Ham Salad Recipe

This Ham Salad recipe turns your leftover ham into something special for sandwiches and snacks. It mixes minced ham with fresh veggies and a creamy dressing that makes lunch or dinner more fun.

You can make it in just 10 minutes - throw your ham in a food processor, add the other ingredients, and mix it all together. It makes a delicious ham salad spread that is great on bread, crackers, or wrapped in lettuce, and it stays good in the fridge for days.

I make ham salad whenever I have leftover ham from a big dinner, like this Honey Glazed Ham we enjoy at Christmas or Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes, which is a favorite anytime. It's amazing how such a simple recipe can make lunch something to look forward to. 

A ham salad sandwich is delicious year-round. I love this recipe on toasted bread or a bun with lettuce and tomato, but my kids prefer it scooped up with crackers for an after-school snack.

The secret to great ham salad is getting the texture just right. I pulse the ham in short bursts until it's finely chopped but not mushy. The celery and red onion add the perfect crunch, while the sweet relish balances out the salty ham.

Sometimes, I add chopped hard-boiled eggs or a sprinkle of fresh dill when I want to change things up.

Ingredient Notes

See the printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.

• Ham: Any leftover cooked ham works great. You can use spiral ham, honey baked ham, or even deli ham.
• Celery: Adds perfect crunch. Make sure to dice it small so it blends well.
• Red onion: Gives nice flavor and color. You can use white onion if that's what you have.
• Mayonnaise: Creates a creamy base. Use your favorite brand.
• Sweet relish: Adds a touch of sweetness. You can also use diced dill pickles.
• Dijon mustard: Brings a tangy kick. Yellow mustard works, too.
• Black pepper: Fresh ground tastes best, but any black pepper is fine.

How To Make Ham Salad

First, put the diced ham in your food processor. Give it a few short pulses until it's finely minced but not turned to paste. This should take about 30 seconds.

Grab a large mixing bowl and add your minced ham. Mix in the diced celery and red onion. Then add the mayonnaise, sweet relish, Dijon mustard, and black pepper.

Stir everything together until it's well combined. Make sure all the ingredients are evenly mixed - you want a bit of everything in each bite.

You can serve your ham salad right away, but it tastes even better after chilling in the fridge for an hour or two. This gives all the flavors time to blend together.

When you're ready to serve, spread it on buns, use it in wraps, or put it out with crackers.

Can I use canned ham for this recipe?

Fresh or leftover cooked ham works best. Canned ham tends to be too soft and salty, which can make the salad mushy and overly seasoned.

Variations

• Add eggs. Hard-boiled eggs make it heartier and add richness and texture.
• Make it zesty. Using dill pickles instead of sweet relish gives it more bite and less sweetness.
• Switch the mustard. Spicy brown mustard adds more kick, while honey mustard makes it slightly sweeter.

Storing and Freezing

Store: Keep leftover ham salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Give it a quick stir before serving.

Freeze: Freezing isn't recommended as the mayonnaise can separate and make the texture grainy when thawed.

Recipe Tips

• Make sure to dice the celery and onion very small so they blend well with the ham.
• If the mixture seems dry, add mayonnaise one tablespoon at a time until you reach the right consistency.
• Try swapping the mayo for Greek yogurt to make it lighter.
• Add chopped hard-boiled eggs for extra protein and flavor.
• Fresh dill or parsley makes a nice garnish and adds flavor.

This ham salad spread is easy to make and always hits the spot. It turns simple ingredients into something special that works perfectly for lunch or bringing to gatherings. Plus it’s a fantastic use of leftover ham after the holidays!