This southern classic is made with pantry staples so it's easy to toss together, and always delicious.
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❤️ Why you'll love it
- It's a classic recipe for packed lunches, picnics, and more.
- A little sweet, a little spicy, and a whole lot delicious, it's the BEST deviled ham salad recipe you'll ever make!
- The budget-friendly ingredients are most likely already waiting in your kitchen. All you have to do is toss them together.
Spread it between slices of bread for a tasty sandwich. Or, serve it with crackers for a quick afternoon snack! My mom used to spoon it in those buttery finger sized Vienna rolls when she was getting ready for a party.
Deviled ham salad is the best way to put your leftover ham to use.
It's a great recipe to make ahead of time and enjoy all week.
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Pulse the ham, celery, and onion in a food processor.
- Mix the mayo, mustard, and hot sauce.
- Add the relish to the ham mixture.
- Stir all of the ingredients together.
🥫 Storage
Leftovers should be covered with plastic wrap or put in an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just be sure to give it a good stir before serving.
If frozen immediately upon being made, ham salad can technically be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. However, I don't recommend it, because the mayonnaise is likely to separate.
📖 Variations
One of the great things about this homemade ham salad recipe is how versatile it can be. Try experimenting with different ingredients and combinations to truly make it your own!
- Serve it as ham sandwiches on your favorite bread, as a dip with crackers and celery sticks, or pair it with potato chips.
- If you're feeding a crowd, you can make it stretch by adding hard-boiled eggs to the mix.
- Swap out the sweet pickle relish for dill pickles for a tangier taste.
- Stir in shredded Cheddar cheese.
- I like to add a little hot pepper (poblano or jalapeno) to the mix.
- Use fresh or canned ham. I've even seen it done with Spam but... I don't recommend it!
💭 Things to know
Just like Mom used to make, this ham salad is simple but full of flavor - and I'm giving you tips and tricks to make it even better!
Expert Tip: For the best flavor, chill your ham salad before serving.
- You likely won't need salt, because the ham has plenty. However, just to be sure, always give your recipe a taste!
- If leftovers become a bit dry, stir in a dollop of mayo.
- I use a spicy dijon but plain yellow mustard is fine.
- A meat grinder does a great job with this - my aunt used to make it that way.
One of my favorite sandwiches when I was a kid was this sandwich spread between two slices of homemade limpa bread.
👩🍳 FAQs
Any ham you have on hand or like best can be used. I prefer small boneless cooked ham, but ham steaks or canned varieties work, too.
No - You can absolutely chop the ham by hand. Just make sure it's diced as small as possible. The food processor blade attachment makes it easier but it's doable by hand.
📚 Related recipes
Whether you're preparing for a party or cooking for yourself, you can never have too many salads!
- Made Southern tearoom style, Chicken Salad Recipe is SO delicious!
- Mom's Homemade Potato Salad is another staple recipe.
- Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad with Hellman's is a great side dish that couldn't be easier to make.
- Refreshing and creamy, Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream is the perfect addition to any meal!
🍽️ Serve with...
Pair this ham salad with a couple of sides and a little something sweet to make it a complete meal.
- Creamy KFC Coleslaw is a classic recipe that can be made ahead of time and paired with anything.
- Sweet and refreshing, Patriotic Fruit Salad is an easy go-to I always serve with this recipe.
- No Knead Sandwich Bread makes the perfect pairing!
- Who can resist a little something sweet? Not me! Finish off your ham salad with a serving of Strawberry Punch Bowl Cake.
📞 The last word
If you are imagining the canned stuff when you think of this deviled ham recipe you need to think again.
This delicious spread is my favorite way to use ham leftovers. It's easy, inexpensive, and yummy!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Deviled Ham Salad
Print Pin Recipe SaveEquipment Needed
Ingredients
- 3 cups cut up ham
- 1 cup celery
- 1 cup onion
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoons hot sauce
- ¼ cup sweet relish, well drained
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Instructions
- Add ham, celery, and onion to the food processor.
- Pulse until all ingredients are chopped finely.
- Drain the relish well.
- Remove the ham spread from the food processor to a bowl.
- Mix the mayonnaise, mustard, and hot sauce.
- Stir into the ham.
- Stir in the relish
Notes
- You likely won't need salt, because the ham has plenty. However, just to be sure, always give your recipe a taste!
- If leftovers become a bit dry, stir in a dollop of mayo.
- I use a spicy dijon but plain yellow mustard is fine.
- A meat grinder does a great job with this - my aunt used to make it that way.
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