A simple one-pot wonder that only requires 5 ingredients but can feed a crowd! This amazing dish is light yet filling, simple yet full of flavor. The only thing you will want after eating Ham Boiled Dinner is another bowl.
(Original post date March 27, 2018 / Links and post updated November 8, 2020)
Growing up I remember going to Michigan to visit my family and I would always stay at my Grandma Betty’s house. Many of my fondest memories start with waking up to the smell of fresh-baked bread and coffee. Grandma was always the first up and the last to go to bed breakfast would be ready between 6 and 7 every morning and she would be sitting at the table with her crossword puzzle. Sometimes she would even make a full ham to go with breakfast, no joke.
Grandma’s Lessons: One Step to Save Money and Sanity
My grandma grow-up during the great depression, which meant, nothing went to waste at grandma’s house. That ham she made for breakfast would turn into two dishes and feed all of us (anywhere from 8-20 people) the entire day. The ham shank would be cooked up to flavor some
Grandma’s cooking was simple and delicious she didn’t spend the entire day in the kitchen cooking up extravagant meals with a ton of ingredients, instead, she transformed one main item into many dishes. She spent hours with her family telling stories and laughing, taking in the memories.
Yes, it is basic, and that simple to save money and sanity in the kitchen!
How to Make Ham Boiled Dinner
- Prep your veggies and ham. I like my boiled dinner with big chunks of vegetables so I slice them big, but if you prefer small bites feel free to chop your vegetables. Just note that they will cook quicker.
- Dice or cut up your ham. Just like the vegetables cut it in sizes you and your family like.
- Put everything into a large pot, add water and add salt and pepper but remember that ham is already salty so start with a little, let everything start to cook, and taste it again if it still needs more add more, but take your time adding the salt.
- Bring water to boil, reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and let cook until the potatoes are fork-tender (you poke them with a fork and they slide right off).
- Once potatoes are cooked through use a slotted spoon to serve. Top with butter and enjoy.
FAQ and Tips
- Can you freeze the leftovers?
Unfortunately, this is a dish that doesn’t freeze well, because cabbage doesn’t freeze well. However what you can do is freeze the ham, onion, potatoes, and carrots and when you are in the mood for Ham Boiled Dinner pick up a pack of coleslaw mix and cook it with your frozen goods.
- How can you add more flavor to this dish?
These flavors are good on their own but if you wanted to up the “fancy” cook everything in chicken stock or ham stock to add more flavor.
- How can you adjust the amount of ingredients for only 2?
A good rule of thumb when cooking for cooking with potatoes is 1 potato person. When it comes to carrots and ham it really depend on your love for them. I like to use 1/2 carrot per person and 1/8 cup ham per person, but adjust to your liking.
It is easy to make Ham Boiled Dinner dish. So whether it is a homework night or you just need that extra snuggle time with the kiddos after a long day. Soak up all the memories you can and do as Grandma did and make it simple.
If this dish sounds amazing and you don’t want to wait for leftover ham. Try the traditional recipe for Boiled Ham Dinner made from scratch. Just as simple with the same great ingredients just takes a bit longer to cook.
More Leftover Ham Recipes
Recipe for Ham Boiled Dinner
Ham Boiled Dinner
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover ham
- 1 small yellow onion sliced
- 3 whole carrots sliced
- ½ head cabbage sliced into strips
- 6 medium russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 cups water
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot add ham, sliced onions, sliced carrots, and cubedpotatoes and cover with water. Bring water to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Allow everything to cook for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
- Using a slotted spoon to serve into bowls, top with butter serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
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We are making Ham for Easter, looking forward to trying this recipe!
I hope you enjoy here is another great flavorful way to transform that leftover Easter Ham, because we all know leftovers can get boring quick! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
wonderful recipe ,
Thank you!
Ham is one of my favorites!
Well then you will love this dish!
Such a wonderful recipe..Looks healthy and colorful i must say..Have always thought what to do with the left overs and now this is the perfect idea..I am sure my kids will love it 🙂 🙂
My goal this year is to limit my families kitchen waste so cooking with leftovers is a must these days. I hope your family enjoys!
Yum! This sounds really good–and totally different than anything we usually eat!
Thank you!
Oh my! This is so right up my alley! I love me some cabbage, especially with ham. Must try out this recipe!
Thank you!!! That combo is always a hit in my house!
This recipe will really come in handy over the holidays! So simple and delicious sounding.
Have you tried using chicken broth instead of water, gives it much nicer flavor, plus adding turnip.
Those are amazing ideas!! I will have to try it with chicken broth next time, I have never done that but I bet it is amazing! The turnip idea is brilliant. I have used parsnips but never turnips, and I just planted both in the garden so I cant wait to try it! Thanks for the alternative ways!
I grew up with boiled dinner and hadn’t made it in many years. I found your recipe and it is perfect, as remembered so easy and tastes so good! And good for low calorie diet too. Thank you so much
Sandi! Your comment just made my day! I loved hearing that you loved it, but more so I love hearing that you grew up with it and made my recipe and it was just how you remembered it. Such simple dishes should never be forgotten in this fancy world and the fact that it is low calorie even better! Wishing you and your family happy and healthy thoughts at this time.
Could you pressure can left overs. As I am alone I love the meal but just to much for one person.
To be honest I am not sure if you can pressure can the leftovers. I am not a fan of pressure canning meats. However, to make this dish for one, you can go by one of those ham stakes (they look like just a single slice of ham sold next to the ham or over by the bacon depending on the store) a bag of coleslaw mix (veggies only) and some new potatoes and makes. This will only take a few minutes to cook and perfect for one person with only a few leftovers.
Just the two of us, so cut down on the amounts and used smaller pieces. I put all in a pressure cooker with 2 cups of water and cooked for 5 min. Then drained and added butter, pepper and salt. It was perfect and my husband had a second helping. Thank you!