Leftover Hearty Ham and Bean Soup

Last Updated on December 23, 2023 by Ellen Christian

A leftover ham recipe is exactly what I need after Christmas.  Learn how to make my hearty ham and bean soup for dinner tonight.

Leftover Hearty Ham and Bean Soup

We always have ham for Christmas dinner and I generally find myself with leftovers to use up. Since the weather has been so cold here, I was searching for a leftover ham recipe for soup that would warm me up.  This hearty ham and bean soup is perfect.

If you’re looking for a delicious way to use up leftover ham, why not try this hearty ham and bean soup recipe.  I use chunks of leftover ham in this soup because our ham was boneless.  

If you have ham with a bone in it, feel free to toss it in the soup pot for added flavor.

Best vegetables for ham and bean soup

One of my favorite things about homemade soup recipes is that you can add in whatever leftovers you have in the refrigerator. I added peas, beans, and carrots.

But, if you are out of peas, you could easily toss in lima beans or string beans instead.  Have rice instead of potatoes? That’s OK too.

Cannellini beans are a popular variety of white beans that are high in iron, magnesium, and folate.  They are also a great source of fiber.  Other names for the bean include white kidney bean and fazolia bean.  

If you don’t have cannellini beans, you can substitute Great Northern or navy beans instead which are also white beans.

I really love leftover ham soup recipes because there are so many varieties. And, my husband thinks this is the best ham and bean soup he’s tried! If you have a lot of ham leftover, you can try my Schnitz un Knepp recipe.

How long is leftover ham good for?

If you keep your leftover ham tightly covered in the refrigerator, it should stay good for about 5 days. Be sure that you cover it completely or it may dry out. If it does dry out, you can try cooking it soup to disguise the fact.

How do you store cooked ham?

The easiest way to store cooked ham is to slice it off the bone in chunks. That way, you can cut it to whatever size you need it when you’re ready to use it.

Be sure to keep it in an airtight container or freezer bag in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze leftover ham?

Yes, if you have more ham than you will eat within five days, you can freeze it. Just cut up your leftover ham and place it in freezer bags.

Label it with the date. You should be able to keep your leftover ham in the freezer for up to six months.

Make a big pot of this soup and freeze some in individual portions for lunch.  A hot bowl of soup is a great way to warm up on a cold day. 

If you’re looking for a slow cooker ham and bean soup, just add the ingredients to your slow cooker and cook all day on low.

How to reheat leftover ham

After you’ve frozen your ham, you can use it in your favorite recipes. But, if you want to reheat your ham to eat on its own, put it in a baking dish that’s covered with aluminum foil.

Heat it slowly at 275F for about 10 minutes per pound for a whole ham. Or, heat it for 5-7 minutes for sliced ham.

What is your favorite way to use up leftover ham after the holidays? Do you have any favorite leftover ham casserole recipes? 

Try this classic ham and pea salad recipe if you have more leftover ham.

You may also like:

• Gnocchi with white beans
• Crockpot ground beef minestrone soup
• Easy chili in the crockpot
• Recipes for leftover beef

Leftover Hearty Ham and Bean Soup

Check out my family’s favorite leftover ham and bean soup recipe. We make it several times a year since we have ham for Christmas and Easter.

If you have the ham bone leftover as well, you can toss that in for added flavor. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.