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    The Life Jolie » Main/Entree » Old Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe

    Old Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe

    Published: Apr 11, 2023 · Modified: Jun 30, 2023 by Jessy Freimann · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Mom's Favorite Ham Salad is a killer way to use leftover ham. It's ready in minutes with just a few ingredients, this classic recipe is a total keeper!

    This Old Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe is a killer way to use leftover ham. It's ready in under 10 minutes with just a few ingredients and is filled with great, savory flavor!

    A spoon holding up a scoop of ham salad from a blue bowl behind it.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Old-Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe
    • Ingredient Information And Substitutions:
    • How to Make Deviled Ham
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Tips For This Recipe For Deviled Ham
    • Make it a Meal!
    • Other Ham Recipes to Try...
    • Old Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe

    Why You'll Love This Old-Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe

    I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of ham. Specifically, deli ham (I had a bad experience a long time ago, I'll leave it at that!). But over the years I've come back around, specifically to the baked hams we have at holidays. So when my mom brought up her love for a good ham salad sandwich, I knew I should probably give it a try and share it with you.

    I used the leftovers from my Crock Pot Ham and just love that the rest of the ingredients are things most of us already have hanging out in our fridge or pantry. This comes together in minutes giving you a simple, delicious, and satisfying lunch and a great way to repurpose leftover ham! Here are a few other reasons to love this easy ham salad recipe:

    • A wonderful way to use leftovers
    • Full of flavor
    • Family-friendly
    • Ready in just 10 minutes
    • Requires minimal ingredients (just 5!)
    Hands holding up a half ham salad sandwich with the middle exposed to the camera.

    Ingredient Information And Substitutions:

    • Ham- Leftover baked ham works best.
    • Sweet onion- Did you know that there are actually several varieties of onions out there? I like using sweet for this easy ham salad recipe- the flavor is perfect!
    • Celery- Just like most chicken salad recipes, I'm using chopped celery for a delicious crunch.
    • Mayonnaise- For added creaminess and flavor.
    • Sweet relish- I am a huge fan of sweet relish! I love the slight sweetness and tang it adds to my easy ham salad.
    • Salt and pepper- To taste, always.

    How to Make Deviled Ham

    Step 1: Mince the ham, onion, and celery in a food processor, separately.

    Add the chopped leftover ham to your food processor and process until it becomes finely minced. Transfer it to a large mixing bowl.

    Repeat the process with the sweet onion and then celery! Avoid adding both vegetables at a time- process them separately.

    A collage of 3 images- the first is ham being chopped in a food processor, the second is onion being chopped in the food processor and the third is celery being chopped in the food processor.

    Step 2: Add the other ingredients and mix

    Incorporate the mayonnaise, relish, salt, and pepper into the mixing bowl with the ham, onion, and celery. Mix until well combined.

    Taste and adjust the ingredients as needed. Serve right away or store in the fridge!

    A hand mixing all the ham salad ingredients in a mixing bowl.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can this recipe be made without a food processor?

    You can simply chop the ingredients up by hand. That said, you want it to be more of a mince — a really, really fine chop so that you're making a spread.

    Can dill pickle relish be substituted for sweet pickle relish?

    Totally! Just know it'll add more of a tangy flavor and less of a sweet flavor.

    How long will ham salad last in the refrigerator?

    It will keep for 3-5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    Can I make this ahead of time and freeze It?

    Yes, but you'll want to freeze it as soon as you make the ham salad.

    How should I serve ham salad?

    This recipe can be served in a variety of ways. I usually use this ham salad recipe for sandwiches. If you want a lighter option, spread it onto crackers or rice cake or make a wrap. Or even better yet — make a lettuce wrap or serve over a salad! For a quick and easy appetizer, you can get pre-made phyllo cups and spoon some ham salad into them. Hello, instant canapés!

    A close up image of ham salad.

    Tips For This Recipe For Deviled Ham

    • Use sweet onion! It's a more subtle flavor and won't make your significant other want to avoid kissing you.
    • Use a food processor. It's super efficient and gets a finer chop quickly.
    • Before placing the ham into the food processor roughly dice (and the onions and celery). I do this so that I can measure them out accurately. The food processor does the rest!
    • Although I give amounts for ingredients, I want you to taste the ham salad and adjust the ingredients to your taste. You should be doing this with everything you cook, but this recipe is totally adjustable to your unique taste.
    • Ingredients to prep ahead: Roughly chop onion, roughly chop celery, make and dice ham.
    • Storage and leftovers: This will last up to 5 days covered in the refrigerator and can freeze for up to 3 months.
    An overhead image of ham salad in a blue bowl.

    Make it a Meal!

    Serve this deviled ham recipe with:

    • Roasted Beet Salad
    • Summer Bounty Strawberry Salad
    • Everything Pita Chips
    • Four Ingredient Chocolate Mousse
    • Cherry Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Bars

    Other Ham Recipes to Try...

    • Brushing juices onto a spiral ham.
      Crockpot Spiral Ham
    • Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Casserole is an excellent way to use leftover holiday ham. Cheesy, creamy and super easy to make, it's a dinner the whole family will love!
      Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Casserole
    • A square image of a ham and cheese slider on a spatula on top of a pan of other sliders.
      Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders
    • A spoon holding a scoop of potato ham soup.
      Creamy Ham and Potato Soup
    A straight-on shot of a half ham salad sandwich on a plate.

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!

    A spoon holding up a scoop of ham salad from a blue bowl behind it.

    Old Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe

    Jessy Freimann
    This Old Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe is a killer way to use leftover ham. It's ready in under 10 minutes with just a few ingredients and is filled with great, savory flavor!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 205 kcal

    Equipment

    • food processor
    • chefs knife
    • cutting board
    • measuring cups
    • measuring spoons
    • mixing bowl
    • Spatula

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups leftover ham, roughly diced
    • ¼ cup sweet onion, roughly diced
    • 2 cups celery, roughly sliced
    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • 3 tablespoons sweet relish
    • Kosher salt, to taste (start with a pinch)
    • Ground back pepper to taste (start with a pinch)

    Instructions
     

    • Place ham into the food processor and process until it's finely minced. Remove from food processor and place into a mixing bowl.
    • Place onion into the food processor and process until it's finely minced. Remove from food processor and place into a mixing bowl.
    • Place celery into the food processor and process until it's finely minced. Remove from food processor and place into a mixing bowl.
    • Add mayonnaise, relish and a pinch of salt and pepper to the mixing bowl and stir well until full combined.
    • Taste and adjust the ingredients to your taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.

    Video

    Notes

    • Use sweet onion! It's a more subtle flavor and won't make your significant other want to avoid kissing you.
    • Use a food processor. It's super efficient and gets a finer chop quickly.
    • Before placing the ham into the food processor roughly dice (and the onions and celery). I do this so that I can measure them out accurately. The food processor does the rest!
    • Although I give amounts for ingredients, I want you to taste the ham salad and adjust the ingredients to your taste. You should be doing this with everything you cook, but this recipe is totally adjustable to your unique taste.
    • Ingredients to prep ahead: Roughly chop onion, roughly chop celery, make and dice ham.
    • Storage and leftovers: This will last up to 5 days covered in the refrigerator and can freeze for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.75cupCalories: 205kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 0.3gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 269mgPotassium: 8mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 155IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Comments

    1. Nic says

      April 26, 2019 at 12:31 am

      Haven't thought about ham salad in ages! I remember my Grandma making this using a hand-cranked "food processor" called a salad master. Tucking this idea away for those lazy it-is-too-hot-to-cook days headed our way.
      Reply
      • Jessy Freimann says

        April 27, 2019 at 3:10 pm

        How fun! Enjoy!
        Reply
    2. Anne says

      April 21, 2020 at 3:53 pm

      I have SO MUCH ham left over from Easter. LOL I will separate slices and freeze most of it, but this recipe popped so I made it liked it very much. Because it a spur-of-the-moment decision (because I am using some of the ham tonight for dinner), I didn't have sweet onions. I did have some dried chives. I used about three tablespoons. I will probably use only two and a smidge next time. I also drain the relish as best I can. My favorite part of the recipe technically was using the food processor. For some reason, it never occurred to me to use one for ham salad or any other salad. The texture is just perfect for my taste.
      Reply
      • Jessy Freimann says

        April 21, 2020 at 7:42 pm

        I'm so glad you liked it Anne! I bet the chives were a delicious addition :)
        Reply
    3. Jean says

      June 22, 2023 at 12:48 am

      If anyone can't stand the texture of celery, like me & my family; you may not know that celery seed is a thing (in the seasonings). Gives you the unique flavor w/out the wood chip feel.
      Reply

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