This ham salad is great on it’s own or makes a spectacular ham salad sandwich. The nostalgic combo of ham, mayo, relish, & celery is a winner!
This ham salad recipe reminds me of my parents’ bridge games growing up. Served on white wonder bread cut into perfect triangles of course. If you love nostalgic food try our ambrosia salad and vegetable beef soup too!
Ham Salad Recipe
Ham Salad Recipe
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Ham Salad Ingredients
- Ham – Cooked, chopped or diced.
- Celery – Small diced.
- Mayonnaise – We like full fat mayo but use what you love. For a sweeter finish try a dressing like Miracle Whip.
- Relish – We use sweet pickle relish, but dill relish is also delicious.
- Mustard – Creamy dijon mustard.
- Salt & pepper – To taste.
- Green onion or scallion – Optional.
How do you make ham salad? (step-by-step)
⭐ First, chop ham and celery. Measure out mayo, relish, mustard, and seasonings.
⭐ Then, place chopped ham in a food processor and pulse until finely minced.
⭐ Next, in a large bowl combine everything except green onion and salt. Stir until well mixed. Taste and add salt as desired.
⭐ Finally, garnish with green onion and enjoy as is or on your favorite bread.
Preparation
Can you make ham salad spread ahead of time?
Yes, this can be prepared for a party or get together (or quick lunch prep) a day or so ahead of time. Stir well before serving in the event there has been any separation.
What kind of ham for ham salad?
Any cooked ham will work. We often use leftover ham from the holidays to make this recipe, but you can also purchase cooked ham in the deli or meat section of your market!
Mayonnaise or miracle whip in ham salad?
I’m partial to mayo, but if you like it sweeter go for the miracle whip. Also, if you are going to freeze it use Miracle Whip as mayo separates when frozen.
Storage and leftovers
Do you have to refrigerate ham salad?
Yes, this recipe is made with meat and mayo so it must be kept in the refrigerator. If the salad is left out at room temperature for more than two hours leftovers should not be saved.
How long does this ham salad recipe last?
Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for 3 – 5 days. I like to make a batch on Sunday afternoon and eat it for lunch sandwiches all week long.
Can ham salad be frozen?
If prepared with mayo, you should not freeze (mayonnaise separates when frozen), however if you used Miracle Whip you can freeze it.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and mix well before serving.
Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions
🍯 Make it sweeter (and freezable) by using Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise.
🥒 Add a zing of vinegar flavor by swapping the sweet relish for dill pickle relish.
🥩 Try making this with other leftovers or deli meats like roast beef, chicken or turkey.
⚖ For a low carb version use mayo and dill relish and serve on celery ribs.
🥚 Add hard boiled egg to make it stretch. Bell pepper is also yummy and adds a pop of color!
🧀 Try stirring in a handful of shredded cheddar cheese.
What to eat with ham salad (serving suggestions)
This is a nostalgic ladies luncheon kind of dish in my mind (although honestly, I’ll take it for lunch any day of the week). Try serving it on homemade white bread or homemade crackers (only 2 ingredients!) alongside refrigerator pickles and fresh lemonade!
Other delicious ham recipes
- Crock pot ham
- Apricot glazed ham
- Ham and cheese croissants
- Club sandwich recipe
- Breakfast casserole
- See all our recipes with ham!
More awesome creamy salads
- Amish macaroni salad
- Mexican corn salad
- Tortellini salad
- Classic potato salad
- Tuna pasta salad
- Cucumber salad
- Macaroni salad with bacon
Tools we love
- Classic wooden salad bowl – This bowl makes any salad look extra pretty.
- Natural teak cutting board – Perfect for slicing those veggies!
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How to Make Ham Salad Recipe
Ham Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups chopped ham
- 3 ribs celery small diced
- 1 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
- 2 tablespoons relish sweet or dill
- 1 tablespoon creamy dijon mustard
- salt & pepper to taste
- sliced green onions or scallions optional
Instructions
- Place chopped ham in a food processor or blender and pulse until finely minced.
- In a large bowl, combine the minced ham, celery, mayo, pickle relish, pepper and dijon mustard.
- Mix well until everything is combined. Taste and add salt as desired.
- Garnish with green onion or scallion and enjoy as-is, with crackers, on celery, or in a sandwich.
Notes
- Make it sweeter (and freezable) by using Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise.
- Add a zing of vinegar flavor by swapping the sweet relish for dill relish.
- Try making this with other leftovers or deli meats like roast beef, chicken or turkey.
- For a low carb version use mayo and dill relish and serve on celery ribs.
- Add hard boiled eggs to make it stretch. Bell pepper is also yummy and adds a pop of color!
- Try stirring in a handful of shredded cheddar cheese.
Nutrition
Ham Salad Recipe
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Valentina says
The BEST homemade ham salad recipe! I love how unique and flavorful this salad recipe is!
Gina Ceraso says
This was the first salad to disappear at our party! YUM!
Melissa says
I love ham salad! Great recipe – I made it twice now!
Tamara says
I worked in a Deli for years and we made and sold tons of this “Ham Salad” made with bologna instead of ham and we also added the jarred pimentos to it as well. I actually like it a lot better than real ham salad myself and if you can catch bologna on sale it’s also lot more economical if you’re trying to stretch a budget as well.
April Woods says
oh that sounds great too!