20 Recipes That Use Up Leftover Deli Meat

Photographer: Antonis Achilleos,                                         Prop Stylist: Christine Keely                                                    Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Stopping at the deli counter at the grocery store is always a must. From fresh sliced cheese, to pre-made items like Chicken Salad that we buy when don't feel like making it ourselves, we're always grabbing something, including lots of deli meats. Always great for sandwiches (especially on hot days when making anything more than a sandwich feels impossible), cold cuts are more versatile than you think. So, if you find yourself with extra deli meat to use up, whether turkey, ham, beef, or bologna, we have some ideas for you. Yes, some of these recipes are for sandwiches, but others fold the protein into appetizers, pot pies, and even breakfast casseroles. You're bound to find fresh inspiration in one of these tasty dishes that will help you waste not, and put leftover deli meat to good use.

Ham Delights

<p>ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN</p>

ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN

There's a good reason these little sandwiches are our most searched appetizer in the South. Not only is it extra easy to make, but the recipe will also help you use up any deli ham you have on hand.

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Ham Cheese Ball

<p>Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely</p>

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

It wouldn't be a Southern gathering without a cheese ball and this recipe uses deli ham to add salty, savory flavor to the traditional appetizer.

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Deep-Dish Ham Pot Pie

Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Give chicken a rest and use deli ham slices in your next pot pie. The ham is simmered in a Dijon and tarragon sauce, so think of this dish like the French cousin of the American classic.

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Hot Brown Party Rolls

<p>Victor Protasio; Food Stying: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis</p>

Victor Protasio; Food Stying: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Just because Derby Day is months away doesn't mean you can't make this Kentucky staple. Made with deli turkey, Gruyère, tomato, bacon, and Parmesan all stacked onto sweet Hawaiian rolls, there won't be a single guest or family member upset to see them in the recipe rotation year-round.

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Ham-and-Cheese Puff Pastries

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

You'll feel like a fancy French baker when you pull these cheesy pastries out of the oven. The best part? They're super easy to make thanks to store-bought puff pastry and are loaded with deli ham, Gruyère, and a Creole-honey mustard for maximal flavor.

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French Dip Sliders

<p>Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall</p>

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

A tray of these sliders lasted all of 10 minutes in the Southern Living Test Kitchen, and folks were fighting over the last one. If that's not a surefire way to use up leftover roast beef, we don't know what is.

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Stuffed Ham-and-Cheese Croissant Casserole

Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Missie Neville Crawford
Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Missie Neville Crawford

With only seven ingredients (one of which is deli ham) and only 20 minutes of hands-on cooking required, this is our go-to make ahead breakfast that instantly makes mornings a little brighter.

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Fried Bologna Sandwich

Monica Farber
Monica Farber

We'll warn you now, this is not the bologna sandwich of your childhood. We kick up the flavor in our newfangled version that's loaded with two twists: Dill pickle potato chips stacked inside the sandwich and Creole mustard for a zingy bite.

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Funeral Sandwiches

Don't let the slightly morbid name fool you (they're also known as party sandwiches anyhow), these mini sandwiches are the kind of comforting classic that's good for any gathering, and will certainly help you use up leftover deli ham.

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Turkey, Apple, and Brie Sandwich Recipe

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Turkey sandwiches can be kind of plain, but not this recipe. Crispy and sweet apple slices, peppery arugula, and creamy brie will make you want to eat up the turkey cold cuts in the fridge.

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Mini Muffuletta Sandwiches

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Loaded with three kinds of deli meat, this hearty sandwich is a great way to make extra cold cuts disappear. For a true New Orleans style presentation, serve this sandwich with a side of Zapp's chips.

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Ham-and-Cheese Sliders

<p>Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin</p>

Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin

Inspired by a croque monsieur, these Ham-and-Cheese Sliders feature a creamy béchamel sauce and Gruyère. But the star of the sandwich is definitely the salty deli ham.

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Beef-and-Asparagus Bundles

Ralph Lee Anderson
Ralph Lee Anderson

These elegant little bundles are a breeze to pull off thanks to sliced roast beef from the deli case. The only cooking you'll need to do is blanch the asparagus.

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Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers

Hector Sanchez
Hector Sanchez

We love a good slow-cooker recipe, but you can skip the waiting and go straight to assembly by using deli slices of roast beef to make these adorable sliders.

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Ham Biscuits

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Start your morning off right with this beautiful biscuit topped with plenty of sliced deli ham.

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Mac And Cheese With Ham

<p>Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine</p>

Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

A great mac and cheese recipe doesn't really need much improving, but a little deli ham folded into the mix doesn't hurt either.

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Crustless Ham and Collard Greens Quiche

Antonis Achilleos
Antonis Achilleos

Use leftover bits of deli ham in this easy and crustless quiche that's bound to impress brunch guests.

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Chopped Salad

<p>Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox</p>

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

You can use your favorite deli ham variety in this recipe but turkey would also work great. If you need to use up leftovers in your fridge or make use of your pantry staples, whip up this chopped salad.

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Hawaiian Roll Breakfast Sliders

<p>Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster</p>

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Have an amazing start to your day with these breakfast sliders. Squishy, sweet Hawaiian rolls are filled with scrambled eggs, savory deli ham, and tangy Cheddar cheese.

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Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwiches

<p>Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley</p>

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Black Forest Deli ham slices perfectly complement the juicy chicken tenders in this sandwich. Finish off a plate of these with our smashed baby red potatoes, air fryer brussels sprouts or oven-roasted corn on the cob.

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Related: 52 Sandwich Recipes That Make Lunchtime Anything But Boring

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