Healthy Leftover Ham, Rice, and Beans: A Flavorful & Easy Weight Watchers Friendly Recipe

Transforming holiday ham into something extraordinary doesn’t have to be a challenge. This delightful Leftover Ham, Rice, and Beans recipe is a true gem in my collection, offering a fantastic way to reinvent those cherished remnants of a festive meal. It stands out not only for being incredibly healthy and easy to prepare but also for its vibrant flavors and a satisfying kick that sets it apart from more conventional leftover ham dishes. If you’re tired of the same old post-holiday routine, prepare to discover your new favorite.

One of the best aspects of this healthy ham recipe is its alignment with a balanced lifestyle, making it especially appealing for those mindful of their diet. Specifically, it’s Weight Watchers friendly, allowing you to indulge in a delicious, hearty meal without any guilt after a large holiday feast. With just 5 WW points per serving, it’s a brilliant option to stay on track while enjoying comforting, flavorful food.

While holiday turkey often steals the spotlight, I sometimes love to shake things up with a succulent ham. My Picnic Ham with Orange Glaze, for instance, is a consistent family favorite, adored for its simplicity and exquisite taste. Whether you opt for a traditional baked ham or a glazed picnic ham, the universal truth remains: there are always leftovers. And that, my friends, is a wonderful thing! For years, I found myself grappling with the eternal question: “What do I do with all this leftover ham?” There’s only so much ham sandwich or split pea soup one can truly enjoy before craving something fresh and exciting. This recipe provides that much-needed change of pace, turning an abundance of ham into a completely new and exciting dish.

This particular dish celebrates the versatility of ham, transforming it from a holiday centerpiece into an everyday hero. It’s a hearty, one-pot meal that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction. The combination of savory ham, fluffy rice, and tender beans, all brought together with aromatic spices, creates a meal that’s both comforting and invigorating. It’s the perfect antidote to culinary boredom and a fantastic way to stretch your budget while enjoying wholesome, homemade food.

To whip up this flavorful and healthy leftover ham, rice, and beans dish, you’ll need a selection of simple, readily available ingredients. These components come together to create a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, making for a truly satisfying meal.

🥘 INGREDIENTS

• Leftover ham, preferably diced into ¾ inch to 1-inch cubes for easy mixing and even cooking.
• Vegetable oil, a neutral oil perfect for sautéing your aromatics and building a flavor base.
• Fresh garlic, minced to release its potent aroma and flavor.
• A medium onion, chopped, adding sweetness and depth to the dish.
• Canned diced tomatoes, including their juices, to form the rich, saucy base.
• Canned corn, kernels drained, for a touch of sweetness and vibrant color.
• Green pepper, chopped, providing a crisp texture and earthy notes. You can also use other bell pepper colors for a sweeter profile.
• A bay leaf, for a subtle, aromatic background note that enhances the overall flavor.
• Hot red pepper flakes, to introduce a gentle warmth or a significant kick, depending on your preference. Adjust to taste!
• Canned red kidney beans, drained and thoroughly rinsed, offering a creamy texture and protein boost.
• Brown instant rice, cooked according to package directions, forms the wholesome, fiber-rich foundation of this dish.

📖 SUBSTITUTIONS & VARIATIONS

One of the beauties of this recipe is its flexibility. Feel free to experiment with these substitutions and variations to tailor the dish to your taste, dietary needs, or what you have on hand:

• Ham: While this recipe is designed for leftover ham, you can easily use store-bought cooked ham, often found in the deli section. If you’re planning ahead, consider cooking a whole ham, like my easy Picnic Ham with Orange Glaze, or simply bake a regular ham to ensure you have plenty of delicious leftovers. The key is to have fully cooked ham, ready to be diced.
• Rice: The recipe calls for brown instant rice for speed and health benefits, but your options are plentiful. You can use any type of rice you prefer. White rice will give a softer texture, while wild rice or a rice blend will add more texture and nutty flavor. Just be sure to cook it separately according to its package directions before adding it to the ham and bean mixture.
• Green Pepper: If green bell peppers aren’t your favorite, or if you simply want to add a different color and slightly sweeter flavor profile, you can absolutely substitute red, orange, or yellow bell peppers. A mix of colors can also make the dish visually more appealing.
• Red Beans: Canned red kidney beans are convenient, but if you prefer to cook from scratch or have dried beans on hand, you can certainly use them. Just remember to soak and cook dried red beans until tender before adding them to the recipe, as they require significantly more cooking time than canned varieties. Black beans or pinto beans would also make delicious alternatives, offering a slightly different flavor and texture.
• Spice Level: The hot red pepper flakes add a lovely “kick,” but you can adjust the amount to suit your personal preference for spice. For a milder dish, reduce or omit them. For more heat, feel free to add a pinch more or even a dash of your favorite hot sauce at the end.
• Vegetable Additions: Don’t hesitate to incorporate other vegetables you have on hand. Diced carrots, celery, or zucchini could be sautéed along with the onions and peppers, adding more nutrients and bulk to the dish. Spinach or kale could be stirred in during the last few minutes of cooking until wilted.

🌟 The Magic of Leftovers: Save Money, Reduce Waste, & Simplify Meals

Leftovers are truly culinary superheroes, and embracing them in your cooking offers a multitude of benefits that extend far beyond simply reheating a meal. They are a fantastic way to save money by maximizing the ingredients you’ve already purchased, ensuring that no delicious morsel goes to waste. In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, utilizing leftovers is a simple yet impactful step towards preventing food waste, contributing to a more eco-conscious kitchen.

Beyond the financial and environmental perks, leftovers are a game-changer for meal prep and making dinner easy on busy weeknights. Imagine coming home after a long day and knowing that a flavorful, healthy meal is already half-done or simply waiting to be gently warmed. This recipe for ham, rice, and beans is a prime example; it’s designed to be a one-pot wonder that you can enjoy for dinner and then effortlessly pack for a satisfying lunch the next day. And let’s be honest, there’s not a lot in this world that’s better than delicious leftovers, especially when they prevent the repetitive cycle of traditional ham dishes. This healthy ham and rice recipe ensures that you always have a delightful answer to the “what’s for dinner?” question.

👪 SERVING SIZE

This robust and flavorful red beans with rice and ham recipe is designed to yield a generous 12 servings, making it perfect for family meals, entertaining, or meal prepping for the week ahead. The convenience of this recipe extends to its adaptability: you can easily half, double, or even triple the recipe to suit your specific needs. Look for the blue serving number within the recipe card; by clicking on it, you can effortlessly adjust the desired number of servings, and the ingredient quantities will automatically scale up or down for you. This feature ensures precision and convenience, taking the guesswork out of batch cooking or cooking for a smaller household.

🔢 WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS

For those tracking their intake, this Weight Watchers friendly ham recipe is an excellent choice, clocking in at just 5 WW points per serving. It’s a testament to how wholesome ingredients and clever preparation can create a filling and satisfying meal that supports your health goals without compromising on taste.

This Healthy Leftover Ham, Rice, and Beans recipe is a true triple threat: it’s not only incredibly healthy and easy to prepare, but it’s also bursting with flavor and boasts a satisfying, subtle kick. What truly sets it apart is its unique profile compared to typical leftover ham dishes, making it a refreshing culinary adventure. Plus, it’s completely Weight Watchers friendly, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking for a wholesome meal that supports their health and wellness journey. So, if you’re ready to bid farewell to the usual ham and split pea soup routine and embrace something new, vibrant, and nutritious, this recipe is calling your name!

If you’re looking to expand your repertoire of creative leftover ham recipes, here are a couple of additional delicious ideas that are perfect for any time of year:

Healthy Leftover Ham Pasta with Peas

For a creamy, comforting meal, this pasta dish combines tender ham with sweet peas in a light, healthy sauce. It’s a quick and satisfying option that transforms your leftovers into an Italian-inspired delight.

Gluten-free Leftover Holiday Ham and Rice Benedict

Elevate your brunch game with this sophisticated yet simple Gluten-free Ham and Rice Benedict. It’s a brilliant way to use leftover ham and rice in a completely unexpected and utterly delicious way, perfect for a special morning meal.

And for even more creative inspiration, be sure to check out my “Leftovers Reinvented” Board on Pinterest! You’ll find a treasure trove of ideas to minimize food waste and maximize flavor.

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