My ham salad recipe turns my holiday leftovers into something new at lunchtime. I find myself making ham more often just so I can make this recipe!
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My Easy Recipe for Ham Salad
I always overestimate the amount of ham I’ll need for Christmas and Easter. But let me tell you a secret: since I came up with this ham salad recipe, I now do it on purpose!
The first time I whipped up ham salad, I was just trying to put all the leftover ham to good use. It became an instant family favorite!
My husband and I love to slather it on some fresh bread for a hearty ham salad sandwich, and the kids can’t get enough of this dish with crackers for dipping. I can’t think of a more delicious way to use up leftover ham!
And, if you love a good ham recipe, try my recipes for 3-ingredient ham glaze, air fryer ham, ham gravy, ham steaks, navy bean and ham soup, and scalloped potatoes with ham.
Old Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe Ingredients
- Ham — cooked and diced
- Celery
- Hard boiled egg
- Mayonnaise
- Sweet relish
- Mustard
How to Make Ham Salad
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Place the ham, ½ of the celery, and the hard boiled egg with some pepper in a blender or food processor.
STEP TWO: Pulse in short, quick bursts until the mixture is minced but not pureed.
STEP THREE: In a large bowl, combine the mayo, relish, remaining celery, and mustard.
STEP FOUR: Add the ham mixture to the mayo and stir to combine.
STEP FIVE: Cover and chill for at least an hour.
STEP SIX: Serve with crackers or a sandwich.
Tips for the Best Ham Salad Recipe
- Use a food processor to chop everything finely and evenly. But don’t over-process or over-blend! I like the recipe to still have a little texture in it!
- Pre-chop the vegetables and ham to save time. I do this at night so I can put it together at lunchtime quickly.
- Store ham salad for sandwiches or dip by keeping it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Wait to add the salt until serving. Ham has a lot of salt already, so I find it tastes best when it’s added on only if I need it.
- Chill the salad for at least an hour. While I’ve eaten it as soon as I make it, it just tastes so much better cold.
Variations and Substitutions for Ham Salad for Sandwiches
- Swap out the mayo for avocado or Greek yogurt for a healthier twist. I’ve even mixed the mayo and Greek yogurt!
- Kick up the heat with a splash of hot sauce or a pinch of chili flakes.
- Opt for diced dill pickles. I like sweet relish better, so I use that, but either one tastes great!
- Freshen the ham salad recipe with a handful of chopped herbs like parsley or chives.
- Experiment with other mustards like whole grain or honey mustard for a boost of flavor.
Ham Salad Recipe FAQs
How Should I Serve Ham Salad?
My favorite way to eat it is to spread it on crusty bread for a satisfying sandwich, but my kids love eating it as a dip with a side of crunchy veggies, crackers, or tortilla chips.
It’s also a fantastic filler for pita pockets or wraps. I even enjoy it on top of a fresh green salad!
What Bread is Best for a Ham Salad Sandwich?
I usually serve ham salad on whole wheat bread for convenience, but it’s amazing on a buttery brioche bun or rustic ciabatta bread!
If I really feel like treating myself, nothing beats a ham salad sandwich on a croissant. The flaky, buttery pastry with the creamy, savory ham salad is a heavenly combination.
Do I Need to Use a Food Processor?
I prefer to use a food processor, but it’s okay to use a blender for this recipe for ham salad. The trick is not to over-blend it. I aim to just mince the ingredients so the dish still has a really nice texture.
What is the Best Type of Ham for a Ham Salad Sandwich?
In my opinion, the best ham salad recipes use leftover ham from the holidays! The deep flavor of this dish is so good. But if I’m craving ham salad on a random occasion, ham steaks or a small ham made in the air fryer work great as well.
More Easy Lunch Recipes
- Buffalo chicken wraps
- Egg salad
- Southwest chicken wrap
- Air fryer chicken tenders
- Chicken fajita wrap
- Tuna salad recipe
- More cold lunch ideas
Easy Ham Salad Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless cooked ham diced
- 2 stalks celery finely chopped
- 1 hard boiled egg
- 3/4 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons sweet relish
- 1/2 tablespoon yellow mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place ham, ½ of the celery, and egg with some pepper into a blender or food processor.
- Pulse in quick short bursts, until it is minced, careful not to make a puree, you still want texture.
- In a large bowl combine the mayo, relish, the rest of the celery and mustard.
- Add the ham mixture to the mayo and combine.
- Cover and chill for at least an hour.
- Serve with crackers or a sandwich.
Notes
- The longer the salad chills, the more the flavors will combine. I would not add salt until you are ready to serve. The ham has lots of salt already in it.Â
- This is the perfect use for leftover holiday ham but ham steaks or a small ham will work too.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it! Also, Bills fan here, also. From WNY myself. 🙂
Hi Heather, I hope you love it. YAH! Go Bills!
I have done this with a 1# package of bologna.
Hi Jerry, Wow, what a great idea! Thanks for sharing.