The Best Ham Salad Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our full disclosure policy.
This Old-Fashioned Ham Salad isn’t just a recipe—it’s a family tradition. My mom made it every year after Easter, and ever since I got married, I’ve kept that tradition alive.
It’s the perfect way to turn leftover ham into a creamy, flavorful spread that comes together in just 15 minutes. Whether piled high on a sandwich or scooped onto crackers, this nostalgic favorite always reminds me of home.
Save This Recipe
Want this recipe delivered to your inbox? Just fill out your email below and we will deliver it right to your inbox along with our delicious recipes and updates.
I’ll be honest—ham at the dinner table isn’t my favorite. Given the choice, I’d pick roasted turkey or meatloaf every time. But when you take that leftover ham and mix it with mayonnaise, pickles, and crunchy vegetables? Now that’s a different story! This classic ham salad recipe turns simple ingredients into a creamy, flavorful spread that’s perfect for sandwiches, crackers, or even straight off the spoon.
It’s also a great option for entertaining! Ham salad sandwiches make a delicious addition to tea sandwiches at baby showers, bridal showers, or afternoon luncheons.
If you love easy salad recipes or need a go-to dish for potlucks, here are a few of my other favorites:
- Mexican Chicken Salad – A zesty twist on a classic.
- Chicken Salad with Grapes – Sweet, savory, and always a hit.
- Egg Salad – My new favorite creamy and protein-packed option.
Why you’ll love this Homemade Ham Salad
- Perfect for Leftovers – This recipe is a delicious way to use up leftover ham, especially after Easter, Christmas, or any big family dinner. No food goes to waste, and it transforms extra ham into something totally new and flavorful!
- Quick & Easy – With just a few simple ingredients and ready in under 15 minutes, this ham salad is a lifesaver for busy days when you need a fast, satisfying meal.
- Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing – Whether you spread it on sandwiches, serve it with crackers, or scoop it onto a salad, this classic ham spread is perfect for lunch, potlucks, or even as an appetizer for parties and showers.
Simple Ingredients
Recipe Notes:
- Ham – Leftover ham is perfect for this recipe, but if you don’t have any, buy ham steaks at the grocery store.
- 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.
Variations
Add-in’s to consider:
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Green onion
- Nut
- Cheese
How to Make Grandma’s Ham Salad
- 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 is as versatile as it is delicious! Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a satisfying snack, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, there’s no wrong way to serve it. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:
- Old Fashion Ham Salad Sandwich: Spread it on soft white bread and serve with a side of potato chips for the ultimate nostalgic lunch.
- Low-Carb Option: Keep it light by wrapping ham salad in crisp lettuce leaves for a fresh, protein-packed meal.
- Tortilla Wrap: Roll it up in a flour tortilla for an easy, on-the-go lunch.
- Charcuterie Board Addition: Spoon leftover ham salad into a small bowl and serve alongside an assortment of crackers, cheeses, and pickles.
- Cracker Bites: Top Ritz crackers with a dollop of ham salad and garnish with a slice of dill pickle for the perfect bite-sized snack.
No matter how you serve it, this creamy, tangy ham salad is a must-try for any occasion!
Recipe
Save This Recipe
Want this recipe delivered to your inbox? Just fill out your email below and we will deliver it right to your inbox along with our delicious recipes and updates.
Old Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ham Roughly Chopped
- 1/2 cup Celery Roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup Onion Roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 1/4 cup Sweet Pickle Relish
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon 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 and crackers or keep it low-carb and serve on a sliced tomato or cucumber.
- 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.
- 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. After thawing, drain any liquid. If the thawed salad seems dry, add a touch more mayonnaise to achieve the desired consistency.
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.
We always had ham salad after Easter when I was growing up. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
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.
Spam is probably a good ingredient to keep “secret”:)