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A Southern Ham Salad recipe that’s the perfect way to use up any leftover ham. This easy Ham Salad is great on sandwiches or as a simple spread for crackers. A must have for parties and the Kentucky Derby celebration!
Southern Ham Salad is one of those things that I put up there with Pimento Cheese….it’s kinda weird if you’ve never actually seen it before but for my Southern friends, it’s kind of a staple. It looks kind of lumpy and strangely pink but one swoop of your cracker and you’ll be hooked by the salty, vinegary punch that I know and love.
With all the bridal showers, baby showers and the Kentucky Derby right around the corner….it’s about time you get acquainted with the best Ham Salad recipe. It’s great as a dip or a spread, or tuck inside a few tea sandwiches. PLUS, it’s a great way to use up leftover ham like my favorite Crock Pot Ham with Pineapple Brown Sugar Glaze.
Ingredients and Substitution Ideas
Homemade Ham Salad is usually made of chopped or minced ham (I use leftover holiday ham), mayonnaise, mustard, chopped pickles, celery and onion. You can add just about anything you want to your ham salad recipe to make it your own unique salad.
- Capers add a brine-y, salty flavor that goes well with the dressing.
- Sweet relish or sweet pickle relish, we love using this Homemade Pickle Relish!
- Grainy mustard, a great substitution for dijon mustard or yellow mustard.
- Chives or green onions give the salad a more mellow onion flavor than red onion or sweet onion.
- Add freshness with a bit of lemon zest and lemon juice.
- Hot sauce adds a slightly peppery bite.
- Go Tex-Mex with finely diced jalapeno.
For the full ingredient list and measurements, see the recipe card below.
How To Make Ham Salad
This Ham Salad recipe is a simple recipe to make in about 2 minutes flat with the help of a food processor or powerful blender.
- Place the ham pieces and sweet pickles in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Using quick pulses, pulse to chop.
- Transfer the ham mixture to a large bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise, mustard, parsley, chopped scallions, onion, kosher salt and black pepper.
- Stir to combine.
- Serve as a Ham Salad Sandwich or a ham salad spread with crackers.
What is Ham Salad?
This Old fashioned Ham Salad recipe is a traditional American salad similar to popular creamy salads like tuna salad, chicken salad or even crab salad where the main ingredient is ham. It’s often found in southern restaurants and parties.
How To Freeze Ham Salad
Fresh Ham Salad can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Leftover Ham Salad that’s been stored in the refrigerator for more than a day is not fresh enough to freeze and should be eaten immediately.
How to Store Leftovers
This easy Ham Salad recipe can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Transfer your ham salad to an airtight container and place in the refrigerator until ready to eat. Be sure to give it a stir before serving and it’s best when served chilled.
This Southern Style Ham Salad recipe is very similar to Deviled Ham Salad except that deviled ham doesn’t have the pickles and other veggies blended into the mix.
Easy Ham Salad Recipe
Equipment
- 1 food processor
- spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped baked ham
- 8 sweet gherkins
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp creole mustard , or dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery, about 2 stalks
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place the ham and gherkins in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to chop.
- Transfer the ham mixture to a large bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise, mustard, parsley, scallions, celery and red onion. Stir to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Transfer to an airtight container and chill until ready to use.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Serving Suggestions
If you’re serving you this recipe as a Ham Salad Sandwich recipe, I love to serve them with:
- Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips
- Red Beet Pickled Eggs
- Classic Deviled Eggs
- Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs
- Creamy Tomato Bisque
- Black Eyed Pea and Corn Salad
More Party Recipe Ideas
- Easy Pimento Cheese Dip
- The BEST EVER Hot Crab Dip
- Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Super EASY Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Hot Artichoke Asiago Dip
This Ham Salad recipe is truly a very versatile treat! I’ve even had this tangy salad served on top of a green salad with a light blue cheese dressing and it made the best filling, yet healthy, lunch!
Super fantastic for the summer months, this ham salad is a regular staple in our picnic basket along with a simple fruit tray and a bottle of wine. Round it out with a wedge of sharp cheddar and you have one epic summer treat.
More Salad Recipes
- Tuna Salad
- Lemon Tarragon Chicken Salad Sandwiches
- Egg Salad Recipe
- Chicken Waldorf Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Easy Ambrosia Salad
- Chicken Salad with Dried Cranberries
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So….what’s your favorite way to use up leftover ham….I’m always on the hunt for new ideas, too.
This was the perfect way to use up the last of our ham. It’s so good on crackers!
This ham salad looks so good. I never think to make ham salad but I will now. This looks amazing.
What a great recipe and fun for summer too!
Yes, perfect for picnic sandwiches!
I am so happy I found this! I have so much leftover ham and this looks incredible!
Thank you! It’s not mayo heavy like some salads I’ve had.
What a perfect way to use up leftover Ham!
Thank you~
This is my favorite way to use up leftover ham, it is good!
Thank you! Sooooo good!
This is perfect for all my leftover ham! YUM.
Mine too!
Well, I certainly have lots of ham leftover from Easter! Thank you for the recipe!
You are VERY welcome!
This is so perfect for lunches this week! We love ham but always have a ton leftover!