This creamy Southern ham salad spread is tangy and has just a hint of sweetness from the sweet pickle relish. It’s been served as a spread on crackers, celery ribs or turned into a quick sandwich using leftover ham in Southern kitchens and by my family, for decades. You can bet every version of this simple ham spread is made unique with every Southern cook having their own little twist in flavors to make it their own.
Old school cook’s would have run leftover ham through a meat grinder until it’s the right consistency. I use my food processor fitted with a steel chopping blade and it works like a charm. My family has always included egg as an ingredient so I do the same. If you’re not sure, you may try one or two eggs until you get to your sweet spot in taste. Again, it all comes down to how you were taught to make it and your personal taste.
Just like egg salad and pimento cheese it’s a fantastic refrigerator salad to have handy on days there’s no time to cook or for keeping the family happy for eating as a between meal snack.
Southern Ham Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup real mayonnaise
- 2/3 cup sweet pickle relish
- 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp minced celery
- 1 Tbsp minced sweet onion
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp lemon pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt
- 2 lb ham coarsely ground
- 3 large hard boiled eggs chopped
- Buns and lettuce crackers or celery ribs for serving
Instructions
- In a medium size mixing bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, Dijon, celery, onion, Dijon, honey, onion powder, lemon pepper, garlic powder and garlic salt.
- Fold in the chopped ham and eggs. Mix well.
- Chill until serving on rolls with lettuce or as a spread for crackers and celery.
Liz says
Thank you for the nice recipe.
Melissa says
My pleasure Liz, thank you for visiting!
Heidi from RI says
Just made some yesterday for my husband. It was leftover from a glazed spiral ham, so I didn’t add any seasonings. Just Hellman’s Light and some sweet relish! I think your seasoning choices are lovely, just a bit more than I have ever needed. The smokey flavor of our own smoked hams would usually overpower anything else but the sweet relish. I’ve never tried egg in it, and he wouldn’t go for that, but maybe just for me some day.
Melissa says
As I said in the narrative ham salad ingredients can run the gamut. Of course, we love it this way but as with any dish there’s always room for creativity.
Susan says
What kind of ham do you use?
Melissa says
I’ve used all sorts of ham for ham salad sometimes Smithfield and at other times a quality ham from my local Costco. Use a good quality ham or deli ham that you enjoy.
Charlie says
I made this for Superbowl Sunday and it was great. Will be a keeper recipe.
Melissa says
Hi Charlie, so happy you enjoyed this one and thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
DeAnn says
I have some left over spiral ham. Would I just chop that up as fine as possible to use for this recipe? It sounds delicious and I would really like to try it.
Melissa says
Sure!
Mimee says
My MIL and her sister-in-law had a running battle on whose ham salad was better. My preference was always Aunt Suzie’s and your recipe couldn’t be any closer. Both lovely ladies have been gone for years, so I am looking forward to surprising family with your recipe.
Melissa says
Oh my heart, what a sweet thing for you to say. I hope they love it, thank you so much!