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A rustic bowl filled with creamy, chunky homemade ham salad, garnished with fresh herbs. The perfect leftover ham recipe.

Ham Salad Recipe (The Best Classic Recipe)

This classic Ham Salad Recipe is the perfect way to use leftover ham! It's creamy, savory, and incredibly easy to make for a quick lunch, sandwich, or appetizer.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 310
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups cooked ham finely diced or pulsed in a food processor
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise use a good quality brand
  • 2 celery stalks finely diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons dill pickle finely chopped (or dill pickle relish)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground

Equipment

  • 1 Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Food Processor (optional)
  • 1 Knife and Cutting Board

Method
 

  1. Finely dice the cooked ham with a knife or pulse it a few times in a food processor until it reaches your desired consistency. Be careful not to over-process it into a paste.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, add the processed ham, mayonnaise, finely diced celery, minced red onion, chopped dill pickle, and Dijon mustard.
  3. Stir all the ingredients together until they are well combined. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
  4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the ham salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold on sandwiches, with crackers, or as desired.

Notes

For best results, use high-quality mayonnaise.
Letting the ham salad chill is essential for the flavors to fully develop.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.