Ham Salad is a classic dish, especially in the south. I love making this recipe when I have leftover holiday ham. It’s great for a sandwich, on a cracker or by itself. My mom adds a special ingredient that sets it apart for the rest.
Easy Ham Salad
How do I use up this extra ham? I find myself asking this question each holiday and this is the recipe that I usually pull out so my ham doesn’t go to waste. It’s especially good on any leftover rolls…yum!
Why this recipe works.
- It’s easy and doesn’t require many ingredients.
- The chow chow adds the perfect amount of tang, crunch and color.
What is ham salad made of?
Ingredients needed for this salad: diced ham, mayonnaise, celery, onion, chow-chow.
How to make ham salad
Begin by chopping the ham. Take the ham and place it into a food processor or chopper. You can also finely dice the ham with a knife. Pulse the food processor a few times making sure not to blend the ham to much.
Place the chopped ham into a large bowl. Stir in finely chopped celery, onion and chow -chow.
What is chow-chow?
Chow-chow is a pickled relish and recipes vary depending on region of the country. It typically contains tomatoes, cabbage and other vegetables.
My mom makes her own chow-chow and uses it for her ham salad instead of pickle relish. You can buy chow-chow at the grocery store in the pickle section.
Stir in mayonnaise and season with salt and pepper.
Tips for making the best ham salad
- Make sure not to over chop the ham. If you put pulse it too much in the food processor it will become mushy.
- Dice the onion and celery very small. This helps to keep everything about the same size.
- Drain the Chow Chow. Make sure to drain off excess liquid from the chow chow. Too much liquid will make the ham salad runny.
- Substitutes: You can replace the chow chow with sweet pickle relish. You can also use low fat mayonnaise if you prefer.
How long does ham salad keep in the refrigerator?
This ham salad recipe can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Make sure not to let it sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Can you freeze?
It can be frozen right after making it. Place it in a freezer safe bag making sure to get all the air out of the bag and freeze immediately. To eat, let thaw in the refrigerator.
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Ham Salad
Ingredients
- 2-3 cups diced ham
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced
- 1/3 cup chow-chow or pickle relish
- 1/4 cup finely diced sweet onion
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place pieces of ham into food processor.
- Pulse to processor a few times until the ham is small and crumbly. Do not over pulse.
- Pour ham in large bowl and mix in celery and onion. Drain chow-chow of any excess liquid and add into the bowl.
- Add in mayonnaise and stir until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Make sure not to over chop the ham. If you put pulse it too much in the food processor it will become mushy.
- Dice the onion and celery very small. This helps to keep everything about the same size.
- Drain the Chow Chow. Make sure to drain off excess liquid from the chow chow. Too much liquid will make the ham salad runny.
Rachael Yerkes says
April 1, 2019 at 3:30 pmso much yumminess!
Valentina says
April 1, 2019 at 4:00 pmThis Ham Salad looks like the perfect summer salad! Love the idea.:)
lauren kelly says
April 1, 2019 at 4:18 pmThis is the perfect spring and summer salad! Love it!
Toni says
April 1, 2019 at 4:20 pmMy kids really loved it! A new favorite in our house!
Jocelyn says
April 2, 2019 at 3:49 pmOur whole family loves this easy salad! It’s a great way to use up leftover ham from dinners!