Ham Salad Recipe with Mustard, Pickle Relish, and Hard Boiled Eggs Recipe
Introduction
Ham salad is a versatile and flavorful dish that’s perfect for using leftover cooked ham. This creamy, tangy salad comes together quickly and is delicious served on soft rolls or with assorted crackers.
Ingredients
- 1 & 1/2 pounds boneless cooked ham, trimmed of fat and diced (about 5 cups)
- 1-2 hard boiled eggs, sliced or roughly chopped
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 2 tablespoons diced onion
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish, drained and blotted
- Assorted crackers and soft rolls, for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: Place the diced ham, chopped hard boiled eggs, diced celery, diced onion, and pepper into the bowl of a food processor.
- Step 2: Pulse 20-25 times using short, quick pulses, scraping down the sides as needed until the mixture is finely minced.
- Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, and sweet pickle relish until smooth.
- Step 4: Add the minced ham mixture to the mayo mixture and stir well until it forms a thick, spreadable paste.
- Step 5: Cover the bowl and chill the ham salad for several hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- Step 6: Serve chilled on soft rolls for sandwiches or spread on assorted crackers as an appetizer.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crunch, add finely chopped pickles or nuts to the salad.
- Use Dijon mustard instead of yellow mustard for a sharper flavor.
- Make it spicier by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
- If you don’t have a food processor, finely chop all ingredients by hand for a chunkier texture.
Storage
Store the ham salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving again. It’s best enjoyed chilled 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 use leftover ham for ham salad?
Yes, leftover cooked ham works perfectly and can add great flavor and texture to your ham salad.
How long should I chill the ham salad before serving?
Chilling the salad for a few hours, ideally 2-4 hours, helps the flavors meld and improves the overall taste.
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Ham Salad Recipe with Mustard, Pickle Relish, and Hard Boiled Eggs Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling time)
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
This classic Ham Salad recipe combines diced cooked ham, hard-boiled eggs, celery, onion, and a tangy mayo-based dressing with mustard and sweet pickle relish. The mixture is finely minced in a food processor for a perfect texture and chilled to develop rich flavor. Ideal for sandwiches or as a spread on crackers, this easy-to-make ham salad is a flavorful and versatile dish perfect for casual lunches or appetizers.
Ingredients
Ham Salad Mixture
- 1 & 1/2 pounds boneless cooked ham, trimmed of fat and diced (about 5 cups)
- 1–2 hard boiled eggs, sliced or roughly chopped
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 2 tablespoons diced onion
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish, drained and blotted dry
Serving
- Assorted crackers and soft rolls (such as brioche), for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Dice the cooked ham into about 5 cups, chop 1 to 2 hard boiled eggs, dice 1 stalk of celery, and chop 2 tablespoons of onion. Also measure out the pepper.
- Pulse in Food Processor: Place the ham, eggs, celery, onion, and pepper into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 20-25 times with short, quick pulses, scraping down the sides as necessary, until the mixture is finely minced.
- Make Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon mustard, and 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish. Stir well to blend the flavors and create a creamy dressing.
- Combine Mixture and Dressing: Add the minced ham mixture into the bowl with the dressing. Stir thoroughly until combined into a cohesive, paste-like consistency.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and chill the ham salad in the refrigerator for several hours. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and develop for optimal taste.
- Serve: Serve the ham salad as sandwiches on small soft brioche rolls or as a spread on assorted crackers for an appetizer or casual meal.
Notes
- Using leftover ham or a slab of cooked ham trimmed and diced works best for texture and flavor.
- Draining and blotting the sweet pickle relish removes excess moisture to prevent the mixture from becoming too wet.
- Chilling the salad several hours before serving improves the flavor.
- This ham salad can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- Adjust the amount of eggs or relish based on personal preference for texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: ham salad, ham salad sandwich, easy ham salad, quick sandwich spread, picnic recipe, leftover ham recipe
