This isn’t just ham salad; it’s a taste of home, a recipe that echoes the comforting, hearty meals championed by the Pioneer Woman herself. If you’re searching for a dish that’s both incredibly easy to make and deeply satisfying, look no further. This ham salad recipe, brimming with flavor and perfect texture, will become a staple in your kitchen. Whether you’re using leftover holiday ham or grabbing a ham steak from the store, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a culinary delight.
ham salad shown in a white speckled bowl with a hand dipping a club cracker into the ham salad
Your Ham Salad Questions Answered
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s tackle some common questions to ensure your ham salad experience is seamless and successful.
Choosing Your Ham: The beauty of ham salad lies in its versatility. Leftover ham from holidays is ideal, lending a smoky depth to the salad. Boneless cooked ham or thick ham steaks are equally fantastic choices. Just ensure you trim any excess fat for the best texture.
Food Processor vs. Manual Mincing: While a food processor significantly speeds things up, achieving finely minced ham without one is absolutely possible. Patience and a sharp knife are your best tools for hand-mincing. Alternatively, a blender can be used in short pulses, but be cautious not to over-process into a paste.
The Salt Factor: Taste is paramount! Before adding any salt, sample your ham. Many hams are pre-salted, and adding more might overwhelm the other flavors. Season to taste after combining all ingredients, ensuring a balanced flavor profile.
Serving Suggestions: Ham salad’s charm is its adaptability. Enjoy it the classic way on soft rolls or biscuits for a satisfying sandwich. For a fun twist, try Ham Salad Pinwheels. It’s also a delightful spread for crackers, perfect for appetizers or a light snack.
Storing Leftovers: Proper storage maintains freshness and flavor. Keep leftover ham salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Freezing isn’t recommended as mayonnaise can separate upon thawing, altering the texture.
The Best Ham Salad recipe from The Country Cook, ham salad shown in a bowl with a sliced hardboiled egg on top
The Heart of the Ham Salad: Ingredients
This recipe keeps it simple yet delivers maximum flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to create this Pioneer Woman-esque ham salad:
- Boneless Cooked Ham: The star of the show! 1 ½ pounds of diced ham, whether leftover or freshly bought, forms the base of our salad. Opt for a flavorful smoked ham for an extra layer of deliciousness.
- Hard-Boiled Egg: Don’t underestimate the humble hard-boiled egg. It adds a subtle richness and depth that you might not immediately pinpoint, but it’s crucial for the overall flavor. If eggs are truly not your preference, you can omit it, but we highly recommend including it.
- Celery and Onion: These aromatic vegetables are essential for texture and flavor complexity. Celery provides a refreshing crunch, while onion adds a savory bite. Adjust the quantities to your liking, but trust us, they are worth including.
- Sweet Pickle Relish: Relish often sparks debate, but in ham salad, it brings a touch of sweetness and tanginess that perfectly complements the savory ham. If sweet relish isn’t your favorite, dill pickle relish can offer a different, equally tasty dimension. For the adventurous, homemade sweet pickle relish elevates the recipe even further.
- Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise binds the salad together and adds creamy richness. For the best flavor, choose a high-quality mayonnaise like Hellman’s or Duke’s. While Miracle Whip can be used, purists often prefer the classic taste of real mayonnaise.
- Mustard: Mustard might seem like an unexpected ingredient in ham salad, but it adds a subtle tang and depth that enhances the overall flavor without being overpowering. It’s a background note that ties everything together beautifully.
Ham Salad Ingredients: boneless cooked ham, hard-boiled egg, celery, onion, sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, mustard
Crafting Your Ham Salad: Step-by-Step
Let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious ham salad, worthy of any Pioneer Woman-inspired spread.
- Mince the Base: In a food processor or blender, combine the diced ham, hard-boiled egg, celery, and onion. Season lightly with black pepper. Pulse 20-25 times, or until the mixture is finely minced but not mushy. You want texture, not paste.
collage of two photos: ham, egg, celery and onion in a food processor and ham mixture in food processor after it has been processed.
- Combine the Creamy Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, and mustard until well combined. This creamy mixture will perfectly coat the minced ham mixture.
a collage of two photos: mayonnaise, mustard and sweet pickle relish in a medium white bowl and mayonnaise mixture added to a large bowl with diced ham mixture.
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Marry the Flavors: Gently stir the creamy dressing into the minced ham mixture until everything is evenly coated.
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Chill and Enhance: Cover the ham salad and refrigerate for at least two hours, or preferably longer. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in a more flavorful and cohesive salad.
overhead shot of ham salad in a bowl with rolls and crackers off to the side
- Serve and Enjoy: Once chilled, your ham salad is ready to be served! Spread it on your favorite soft rolls, crackers, or enjoy it in a sandwich.
ham salad shown on Hawaiian Sweet Rolls stacked on a plate
Recipe Card: Pioneer Woman Inspired Ham Salad
Yields: 10 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless cooked ham, diced
- 1 hard-boiled egg
- 1 stalk celery, roughly chopped
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped onion
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 Tablespoon prepared mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Crackers or rolls for serving
Instructions:
- Combine ham, egg, celery, and onion in a food processor. Pulse until finely minced.
- In a separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, relish, and mustard.
- Stir dressing into ham mixture.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Serve on crackers or rolls.
Nutrition (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: 290kcal
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 24g
- Sodium: 948mg
Note: Nutritional information is an estimate. Use an online calculator for precise values.
Enjoy this classic ham salad recipe – a simple yet satisfying dish perfect for lunch, snacks, or gatherings. It’s a taste of comfort food at its finest, reminiscent of the hearty, welcoming style of the Pioneer Woman.
