There’s something so addictive about this Old Fashioned Ham Salad recipe – is it the simplicity? The combination of flavors? Or its versatility? I don’t know, but I love it, and I’m sure you will too!
This post may contain affiliate link(s). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See Disclosure.
It’s creamy, and with a bit of a tang from the dill pickle, this classic recipe makes the perfect ham salad sandwich. It’s also great as a snack on crackers or just digging into it with a fork!
What You Need To Make This Old Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe
- Ham – Leftover ham works perfectly!
- Dill pickle – You can use any kind of dill pickles. Some recipes call for sweet pickle but a) we eat too much sugar so why add more and b) ham is sweet enough already.
- Mayonnaise – You can use any kind of mayo.
- Sour Cream – I almost always cut the mayo with sour cream. Sour cream is such an amazing ingredient. Try it this way – I know you’ll love it!
- Food processor – You can chop by hand but this inexpensive food processor will make quick work of that ham. I wouldn’t try to chop the ham by hand… it’d take you forever and the texture will be wrong. If you don’t have a food processor, they’re so handy!
Can I Use Canned Ham?
Yes! You certainly can. I prefer fresh ham, and often buy chunks of it when it’s on sale and pop them in the freezer just to make this recipe. However, if you choose to use canned ham, make sure your drain it well! You’ll also need to decrease the amount of mayo and sour cream and pickle to suit how much ham you have.
How To Make The Best Ham Salad on the Planet
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
Start by cutting the ham into chunks and placing it in a food processor. Pulse just until the ham is finely chopped but not paste-like, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Transfer the chopped ham to a mixing bowl.
Finely dice the dill pickle and add it to the bowl with the ham. Stir gently to distribute it evenly throughout the mixture.
Add the sour cream and mayonnaise, then mix until the salad is smooth and creamy. The ham provides enough salt on its own, so no additional seasoning is needed.
Serve right away, or cover and chill for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld before serving.
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- I use mayo and sour cream instead of just mayo. Personally, I think the jarred stuff is nasty, so I cut it with sour cream. The result is a less sweet version with a bit of tang. In this dish, it’s a perfect match.
- I use dill vs sweet pickle relish in this recipe. I think we get enough sweet – the dill is delicious. Try it!
- You can pop the pickle into the food processor to chop, but I love the lovely larger bits of dill pickle, so I chop it by hand.
- You can also use store-bought dill pickle relish if you don’t want to chop it.
- Add enough sour cream and mayo (half and half) until it’s as creamy as you’d like it to be!
How To Eat Ham Salad
I love this tasty ham recipe on crackers as a snack, I’ve included it on charcuterie boards, and it makes an awesome ham salad sandwich! Wash it down with this terrific protein smoothie, or serve it with this German Pretzel recipe for a hearty meal! I also just love a serving of this with a delish Buttermilk Drop Biscuit on the side! Or dig into a serving of this delicious Pickled Pike recipe!
Storage
This tasty salad will keep in the fridge, tightly covered, for up to a week. You can freeze leftover ham but I wouldn’t freeze this salad. Instead, freeze your ham and then thaw it when you’re ready to make the salad. Frozen and thawed ham tends to give off some water so be sure to drain it well before using thawed ham.
It has dairy and mayonnaise in it, so it shouldn’t be left at room temperature for more than 3-4 hours. Otherwise, it’ll keep for up to about a week in the fridge. Keep it tightly wrapped.
They are similar but not quite the same. Deviled ham tends to have a few more ingredients in it, and there are huge variations in the recipes. This deli ham salad recipe is simpler and has fewer variations.
Ham is lean and there’s relatively little sour cream and mayonnaise in it. Use low fat mayo and sour cream if you want to keep the fat down. So, it’s a great low-fat choice. Ham, however, is high in sodium so you might want to look at those numbers if you’re watching your daily sodium.
In this old-fashioned ham salad recipe made with full-fat mayonnaise and sour cream, there are about 230 calories per generous 1/2 cup serving.
Old Fashioned Ham Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups ham
- 1/4 cup dill pickle diced
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sour cream
Instructions
- Pulse the ham in a food processor until finely chopped, then transfer to a bowl.
- Add the diced dill pickle and stir to combine.
- Mix in the sour cream and mayonnaise until creamy and evenly blended.
- Chill for 30 minutes if desired, then serve.
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- I use mayo and sour cream instead of just mayo. Personally, I think the jarred stuff is nasty, so I cut it with sour cream. The result is a less sweet version with a bit of tang. In this dish, it’s a perfect match.
- I use dill vs sweet pickle relish in this recipe. I think we get enough sweet – the dill is delicious. Try it!
- You can pop the pickle into the food processor to chop, but I love the lovely larger bits of dill pickle, so I chop it by hand.
- You can also use store-bought dill pickle relish if you don’t want to chop it.
- Add enough sour cream and mayo (half and half) until it’s as creamy as you’d like it to be!
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
OMG the sour cream makes all the difference in the world! I just made a ham last week and this recipe was a perfect way to stretch it further. We all loved the recipe.
Loved this ham salad! So easy and delicious.
I was just talking about ham salad yesterday. This is a perfect recipe and I will be making this ASAP!
Love love love this recipe! So excited to make this again! So delicious and very tasty!
So glad you love it – it’s one of my faves, too!
So good! I love the pickle in it.. And the perfect way to use up leftover Easter ham!
If you are looking for an easy sandwich for a bridal or baby shower, this is the recipe to make!! Easy and quick to prepare and did I mention that it is sooo delicious!!
What a wonderful, delightful ham salad. First time I made it for me and my daughter. Plain and simple. Thank you and keep coming with your delicious recipes😋
I’m so glad you both loved it! Thanks for coming back to comment! ~Jenn
This was such a simple, yet fantastic recipe. I did substitute Icelandic Yogurt for sour cream (nothing against sour cream), and it added the tanginess that I would expect the SC to add.
I used Bubbies pickle relish and black pepper. Our ham was smoked, which added to the flavor profile. My husband said it was even better than he remembered the ham salad his dad used to make. I love finding ways to incorporate healthy, protein forward dishes into his diet. Thanks so much for sharing.
BTW…I love your recipes!
Oooh, smoked ham! Brilliant idea! I’m glad you both loved it. Happy cooking! ~Jenn