The $13 Dollar Ham Challenge — Stretching a Holiday Ham as Far as It Can Go
Hamamania at Left Over Ranch
It starts with a sale. Ham after the holidays can be marked down as much as 60% off — especially with a preferred shopper card. That’s when we swing into action. One rule though: watch for brands that add water, brine, or chemicals to their ham. Quality matters, even on a budget.
Once we have our ham, the challenge begins. We call it the $13 Dollar Ham Challenge — using only what we already have in the house, following the Left Over Ranch Playbook, and stretching that single ham as far as we possibly can. The savings are real and the meals are genuinely delicious.
How We Bake Our Ham
Over the years we learned that baking ham as directed on the package almost always produces a dry result. Here’s what works at Left Over Ranch:
Bring the ham to room temperature first, then place it in a roasting pan with 16 oz of ginger ale on the bottom. Cover and bake at 325°F, checking the internal temperature every 40-60 minutes until it reaches 120°F. Remove and let it rest. That’s it — moist, tender ham every time.
We don’t glaze the exterior. Instead we make our Honey Mustard Chipotle Sauce separately and serve it alongside or spooned over plated ham. It keeps its beautiful flavor and consistency that way.
While the ham is in the oven our first sides are usually root vegetables, vegetable corn rice, vegetable orzo, or duck fat potatoes — all inexpensive, all great for leftovers, and all part of the plan.
The Hamamania Recipes
Every recipe below is built on one simple idea — buy a great ham on sale, cook it well, and waste absolutely nothing.
Honey Mustard Chipotle Sauce
The smoky, sweet sauce Bob serves alongside every baked ham — also perfect on sandwiches.
Hambone Corn Chowder
Rich, smoky corn chowder that turns the ham bone and leftover bits into something magical.
Ham, Egg and Cheese Hoagie
Leftover ham and grilled pineapple in a breakfast hoagie with eggs, pepper jack, and jalapeño.
Jalapeño Mac and Cheese with Ham
Homemade mac and cheese with premium cheeses, fresh jalapeños, and leftover ham. Serious comfort food.
Ham Mac and Cheese Pizza
Leftover mac and cheese and ham on a Napoli style pizza with San Marzano tomatoes and spinach.
Ham Mac and Cheese Fajitas
Leftover mac and cheese, ham, and grilled pineapple wrapped in a warm tortilla with avocado and green chiles.
Ham, Pickled Apple and Onion Pizza
Sweet and tangy Nordic inspired pickled apples, onions, and jalapeños top this Napoli style pizza with salty leftover ham and creamy mozzarella. A surprisingly perfect combination!
Grilled Ham and Avocado Sandwich (The HLT)
Bob’s ultimate leftover ham sandwich with avocado, chipotle mayonnaise, and jalapeño on toasted 21 grain bread.
The $13 Dollar Ham Challenge is just one of the creative, budget-friendly strategies packed into The Left Over Ranch Cookbook: Memories on a Plate. With chapters covering everything from Hamamania to Pizza and Pasta, Seafood, and Desserts, this cookbook is for anyone who loves great food, hates waste, and wants to stretch every dollar without sacrificing flavor.