In a rush? Try our scrumptious Ham Curry with Mangoes! It’s a fantastic, flavorful way to repurpose extra ham and have dinner ready in 15 minutes.
Curried Ham with Mangoes! In fifteen minutes!
I picked up this awesome old cookbook (circa 1987) called Tropic Cooking at the used bookstore up the street and found a really basic recipe for using up leftover ham, which essentially read, “Mix with mangoes and curry powder, then broil.”
Table of Contents
Reasons to Love This Curried Ham
- I love that this curried ham combines the savory flavor of ham with the exotic warmth of curry spices, creating a delightful fusion.
- It’s an easy way to jazz up leftover ham and reduce food waste.
- The dish is quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Recipe Ingredients
- Ham: The lean ham provides a savory and slightly salty flavor and adds a meaty texture.
- Mango: The ripe mangoes add a sweet, tropical flavor and a juicy, soft texture.
- Curry Powder: This spice blend introduces a warm, aromatic taste with a slight kick.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Pineapple Swap: Replace mangoes with equal parts diced pineapple for a similarly sweet and tangy flavor.
- Turkey Alternative: Use cooked turkey instead of ham slices for a lighter, but equally protein-rich option.
- Garnish Options: Fresh cilantro leaves add a pop of color and a refreshing herbal note, while a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes lends a hint of sweetness and crunch. For a touch of acidity, drizzle with a squeeze of lime juice before serving. Alternatively, thinly sliced red chilli peppers can provide a spicy kick.
How to Make Ham Curry with Mangoes
Step #1: Preheat your oven’s broiler to high. Adjust an oven rack to be about a foot from the heat source.
Step #2: Place the ham in an oven-safe casserole dish, then top with the mango pieces.
Step #3: Dot the top of the mangoes with the butter, then sprinkle the brown sugar and curry powder on top.
Step #4: Broil until the brown sugar starts bubbling, 5-10 minutes (depending on how hot your oven’s broiler is).
I served mine with my favorite type of packaged rice; it’s seasoned with saffron and comes out a vibrant yellow color. It’s the closest thing I’ve found to the rice you get at Mexican restaurants.
Expert Tip
Simmer the Sauce: For enhanced flavor, consider simmering the mango, butter, brown sugar, and curry powder together in a saucepan over medium-high heat before broiling. This method helps blend and intensify the flavors, slightly caramelizes the sugars, and creates a richer sauce that coats the ham beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it’s possible to add coconut milk to this recipe for a creamy and flavorful twist. Simply pour the coconut milk over the assembled ham and mangoes before broiling to infuse the dish with richness. Adjust other seasonings as needed.
Yes, using frozen mangoes in your Ham Curry with Mangoes recipe can be a great alternative when fresh mangoes aren’t available. Here’s how to incorporate them into your dish:
Thawing: Before using the frozen mangoes, you should thaw them to remove excess moisture that could water down your dish. Place the mango chunks in a colander and let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours, or in the refrigerator overnight. Drain any excess liquid after they have thawed.
Prepping for Cooking: Once thawed, give the mangoes a gentle squeeze to remove any remaining liquid. You can pat them dry with a paper towel to ensure they aren’t too wet, which helps in maintaining the integrity of the dish and allows the mangoes to caramelize better under the broiler.
Cooking Adjustments: When using frozen mangoes, be aware that they might not hold their shape as well as fresh mangoes when exposed to high heat. To combat this, you can slightly reduce the broiling time if you notice the mangoes are becoming too soft or starting to disintegrate.
Storage Info
Store any leftovers of the Curried Ham with Mangoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they will stay good for up to 3 days. It’s not recommended to freeze this dish as the texture of the mangoes can become mushy upon thawing.
You can reheat it in a microwave or in a skillet over medium heat. If using a microwave, cover the dish and heat for 1-2 minutes, stir halfway through to ensure even warming.
More Mango Recipes That You’ll Love
Ham Curry with Mangoes Recipe
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Ingredients
- 1 lb. cooked lean ham - cut into bite sized pieces
- 2 c. peeled and diced ripe mango
- 2 tablespoons cold butter - cut into small pieces
- 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven's broiler to high. Adjust an oven rack to be about a foot from the heat source.
- Place the ham in an oven-safe casserole dish, then top with the mango pieces.
- Dot the top of the mangoes with the butter, then sprinkle the brown sugar and curry powder on top.
- Broil until the brown sugar starts to bubble, 5-10 minutes (depending on how hot your oven's broiler is).
NOTES
Nutrition
Absolutely amazing! My hubby LOVED it and so did I. This is going to be a regular meal in our house from now on. It is so simple, easy, and absolutely delicious!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Threw this together using diced ham and mango cubes. Watched the sugar bubble and curry scent fill the kitchen. Was simple but it worked.