Old Fashioned Ham Salad is a quick and easy way to use up leftover ham. With just a few simple ingredients you will create the perfect sandwich spread in less than 15 minutes.
This recipe is full of flavor and has always been one of my family favorites to serve the week after Easter.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS HOMEMADE HAM SALAD
- It's the perfect way to use up leftover cooked ham.
- If you like tuna salad, chicken salad or egg salad, give ham salad a try too. It truly is a delicious salad.
- You'll love the beautiful balance of salty ham, tangy Dijon mustard, and sweet pickle relish.
- It's the perfect spread for tea sandwiches to serve at baby showers and bridal showers.
WHAT IS HAM SALAD
Ham salad originated as an economical way to use leftover ham after holidays. Mix in mayonnaise and a few simple ingredients and ham salad is created. Some people even use bologna instead of ham.
INGREDIENTS
- Ham - Leftover holiday ham or ham steaks work great for this recipe.
- Diced Celery & Diced Onion - Roughly chop the vegetables before adding to food processor
- Mayonnaise - Miracle Whip is a good substitute especially if you plan to freeze the salad.
- Dijon Mustard - If you don't have Dijon Mustard, yellow mustard is a good substitute.
- Sweet Pickle Relish - Dill pickle relish is an option if you prefer.
- Onion Powder, Garlic Powder and Black Pepper - Be sure spices are fresh. Most will loose their freshness after 6 months.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST HAM SALAD RECIPE
- In the bowl of a food processor add, roughly chopped ham, celery, onion, sweet relish, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, mayonnaise and Dijon Mustard.
- Slowly pulse until the mixture is small and crumbly. Do not over blend into a paste.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
HOW TO SERVE HAM SALAD
This ham salad recipe can be served many different ways. It's a great lunch, afternoon snack or serve it as an appetizer.
- Serve this salad spread on white bread with a side of potato chips for a delicious lunch.
- Keep dinner low-carb with a ham salad lettuce wrap.
- Wrap in a flour tortilla.
- Add leftover ham salad to a charcuterie board with assorted crackers.
- Put some of the salad on Ritz crackers and top with dill pickle slices as a garish.
HAM SALAD VARIATIONS
Add-ins to consider; hard boiled eggs, green onion, chopped dill pickles, nuts, or Swiss cheese.
STORAGE AND FREEZER DIRECTIONS
Old Fashioned Ham Salad should be refrigerated and kept no longer than four days in the refrigerator.
You can freeze leftover ham salad in an airtight container. You'll want to drain any liquid after thawing. If the thawed salad seems dry, add a touch more mayonnaise to get the salad to the desired consistency.
MORE SALAD RECIPES
Old Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ham
- ½ cup Celery Roughly chopped
- ¼ cup Onion Roughly chopped
- ¾ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- ¼ cup Sweet Pickle Relish
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor add, roughly chopped ham, celery, onion, sweet relish, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, mayonnaise and Dijon Mustard.
- Gently pulse until the mixture is small and crumbly. Do not over blend into a paste.
- Serve on bread or with crackers.
Notes
- It is best to refrigerate salad for 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve on bread, crackers or keep it low-carb and serve over a sliced tomato.
- Ham salad will keep in the fridge for up to four days.
- You should have approx three cups of ham salad when all ingredients are mixed.
Kristy Murray, Linger
Awwww. I haven't had ham salad in ages. Thanks so much for the recipe and the inspiration to revisit this nostalgic salad. And what a great way to use the leftover ham from Easter. Definitely will be returning to this post next week.
Jill
We always had ham salad after Easter when I was growing up. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Barbara
My mother made ham salad using Spam. You read right, Spam. In a food processor or blender ( in the 70's no one knew what a food processor was), process one can of Spam diced until ground. Place in a bowl with sweet pickle relish and mayo and mix. That's it. No need for other seasonings because Spam is seasoned. Everyone loved it and she never told them the "secret" ingredient because a lot of people have a bias about Spam. Try it, you'll be glad you did.
Jill Machovsky
Spam is probably a good ingredient to keep "secret":)