Hearty Southwestern Ham Hash: The Perfect One-Pan Leftover Ham Recipe

Southwestern Ham Hash is a comforting and hearty way to start the day! This simple one-pan meal is the ultimate solution for using up any leftover ham you might have from your holiday gathering. Serves 4 to 6.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market. As always, all opinions are my own.

The holiday season, for many, is synonymous with delicious food, cherished family gatherings, and often, an abundance of savory delights – chief among them, a magnificent ham. While the main event is always a treat, the real magic often begins with the leftovers. If you find yourself with an ample supply of delicious ham after Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive celebration, you’re in for a treat. Say hello to the only breakfast recipe you’ll need to transform that leftover holiday ham into an extraordinary meal: this incredible Southwestern Ham Hash.

Holiday hams hold a special place in my memory. Whether it was a grand Thanksgiving dinner, a festive Christmas feast, or a leisurely holiday brunch, a juicy, perfectly cooked ham was always at the center of the table. The aroma, the flavor, and the shared joy around it are memories I cherish. But just as memorable was the challenge (and delight!) of finding new, exciting ways to enjoy the leftovers. This Southwestern Ham Hash is born from that very tradition – a hearty, flavorful dish that breathes new life into every precious slice of ham.

Sourcing the Perfect Ham: A Sprouts Farmers Market Favorite

For this recipe, and often for my holiday meals, I head straight to my local Sprouts Farmers Market. Their commitment to quality ingredients always impresses me, and their No Sugar Uncured Spiral Sliced Ham is no exception. This particular ham is a fantastic choice, raised without antibiotics and free from added sugar or preservatives. It’s rich, savory, and incredibly flavorful, making it a delicious centerpiece for any holiday meal that you can feel good about serving your family and friends.

The beauty of starting with a high-quality ham like Sprouts’ uncured spiral-sliced variety is that its inherent flavor shines through, whether it’s the star of your holiday dinner or reimagined in a creative leftover dish. Its savory profile and tender texture are ideal for cubing and integrating into a hash, where it adds a deep, satisfying taste without overpowering the other ingredients. This attention to quality is what elevates a simple leftover dish into something truly special and memorable.

Why Southwestern Ham Hash is Your Go-To Leftover Recipe

There was always plenty of ham around during family gatherings in my childhood, and we were always trying to find new ways to use it! That’s precisely why this delightfully hearty and savory Southwestern Ham Hash skillet came into existence. It’s an all-in-one meal that not only offers a simple cooking method but also limits your cleanup to just one pan once it’s all gobbled up. This makes it perfect for busy mornings, relaxed weekend brunches, or even a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.

Beyond its convenience, this ham hash skillet truly celebrates the versatility of leftover ham. While ham is ideal for holiday meals, its leftovers can inspire a multitude of delicious dishes. This ham hash is just the beginning! Imagine transforming that ham into mouthwatering sandwiches, savory egg rolls, flavorful fried rice, comforting soups, or even unique pizzas. The possibilities are endless, but for a quick and satisfying meal that uses up those holiday flavors, nothing beats a good hash.

For more savory breakfast inspiration, check out these delicious recipes:

Savory Dutch Baby | Breakfast Croissant Sandwich | Mexican Bacon Egg & Cheese Biscuit | Ratatouille Hummus Toast

Essential Tools for Your Southwestern Ham Hash

This recipe prides itself on its simplicity, extending even to the equipment you’ll need. To get started with your prep, be sure to have a sharp chef’s knife and a sturdy cutting board handy. These will make quick work of dicing your potatoes, peppers, onion, and of course, your leftover ham.

The star piece of equipment for this recipe, however, is a reliable cast iron skillet. Not only does it provide even heat distribution crucial for perfectly cooked potatoes and vegetables, but it also transitions seamlessly from stovetop to oven, making it ideal for baking the eggs right into the hash. A 10-inch or 12-inch skillet should be perfect for serving 4-6 people, providing ample space for all the ingredients to cook evenly and for creating those perfect wells for your eggs.

Crafting Your Southwestern Ham Hash: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s dive into creating this mouthwatering Southwestern Ham Hash. The process is straightforward, ensuring you get a flavorful meal with minimal fuss.

1. Sauté Your Veggies to Perfection

Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) – this will be used for baking the eggs later. In your trusty cast iron skillet, warm about 2 teaspoons of cooking oil (canola oil works great here) over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add your diced Yukon gold potatoes, red and green bell peppers, yellow onion, and jalapeño. Cook these vibrant vegetables for about 7 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently. You’re looking for them to soften nicely and for the potatoes to be tender enough to pierce with a fork. This initial sauté is key to developing a deep flavor base and ensuring your potatoes are perfectly cooked.

2. Introduce the Ham and Aromatic Spices

Once your vegetables are softened, it’s time to bring in the stars of the show. Stir in the chopped leftover ham, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, black pepper, coarse salt, and chili powder. Continue to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. During this short burst of cooking, the garlic will become wonderfully fragrant, and the spices will “bloom” in the hot oil, releasing their full aromatic potential and infusing the entire hash with that distinctive Southwestern warmth and depth.

3. Create Wells for Your Eggs

Remove the skillet from the heat. This is where the magic happens! Using a spoon, carefully create 4 to 6 shallow wells within the hash mixture. The number of wells depends on how many eggs you prefer and how many people you are serving. Gently crack an egg into each well you’ve created. Then, sprinkle grated cheddar cheese evenly over the entire hash, ensuring some lands on the egg whites for a beautiful, melty topping.

4. Bake to Perfection

Carefully transfer your skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 8 to 10 minutes. The goal is to achieve perfectly set egg whites while the yolks remain wonderfully runny, ready to burst and mix with the savory hash below. Keep a close eye on your eggs, as oven temperatures can vary. Once baked to your desired doneness, remove the skillet from the oven.

5. Garnish and Serve Immediately

To finish, garnish your freshly baked Southwestern Ham Hash with a generous sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper and roughly chopped fresh cilantro. The cilantro adds a bright, herbaceous note that perfectly complements the rich flavors of the hash. Serve this comforting dish warm, directly from the skillet if you desire a rustic presentation. It’s a delightful meal that’s sure to become a favorite way to enjoy those cherished holiday leftovers.

Need some more inspiration for breakfast? Check out my breakfast recipes page for more delicious ideas!

Serving Suggestions and Customizations

This Southwestern Ham Hash is fantastic on its own, but you can elevate it with various toppings and side dishes. A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt adds a creamy tang, while slices of fresh avocado bring a rich, buttery contrast. For those who love an extra kick, a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce or a spoonful of salsa can make all the difference. You might also consider serving it with warm corn tortillas for scooping up every last bit of deliciousness.

Feel free to get creative with your hash! Add some black beans or corn to the vegetable mix for extra flavor and texture. Experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack for a spicier touch. Fresh green onions or chives can also be added for an additional layer of mild onion flavor. This recipe is wonderfully adaptable, making it easy to tailor to your taste preferences and what you have on hand.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftover Southwestern Ham Hash (which is rare, given how delicious it is!), it stores beautifully. Allow the hash to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. For best results when reheating, gently warm the hash in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through. If the eggs were originally runny, they will likely set more upon reheating, but the flavors will still be fantastic. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, though a skillet provides a better texture.

Conclusion: A New Holiday Tradition

This Hearty Southwestern Ham Hash is more than just a way to use up leftovers; it’s a vibrant, comforting, and incredibly satisfying meal in its own right. It captures the essence of Southwestern flavors with its blend of savory ham, tender potatoes, colorful bell peppers, and a hint of spice, all crowned with perfectly baked eggs and melted cheese. It’s an easy-to-make, one-pan wonder that transforms holiday remnants into a delightful breakfast, brunch, or even dinner.

So, the next time you’re faced with a mountain of holiday ham, remember this recipe. It’s a simple, delicious, and efficient solution that allows you to extend the joy of your holiday feast. Gather your ingredients, grab your cast iron skillet, and prepare to enjoy a truly unforgettable Southwestern Ham Hash. Your taste buds will thank you, and your cleanup will be minimal – a win-win for any home cook!