29 fresh ham recipes

Stir-fried rice loaded with chicken, shrimp, ham, peas, and sweet pineapple chunks, served right inside a hollowed-out pineapple. A showstopping Thai fried rice that tastes as wild as it looks.

Cuban-style black beans with ham bone, green peppers, garlic, and a finishing splash of vinegar. Three green bell peppers and a fresh ham hock build deep flavor in the slow-simmered classic.

Charleston okra soup, the Lowcountry classic with simmered ham bone, fresh tomatoes, okra, bacon, and bell pepper. Ladled over rice for a true Carolina supper.

Tuscan-style Italian cabbage soup with cannellini beans, pancetta, sage, and ham or sausage. Thickened with cornmeal for body. Rustic peasant cooking at its best.

Layered Italian bake with rotini, salted zucchini, potatoes, prosciutto, tomatoes, and Parmesan dotted with butter. A hearty make-ahead casserole with serious depth.

Couscous and chickpea salad with julienned ham, raisins, fresh vegetables, and a cumin-turmeric lemon dressing. A colorful 30-minute lunch salad that's equally great for meal prep or potlucks.

Peach jambalaya: Louisiana-style jambalaya with shrimp, ham, smoked sausage, and unexpected fresh peach slices. Sweet-spicy fusion served over rice for four.

A glazed Christmas ham brushed with apricot-sherry glaze, warmed with cinnamon and star anise, and crusted in brown sugar, served with a crisp, fresh fennel coleslaw in a herby yogurt dressing. A festive feast pairing.

Italian-style lentil soup with diced ham, fresh tomatoes, carrots, celery, and bay leaf simmered into a hearty, protein-rich pot. Top each bowl with grated Parmesan for restaurant flavor.

Rack of lamb marinated 48 hours in fresh herbs, roasted to perfection, served with complex red wine demi-glace sauce studded with ham and pickles.

Charcoal grilled salmon steaks marinated in lemon, olive oil, and basil, served over spicy black beans simmered with ham, jalapenos, and fresh thyme. A smoky, protein-packed summer plate.

Traditional Cherokee succotash with lima beans, fresh-cut corn, and smoky ham hocks simmered low and slow with bacon drippings. A hearty, soul-warming side dish.

Creamy turkey ham ziti with a blended spinach and sour cream sauce, Dijon mustard, fresh dill, and red bell pepper. A lighter pasta dish with a vivid green sauce.

Heartland corn chowder built on a smoked ham bone broth with pureed vegetables, fresh corn, and milk, topped with crumbled bacon. A thick, creamy Midwest-style chowder.

Smoky black bean soup made from dried beans simmered with ham hocks, cumin, jalapeno, and vegetables, pureed smooth and finished with dry sherry and fresh lime juice.

Creamy corn and ham chowder with potatoes, shallots, fresh basil, and a milk-based broth. A comforting one-pot soup for summer corn season or year-round leftovers.