Leftover Ham Spread

Leftover Ham Spread is a quick and easy smooth processed pate made from the last bits of your ham joint. The ham is combined with a few simple ingredients to make a delicious spread that’s ideal on bread, toast or crackers.

Leftover Ham Pate with crackers and chutney

Why make Leftover Ham Spread?

Ham is really versatile meat, serve it hot as a roast dinner with roast or mashed potatoes and vegetables. Or serve it cold with salad. You can also add the leftover ham to pasta or rice. 

However, I sometimes have a piece of ham that isn’t quite enough for another meal. It might be an awkward shape to slice for sandwiches. This recipe for Leftover Ham Spread is perfect for that last piece of the ham making it easy to spread and stretching it just that little bit further.

Leftover ham spread with toast

What do I need to make Leftover Ham Spread?

You will need:

  • Cooked ham in a piece
  • Creme Fraiche
  • Mustard
  • Honey
  • Butter (optional)
Slow Cooker Ham in Ginger Beer - Ham on platter with slices cut, brussels sprouts and carrots

What kind of Ham should I use?

Use cooked ham or gammon that is in a piece or cut in thick slices. You can use smoked or unsmoked ham depending on what you enjoy or what you have.

I make this recipe at any time of year but it is especially useful for the holidays. Ham is often on the menu for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year and Easter so it’s a great way to make the best of the leftovers and feed a crowd.

Leftover Ham Spread on crackers

I don’t have as much ham as stated in the recipe, can I still make Leftover Ham Spread?

Yes, you can adjust the quantities of the other ingredients. For example, if you have 200 grams of cooked ham then use 75 grams of creme fraiche and half a teaspoon of honey and mustard. Taste and adjust the recipe to suit your own taste.

creme fraiche in jar with spoon

What is Creme Fraiche?

Creme Fraiche is a cultured cream that is high in fat and, although it is rich, the acidity from the culturing process makes it a great choice for savoury recipes.

What can I substitute for Creme Fraiche?

If you can’t find creme fraiche you can substitute soured cream or full-fat Greek yogurt. The Greek yogurt may separate slightly if the ham spread is stored for more than a few hours. You can also use double (heavy) cream and add a teaspoon of lemon juice to create a slight acidity.

jar of honey with honey dipper

Why add honey to the Ham Spread?

I add a teaspoon of honey to add a little sweetness to the spread. You don’t notice the sweet taste but it helps to bring out the sweetness in the ham.  

What can I substitute for honey?

If you don’t eat honey, then use maple syrup or agave syrup as a substitute.

mustard on spoon with jar

What kind of mustard should I use?

I use Dijon mustard which s a medium-hot pale yellow mustard from Dijon in France. Mustard is a perfect accompaniment to ham. It adds a little bit of spice to the Ham Spread and works well with the honey.   

What can I substitue for Dijon mustard?

If you don’t have any Dijon mustard, you can use any medium or mild mustard. You can even use wholegrain mustard. I don’t recommend you use English mustard because it is very hot and spicy and will overpower the spread.

Can I add any other flavourings?

I would positively encourage you to try different flavourings. Use the basic recipe for the ham and cream then add two additional flavourings. Try one sweet and one sharp.

Sweet

Sharp

  • Add creamed horseradish instead of mustard.
  • Chopped gherkins or other pickles 
  • A teaspoon of lemon juice will add a fresh flavour.
Leftover ham pate on crackers

Can I make this recipe without a food processor?

Leftover Ham Spread is easy to make with a food processor. However, if you don’t have one you can either use a mincer or you can chop the ham very finely. Put the finely chopped ham into a bowl with the other ingredients and mix thoroughly.

How do I store Leftover Ham Spread?

If you don’t plan to eat the leftover ham spread as soon as it is made, you can store it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to put the spread in a shallow pate dish and cover the spread with clarified butter. This ensures that no air can get to the pate and looks pretty on the table. You will still need to cover the dish with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until you are ready to use the spread.

freezer with boxes

Can I freeze Leftover Ham Spread?

Yes, you can freeze the ham spread. I would not freeze it if you make it with Greek Yogurt but creme fraiche, soured cream and double cream will all remain stable when frozen. Pack the spread into a lidded freezer-proof container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the spread in the fridge overnight, stir and serve.

Can this recipe be adpated for vegetarians?

This recipe is not suitable for vegetarians as the main ingredient is meat. There are many different kinds of spread recipes that are suitable for vegetarians. Hhere are some you might like to try:

Is this recipe Gluten-Free?

The ham spread should be gluten-free. The only item that needs to be checked is the mustard. Pure mustard is gluten-free but please, do check the label on the mustard jar to be sure that there are no fillers or additives that might contain gluten.

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Leftover Ham Pate vol au vents

How do I serve Leftover Ham Spread?

There are so many ways you can serve Leftover Ham Spread Here are some ideas:

  • Serve the ham spread as part of a cheese and charcuterie platter with crusty bread and crackers.
  • Use the ham spread in sandwiches with tomatoes and cucumber.
  • Make a toasted sandwich with ham spread and cheese.
  • Pile some ham spread in a baked potato and serve with salad as a quick and easy lunch.
  • Buy or make vol-au-vents and serve them filled with ham spread and sprinkled with crushed pink peppercorns. Serve as a canape or appetiser.

More Ham Recipes from Farmersgirl Kitchen 

Ham Sliced with vegetables on platter.

Slow Cooker Ham in Ginger Beer is a very simple recipe and the ginger beer adds a sweet and spicy flavour to a ham or gammon joint. Glaze with a sticky ginger preserve and serve it warm with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables or cold with salad and pickles.

Cheese, Bacon & Turkey Quiche

Cheese, Bacon & Turkey Quiche works perfectly with leftover ham to replace the turkey and bacon. It’s super tasty and makes a whole new meal from the leftovers.

Bowl of corn succotash with spoon in it

Make Grilled Corn Succotash and replace the bacon bit with chopped ham. It’s a really delicious side dish that’s substantial enough to be a main.

More Pate and Spread Recipes

Pork and Sage Pate (Country Style Recipe))
Pork and Sage Pate is a delicious country style terrine made without liver. All the flavour comes from pork, bacon and herbs and it’s ideal to serve with crusty French bread as an appetiser or an informal lunch.
Check out this recipe
Pork and Sage Pate with bread, butter and pickle
Sun Dried Tomato Dip Recipe
This Sun Dried Tomato Dip recipe needs only two ingredients to make a sweet, creamy, tangy and delicious dip. It's perfect to serve with fresh vegetables, crackers and breadsticks as an appetiser at dinners and parties all year round.
Check out this recipe
Sun dired tomato dip
Smoked Mackerel Pate
A very simple recipe for a delicious light and creamy smoked mackerel pate. 
Check out this recipe
pate with toast and lemon
Leftover Ham Spread with chutney

PIN FOR LATER

Leftover Ham Spread with crackers

Leftover Ham Spread

Janice Pattie
An ideal way to use the last of a ham joint to make a delicious spreadable ham pate
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, lunch
Cuisine British
Servings 4
Calories 393 kcal

Equipment

  • Food Processor
  • Sharp knife
  • chopping board
  • Measuring spoons

Ingredients

  • 350 grams (3 cups) baked or boiled ham
  • 150 grams (0.65 cups) creme fraiche or soured cream
  • 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) honey

Optional – these quantities will decorate and cover one shallow pate dish of 11 cm (4.25 in) diameter

  • 25 grams (1.75 tablespoon) butter
  • 2 (2) bay leaves
  • 3 (3) cranberries

Instructions
 

  • 350 grams baked or boiled ham
    Cut the ham into large pieces
    chopped ham
  • Put the pieces into the food processor
    ham in food processor
  • Process the ham until it is cut into crumb-sized pieces.
    processed ham
  • 150 grams creme fraiche, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey
    Add the creme fraiche, mustard, and honey.
    ham with creme fraiche and mustard
  • Process again until the mixture forms a paste.
    blank
  • Pack into a dish or box, cover and chill.

Optional

  • 2 bay leaves, 3 cranberries
    Pack the ham spread into a shallow dish and decorate with bay leaves and cranberries.
    blank
  • 25 grams butter
    Melt the butter in a small pan or in a bowl in the microwave
    butter in pan
  • Line a sieve with muslin or a tea towel and place it over a bowl. Pour the butter through the cloth to remove the solids.
    butter poured onto muslin
  • Pour the melted butter over the ham spread and chill in the fridge until the butter is set.
    pour melted butter over ham spread
  • You can store the spread like this for up to 24 hours without covering but If storing for longer then cover with plastic wrap. The spread will keep for up to 3 days wrapped or in an airtight container.
    Ham spread in dish covered with melted butter

Notes

You can make this recipe in different quantities, simply use twice as much ham as creme fraiche.  Use whatever additional flavourings you enjoy or none at all. 

Nutrition

Calories: 393kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 20gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 1112mgPotassium: 283mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 708IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1mg
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This recipe was first published in August 2012.

17 Comments

  1. Lovely savoury lunchtime treat. I knew someone many years ago who used to make something like this quite regularly, but I hadn't thought about it for years. I'm feeling very nostalgic now – well, actually, hungry and nostalgic in that order.

  2. I am not usually a fan of pates because they tend to use offal and I am not a fan. But this looks like my perfect kind of pate! I love ham so will save some next time and make this.

  3. This recipe is right up my street and the ideal way of using up leftover ham any time of the year. However, I always have leftover ham over the festive period so I’m tagging this recipe for later.

    1. Thanks, Lesley. It really is perfect for festive leftovers and all those snacks and sandwiches that are in demand.

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Recipe Rating




5 from 8 votes (1 rating without comment)