Old Fashioned Ham Salad – This classic Southern recipe is quick and easy to make with diced ham, fresh veggies, relish, and an irresistibly creamy mayo dressing. It’s a fabulous no-cook salad that is delicious on sandwiches, crackers, and more!

White bowl brimming with homemade chopped ham salad.

Why We Love Ham Salad

Around here we are BIG fans of cold, no-cook, not-lettuce-based salads in the summertime. Classics like chicken salad, potato salad, tuna salad, pasta salad – and now – our Ham Salad recipe, are all dishes you’re sure to see at any true Southern potluck or picnic!

This classic deli salad includes chopped precooked ham with thinly sliced celery, shaved onion, tangy pickle relish, and just the right amount of fresh dill. All of this goodness is combined with a mayonnaise and Dijon mustard dressing for a creamy, rich, and flavorful salad that everyone loves!

It’s great to make ahead for easy lunches and snacks all week long, and to serve at casual gatherings. When you’re ready to enjoy simply load onto your favorite bread for the best ham salad sandwich, or pair it with all kinds of scoopers like crunchy crackers or vegetables. Or go ahead and eat it by the spoonful straight from the bowl… I certainly wouldn’t blame you!

White bowl brimming with homemade chopped ham salad. A metal spoon is showing a scoop to camera.

Ingredients You Need

  • Cooked ham – chopped ham or spiral-baked ham, diced into small cubes
  • Mayonnaise – can be low fat, if you like
  • Mustard – tangy Dijon mustard is best
  • Celery – thinly sliced
  • Onion – finely shaved and drained
  • Sweet pickle relish – jarred sweet relish or fresh chopped homemade pickles, drained
  • Fresh dill – roughly chopped
  • Cracked black pepper – a bit to taste
Half of a ham salad sandwich on a plate with potato chips.

How to Make the Best Ham Salad Recipe

Set out a large mixing bowl. Finely diced the ham into small pieces. Place the diced ham in the bowl.

Chopped cooked ham and onion in a mixing bowl.

Slice the celery extra-thin and shave the onion with a greater or mandolin. Drain any extra juices off the onion. Chop the fresh dill.

Get the Complete (Printable) Old-Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!

Fresh herbs added to the mixing bowl.

Combine all ingredients in the bowl. Mix well then sprinkle generously with cracked black pepper. Mix again.

Cover the ham mixture and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Hand stirring salad ingredients in a white bowl with a red spatula.

Serving Suggestions

Ham salad is great on sandwiches either by itself or with a bit of fresh lettuce, tomatoes, or other toppings you like! You can load scoops onto slices of classic white bread or wheat bread, hoagie rolls, or into pita pockets. And it’s fun to top sammies with a pepperoncini, pickled okra, or classic dill pickle spear for a deli-style touch.

Or keep things on the lighter side and scoop the ham onto fresh greens for an easy, low carb protein-packed salad.

The cold and creamy salad is also delicious to enjoy as a dip with crackers, pita chips, or with fresh-cut vegetables. Serve it for a practically effortless lunch or snack, or as a party snack or appetizer at picnics, potlucks, or any summer gathering!

Half of a ham salad sandwich on a plate with potato chips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my ham salad get watery?

It is essential to drain the “wet” ingredients like shaved onion and relish when making this ham salad recipe. Otherwise, the moisture in them will make the dressing too thin.

How long will ham salad last in the fridge?

Deli ham salad leftovers will keep well for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Keep leftover ham in an airtight container or tightly cover the mixing dish with plastic wrap.

Recipe Variations

Consider adding chopped bell pepper, hard-boiled eggs, dill pickle relish, chopped parsley, green onion, or crushed red pepper to the mix.

Half of a ham salad sandwich on a plate with potato chips.

Looking for More Classic Southern Recipes? Be Sure to Try:

White bowl brimming with homemade chopped ham salad.
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5 stars (4 reviews)
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Best Ham Salad Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Classic ham salad is quick and easy to make with cooked ham, fresh veggies, relish, and an irresistibly creamy mayo dressing. This cold no-cook salad is delicious on sandwiches, crackers, and more!
Servings: 12 servings

Video

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Set out a large mixing bowl. Finely diced the ham into small pieces. Place the diced ham in the bowl.
  • Slice the celery extra-thin and shave the onion with a greater or mandolin. Drain any extra juices off the onion. Chop the fresh dill.
  • Combine all ingredients in the bowl. Mix wel, ,then sprinkle generously with cracked black pepper. Mix again. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Ham salad is great on sandwiches and salad, served as a dip with crackers, or scooped up with fresh cut vegetables.
Deli ham salad will keep well for up to 4 days in the fridge. Keep in an airtight container or tightly cover the mixing dish with plastic wrap.

Nutrition

Serving: 6oz, Calories: 252kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 63mg, Sodium: 1068mg, Potassium: 253mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 119IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Salad, Sandwiches
Cuisine: American, Southern
Author: Sommer Collier
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