This easy ham salad recipe is a fresh take on the classic, with Dijon, cornichons, shallot, and parsley for bright flavor and better texture. It's creamy but not heavy, and a delicious way to use leftover holiday ham. Best of all, it's so good you can make it anytime with chopped ham steak.
Like chicken salad and egg salad, this ham salad recipe makes a fresh, fast lunch with leftover holiday ham or chopped ham steak. Cornichons and shallot add a fun little twist, though pickles and onion work too. A little Dijon adds subtle background flavor.
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Ham Salad Recipe Highlights
- Serve it your way - Pile it into sandwiches, lettuce cups, on salad greens, or enjoy it with crackers.
- Fast and fresh - Just a little chopping and mixing, and it's ready.
- Ham options - Use leftover holiday ham or chopped ham steak.
- Fresh twist - Cornichons, shallot, parsley, and Dijon keep it bright.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Ham - Use leftover holiday ham or chopped ham steak.
- Mayonnaise - Just enough to bind the ham salad without making it heavy or gloppy.
- Dijon mustard - Adds tangy background flavor and helps balance the richness.
- Cornichons - These little French pickles add bright, briny flavor and a nice little bite. See options below.
- Shallot - Gives the ham salad a mild onion note without overpowering it, or use red onion or white onion.
- Celery - Adds fresh crunch and classic ham salad texture.
- Parsley - A little chopped parsley adds color and fresh flavor.
- Lemon juice (optional) - Just a small squeeze brightens everything up.
Please see the recipe card for measurements and pepper. No salt is needed as ham is generally salty.
Substitutions and Variations
- Pickles - Swap cornichons for finely chopped dill pickles. Blot or drain them first so the ham salad doesn't get watery.
- Relish - Sweet pickle relish is a more classic option for a ham salad and works if you like that nostalgic flavor, but it will make the salad sweeter and a little more old-fashioned in style.
- Texture - If you prefer ham salad smooth and spreadable, almost like a paste, pulse it a little longer in the food processor.
- Eggs - Fold in chopped hard-boiled eggs for a more classic, old-fashioned ham salad.
- Peas - Some classic ham salad versions include a few spoonfuls of cooked peas for a softer, slightly sweeter variation.
How to Make Ham Salad
Note - without a food processor, chop the ham finely by hand until you get to the texture you want.
- Chop ham into small pieces about ½" - ¾" for the food processor.
- Add to the workbowl and quickly pulse 12-15 times to get the texture you prefer. Do not over-process as it will become a paste or spread.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to a bowl and mix the dressing: mayo, shallot, cornichons, parsley, mustard, celery.
- Mix the dressing smooth then fold in chopped ham. Ham salad is ready to serve or refrigerate until serving time.
How to Serve Ham Salad
- Sandwiches - Pile ham salad onto soft sandwich bread, toasted bread, or a croissant.
- Lettuce cups - Spoon it into red leaf lettuce or romaine leaves for a lighter option.
- Crackers - Serve with crackers for an easy lunch, snack, or appetizer.
- Salad greens - Add a scoop to a plate of greens for a simple salad-style lunch.
- Baguette slices - Serve with sliced baguette for an easy, deli-style presentation.
Storage
Store ham salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Ham salad can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to serve.
It's not recommended. Mayonnaise-based salads tend to separate and lose their texture after freezingThe good thing is it is really easy and fast to make.
More Salad Recipes
Looking for more fresh salad ideas? Here are a few favorites for lunch, light dinners, and easy entertaining. And be sure to check out the salads recipe index page.
If You Make This Recipe
If you make this ham salad recipe, please let me know by leaving a comment. I love to hear from you and your comments also help other readers. Thanks for supprting my site.
📖 Recipe
Ham Salad
Equipment
- Food Processor optional
Ingredients
- 1 pound leftover holiday ham or ham steak
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise plus a little more if needed
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped celery 1 small rib
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot 1 small
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped cornichons or use dill pickle or pickle relish
- 1 ½ tablespoons smooth Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice optional
- 2 grinds black pepper optional
Instructions
Chop the ham
- Cut the ham into small chunks, about ½- to ¾-inch, then add it to a food processor and quickly pulse 12-18 times to refine the texture. Do not purée. Leave some texture unless you want it very smooth, like a spread. See photo in post for help if needed.
Make the dressing
- Add the mayonnaise, celery, shallot, cornichons, mustard and parsley to a medium bowl and blend until smooth.
Make the salad
- Add the chopped ham and mix until evenly coated. Taste and add lemon juice ad pepper if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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