This is hands down, the Best Ham Salad Recipe. A delightful way to use leftover ham for a refreshing salad. I love to keep this low-carb and enjoy it in a lettuce wrap or with veggies. It is also fabulous on croissants and sandwich breads.No judging here, it's all delish!
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❤️ Why this recipe works
- This salad is always a crowd-pleaser.
- A great way to use leftovers.
- Use diced ham to make this salad.
- It's a go-to for me because it is so versatile.
- Whether it is the Holidays season, springtime, or Summer, this low-carb salad is a perfect recipe to make for family and friends.
🔪 Ingredients
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- Diced Ham - use leftover ham from either Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham or, Baked Honey Glazed Ham, or Maple Glazed Ham. Also, diced ham or cut-up ham steaks work well.
- White pepper - If you do not have it, black pepper is also fabulous in the salad.
- Mayonnaise - Miracle Whip can be a substitute. It has a higher fructose level so I prefer mayo. It is a personal preference.
🍲 Equipment
⭐ How to store, reheat, and freeze
- Leftover ham salad should be kept in an airtight covered container for up to 3 days.
- Because of the mayonnaise, we don't recommend freezing this salad because of the mayonnaise.
- However, the diced ham can be frozen in an airtight covered container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
💭 Expert Tips
Expert Tip: Use your food processor to give the ham a few pulses and get a chop. You do not want mushy ham so do not put the processor on for long. 1-2 pulses work well.
- If you don't own a food processor, I do highly recommend one for your kitchen, use a knife to chop the ingredients. This will take a few more minutes but the end results are yum.
- Once you make the ham salad, let the flavors blend for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight to allow the flavors to blend. Once the salad is made it can keep in the fridge in a covered container for up to 2-3 days.
📋 Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t recommend freezing because the salad uses mayonnaise and that does not freeze well. If you want to freeze the leftover ham and make the salad at a later date is a much better idea. Cooked ham can be frozen for up to 3 months.
It is believed to have originated from Patrick Connelly, an Irish immigrant to England in the 18th century.
My favorites are either dill or gherkin in this salad. They both add a nice zing to the ingredients.
📖 Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways that you increase the flavor of this dish.
- Do you have leftover Deviled Eggs? Add them in for a new level of flavor. Chop up 1 or 2 eggs and add them to the salad.
- Instant Pot Hard Boiled eggs are an excellent addition to the salad.
- Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs can be added to the salad.
- Chopped carrots, peppers, or onions are great additions.
- A teaspoon of white or red vinegar adds a little extra flavor to the ingredients.
- For added flavor sweet pickle relish is a nice addition.
- Change up the mustard and use Creole mustard, Dijon mustard, or grainy mustard for a different texture.
🥗 Serving Suggestions
Serve the salad on lettuce wraps, stuff the ham mixture into celery stalks, on cucumber or zucchini wedges, s0 many options, for a low-calorie/keto snack.
For a hearty choice, and a great addition to a brunch luncheon, make ham salad sandwiches on croissants, air-fryer biscuits, Hawaiian sweet rolls, or any of your favorite bread choices.
Another great salad to add to a brunch or potluck is our festive Watergate Salad, a classic!
Another light salad that is perfect for brunch and lunch is this tasty arugula salad recipe.
Having a classic lunch celebration? Add a 5-star macaroni salad or bacon ranch potato salad to the table.
🍽 Similar recipes
Egg Salad Sandwiches are a favorite of my family and are so easy to prepare and enjoy.
Enjoy another great leftover idea like our ridiculously delicious Rachel Sandwich, using turkey, dang it's delish!
I have a bevy of leftover ham ideas in this tasty roundup of 50 Leftover Ham Ideas.
Every Holiday, my family loves fresh Ham. I buy a big one so I always have leftovers. The family looks forward to this salad and we often make Creamy Ham and Peas Pasta.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
- In a large mixing bowl, add ham, celery, dill pickles, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and white pepper.
2. Blend ingredients together.
3. Scoop the mixture into a food processor and pulse for a chunky salad. For a smoother ham salad spread, pulse a few more times for a smooth texture.
4. Once the mixture is to your preferred texture, remove and place the salad in an airtight covered container in the refrigerator for about
5. Serve on celery stalks, cucumber, or zucchini rounds for a low-carb snack.
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Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Ham Salad Recipe
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Equipment Needed:
- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups cooked ham, diced Note 1
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- ½ cup dill pickles, diced
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon white or black pepper
- pickle juice, optional
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ham, celery, dill pickles, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and pepper.
- Taste, if needed, adjust the seasoning, if desired. You can also add a bit of dill pickle juice.
- Scoop the mixture into a food processor and pulse a few times if you prefer a chunky salad. If you prefer a smooth salad or spread, puree the ingredients until smooth. Note 2
- Place the mixture in a covered airtight container. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes up to overnight.
- To serve, leep it low-carb and serve in lettuce wraps or stuffed celery. For a hearty lunch, serve on your favorite bread or croissant.
Lilly Matthew’s
Made this with my leftover ham test recipe. Love it so much. I made on Ute own and I made toasted sandwich for my kids. They loved it as said make a big ham every weekend to use the meat for these sandwiches. So good
Eileen xo
I'm so glad you love the salad Lilly. I'm glad the kids enjoyed it as well. Have a wonderful week and thank you for taking the time to let me know how the recipe worked for you.