Creamy Old-Fashioned Ham Salad
This Creamy Ham Salad is a quick, savory, and slightly tangy classic made with finely chopped ham, creamy mayonnaise, crunchy celery, sweet pickle relish, and a touch of mustard. It’s delicious as a sandwich filling, cracker spread, or light lunch. Traditional versions commonly combine ham with mayonnaise, pickle relish, mustard, and crunchy vegetables.
🛒 Ingredients
- 3 cups (about 450 g) cooked ham, finely chopped or ground
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet pickle relish
- 1 celery stalk, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons finely diced onion
- 1 tablespoon yellow or Dijon mustard
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, optional
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Ham
Cut the cooked ham into small chunks.
Place it in a food processor and pulse several times until finely chopped. Don’t puree it—the salad is best when it still has a little texture.
If you don’t have a food processor, simply mince the ham very finely with a sharp knife.
2. Make the Creamy Dressing
In a large bowl, combine:
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Pickle relish
- Lemon juice
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
Stir until smooth and creamy.
3. Add the Ingredients
Add the chopped ham, celery, onion, and hard-boiled eggs.
Gently stir everything together until the ham is completely coated in the creamy dressing.
Taste and adjust the mustard, relish, or pepper according to your preference.
❄️ 4. Chill
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
For the best flavor, let it chill for 2 hours. The flavors become more balanced as the salad rests.
🥪 How to Serve
Spread generously onto:
- Soft white bread
- Croissants
- Dinner rolls
- Crackers
- Toasted baguette
For a lighter option, spoon it into lettuce cups or serve it over a bed of fresh greens.
✨ Easy Variations
Extra Creamy:
Add 2 tablespoons softened cream cheese to the dressing.
Cheesy Ham Salad:
Mix in ½ cup finely shredded cheddar cheese.
Crunchy Version:
Add finely chopped green or red bell pepper.
Sweet & Tangy:
Increase the sweet pickle relish to ⅓ cup.
Spicy:
Add a few drops of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
⭐ Tips for the Best Ham Salad
- Don’t completely puree the ham; small pieces give the salad a better texture.
- Taste before adding salt, because ham can already be quite salty.
- Drain excess pickle relish if it’s particularly wet.
- For the richest flavor, use leftover baked or smoked ham.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy within 3–4 days.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 1–2 hours
Total Time: About 1½ hours
Servings: 5–6
Texture: Creamy, slightly chunky, and crunchy
Flavor: Savory, smoky, tangy, and lightly sweet.