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.
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. If you like this recipe try ham and potato casserole, ham and beans, or deviled ham.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Ham: For optimal taste, use good quality cured smoked ham, as it is the star of the show. This recipe also works well for egg, tuna, and chicken salad.
- Mayonnaise: 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.
- Pickle relish: You can use dill pickle relish or sweet pickle relish. They both work well! It is just more of a matter of personal preference.
- Dill: Fresh is always best but not always available.
How to make Ham Salad
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
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.
Preparation Tips
- For more protein and added flavor, stir in 1-2 peeled and chopped hard-boiled eggs.
- I do not add salt to this salad as ham is so high in sodium.
- Dijon mustard can be subbed for the yellow mustard.
- 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 3-4 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t have a food processor, dice your ham fine and continue with the recipe.
Store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
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 more protein and added flavor, stir in 1-2 peeled and chopped hard-boiled eggs.
- I do not add salt to this salad as ham is so high in sodium.
- Dijon mustard can be subbed for the yellow mustard.
- 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.
Nutrition
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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!