The Best Old-Fashioned Creamy Ham Salad Recipe
Welcome! I’m Sarah, and I’m so happy you’re here. This classic ham salad recipe transforms leftover ham into a creamy, tangy sandwich spread perfect for quick lunches or potlucks. It is easy to make in minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: About 2 cups 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked ham, finely chopped or pulsed
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of salt (taste first, as ham is often salty)
Instructions
- Place the finely chopped ham into a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, Dijon mustard, celery, onion (if using), pepper, and salt to the bowl.
- Mix all ingredients together until they are well combined and the mixture is creamy. Do not overmix.
- Taste the ham salad and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Cover the bowl and chill the ham salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.
- Serve your homemade deli salad on bread for sandwiches, with crackers, or over lettuce for a low-carb option.
Notes
- For the smoothest texture, pulse the ham in a food processor until finely ground, but stop before it turns into a paste.
- If you prefer a tangier ham salad, add 1 teaspoon of yellow mustard along with the Dijon.
- This recipe is excellent for using up leftover holiday ham.
- This classic spread keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 9
- Cholesterol: 45