Ham Salad Recipe
Having a good ham salad recipe on hand is an ideal way to use holiday leftovers. Just a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes deliver an appetizer or quick lunch. Serve it on toast, crackers, or in mini sandwiches for a fuss-free snack platter!
So, last Christmas, after our holiday dinner, it was time to clean up. What was I going to do with all the leftovers? My freezer was already full. That’s when I started digging for recipes that deliciously use leftovers. This year, I’m prepared.
Ham salad is pretty much the easiest dish you can prepare for guests and family after the holiday buzz. Besides, it’s a great way to free up space in your fridge.
The Versatility of Leftover Makeovers
I especially love making turkey and ham salad for brunch or lunch the morning after the holidays. After all, what are we going to do with all that turkey and ham? So if we can use those ingredients for stress-free cooking while we recuperate, the more power to us.
Did I tell you one of the best soups I ever made was with leftovers? I took all the roasted chicken off the bones, set it aside, and used the bones to make a broth. Chopped up the leftover roasted vegetables, added them to the broth, along with the chicken, rice, and leftover salsa verde. How’s that for zero-waste cooking?
How to Make Ham Salad
- Chop the ham into small pieces, and put it in a large bowl.
- Add the chopped hard-boiled eggs, onions, green onions, and celery to the bowl with the ham. (Photo 1)
- Whisk the mayonnaise, mustard, and lemon juice. Then add Creole seasoning to taste. (Photos 2-3)
- Pour the dressing over the salad, and mix well. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. (Photos 4-5)
- Serve on toast, crackers, or in a sandwich. (Photo 6)
Tips and Tricks
- Chop ham faster with a food processor or chopper.
- Chill it in the fridge for an hour or so before serving so the flavors meld better.
- Add some sweet pickle relish or chopped dill pickles for another layer of flavor.
- Feel free to omit the hard-boiled eggs or add more to make a larger salad for more people.
- A dash of cayenne or Creole seasoning adds a kiss of heat. But paprika will add color without heat if that’s the way you roll.
Make-Ahead and Storage Ideas
Feel free to make this salad a day or two ahead. Freezing it for later is NOT a good idea because the eggs get weird and the raw veggies become soggy. However, you can definitely freeze the leftover ham in slices for 4-6 months to make the salad later.
Ways to Enjoy Ham Salad
While crackers and toast or sandwiches are classic, there are a number of creative ways to use ham salad.
- Top a mound of leafy greens with a scoop of it instead of dressing for a healthy high-protein salad.
- Wrap it in a large lettuce leaf for a gluten-free wrap.
- Put it in a decorative bowl for a Christmas-themed charcuterie board with tortilla chips.
- Heat a croissant in the oven, then fill it with ham salad and a slice of Swiss cheese.
More Leftover Makeover Recipes to Enjoy
- Navy Bean Soup With Ham
- Chili Cheese Fries (leftover beef or chicken)
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Vegetable Soup (clean out the freezer)
- Black-Eyed Pea Soup
Ham Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450g) ham, chopped
- 1-2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- ¼ cup (24g) minced onion
- 1 green onion, minced
- ½ cup (50-60g) minced celery
- ⅓-½ cup (75-112g) mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon (5g) Dijon mustard
- ½-1 teaspoon (2-4g) Creole seasoning
- ½ lemon, juiced
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut leftover ham into small pieces with a sharp knife, and place it in a large bowl.
- Add the chopped hard-boiled eggs, minced onions, the green onion, and celery.
- Mix the mayonnaise, mustard, Creole seasoning, and lemon juice in a smaller bowl. Chill until ready to use.
- Pour the mayonnaise mixture over the ham mixture, and mix until everything is thoroughly combined—season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve on toast or crackers.
Tips & Notes:
- Omit hard-boiled eggs or add more as desired.
- If you don’t have Creole seasoning, cayenne pepper will give it a kiss of heat.
- Add sweet pickle relish or chopped dill pickles for more flavor.
- Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
