Ham salad

Combine the ham, eggs, mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, mustard, minced celery, lemon juice and spring onion in a bowl.

Taste the mix, then season with salt and black pepper as required. Serve in a warm bread roll or mix up with freshly cooked pasta for a lunchtime leftovers dish.

Tips & tricks

You can use any type of cooked ham for this ham salad recipe. The great thing about ham salads is that they’re really versatile. Enjoy it in a sandwich for a tasty lunchtime dish, have it by itself with a side of lettuce, or you can even add it to pasta dishes. Simply cook the pasta as you normally would, drain and then mix the ham salad in afterwards. If you’re looking for an alternative to the cheese board, ham salad can also be spread onto crackers!

For the best ham salad recipe, we like a touch of mayonnaise and mustard. Lemon juice also helps to lift the flavours and sweet relish brings a tartness to the overall taste profile.  Whilst we’ve shared our favourite combination of ham salad flavours above, there’s no end to the twists you can add to your own recipe. Swap the minced celery for finely chopped peppers, or experiment with the style of mustard. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. If your ham of choice has a glaze, this will add a sweetness to the overall final flavours too. For inspiration on how to cook your ham, before you reach the ham salad stage, find our ham recipes here. 

If you’re wondering what to do with leftover ham, a homemade ham salad is a creative way to use up any surplus, but for more inspiration have a read of our leftover ham recipes here.

Best dressing for the ham salad

When serving your ham salad, you have the option of adding a delicious dressing. A basic homemade vinaigrette is our pick of the best dressings, with a tart taste that cuts through the creaminess of the ham salad. To have a go at making your own dressing, we have a quick guide here for you. Included in our guide is a tasty maple balsamic vinaigrette recipe if you want to add a sweetness to the salad with your dressing, or a balsamic vinaigrette to add a dash of umami. A dressing isn’t a necessity for a ham salad, but it can add a depth of flavour to the dish.

Storage

Ham salad should be stored in the fridge for around four days, in an airtight container, until ready for serving. It’s best not to freeze a ham salad once it’s been prepared as the mayonnaise can separate in the freezer. However, it is possible to freeze the diced ham in a freezer-safe bag for two months, before using it in a salad.