Dinner

The Best Ham Salad Recipe

ByClara Bennett December 29, 2025December 29, 2025

Introduction

Ham salad is a classic, comforting dish that’s perfect for using up leftover ham or a thick slab from the deli. Creamy, tangy, and easy to prepare, it’s great as a sandwich filling or served with crackers. This recipe offers a simple way to make the best ham salad for any occasion.

A close-up image showing a white speckled bowl filled with a pink, creamy, chunky meat spread mixed with small bits of green celery. A woman's hand is holding a pale yellow cracker, dipping it into the meat spread. Behind the bowl, there are slices of hard-boiled eggs with yellow yolks and a hint of green lettuce blurred in the background, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds boneless cooked ham, diced (leftover or purchased thick slab, trimmed of fat)
1 hard-boiled egg
1 stalk celery, roughly chopped
2 teaspoons finely chopped onion
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish (optional)
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Assorted crackers and/or soft rolls (for serving)

Instructions

Step 1: Place the diced ham, hard-boiled egg, celery, and chopped onion into a blender or food processor. Season with a bit of fresh black pepper.
Step 2: Pulse 20 to 25 times with short, quick pulses to mince the ingredients evenly. Scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed to combine thoroughly.
Step 3: In a separate large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, prepared mustard, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Stir the minced ham mixture into the mayonnaise mixture until well combined.
Step 5: Cover and chill the salad for several hours. The flavors improve as it sits in the refrigerator.
Step 6: Serve chilled with assorted crackers or soft rolls.

Tips & Variations

For a lighter option, substitute half of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
Add a tablespoon of chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill for extra freshness.
If you prefer a chunkier texture, pulse fewer times in the food processor or chop ingredients by hand.
Sweet pickle relish is optional but adds a nice touch of sweetness; feel free to omit if you prefer a tangier salad.

Storage

Store the ham salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before serving, give it a quick stir. This salad is best enjoyed chilled and should not be left out at room temperature for extended periods.

How to Serve

A white speckled bowl filled with a creamy pink ham salad that has small green pieces mixed evenly throughout, giving it a chunky texture; on top of the salad are two halved hard-boiled eggs showing bright yellow yolks, each sprinkled lightly with black pepper. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface next to a vintage silver spoon. To the left, there is a bunch of fresh green celery stalks resting on a turquoise cloth, with a stack of pale yellow square saltine crackers arranged neatly nearby. In the upper right corner, a white decorative plate holds several soft, golden brown dinner rolls. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use freshly cooked ham instead of leftover ham?

Yes, freshly cooked ham works well. Just be sure it’s fully cooled and trimmed of excess fat before dicing.

Is it possible to make ham salad without mayonnaise?

Yes, you can substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or a combination of yogurt and mustard for a healthier alternative, though the texture and flavor will be slightly different.