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The Best Ham Salad Recipe

4.5 from 440 reviews

A classic and flavorful ham salad made by blending diced cooked ham with hard-boiled egg, celery, onion, and a creamy dressing of mayonnaise, mustard, and sweet pickle relish. Perfectly chilled and served with crackers or soft rolls, this easy recipe transforms leftover ham into a delicious sandwich or snack spread.

Ingredients

Scale

Ham Salad Mixture

  • 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
  • Fresh black pepper, to taste

Dressing

  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish (optional)
  • 1 Tablespoon prepared mustard
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For Serving

  • Assorted crackers and/or soft rolls

Instructions

  1. Prepare ingredients. Dice the boneless cooked ham and roughly chop the celery. Finely chop the onion. Hard-boil the egg and let it cool completely.
  2. Combine in food processor. Place diced ham, hard-boiled egg, celery, chopped onion, and a bit of fresh black pepper into a blender or food processor.
  3. Pulse to mince. Pulse the mixture 20-25 short, quick times to mince the ingredients evenly. Scrape down the sides of the processor to ensure everything is combined uniformly.
  4. Mix dressing. In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, prepared mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir well to create a smooth dressing.
  5. Combine ham mixture with dressing. Stir the minced ham mixture into the dressing until fully incorporated.
  6. Chill the salad. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for several hours. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and improves the taste.
  7. Serve. Serve the ham salad chilled with assorted crackers or soft rolls as a sandwich or spread.

Notes

  • Using leftover ham is a great way to minimize waste and boost flavor.
  • Adjust the amount of pickle relish based on your sweetness preference or omit if preferred.
  • For a smoother texture, pulse more times in the processor, but avoid pureeing it completely.
  • The salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Optional garnishes like chopped fresh parsley or paprika can add color and extra flavor.

Keywords: ham salad, leftover ham recipe, sandwich spread, picnic salad, easy ham recipe