{Deviled} Ham Salad Recipe (2024)

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5 from 9 Ratings

Published: December 26, 2020Author: Amy

Put your leftover holiday ham to great use in the best ham salad recipe! Make a ham salad sandwich or ham spread for crackers as an easy appetizer. So easy and so delicious!

{Deviled} Ham Salad Recipe (1)

If you grew up in the Midwest or Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, chances are you’ve had ham salad. Or if you’re like me, born and raised in California, you had a friend or college roommate from the Midwest or Mid-Atlantic, who made you try it. And life is better off for it!

What is Ham Salad?

Ham salad is a popular recipe that resembles chicken salad and tuna salad. The main ingredient is (cold) ham, of course, and is mixed with chopped up vegetables and relish, then combined with a mayonnaise dressing. The ham is either ground up or diced, then used as a spread for crackers or used on bread for a ham salad sandwich.

{Deviled} Ham Salad Recipe (2)

As mentioned, the first time I ever had it was in college. The second (third, fourth, fifth – you get it – times) were all while I lived in Minnesota. It almost always made an appearance at baby showers and luncheons, served on crackers or slider rolls with a little lettuce. And I would unashamedly eat my weight in it.

Ham Salad Recipe Variations

There are a few variations for ham salad, starting with the texture and also the mix-ins.

  • Ham salad is traditionally made in a meat grinder, but I don’t have one of those, so I just use my food processor. I like the texture somewhere in-between paste-like and chunky, but you can make it smooth as pâté, if you prefer.
  • My recipe calls for 1-2 hard boiled eggs (thus the name Deviled Ham Salad), which adds another layer of flavor and are a great way to use up leftover Easter eggs, but they can easily be omitted without the recipe suffering. I highly recommend you leave them in, though!
  • While dill pickle relish has my heart, I actually think sweet relish is the way to go here. The sweetness from the relish gives great balance to the salty ham. But you can certainly use dill pickle relish, if that’s your preference.
  • The only way I’ve ever had ham salad is with sweet pickle relish, minced onion, and diced celery, but my understanding is the very original recipe didn’t include any of those items. I can’t even imagine it tasting as good!
  • Ground up bologna or Spam can replace the ham, I’m told, but I’ve never tried either.
{Deviled} Ham Salad Recipe (3)

Recipe Notes

  • Once everything is blended, you should end up with about 3-4 cups of the ground mixture, which will make about 10 sandwiches or enough appetizer spread for a decent sized crowd.
  • My ham always has plenty of salt, so I don’t ever add any extra or it would be too much. Give it a taste before serving and adjust the salt to your liking.
  • This tastes best if you let it sit in the fridge for at least a few hours before serving, so all the flavors can meld.

How to Store Leftovers

HamSalad is typically chilled, either on crackers or as a ham salad sandwich. Since it contains mayonnaise, it should not be left out any longer than 2 hours.

  • To Store:Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Can you freeze ham salad?I wouldn’t recommend freezing ham salad. The mayonnaise tends to separate leaving a less than desirable texture and taste once it’s thawed.

One of my very favorite reasons for serving a ham on Christmas and Easter is for the leftovers so I can make ham balls and this deviled ham recipe. The other 363 days of the year, I just buy a pre-packaged thick ham steak, which also gets the job done!

Watch Ham Salad Being Made

Other Recipes Using Leftover Ham

  • Old Fashioned Ham Balls
  • Ham and Potato Soup
  • Split Pea Soup
  • Hash Brown Egg Casserole

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onFacebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!

{Deviled} Ham Salad Recipe (4)

Deviled Ham Salad

5 from 9 Ratings

Put your leftover holiday ham to great use in the best ham salad recipe! Make a ham salad sandwich or ham spread for crackers as an easy appetizer. So easy and so delicious!

Print Recipe Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 sandwiches

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless cooked ham (leftover or purchased thick slab, trimmed of fat, and diced – about 5 cups)
  • 1-2 hard boiled eggs , sliced or rough 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 with a paper towel to remove moisture)
  • assorted crackers and soft rolls , for serving

Instructions

  • Put the ham, egg, celery, onion, and pepper into the bowl of a food processor.

  • Pulse (short, quick pulses) 20-25 times to mince.

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, and sweet pickle relish.

  • Add the minced ham mixture to the bowl and stir until thoroughly combined.

  • Cover and chill for several hours for optimal flavor.

  • Serve as sandwiches on soft rolls or as a spread on crackers for an appetizer.

Video

Notes

My ham always has plenty of salt, so I don’t ever add any extra or it would be too much. Give it a taste before serving and adjust the salt to your liking.

Nutritional value does not include the rolls or crackers.

For recipe notes and variations, please refer to the full article.

Nutrition

Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 931mg | Potassium: 208mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 73IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

Other Notes

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: deviled ham salad, ham salad, ham salad recipe

Did you make this recipe?Snap a picture and mention @bellyfullblog!

{Deviled} Ham Salad Recipe (5)
{Deviled} Ham Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is deviled ham spread made of? ›

Recipe FAQ's

Deviled ham is a spicy ham spread made out of ham, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and seasonings.

Why is it called deviled ham? ›

Far from evil, the word “deviled” is a culinary term that means “adding spices” — usually hot ones like cayenne pepper, Dijon mustard, or chopped chili peppers — to foods like ham, eggs, turkey, or even lobster. Underwood Deviled Ham Spread — a New England-born favorite since 1868.

What is ham salad made of? ›

Ham salad is a great way to use leftover ham. Mix together diced ham, hard-boiled eggs, pickle relish, mayo, onion, celery, bell pepper, and mustard for a terrific salad you can use on sandwiches or enjoy on its own.

How long does deviled ham last in the fridge? ›

Underwood Deviled Ham Spread 6 Cans of 2.25 Ounce each

Upload complete! A: At least 3 to 5 days covered in refrigerator at 40 deg F.

Why is it called deviled? ›

The term likely comes from the connection between spiciness and the presumably hot temperatures in hell. Since the word "devil" does have negative connotations, though, some groups of people prefer to call the dish "stuffed eggs," "salad eggs," or "dressed eggs."

Is deviled ham spam? ›

It is not to be confused with Spam, which involves a meat mixture mostly consisting of pork shoulder, and lacks deviled ham's spicier flavor. The word "devil" appeared in relation to food in the 1700s, and the word "deviled" appeared in 1800 in the following phrase: "At half past two ate a devil'd kidney".

What is devil's meat? ›

Deviled ham is ground ham mixed with spicy seasonings, such as chili peppers, cayenne peppers, or mustard. The William Underwood Company, founded in Boston in 1822, found success providing canned foods to the U.S. Army during the Civil War and to settlers who needed long-lasting food products for their trip west.

What do Christians call deviled eggs? ›

At church functions in parts of the Southern and Midwestern United States, the terms "stuffed eggs", "salad eggs", and "dressed eggs" occur instead, to avoid reference to the word "devil". For this reason, the term "angel eggs" is also occasionally used.

Who makes Underwood deviled ham? ›

A lot of history packed into a little can

Like so many processed food companies, though, Underwood now belongs to a multinational food conglomerate. But throughout its independent existence, the William Underwood Company made food history. Here are six fun facts about the company and its famous Underwood Deviled Ham.

Why does my ham salad get watery? ›

Your ham salad may be watery due to excess moisture from ingredients like celery, onion, and pickles or from the ham itself. To reduce wateriness, dry the ingredients before mixing, and avoid using too much mayonnaise.

How long will ham keep in the refrigerator? ›

A fully-cooked, unopened, vacuum-sealed ham can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator, according to the USDA, but the clock starts ticking once you open that package. Sliced meat, like fresh cut ham or spiral-cut ham from the store, will last in the refrigerator for only three to five days.

What is the jelly in ham? ›

Aspic or meat jelly (/ˈæspɪk/) is a savory gelatin made with a meat stock or broth, set in a mold to encase other ingredients. These often include pieces of meat, seafood, vegetable, or eggs. Aspic is also sometimes referred to as aspic gelée or aspic jelly.

What's in Underwood deviled ham? ›

HAM (CURED WITH WATER, SALT, BROWN SUGAR, SODIUM NITRITE) AND SEASONING (MUSTARD FLOUR, SPICES, TURMERIC).

What does deviled ham taste like? ›

kinda like potted meat. It's kinda like ham salad, but with a little bit of a different texture. I remember so many lunches with deviled ham as a kid. I'm not sure why I do, but I just love the stuff.

Is ham still good after 10 days? ›

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ham is good for three to five days in the refrigerator after it is cooked. If you need more time to use up those leftovers, ham will last up to two months in the freezer. The USDA also recommends wrapping up leftovers well.

What was Oscar Mayer sandwich spread made of? ›

Oscar Mayer Sandwich Spread (circa 1952-circa 2015): a mélange of creamy, spreadable meat, made primarily of bologna, mayo, pickles, onions, peppers and various spices, sold in a tube.

Is deviled ham still made? ›

Loved Since 1868

Underwood Deviled Ham has been traveling with you on camping trips, going with you to college and being your go-to sandwich meat or snack since 1868.

What is SPAM made of? ›

It may come as a pleasant surprise to learn that SPAM is not the preservative-packed mystery meat you might think it is. In fact, SPAM only contains six ingredients! And the brand's website lists them all. They are: pork with ham meat added (that counts as one), salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrite.

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