Classic Ham Salad Recipe: Easy, Delicious, and Pioneer-Approved

This ham salad recipe is a timeless classic, perfect for using up leftover ham and creating a satisfying meal or snack. Inspired by hearty, home-style cooking, think of this as your go-to “pioneer woman” style ham salad – simple, flavorful, and sure to please the whole family. If you’re searching for a tried-and-true recipe that delivers on taste and ease, look no further! This is destined to become a staple in your kitchen, just like those treasured recipes passed down through generations.

ham salad shown in a white speckled bowl with a hand dipping a club cracker into the ham salad

Hand dips a club cracker into creamy ham salad served in a white speckled bowl, showcasing a delicious and easy appetizer or snack.

What Makes This Ham Salad Recipe So Good?

For over 25 years, this ham salad recipe has been a family favorite, and for good reason. It’s based on a classic recipe, drawing inspiration from traditional cookbooks, ensuring a taste of home-style goodness in every bite. If you appreciate recipes that stand the test of time, like a reliable potato salad passed down through generations, then you’ll understand the charm of this ham salad. We’ve made slight adjustments over the years, perfecting the balance of flavors to create what we believe is truly the best ham salad recipe out there. Get ready for a recipe you’ll return to again and again!

Frequently Asked Questions About Ham Salad

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s answer some common questions to ensure your ham salad turns out perfectly every time.

What’s the best ham to use for ham salad?

Leftover ham is ideal for this recipe, especially after a holiday feast. A boneless cooked ham works wonderfully. Ham steaks, cut into smaller pieces, are also a great option. The key is to use cooked ham that is flavorful and not too dry.

Do I need a food processor to make ham salad?

While a food processor makes quick work of mincing the ham, egg, and vegetables, it’s not essential. You can finely chop everything by hand if you prefer. Alternatively, a blender can also be used, but be sure to pulse in short bursts to avoid turning the mixture into a paste.

Why isn’t there any salt in the ingredient list?

The saltiness of ham varies, so it’s best to taste your ham salad before adding extra salt. Often, the ham itself provides enough salt. Season with salt and pepper to taste at the end, ensuring you achieve the perfect flavor balance.

How should I serve ham salad?

Ham salad is incredibly versatile! Serve it on soft rolls or biscuits for a satisfying sandwich, use it as a filling for ham salad pinwheels for a party appetizer, spread it on crackers for a quick snack, or even enjoy it with lettuce wraps for a lighter option.

How long does ham salad last?

Store leftover ham salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days. Freezing is not recommended as mayonnaise can separate upon thawing, affecting the texture and quality of the salad.

The Best Ham Salad recipe from The Country Cook, ham salad shown in a bowl with a sliced hardboiled egg on top

Classic ham salad recipe presented in a serving bowl, garnished with a sliced hard-boiled egg, perfect for sandwiches or appetizers.

Ham Salad Ingredients: Simple & Flavorful

This recipe uses just a handful of ingredients to create a truly delicious ham salad. Here’s what you’ll need:

Boneless Cooked Ham: The star of the show! Leftover ham is perfect, or you can buy a small boneless ham.
Hard-boiled Egg: Adds richness and depth of flavor. Don’t skip it unless you really dislike eggs!
Celery and Onion: These aromatics provide a lovely crunch and layers of savory flavor.
Sweet Pickle Relish: Adds a touch of sweetness and tang. If you prefer, dill pickle relish can also be used.
Mayonnaise: The creamy binder that brings everything together. For the best flavor, use a high-quality mayonnaise.
Prepared Mustard: A secret ingredient that enhances the overall flavor without being overpowering.

Ham Salad Ingredients: boneless cooked ham, hard-boiled egg, celery, onion, sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, mustard

Ingredients for homemade ham salad recipe laid out: diced cooked ham, hard-boiled egg, celery, onion, sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, and mustard.

How to Make Ham Salad: Step-by-Step Instructions

Making this ham salad is incredibly easy. Follow these simple steps:

Mince the Ingredients: In a food processor or blender, combine the diced ham, hard-boiled egg, celery, and onion. Pulse 20-25 times, or until finely minced. You want a minced texture, not a 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.

Step-by-step preparation of ham salad: raw ingredients in food processor before mincing, and processed ham mixture after mincing.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, and prepared mustard.

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.

Mixing wet ingredients for ham salad: mayonnaise, mustard, and sweet pickle relish combined in a bowl, then added to the minced ham mixture.
Mix and Chill: Add the mayonnaise mixture to the minced ham mixture and stir until well combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours, or preferably longer, to allow the flavors to meld. Chilling also improves the texture.

overhead shot of ham salad in a bowl with rolls and crackers off to the side

Overhead view of freshly prepared ham salad in a bowl, ready to be served with crackers and soft rolls, emphasizing its creamy texture.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve your chilled ham salad on rolls, in sandwiches, with crackers, or your preferred serving style!

ham salad shown on Hawaiian Sweet Rolls stacked on a plate

Delicious ham salad sandwiches served on Hawaiian sweet rolls, stacked on a plate, showcasing a popular and easy serving suggestion.

Serving Suggestions for Ham Salad

Ham salad is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in numerous ways:

Sandwiches: Classic ham salad sandwiches on soft rolls, white bread, or croissants are always a hit.
Crackers: Serve as a dip or spread with your favorite crackers for an easy appetizer or snack.
Lettuce Wraps: For a lighter, low-carb option, serve ham salad in crisp lettuce cups.
Pinwheels: Spread ham salad on tortillas, roll them up, chill, and slice into pinwheels for a fun party snack.
Deviled Eggs: Add a spoonful of ham salad to deviled eggs for an extra layer of flavor and texture.

The Best Ham Salad Recipe (+Video)

This ham salad recipe is truly the best! It’s easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and delivers incredible flavor. Perfect for lunch, snacks, or potlucks, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite.