Turn your leftover ham into a fresh, healthy, and satisfying meal with this easy Leftover Ham, Rice, and Beans recipe. Packed with veggies, protein, and simple pantry staples, it transforms leftovers into a wholesome, flavourful dinner that comes together in no time. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want something nourishing without the extra effort. And it's a great way to use up that extra ham. Seriously - you don't need to make another ham sandwich!
This is one of my favorite leftover ham recipes. It's healthy, easy, flavorful and has a little kick! But what I love most about it is that it's a little different from the usual. This healthy ham recipe is WW friendly so you can enjoy this guilt-free after a big holiday meal! It's 5 WW points.
I have always been a holiday turkey gal, but sometimes I want to mix it up and have ham! My Picnic ham with orange glaze is a family favorite, and it's also really easy to make.
Either way, I always have leftovers, and that's a good thing. I used to struggle with what to do with it; there is only so much ham and split pea soup one can eat. If you're looking for more healthy leftover ham recipes, or are not sure what to make with leftover ham, check out my 35 Healthy Leftover Ham Recipes!
🥘Ingredients Notes
For this recipe, you'll need:
- Leftover ham. Use a store-bought cooked ham, cook an easy picnic ham, like my Picnic ham with orange glaze , or bake a regular ham.
- Crushed red pepper. Also known as Red pepper flakes or Chili flakes.
- Instant rice. You can use brown or white rice, or any type of rice you prefer.
📖Substitutions & Variations
- Green pepper - you could substitute red, orange or yellow peppers
- Red Beans - you can use dried red beans instead of canned
🔪How to Make Ham and Beans (with Rice)
- PREP: Cook instant brown rice as per package directions, then set aside. Dice ham.
- Step 1: In a large pot/saucepan, heat oil over medium heat, then add ham, green pepper, onion, and garlic, stirring constantly for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Add tomatoes, corn, bay leaf, crushed red pepper flakes, and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, mash half of the kidney beans (I use a fork) and mix them in.
- Step 4: Then add the remaining whole beans. Cook, stirring frequently for another 15 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
- Step 5: Add cooked rice and stir thoroughly. Serve hot.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Use mashed beans for creaminess. Mashing half the beans helps naturally thicken the dish without adding cream, broth, or extra starch. Make sure to mash them well so they blend smoothly into the sauce.
- Cut the ham into even pieces. Uniform ¾-1-inch cubes ensure the ham reheats evenly and you get the perfect balance of ham, rice, and beans in every bite.
- Sauté the veggies long enough to soften. Giving the onion, pepper, and garlic the full cooking time allows their flavors to deepen and prevents crunchy veggies in the finished dish.
- Drain and rinse the beans thoroughly. This removes excess sodium and helps prevent the dish from tasting overly salty-especially since ham can already be salty.
- Adjust the liquid if needed. Depending on your tomatoes and rice, you may need to add a splash of water or broth as it simmers. The mixture should be saucy before adding the rice.
- Let it rest before serving. After mixing in the rice, let the pot sit for 2-3 minutes. This helps the flavors meld and the rice absorb just enough sauce without becoming mushy.
- Taste before adding extra salt. Ham and canned ingredients contribute saltiness, so season at the very end to avoid oversalting.
- Use brown rice for more texture. Instant brown rice holds its shape better than instant white and adds a slightly nutty flavor that complements the beans and ham.
- Add extra veggies to bulk it up. Zucchini, carrots, celery, spinach, mushrooms, and even frozen mixed vegetables all work well if you want more nutrients or want to stretch the recipe further.
- Spice it up or down. Crushed red pepper flakes add subtle heat. For a spicier version, add more flakes or a splash of hot sauce. For mild eaters, reduce or omit the pepper flakes.
🥗What to Serve with Ham, Rice, and Beans
This recipe pairs well with a side salad such as this Tangy Mandarin Orange Salad or a vegetable dish like this Quick Cucumber Kimchi(shown below).
Leftovers are really the best because they save money, prevent food waste, make dinner easy, and even serve as your lunch the next day!
And hey, there aren't a lot of things in this world that are better than leftover leftovers, right?! And leftover Ham and Rice recipes are even better because I always have both ham and rice leftover. When I have rice leftovers, I make my Gingerbread Cranberry Rice Pudding (if you're not feeling festive, just skip the gingerbread and cranberries)! If I have leftovers of both ham and rice, I make this Ham & Rice Muffin Tin Eggs Benedict .
👪 Serving
This red beans with rice and ham makes 12 servings. You can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.
🔢WW Points
This WW ham recipe is 5 points.
❔ Recipe FAQs
Definitely. Any cooked, diced poultry can be substituted in the same quantity. The flavour will be slightly different, but the dish will still be hearty and delicious.
Absolutely-this recipe is versatile. Carrots, celery, zucchini, spinach, or frozen peas all work well and add extra nutrients.
Add a splash of water, broth, or tomato juice until you reach your desired consistency. The rice and beans can absorb liquid quickly, especially as it sits.
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This Healthy Leftover Ham, Rice and Beans recipe is not only healthy, it's easy, flavorful and has a little kick! But best of all it's a little different than your typical leftover ham recipes and it's Weight Watchers Friendly. So if you are ready to move on from ham and split pea soup and try something new and healthy then give this a try.
And be sure to check out my Leftovers Reinvented Board on Pinterest!
More Leftover Recipes
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📋Leftover Ham, Rice and Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover ham, diced into ¾ inch - 1 inch cubes
- 2 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 whole onion. chopped
- 28 oz - can diced tomatoes WITH liquid
- 12 oz - can kernal corn drained
- 1 whole green pepper , chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
- 18 oz -can, red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 5 cups cooked instant rice, brown or white
Instructions
- PREP: Cook instant brown rice as per package directions, then set aside. Dice ham.
- In large pot/saucepan, heat oil over medium heat, then add ham, green pepper, onion and garlic, stirring constantly for 10 minutes.
- Add tomatoes, corn, bay leaf, hot pepper flakes and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mash half of the kidney beans (I use a fork) and mix in.
- Then add the remaining whole beans. Cook, stirring frequently for another 15 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
- Add cooked rice and stir thoroughly. Serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
1
Debbie
Needed to use up the leftover ham from Easter, but didn’t want to do the usual with potatoes or in split pea soup. This was Amazing!!! I am saving this recipe. Thank you!
Terri Gilson
Hi Debbie,
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Terri
Colleen
Rice & Beans are always a staple in my kitchen, but I never thought to use leftover ham. Great idea, Terri!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Colleen!
Joanie
This is such a fantastic recipe. So easy to make and filled with flavor. I've made it several times already and my family loves it!
Terri Gilson
Thanks Joanie! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen
What a great way to use leftover ham! I love that it's a really hearty meal. Thanks, will be trying it on boxing day!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Carrie - I hope you enjoy1
Jacque Hastert
This sounds like the perfect recipe to use with all my leftover Christmas ham. I always buy a larger ham than needed to make delicious leftover recipes like this.
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Jacque. Yes, it's almost worth it to buy a ham that's bigger than needed just so you have leftovers!
Demeter
This looks so flavorful! I love knowing that all the leftovers will be used and nothing goes to waste.
Terri Gilson
Thanks - me too! Hate food waste.
Julia
This reminds me a recipe my mom makes. It's delicious and I bet yours is too!
Terri Gilson
Thanks,Julia!
Bernice M Hill
This is such a great way to use up leftover ham...I'm always doubling rice when I cook it because I use it in all sorts of 'leftover' recipes like this one. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.