The Simple Joy of this Creamy Southern Ham Salad
There’s something wonderfully uncomplicated about a good ham salad that just hits different than those fussy sandwich fillings you see at the deli counter.
I’m talking about real comfort food here, the kind that doesn’t need fancy ingredients or complicated techniques. This Southern-style version combines tender chopped ham with crisp celery, sharp green onions, and tangy pickle relish all bound together in creamy mayonnaise with a hint of Dijon.
It’s the sort of recipe that makes you wonder why anyone bothers with those overpriced pre-made versions when something this satisfying takes maybe ten minutes to throw together.
Ingredients
This ham salad comes together with just a handful of pantry staples and fresh ingredients that you probably already have hanging around your kitchen.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, really – no exotic spices or hard-to-find items, just good honest ingredients that work together like they were meant to be. You’ll want to grab a nice pound of ham, which gives you plenty to work with, and honestly, leftover holiday ham works perfectly here if you’re looking to use up those remnants from dinner.
- 1 pound ham
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Black pepper to taste
When it comes to the ham, you’ve got options – deli ham works fine, but if you’ve got some leftover baked ham from Sunday dinner, that’s even better because it tends to have more flavor and character.
The celery needs to be fresh and crisp because nobody wants limp, sad celery ruining the texture of their sandwich. As for the mayonnaise, use the good stuff if you can swing it, since it’s doing a lot of the heavy lifting flavor-wise.
The pickle relish adds that tangy bite that keeps things interesting, and that tablespoon of Dijon mustard might seem small, but it’s what takes this from ordinary to something with a little sophistication.
How to Make this Creamy Southern Ham Salad
Making this ham salad is about as straightforward as it gets, which is exactly what you want when you’re craving something satisfying but don’t feel like turning your kitchen upside down.
Start by chopping that 1 pound of ham into small, bite-sized pieces – and honestly, this is where a food processor becomes your best friend because who’s time to sit there with a knife for twenty minutes, methodically dicing ham. Just pulse it a few times until you get the texture you’re after, somewhere between chunky and minced, because nobody wants ham paste but you also don’t want chunks so big they fall out of your sandwich. For even more precise control over your chopping and mixing tasks, a professional stand mixer with the right attachments can handle everything from dicing meat to whipping up creamy dressings.
While you’re at it, get your 2 green onions and 1 celery stalk chopped up nice and fine, keeping them roughly the same size so every bite has a little bit of everything.
Once your ham is properly chopped and your vegetables are ready to go, it’s time to bring everything together in what might be the easiest mixing job you’ll do all week. Toss that chopped ham into a bowl, add your green onions and celery, then stir in the 2/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons pickle relish, and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
Give it all a good stir until everything’s coated and looking creamy and cohesive – you want that mayonnaise working its way into every little nook and cranny. Season with black pepper to taste, and here’s where you get to be the boss of your own kitchen, adding as much or as little as suits your fancy.
The whole thing should come together in maybe ten minutes, tops, leaving you with a ham salad that’s creamy, tangy, and ready to make any sandwich infinitely better.
Substitutions and Variations
While the basic ham salad recipe is pretty much perfect as-is, I totally get that sometimes you want to switch things up or work with what you’ve got in your fridge.
Want it spicier? Swap that Dijon for whole grain mustard or add a pinch of cayenne. No pickle relish? Finely chopped dill pickles work great.
I love throwing in some chopped hard-boiled eggs for extra richness, or maybe some fresh herbs like chives or parsley.
You can even substitute Greek yogurt for half the mayo if you’re feeling health-conscious, though honestly, why mess with perfection?
Additional Things to Serve With Creamy Southern Ham Salad
Ham salad’s got this amazing versatility that makes it play well with just about everything, and honestly, choosing what to serve alongside it feels like picking your favorite child sometimes.
I love pairing it with buttery crackers or crusty bread for that perfect crunch contrast. Fresh fruit like grapes or apple slices cuts through the richness beautifully.
Pickled vegetables add tang that complements the creamy texture. For something heartier, I’ll serve it alongside potato chips or pretzels.
Even simple raw veggies like carrots or celery sticks work wonderfully as scoops.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, if you’re looking for that perfect balance of comfort food nostalgia and practical weekday meal prep, this creamy Southern ham salad delivers every single time.
I mean, what’s not to love about a recipe that transforms leftover ham into something this satisfying? You’ll find yourself making excuses to buy extra ham just so you can whip this up again.
The beauty lies in its simplicity – no fancy techniques, no exotic ingredients, just honest flavors that actually taste like something your grandmother would approve of.
Pure comfort food magic.
