatic herbs and covering the piece of ham with salt. If you like salty ham, dry is your go-to.
Wet Curing Method
The second method is called wet curing. As its name shows, they marinate the pork using a liquid with the ingredients used in the dry process, for 3-14 days.
Smoking
Finally, smoking ham is placing the meat cut in a smokehouse for additional flavor and taste.
Pro tip: Make sure you cook fresh ham for a longer time before consumption.
Recipes Using Country Ham
Delicious Recipes Using Country Ham
These ham and cheese roll-up biscuits make a perfect dinner for the entire family! Topped with hot homemade cheese sauce, this delicious recipe will make your mouth water and your tummy full!
This Navy Bean Soup is a simple, hearty, and flavorful bean soup recipe filled with leftover ham and tender cooked navy beans. Perfect for lunch or dinner with a side dish of buttery bread.
This flaky and savory Ham Pot Pie has the same idea as Chicken Pot Pie, but it’s just as delicious. A creamy filling with ham and vegetables served piping hot with a buttery and flaky topping is a dinner that your whole family will enjoy.
Pasta alla papalina is a creamy pasta recipe from Rome named after Pope Pius XII, who was the inspiration behind its invention. Usually made with fettuccine, this dish is super simple to make and a great way to use up leftover ham!
The tender and cheesy pasta, mixed with the saltiness of the diced ham that’s offset by the rich creamy sauce – it hits all those points that make this dish blissful. The secret is a teaspoon of salt and a small amount of fat!
Creamy ham and tomato penne is a perfect weeknight pasta recipe. Not only is this dish super creamy and full of flavour but, it’s fast and easy to make. In fact, you can have it on the table in the time it takes to boil the water and cook your pasta! Known as penne al baffo here in Italy, this is a great recipe to use up leftover holiday ham.
Instant Pot collard greens are a Southern-inspired side dish made much quicker in an electric pressure cooker. These Southern greens have a ton of flavor from bacon and ham, and you'll want to drizzle the cooking liquid on everything!
Instant Pot Ham Green Beans And Potato bake is a classic Southern side dish or one-pot meal, often slow cooked in a crock pot with a ham hock on medium heat.
Ham Salad Tortilla Pinwheels are fun party appetizers that are family-friendly and make delicious finger food for a party, picnic, or lunch! Burrito Sized Tortillas are filled with ham salad made with ham, cream cheese, celery, mayo, mustard, relish, and more, for a make-ahead, budget-friendly party appetizer!
A chicken club sandwich Virginia style is a yummy take on a traditional club. Loaded with creamy chicken salad and thick slices of Virginia country ham, you’ll want to make this sandwich recipe over and over again for lunch and dinner!
Make my one pot Pasta with Peas and Ham in under a half hour utilizing leftover ham, penne pasta, frozen peas, and heavy cream. This is a family favorite dinner recipe among both kids and adults with easy clean-up!
My easy 8-ingredient recipe for Ham Egg and Cheese Puff Pastry Breakfast combines leftover cooked ham, shredded cheddar cheese, and fluffy scrambled eggs all wrapped in a sheet of puff pastry and baked until golden brown. A cheesy omelette with a twist!
Egg and Ham Savory Waffle Stacks consist of homemade potato and chive savory waffles topped with sliced ham, an over easy egg, and a spicy ranch sauce. This waffles with fried eggs recipe will be perfect for your next breakfast or brunch.
Honey Glazed Ham Steak (Dinner For Two) - Homemade In The Kitchen
Get ready for Easter and Christmas with this Honey Glazed Ham Steak dinner with pineapple. Fry it on the stove top or bake it in the oven.
Baking a tray of Baked Eggs with Ham and Cheese in toast in the oven means you can make several servings at once for breakfast, brunch, or brinner. Great way to use up leftover Christmas and Easter ham
Ham Balls are a classic Midwestern meatball recipe. It is even more specific to Iowa and Nebraska. It is an unusual recipe that turns out so incredibly delicious. Ground beef and ground ham are mixed with graham crackers crumbs and formed into meatballs, they are then baked with a tomato brown sugar glaze.
This is a truly a deluxe recipe for Scalloped Potatoes and Ham. It has just the right amount of delicious creamy sauce that coats the potatoes and ham. All topped with shredded cheese that gets golden and caramelized in some spots. It is sure to become a comfort food favorite in your house, especially if you have leftover ham in the fridge!
Ham Varieties
There’s a whole variety of ham cuts to choose from:
- Country ham
- City ham
- Deli ham
- Limerick ham
- Chopped ham
- Gammon Ham
The list goes on and on, but you can never go wrong with any of them.
Well, we hope you enjoy these recipes! Country ham steaks, hearty soup, and ham and cheese sliders are delicious and can be used in a variety of dishes. Don’t forget the buttermilk biscuits!
Be sure to try out some of these recipes using country ham and let us know how they turned out.
Bon appétit!
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FAQ
What do I do with a country ham?
Country ham can last for quite a while in the refrigerator if stored properly. When wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and placed in an airtight container or plastic bag, it can last for several weeks, or even up to a few months. However, it’s important to check for any signs of spoilage, such as an off odor or slimy texture, before consuming.
What meals can be made from cooked ham?
Cooked ham is incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide variety of meals, including:
- Ham and cheese sandwiches or wraps
- Ham and potato soup
- Ham and cheese omelets or quiches
- Ham and pineapple pizza
- Ham and bean stew or casseroles
- Ham and vegetable stir-fries
- Ham and macaroni and cheese
- Ham and pasta salads
What is the difference between ham and country ham?
The main difference between ham and country ham lies in their preparation and flavor. Ham typically refers to the cured hind leg of a pig that has been preserved through smoking, curing, or both. It is often brined or injected with a curing solution and then cooked. Country ham, on the other hand, is a type of ham that is typically dry-cured with salt, sugar, and spices, and then aged for an extended period. It has a more intense, salty flavor and firmer texture compared to traditional hams. Country ham is a Southern delicacy and is often associated with Southern cuisine and traditions.
