Leftover Holiday Turkey & Ham Recipes (2024)

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by Stacey Published: Nov 21, 2023

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Enjoy every minute of your holiday turkey and ham leftovers with these easy recipes! With something for everyone, your family is guaranteed to find a new post-holiday tradition with these scrumptious dishes.

Leftover Holiday Turkey & Ham Recipes (2)

I am thinking it’s time to start some “day after” traditions! That’s why this week I am sharing my most popular ways to serve leftover turkey and ham.

From white chili to pot pie, soup, salad, sliders and quiche, there is so much more to holiday leftovers than just a sandwich! Get ready to love your post-holiday meals just as much (or more) than the main event itself and create some new ways to keep that holiday spirit bright.

Leftover Holiday Turkey & Ham Recipes (3)

Ultimate Leftover Turkey Sliders

This little turkey slider is the best thing about Thanksgiving leftovers! All hot and melted with piles of leftover savory turkey, tart cranberry sauce, and whipped cream cheese, these little Hawaiian roll beauties are a holiday dream. This simple recipe turns leftovers into melted baked goodness everyone will be asking for!

Leftover Holiday Turkey & Ham Recipes (4)

Perfect for using leftover ham, this Ham & Swiss Quiche has a secret ingredient that makes for a creamy, silky quiche every time! More than just breakfast or brunch, serve this easy quiche with a green salad for a deliciously easy lunch or supper.

This fresh salad of pomegranate, pears, and apples with crisp Romaine, glazed pecans, goat cheese, red onion and pepitas makes an out of this world dinner saladwith slices of avocado and leftover holiday turkey. Shake up the easy pomegranate vinaigrette dressing to top it all off!

Leftover Holiday Turkey & Ham Recipes (6)

Ham & Pineapple Hawaiian Dip is a richly creamy, savory and lightly sweet dip loaded with your leftover holiday ham, crushed pineapple, cream cheese, green onions, chopped pecans and a dollop of real mayonnaise. An effortless appetizer this dreamy dip delivers a truly deliciouswow!

Leftover Holiday Turkey & Ham Recipes (7)

Classic Chicken Pot Pie

Classic Chicken Pot Pie is ideal for leftover turkey or ham! Its flaky, buttery crust and rich, creamy filling loaded with bright vegetables make for a welcoming comfort meal when the usual chicken is substituted with chopped holiday ham or shredded turkey!

Leftover Holiday Turkey & Ham Recipes (8)

Southern Chopped Ham Salad

This zippy chopped ham salad will have your family looking forward to leftover ham! Not your average sandwich spread, this chunky salad makes for a perfect appetizer with crackers or a delicious sandwich on your favorite bread. Never wonder about how to make the best ham salad again!

Leftover Holiday Turkey & Ham Recipes (9)

Out of This World Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

Substitute shredded white or dark turkey meat for the chicken in this easy recipe for Out of This World White Chicken Chili. This zesty bowl of comfort is made wonderfully thick and creamy using rich cream cheese, creamed corn, shredded chicken, and white beans. And don’t forget about the spicy little kick from a jar of tangy salsa verde!

This easy, no-soak, crock pot black eyed pea recipe delivers THE BEST Southern Black Eyed Peas & Ham with a deliciously subtle jalapeno kick. Simple, effortless and oh-so tasty using your leftover holiday ham! Serve these peas with cornbread or over rice for a simple meal.

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Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

This classic rice casserole meets creamy, cheesy spinach artichoke dip just begs for a little chopped holiday ham or leftover turkey! Just sub out the chicken for an amazingly delicious all-in-one comfort dish that’s dreamy indulgent and perfect for every occasion!

Leftover Holiday Turkey & Ham Recipes (12)

Easy Southern Chicken and Dumplings

This easy Southern Chicken and Dumplings recipe is easily converted to use all of your leftover turkey, especially that flavor-loaded dark meat! This recipe is loaded with tender, flat southern-style dumplings bathed in a thick, hearty white stew to create the ultimate southern comfort dish! Add a little cracked pepper and you have hearty and completely satisfying recipe that sure to be a comfort favorite.

Leftover Holiday Turkey & Ham Recipes (13)

Creamy Chicken And Wild Rice Soup with mushrooms

Whip up this cozy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup with Portabella Mushrooms using your leftover turkey instead of the usual chicken called for in the recipe! Loaded with carrots, celery, onion, rich wild rice, sliced mushrooms and a luscious creamy base, this easy homemade soup recipe is guaranteed to warm you heart and soul.

Leftover Holiday Turkey & Ham Recipes (14)

Creamy, savory and loaded with deep, rich flavor and spices, classic Louisiana Red Beans & Rice is one pot comfort food that makes good use of your leftover ham and easily feeds holiday guests after the holiday is over.

Leftover Holiday Turkey & Ham Recipes (15)

Layered Muffuletta Salad

Get all the rich flavor of a New Orleans Muffuletta sandwich in this gorgeous, easy layered salad with homemade dressing! This richly flavored stunner is perfect for using all your leftover ham. Got some leftover turkey? I would add a little of that too!

Leftover Holiday Turkey & Ham Recipes (16)

Spicy Italian Crescent Ring

Get all the zing of your favorite Italian sub wrapped in a tender, flaky crust with this easy Spicy Italian Crescent Ring recipe! Loaded with slices of ham, pepperoni, 2 glorious melty cheeses, banana or pepperoncini peppers & roasted red bell pepper, this delicious hot sandwich is perfect for making holiday leftovers fun. Throw on a few slices of leftover turkey to take this crescent sandwich right over the top!

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Kentucky Hot Browns

These classic open-faced sandwiches are made with slices of turkey, chopped bacon, bright red tomatoes and an easy, warm melted cheese sauce! A great way to use any leftover turkey after Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Don’t Forget This Delicious Leftover Recipe!

If your family is like mine, there is always a dish of Louisiana Dirty Rice at every gathering, and leftovers are made even better when stuffed into these baked peppers! Get the recipe for Louisiana Dirty Rice Stuffed Peppers.

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Leftover Holiday Turkey & Ham Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long is leftover ham and turkey good for in the fridge? ›

Spiral-cut hams and leftovers from consumer-cooked hams may be stored in the refrigerator three to five days or frozen one to two months. Keep your refrigerator at 40 °F or less and your freezer at or near 0 °F. See also Ham and Food Safety.

How long is leftover turkey good in the refrigerator? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

Can I freeze cooked turkey and cooked ham? ›

Leftovers stored in the fridge should be eaten within three days. When freezing Christmas meats or stuffing, wrap them in heavy freezer wrap and put them in a container suitable for your freezer. Cooked meat will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

What to do with dry leftover turkey breast? ›

Use Turkey Stock

Keep some homemade turkey stock, a container from a specialty butcher, or a store-bought box of turkey stock or broth on hand. If your turkey is too dry, heat the broth in a wide, shallow pan and add the turkey slices to rehydrate them.

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

Frozen Turkey

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Can you eat ham after 7 days? ›

Now that Easter is over, you might be wondering what to do with leftover ham. Of course there are many options, but one thing you should not do is let it sit too long in the refrigerator. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ham is good for three to five days in the refrigerator after it is cooked.

Can you eat leftover turkey on the 5th day? ›

Your guide to post-holiday food safety. Health officials recommend eating or freezing turkey and other leftovers within three to four days.

Is it OK to eat turkey that's been in the fridge for 2 weeks? ›

If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

How long are Christmas leftovers good for? ›

Food experts said that leftovers should only last three to four days, but when in doubt, you should throw them out.

Why can you not freeze cooked ham? ›

Here's the good news: You can absolutely freeze cooked ham. In fact, many hams are cured and/or smoked, which were old-school (and still beloved) ways to preserve food for later use. Ham can be stored in the freezer for up to four months, according to USDA food safety guidelines.

How do you reheat leftover turkey and ham? ›

Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

How long does Christmas ham last in the fridge? ›

Christmas ham stored in the fridge, either on the bone or carved off and wrapped in plastic and foil, will keep perfectly well for up to two weeks. Ham wrapped in plastic and foil and then frozen will last in the freezer for up to a month.

Why is my turkey tough after cooking? ›

Collagen in the bird (one of three protein fibers that attaches muscles to the bone) breaks down into softer gelatin molecules as it unwinds. If a turkey is cooked too long, the muscle proteins coagulate within the meat and cause dryness.

How do you make leftover turkey juicy again? ›

Instructions
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F.
  2. Slice the turkey and spread into a baking dish. ...
  3. Cover the turkey with broth and dot with the butter. ...
  4. Reheat in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes. ...
  5. Serving.

How long does deli ham and turkey last in the fridge? ›

Packaged lunch meats can be stored in the refrigerator for two weeks before opening. After opening a package of lunch meats or buying sliced lunch meats at a deli, you can refrigerate them for three to five days. Keep your refrigerator at 40 °F or less).

Can ham last 2 weeks in the fridge? ›

Whole cured hams last in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, fresh ham only lasts a few days in the refrigerator, about three or four once you've cooked it.

Is ham still good after 11 days? ›

Once you open a package of ham, or if it comes open — like if it was sliced at the deli counter— you can safely eat your leftovers for up to five days. In addition to these dates, it's always best to stick to the use-by date printed on the ham's package.

How long does leftover Christmas ham last in the fridge? ›

Christmas ham stored in the fridge, either on the bone or carved off and wrapped in plastic and foil, will keep perfectly well for up to two weeks. Ham wrapped in plastic and foil and then frozen will last in the freezer for up to a month.

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