Classic Creamy Ham Salad Recipe for Leftovers
This is the simple, old-fashioned ham salad recipe you need to turn leftover cooked ham into a delicious, creamy sandwich spread or appetizer in minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: About 2 cups 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked ham, finely chopped or ground
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup celery, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon onion, finely minced (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of salt (taste first, as ham is often salty)
Instructions
- Place the finely chopped or ground ham into a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, diced celery, minced onion (if using), black pepper, and salt to the bowl.
- Mix all ingredients together until they are fully combined and the mixture is creamy. Do not overmix.
- Taste the ham salad and adjust seasonings, adding more mustard or salt if needed for your preference.
- Cover the bowl and chill the ham salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.
Notes
- For the creamiest texture, pulse the ham in a food processor until finely ground before mixing.
- Serve this savory lunch spread on toasted bread for a classic ham salad sandwich, with crackers, or inside lettuce wraps for a low carb ham salad option.
- This make ahead ham salad keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 12
- Cholesterol: 45