Old Fashioned Ham Salad: Easy Nostalgic Lunch Favorite Recipe

Introduction

Old Fashioned Ham Salad is a simple, nostalgic lunch favorite that turns leftover ham into a creamy, flavorful spread. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for sandwiches, crackers, or fresh veggies.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked ham, cubed
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• ½ cup celery, finely diced
• ¼ cup yellow onion, minced
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut the ham into cubes and pulse in a food processor until chopped small but still textured.
2. Step 2: Dice the celery and mince the onion finely with a sharp knife on a cutting board.
3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, and Dijon mustard until smooth and creamy.
4. Step 4: Add the chopped ham, celery, and onion to the bowl and mix until evenly coated with the dressing.
5. Step 5: Season with black pepper and salt to taste, adjusting for your preference.
6. Step 6: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the ham salad for 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
7. Step 7: Serve chilled on bread, crackers, lettuce cups, or hollowed vegetables for a delicious lunch.

Tips & Variations

• Use leftover baked ham for the best flavor and texture in this salad.
• Adjust the amount of mayonnaise to control creaminess; add a splash of pickle juice if the mixture is too thick.
• For a lighter version, substitute half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.

Storage

Store ham salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Before serving leftovers, give it a quick stir. It’s best enjoyed cold and should be discarded if left out at room temperature for more than two hours.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make ham salad without a food processor?

Yes, you can finely chop the ham by hand using a sharp knife for a chunkier texture, though the food processor helps achieve a more uniform consistency.

What can I serve with ham salad?

Ham salad is versatile—serve it on sandwich bread, crackers, lettuce cups, or even as a dip with fresh vegetables for a tasty and satisfying meal or snack.

Old Fashioned Ham Salad: Easy Nostalgic Lunch Favorite Recipe

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Old Fashioned Ham Salad is a nostalgic and easy-to-make lunch favorite perfect for using up leftover baked ham. This creamy, flavorful ham salad combines chopped ham with mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, Dijon mustard, and fresh vegetables, making it a versatile dish to serve on bread, crackers, or lettuce cups.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ham Salad

• 2 cups cooked ham, cubed
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• ½ cup celery, finely diced
• ¼ cup yellow onion, minced
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Instructions

1. Chop Ham: Cut the ham into cubes and pulse in your food processor until finely chopped but still textured to maintain a pleasant bite.
2. Prepare Vegetables: Use a sharp knife to finely dice the celery and mince the yellow onion into very small pieces on a cutting board for even flavor distribution.
3. Mix Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, and Dijon mustard, stirring until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
4. Combine Ingredients: Add the chopped ham, diced celery, and minced onion into the bowl with the dressing, then stir thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.
5. Season: Add black pepper and salt to taste, adjusting the seasoning based on your personal preference for flavor balance.
6. Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together and to chill the salad before serving.
7. Serve: Enjoy the ham salad cold, served on bread, crackers, lettuce cups, or hollowed-out vegetables for a tasty and nostalgic lunch option.

Notes

• Leftover baked ham works best and adds the most flavor to this ham salad recipe.
• Adjust the amount of mayonnaise to achieve your preferred creaminess and moisture level.
• A splash of pickle juice can be added if the salad mixture feels too thick.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• For a lower-fat version, substitute half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.

Keywords: ham salad, old fashioned ham salad, ham salad recipe, easy ham salad, nostalgic lunch, leftover ham recipe, creamy ham salad