Old Fashioned Ham Salad
This Old-Fashioned Ham Salad is a family favorite made with minced ham, hard-boiled eggs, sweet onion, celery, seasonings, and mayonnaise. The result is a creamy deli-style salad to serve as a high-protein topping for crackers, tea sandwiches, salads, and so on!
Making ham salad always brings back memories of my Nana. After the holidays, she’d work magic, transforming the leftover ham hock into a delicious mayo-coated concoction we’d eagerly spread onto soft white bread. The memory is so palpable I can still taste it!
This simple ham salad recipe pays homage to Nana’s old-fashioned ham salad. It tastes pretty darn close to the original. These days, I enjoy it over a bed of fresh greens drizzled with olive oil, spritzed with vinegar, and a sprinkle of coarse salt.
For those who haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing old-fashioned ham salad, picture finely chopped ham mixed with a creamy, flavorful blend of mayo and crisp vegetables and seasonings. And fear not Paleo/Whole30 enthusiasts, I’ve also got you covered with a compliant option!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Great way to repurpose leftover ham. It’s the perfect recipe to utilize leftover ham from holiday dinners, minimizing food waste and transforming it into a delicious, versatile dish.
- Quick and easy. This is a fuss-free recipe, requiring minimal preparation time and simple ingredients you likely already have.
- Satisfying and flavorful. The combination of ham, mayo, and complementary ingredients creates a delicious deli-style salad that can be enjoyed in various ways.
- Versatile serving options. Serve it on soft bread, tea sandwiches, crackers, or salads suitable for casual lunches, afternoon teas, or as a crowd-pleasing party snack.
- Meal prep-friendly. Prepare a batch in advance and have a ready-made protein option for lunches, snacks, or quick meals throughout the week.
If you enjoy classic deli-style salads, this ham salad is just one of many options. Experiment with other varieties like chicken, egg, or tuna. But first, grab your apron, and let’s relish in the simple joy of crafting Southern ham salad, shall we?
Ingredients you’ll need
- Baked ham. If you don’t have leftover holiday ham, select baked or smoked ham, such as a ham steak or thick-sliced sliced deli ham.
- Sweet onion. It adds a mild, sweet flavor and subtle crunch to complement the savory tenderness of the ham. Substitute green onion or chives for a more mild flavor.
- Celery. It adds a refreshing, crunchy texture to contrast the tender ham.
- Hard-boiled eggs. You can use ready-made hard-boiled eggs from the store. Or, whip up a batch with my perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs guide. You can use the extra hard-boiled eggs to make red pepper egg salad or Whole30 egg salad.
- Mayonnaise. I typically use light mayo or homemade mayo in creamy deli-style salads. If you use store-bought mayo, opt for a full-fat Hellmann’s, Duke’s, Best Foods, or Sir Kensington’s.
- Mustard. It elevates the flavor and creaminess of your ham salad -I use Dijon for a tangy kick, but you can also try yellow mustard or whole grain for texture.
- Pickle relish. You can use dill relish or sweet pickle relish. The bend of salty ham and zesty-sweet, pickled notes enhance the overall taste and texture of the dish.
- Celery salt. Combining ground celery seeds and salt complements the other flavors, contributing to a well-rounded taste.
- Hot sauce. A splash of hot sauce introduces a spicy kick. Try Tabasco, Sriracha, or Frank’s Red Hot.
How to make ham salad
Step 1: Mince the ham. Place the ham in a food processor and pulse until it is chopped into tiny pieces. Transfer the ham to a large bowl.
Step 2: Chop the onion & celery. Place the onion and celery in the food processor (I use a mini food processor for this) and pulse until very finely chopped.
Step 3: Combine all ingredients. Add the chopped onion and celery to the bowl of ham, then add the remaining ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined.
Step 4: Serve. Serve over a bed of lettuce with your favorite salad toppings, or spread it on your favorite bread for a classic ham salad sandwich. Enjoy!
Recipe tips
- Dice uniformly. If you don’t have a food processor, finely dice the ham, onion, and celery into uniform, tiny pieces for a consistent texture throughout the salad.
- Chill for flavor. Allow the ham salad to chill in the refrigerator before serving. This helps the flavors meld together, resulting in a more well-balanced taste.
- Or prepare in advance. Ham salad often tastes better when allowed to chill in the refrigerator, so consider preparing it the night before and letting it chill overnight before serving.
Variations
- Optional toppings – Sprinkle toppings like grated cheese, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze over a scoop of ham salad for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Complementary add-ins – Embrace the saltiness of ham salad by pairing it with the sweetness of fresh fruits like apples, grapes, and blueberries (check out my blueberry chicken salad recipe for an example).
- Paleo/ Whole30 modifications – Opt for sugar-free smoked ham, sugar-free relish (or substitute finely minced compliant pickles, and Paleo mayonnaise. Enjoy on cucumber slices, bell pepper boats, or on top of a bed of greens with sliced tomatoes and a drizzle of compliant balsamic dressing.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Store leftover ham salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing ham salad as mayonnaise-based salads can change in texture and may separate upon thawing. It’s best to store it in the refrigerator and eat it within a few days.
FAQ
For a classic ham salad sandwich, spread the ham salad generously between slices of soft white, whole wheat bread, or even croissants. Alternatively, transform it into an elegant appetizer by spooning the salad on cucumbers, crackers, or small bread rounds for ham salad tea sandwiches.
While there’s no added granular sugar in the recipe, certain ingredients typically contain added sugar, specifically ham, mayo, and relish. Feel free to opt for sugar-free alternatives.
Deviled ham is made of finely chopped ham combined with a seasoned mixture, often including mayonnaise, mustard, and various spices. The term “deviled” indicates a highly seasoned or spiced preparation, contributing to the distinct taste of the ham salad.
Your ham salad may be watery due to excess moisture from ingredients like celery, onion, and pickles or from the ham itself. To reduce wateriness, dry the ingredients before mixing, and avoid using too much mayonnaise.
More leftover ham recipes
Got leftover ham? Here are more ways to make the most of it:
- Ham Delights
- Ham Spaghetti Casserole
- Southern Ham and Vegetable Soup
- Ham Spinach Gruyere Gluten-Free Quiche
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Old Fashioned Ham Salad
Ingredients
- 1.25 lbs baked ham
- 1/4 cup sweet onion
- 1/2 cup celery finely diced
- 1/2 cup light mayonnaise can also use regular mayo or Paleo-friendly mayo
- 2 hard boiled eggs peeled and finely chopped
- 1 tbsp pickle relish sweet or dill- I use sweet relish
- 1/4 tsp celery salt
- 1/4 tsp hot sauce I use Tabasco
- 2 tsp dijon mustard or yellow mustard
- fresh cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pulse ham in a food processor until chopped into small pieces.
- Remove ham from food processor and place in a large bowl.
- Add onion and celery to the bowl of the food processor and chop until finely diced. *I use a mini food processor for this.
- Add the onion and celery to the bowl with the chopped ham, then add the remaining ingredients.
- Stir until thoroughly combined and serve over a bed of lettuce with your favorite salad toppings, or spread it on your favorite bread for a classic ham salad sandwich.
Notes
- Dice uniformly. If you don’t have a food processor, finely dice the ham, onion, and celery into uniform, tiny pieces for a consistent texture throughout the salad.
- Chill for flavor. Allow the ham salad to chill in the refrigerator before serving. This helps the flavors meld together, resulting in a more well-balanced taste.
- Or prepare in advance. Ham salad often tastes better when allowed to chill in the refrigerator, so consider preparing it the night before and letting it chill overnight before serving.
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I am not going for Paleo diet, but I love this salad. Guess add some raisins would taste great. ๐