How To Make The Best Leftover Ham Salad After The Holidays

Whenever I have leftover ham I always turn a portion of it into ham salad. As much as I enjoy a classic ham dinner on Christmas Day, there comes a point where I crave something completely different to enjoy the remaining pieces.

Making leftover ham salad has become one of my favorite ways to turn holiday leftovers into a fresh and tasty sandwich or spread. The combination of diced ham, pickles, celery, onion, and a creamy dressing creates something totally new without a lot of effort.

In fact, it’s incredibly quick to make. Not to mention that it uses ingredients I almost always have on hand.

But why I love it so much is because the leftover ham salad can be used in so many different ways. You can serve it as a sandwich, scoop it on crackers, or enjoy it wrapped in lettuce leaves for a lighter option.

It also stays good for several days, making it an easy way to plan lunches right after a busy holiday week. This recipe has become one of those simple winter staples that I look forward to making every December after the holidays are over.

However this is also a great recipe for anyone who is still hosting family during the week between Christmas and New Year’s. It makes an easy lunch that you can prepare ahead of time, freeing up precious minutes when your home is still full of guests or when you’re simply trying to get back to a normal routine.

My Version Of Leftover Ham Salad

Although you can find dozens of versions of ham salad, I always come back to this one because it balances both the flavor and texture perfectly. The ham is salty and tender, the pickles add tang, the celery brings crunch, and the dressing ties everything together without overwhelming the mixture.

It balances the rich and creamy taste and texture without being heavy. It works well whether your leftover ham is baked, smoked, spiral-cut, or even glazed.

Ingredients You Need To Make Leftover Ham Salad

Although some ham salad recipes call for processed ham or deli ham, this one uses fresh leftover ham that’s been finely diced. Using real leftover ham gives the salad a better texture and a deeper flavor. You only need a few simple ingredients.

2 cups finely diced leftover ham

From here, the mixture is simply built with chopped vegetables and an easy creamy dressing. The dressing adds just enough richness without making the salad feel too heavy. The pickles add a little tang, the celery brings crunch, and the onion adds a boost of flavor. However, the ingredients can easily be adjusted if you prefer a certain flavor.

Leftover Ham Salad Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups finely diced leftover ham*
• 1/2 cup finely diced celery
• 1/3 cup finely diced onion
• 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles (or sweet pickles if preferred)
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, diced (optional but recommended)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon pickle juice (optional, for extra tang)
• Salt and pepper to taste

*To make this leftover ham salad, start by finely dicing your leftover ham. The smaller the pieces, the better the texture will be. In fact, I use my Food Processor to not only dice the ham but to combine all the ingredients as well.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add the diced ham, celery, onion, pickles, and eggs to a medium mixing bowl.
2. In a separate small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, mustard, and pickle juice.
3. Pour the dressing over the ham mixture and gently fold everything together until evenly coated.
4. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
5. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving so the flavors can blend.

This leftover ham salad mixture will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container.

Tips For Making Leftover Ham Salad Even Better

Even though this recipe is simple, there are a few small tips that make a noticeable difference. The first is to cut the ham with a sharp knife to prevent the ham from tearing. This helps keep the pieces clean and uniform.

Another tip is to finely chop everything. Ham salad tastes best when all the ingredients are similar in size. This gives each bite a consistent texture. Larger pieces of onion or celery can overpower the other ingredients, so keeping them finely diced helps the flavors blend well.

You can also adjust the creaminess by using more or less mayonnaise. The amount listed in the recipe is ideal for a balanced texture, but if you prefer a very creamy ham salad, feel free to add an extra tablespoon or two. If you prefer it lighter, add a little less and increase the mustard.

Hard-boiled eggs are optional, but they give the salad a classic deli-style flavor. They also help the mixture stretch further, which is helpful if you’re feeding several guests. I have even used leftover deviled eggs to add more flavor to the ham salad.

If your leftover ham is glazed or sweet, using dill pickles and mustard helps balance out the sweetness. If your ham is smoked or salty, adding a bit of sweet pickle relish works well to soften the flavor.

How To Serve Leftover Ham Salad

One of the reasons this recipe is so valuable after Christmas is because it’s incredibly versatile. The easiest way to serve leftover ham salad is on bread. Hamburger buns, sliced sandwich bread, croissants, or even leftover dinner rolls all work well.

However, don’t just think of it as a sandwich. Just like when making my Ham and Cheese Dip, you can serve it as an appetizer. This is especially nice when entertaining guests because you can set out a bowl of leftover ham salad with a platter of crackers or cucumber slices.

For a lighter option, spoon the mixture into lettuce wraps. This gives the salad a fresh crunch and keeps it lower in carbs.

You can even use leftover ham salad as a topping for baked potatoes or stuffed into small sweet peppers. Another favorite way to serve it is scooped over a bed of mixed greens for a quick lunch.

Because the flavors continue to develop as it chills, leftover ham salad tastes even better the next day. It makes planning after-holiday meals simple and stress-free.

Storage Tips

Leftover ham salad needs to be refrigerated at all times. Store it in a sealed container and use within 3 to 4 days.

If the mixture becomes watery after sitting, simply stir it before serving. Do not freeze leftover ham salad because the mayonnaise will separate once thawed.

Enjoy! Mary

Follow My Facebook Page For Great Recipes For Two! I Cook For Two Facebook Page

To receive FREE recipes delivered directly to your email, be sure to sign up for the iCookfortwo newsletter. A sign up form is located in the middle of this article. If you have any questions, comments, or want to submit an idea for a recipe for two, feel free to email at mary@icookfortwo.com