This 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. It is best with a piece of good quality cooked ham that has been cured and preferably smoked. A smoked ham has less moisture in it, and that is key to a good ham salad.
I have loved ham salad since I was a little girl. It brings back such fond memories of good times with my family. It is so incredibly easy to make and can be enjoyed on fresh rolls, Hawaiian bread, pumpernickel, rye, crackers, or even celery sticks 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.
How do you make Ham Salad?
Start by chopping up the onion and celery! Next, scoop into a bowl. Cut ham into small sections and pulse in a food processor scooping it into the bowl as well. Next, add the mayo, pickle relish, mustard, and dill. Stir gently, blending just until combined. Season with fresh ground black pepper, and if desired, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of pickle juice.
Tips for making easy Ham Salad
- 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.
- For even 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 for a little added zip.
- I never 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 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.
More ham recipes
Best Ham Salad Recipe
Use your leftover holiday ham and make this classic easy delectable leftover ham salad with onions, celery, pickle relish, and mayo.
- Prep Time: 10
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: main meal ham
- Method: no bake
- Cuisine: southern
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.
Keywords: ham salad, how to make ham salad, ham salad sandwich, best ham salad, homemade ham salad
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Sandra
This is so good and so easy to make!! Can’t wait to make it again!
★★★★★
Melissa Cuhsing
Thanks for the great ham salad recipe. It reminds me of my grandma’s ham salad. Everyone enjoyed it a lot.
★★★★★
Gust
This was the perfect salad for our picnic! So easy to make and so delicious!
★★★★★
Catalina
My new favorite salad! I am going to make this ham salad for my family often!
★★★★★
Rhian Westbury
I’m really bad at coming up with lunches when I am working at home but this sounds like a great mix to just have in the fridge. What a lovely combination of flavours with the ham
Beti
This ham salad is fantastic! The family really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
katerina
Oh wow! This was absolutely delicious!! Thanks for the great recipe.
★★★★★
Annette
A fab way of using up left over ham! Isn’t it funny how something so simple can feel like such a treat when it’s something you don’t usually make.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
So true!
Sandra
I love how quick and easy this is to make!! Such a delicious salad!
★★★★★
MELANIE E
That sounds like an interesting combination. I do like the addition of the dill, that has a lovely flavour. I’d love to try this.
★★★★★
Erin
No doubt, this is really amazing! Definitely a must make!
Natalie Marie
Great ham salad! My new favorite. Thanks for sharing 🙂
★★★★★
Kushigalu
love how simple and easy this ham salad is. Thanks for the recipe.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome!
MJ
So glad I found this recipe! Had some leftover ham I wanted to use up, and this was an easy recipe to follow and so yummy!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, MJ! So glad that you liked the ham salad!
Sharon
This easy ham salad was just like the one I enjoyed as a kid! It went great on pieces of simple white bread for lunch.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sharon! So glad that you liked it!
stephanie
I made this today and it was so yummy! Thank you for sharing.
★★★★★
Carrie Robinson
I haven’t had ham salad in forever! This recipe sounds delicious. 🙂
★★★★★
Elena
Had this for lunch – delicious!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Elena! So glad that you liked it!!
SHANIKA
I love how easy and flavorful this Ham salad is! Plus, turning it into a sandwich is just perfect!
★★★★★
Krissy Allori
Yum! This ham salad is so good. I love the ham and dill pickle together. It’s so good!
★★★★★
Andrea Metlika
This ham salad looks perfect. I haven’t ever tried to make my own but now I can. Can’t wait to eat this.
★★★★★