What to Do With Leftover Ham: Ham-and-Cheese Dinner-Roll Sliders

The easiest crowd-friendly answer to what to do with leftover ham is a tray of warm ham-and-cheese sliders. The rolls stay connected while you layer them, so twelve small sandwiches go into the oven at once. A mustard-butter glaze crisps the tops and gives plain cooked ham a different identity from the original roast.

Use the bread and cheese you have

Soft dinner rolls are convenient, especially after a holiday, but any small rolls work. A split baguette can become one long sandwich and be cut after baking. If the bread is already quite dry, brush the cut sides lightly with milk or stock; very hard slices are better used in a stale-bread recipe.

Swiss, cheddar, provolone, mozzarella, or a mixture of cheese ends can fill the sliders. Add pickles, mustard, spinach, or thinly sliced roast vegetables, but drain wet ingredients first. Cooked turkey or chicken can replace some of the ham; the same principle also works for leftover chicken.

Know when to discard cooked ham

The USDA leftovers guidance says to refrigerate cooked leftovers within two hours and use them within three to four days. Bake the assembled sliders until the center reaches 165°F / 74°C. Discard ham that was left at room temperature for more than two hours, has an unknown storage history, or has mold, slime, or an unusual odor. Heating cannot reverse unsafe storage.

Make the tray fit the table

For two people, cut off four connected rolls and scale the fillings down. For brunch, add a thin cooked egg layer or serve the sliders beside one of the flexible ideas in what to make with eggs. Assemble no more than a few hours ahead because mustard and vegetables gradually soften the bread. Leftover baked sliders should be cooled promptly and refrigerated; reheat them covered at 325°F / 165°C until hot, then uncover briefly to refresh the tops.