Delicious, easy Ham Salad is made with finely chopped ham, onions, celery, sweet relish, dill weed, mayonnaise, and a little bit of mustard. This recipe is perfect for using up leftovers from holiday hams.
Make a Delicious Ham Salad
This simple and tasty ham salad recipe is perfect for a quick lunch or picnic. With just a few ingredients, you can create a flavorful dish that everyone will love. It is effortless to make and can be enjoyed on fresh rolls, Hawaiian bread, pumpernickel, rye, crackers, or even celery sticks or in a lettuce wrap for a low carbohydrate diet. The key to a good salad starts with obviously a good ham. This will help ensure that the ham mixture is top-notch. I like to use my leftover ham from holiday dinners, a good quality ham steak, or even Boars Head Ham sold at most deli counters. Serve this classic ham salad for an Easter or Christmas brunch. Or spread it on slider buns for the kids.
Ham Salad Ingredients
For this recipe, you need ham, celery, yellow onion, mayonnaise, pickle relish, yellow mustard, dried or fresh dill, black pepper, and, if desired, a little pickle juice.
How to make Ham Salad
Start by chopping up the onion and celery! Next, scoop into a bowl. Cut ham into small sections, pulse it in a food processor, and spoon it into the bowl. Next, add the mayo, pickle relish, mustard, and dill. Stir gently, blending just until combined. Season with fresh black pepper; stir in 1-2 tablespoons of pickle juice if desired.
Recipe Tips
- For optimal taste, use good quality cured smoked ham, as it is the star of the show.
- If you don’t have a food processor, dice your ham fine and continue with the recipe.
- You can use dill pickle relish or sweet pickle relish. They both work well! It is just more of a matter of personal preference.
- For more protein and added flavor, stir in 1-2 peeled and chopped hard-boiled eggs.
- I love Duke’s Real Mayonnaise with this recipe. Its flavor and texture are excellent. But you can use Miracle Whip to add a little zip.
- I do not add salt to this salad as ham is so high in sodium.
- Dijon mustard can be subbed for the yellow mustard.
- This recipe also works well for egg, tuna, and chicken salad.
- If, despite your best efforts, to buy good quality ham and it puts off too much moisture, carefully drain the excess water and add a few more tablespoons of mayo. This may happen after being stored in the fridge for a couple of days.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the salad puts off too much moisture, carefully drain the excess moisture and add a few more tablespoons of mayo. This may happen after being stored in the fridge for a couple of days. I do not recommend freezing ham salad.
Can you Freeze Ham Salad?
Theoretically, you can freeze ham salad, but I do not recommend it as the mayonnaise will separate from freezing and thawing.
More Ham Recipes
Best Ham Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs cooked ham diced
- 2 ribs celery chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped yellow onion
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill weed
- Fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 1-2 tablespoons pickle juice optional
Instructions
- Cut ham into small sections and pulse in a food processor 6-7 times or until desired consistency. Place in a large bowl. Add the celery, onion, mayonnaise, pickle relish, yellow mustard, and dill.
- Stir until combined. Season with fresh ground black pepper to taste. If desired add 1-2 tablespoons dill pickle juice.
Notes
- For optimal taste, use good quality cured smoked ham, as it is the star of the show.
- If you don't have a food processor, then dice your ham really fine and continue with the recipe.
- You can use dill pickle relish or sweet pickle relish. They both work well! It is just more of a matter of personal preference.
- I love Duke's Real Mayonnaise with this recipe. It is creamy, thick, and flavorful. But you can use Miracle Whip for a little added zip.
- This recipe also works well for egg salad, tuna salad, and chicken salad.
- If, despite your best efforts, to buy good quality ham and it puts off too much moisture, carefully drain the excess moisture and add a few more tablespoons of mayo. This may happen after being stored in the fridge for a couple of days.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing ham salad.
Nutrition
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Ntensibe Michael Edgar
Great recipe! I used some smoked ham I had in the freezer and it turned out fantastic.
Fransic verso
So yummy, it’s been a while since we had ham salad but reading your post reminds me of these moments. Would like to make it for breakfast. I love how your post is easy to follow and includes awesome recipe pictures.
Gervin Khan
I love this recipe! This is so easy, quick, and simple salad recipe to make. This is also perfect as my sandwich spread! Delicious!
Rosey
I haven’t heard of Duke’s. You’ve got me curious to look it up. This sammie looks good for tomorrow’s weekend gathering we’re having with the grown kids and their littles.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Rosey! Enjoy!!
Stephanie B
Yum, yum! The best darn ham salad sandwich I’ve had (I’d make a ham just so I could whip up these sandwiches!). The sweet pickle relish makes these extra special.
Beth Pierce
Me too, Stephanie!
Michelle
What an easy recipe to make! My folks and I loved it.
Claudia
I love really good ham salad. The flavors work so well for sandwiches, but I also like to serve it as a dip.
Beth Pierce
I agree!
Kira Kira
Now this looks like a delicious sandwich . I’m here for the sandwich’s and crisps for lunch in the garden . Roll on summer
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kira! Enjoy!
Crystal W
Delicious ham salad! My father used to make ham salad with a hand held meat grinder. The food processer is so much easier. Thanks for a blast from the past and an outstanding recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Crystal!
ReeAnna J
Best ham salad I think I have ever had. Reminded me of my grandmothers. I served it on buttery croissants and it was delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, ReeAnna!
Amy P
I do love how easy this is to whip up! It is delicious and so versatile. I love it on homemade rye bread!
Maria Rodriguez
This is perfect to do for a work lunch or when using leftover ham that needs to be used asap. Thanks for sharing the recipe, I have made it several times and everyone enjoys it!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Maria! We love it too!