This ham salad recipe is a delightful blend of savory and crunchy textures, perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner. The combination of ham, celery, and red onion with creamy mayonnaise and tangy pickle relish offers a satisfying contrast that will leave you craving more.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are commonly found in your kitchen, but if you don't have sweet pickle relish or parsley, you may need to grab them from your local supermarket. The sweet pickle relish adds a unique sweetness and tanginess that balances out the savory elements, while the parsley adds a fresh, herbaceous note.
Ingredients For Ham Salad Recipe
ham: The main protein of the recipe, providing a rich and savory base.
celery: Adds a crunchy texture and a fresh flavor.
red onion: Delivers a sharp, tangy bite that complements the creamy elements.
mustard: Introduces a bit of tang and depth to the salad.
mayonnaise: Provides creaminess and helps bind all the ingredients together.
sweet pickle relish: Adds sweetness and a slight tangy flavor, balancing the savory components.
black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and enhances the overall flavors.
parsley: Brings a fresh, herbaceous note to the salad.
One reader, Bendix Motley says:
This ham salad recipe is fantastic! The flavors blend perfectly, and the sweet pickle relish adds a delightful touch. It's easy to make and perfect for a quick lunch. Highly recommend!
Mastering the Techniques for Ham Salad Recipe
How to finely dice ham: Use a sharp knife to cut the ham into small, even pieces, or use a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. How to store: Place the ham salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
How To Make Ham Salad
A great way to make use of leftover ham is to make this ham salad. Finely diced ham is mixed with mayo, veggies, and pickles for a creamy and savory salad.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 16ozham,(approximately 3 cups)
- ½cupcelery,finely diced
- ¼cupred onion,finely diced
- 1tbspmustard
- ¾cupmayonnaise
- 2tbspsweet pickle relish
- black pepper,to taste
- 1tbspparsley,chopped
Instructions
-
Finely dice the ham by hand, or place the ham in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
-
Place the ham in a large bowl along with the celery, red onion, mustard, mayonnaise, pickle relish, black pepper and parsley. Stir gently to combine.
-
Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Calories: 336.30kcal
- Fat: 28.88g
- Saturated Fat: 5.56g
- Trans Fat: 0.00g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 8.94g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 13.98g
- Carbohydrates: 5.96g
- Fiber: 1.51g
- Sugar: 1.88g
- Protein: 12.85g
- Cholesterol: 54.35mg
- Sodium: 1107.32mg
- Calcium: 27.40mg
- Potassium: 262.38mg
- Iron: 0.96mg
- Vitamin A: 7.80µg
- Vitamin C: 4.68mg
Elevate Your Ham Salad with This Technique Tip
For a smoother texture in your ham salad, make sure to pulse the ham in a food processor rather than chopping it by hand. This ensures that the ham is evenly minced and blends seamlessly with the other ingredients.
Time-Saving Tricks for Preparing Ham Salad
Use a food processor: Finely dice the ham quickly by using a food processor instead of chopping by hand.
Pre-chop vegetables: Save time by pre-chopping the celery and red onion in advance and storing them in the fridge.
Measure ingredients ahead: Measure out the mustard, mayonnaise, and sweet pickle relish before you start mixing.
Batch preparation: Make a larger batch of ham salad and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days for quick meals.
Use pre-cooked ham: Opt for pre-cooked ham to eliminate the need for additional cooking time.
Substitute Ingredients For Ham Salad Recipe
ham - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast provides a similar texture and protein content, making it a good alternative for those who prefer poultry.
celery - Substitute with cucumber: Cucumber offers a similar crunch and freshness, though it has a milder flavor.
red onion - Substitute with green onion: Green onion has a milder taste and adds a fresh, slightly peppery flavor.
mustard - Substitute with dijon mustard: Dijon mustard has a more complex flavor profile, adding depth to the salad.
mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a creamy texture with fewer calories and added protein.
sweet pickle relish - Substitute with dill pickle relish: Dill pickle relish offers a tangy flavor without the sweetness, for a different taste profile.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a slightly different flavor and is less visually noticeable in the salad.
parsley - Substitute with cilantro: Cilantro provides a fresh, citrusy flavor that can add a unique twist to the salad.
Presentation Tips for a Delightful Ham Salad
Use a ring mold: Place a ring mold on the plate and fill it with the ham salad mixture to create a perfectly shaped, compact mound. This adds a touch of elegance and precision to the presentation.
Garnish with microgreens: Top the ham salad with a small handful of fresh microgreens. This adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness that complements the rich flavors of the salad.
Add a crispy element: Place a few celery sticks or crackers artfully around the ham salad. The crunch provides a delightful textural contrast to the creamy salad.
Drizzle with a mustard vinaigrette: Lightly drizzle a homemade mustard vinaigrette around the ham salad on the plate. This not only enhances the flavor but also adds a visual appeal with its glossy finish.
Use a colorful plate: Serve the ham salad on a brightly colored plate to make the dish stand out. A contrasting color will make the ham salad look more vibrant and appetizing.
Incorporate edible flowers: Add a few edible flowers around the ham salad for a sophisticated and beautiful touch. They bring a delicate and whimsical element to the dish.
Serve with a side of artisan bread: Place a slice of toasted artisan bread or a small bread roll on the side of the plate. This not only adds substance to the dish but also provides a complementary texture.
Sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper: Just before serving, sprinkle a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper over the ham salad. This enhances the aroma and adds a final touch of seasoning.
Add a lemon twist: Place a thin twist of lemon peel on the side of the plate. This adds a hint of citrus aroma and a touch of sophistication to the presentation.
Serve with a chilled white wine: Pair the ham salad with a glass of chilled white wine. This elevates the dining experience and complements the flavors of the dish beautifully.
Essential Tools for Crafting the Perfect Ham Salad
Knife: For finely dicing the ham, celery, and red onion by hand.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping the ingredients.
Food processor: An alternative to hand chopping, used to pulse the ham until finely chopped.
Mixing bowl: A large bowl to combine all the ingredients together.
Measuring cups: For accurately measuring the mayonnaise, celery, and red onion.
Measuring spoons: For measuring the mustard, sweet pickle relish, and parsley.
Spatula: To gently stir and combine the ingredients.
Airtight container: For storing the ham salad if not serving immediately.
Storing and Freezing Ham Salad for Later Enjoyment
- To store ham salad, transfer it to an airtight container or cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- If you want to freeze ham salad, it's best to do so without the mayonnaise and other wet ingredients. Mix the diced ham, celery, and red onion together, then place in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
- When ready to use the frozen ham mixture, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, add the mustard, mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, black pepper, and parsley. Stir gently to combine.
- If you have already mixed the ham salad with the dressing ingredients, it's not ideal for freezing as the texture and consistency may change upon thawing. However, if you still want to freeze it, place the prepared ham salad in an airtight, freezer-safe container, leaving some headspace for expansion. Use within 1-2 months for best quality.
- To thaw frozen ham salad that includes the dressing, place it in the refrigerator overnight. Stir well before serving, as some separation may occur during the thawing process.
Fascinating Trivia About Ham Salad Recipe
A fun fact about this ham salad recipe is that it is a versatile dish that can be served in various ways. You can enjoy it as a sandwich filling, a dip with crackers, or even as a topping for salads.
Is Making Ham Salad at Home Cost-Effective?
This ham salad recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. With ham as the primary ingredient, complemented by celery, red onion, and mayonnaise, it offers a delightful balance of flavors without breaking the bank. The use of sweet pickle relish and parsley adds a touch of gourmet flair. For a household of 4, the approximate cost is around $10-$12 USD. Overall Verdict: 8/10.
Is Ham Salad Healthy or Unhealthy?
The ham salad recipe, while tasty, leans towards the unhealthy side due to several factors:
- High sodium content from the ham and pickle relish
- Significant amount of saturated fat from the mayonnaise
- Limited nutritional value from the vegetables used
However, the recipe does include some beneficial ingredients like celery, which provides fiber and antioxidants, and parsley, which offers vitamins and minerals.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Opt for a low-sodium or reduced-sodium ham to decrease the overall salt content
- Replace half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt to reduce the saturated fat while maintaining a creamy texture
- Incorporate additional vegetables such as diced bell peppers, shredded carrots, or chopped spinach to increase the fiber, vitamin, and mineral content
- Use whole-grain bread or lettuce wraps instead of white bread when serving the ham salad to add more fiber and nutrients
- Experiment with using mashed avocado as a partial replacement for the mayonnaise, which will provide healthy monounsaturated fats and a creamy consistency
By making these adjustments, you can transform the ham salad into a more balanced and nutritious dish without compromising on flavor. Remember, moderation is key, and even with these healthier modifications, it's essential to enjoy this dish as part of a varied and well-rounded diet.
Editor's Take on the Deliciousness of Ham Salad
This ham salad recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The combination of finely diced ham, crunchy celery, and tangy red onion creates a satisfying base. The mustard and sweet pickle relish add a zesty kick, while the mayonnaise ensures a creamy consistency. The parsley provides a fresh, herbaceous note that elevates the dish. It's versatile enough to serve as a sandwich filling, a cracker topping, or even a standalone salad. Overall, it's a well-balanced and flavorful dish that can be prepared quickly and stored conveniently.
Enhance Your Ham Salad Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Tasty Alternatives to Traditional Ham Salad Recipe
Perfect Pairings: Main Courses and Desserts for Ham Salad
Why trust this Ham Salad Recipe:
This ham salad recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, perfect for any occasion. The ham is finely diced to ensure a consistent taste in every bite, while the celery and red onion add a satisfying crunch. The mustard and mayonnaise create a creamy, tangy base, complemented by the sweetness of pickle relish. Finished with a hint of black pepper and fresh parsley, this dish is both simple and delicious. Trust this recipe for its balance of flavors and ease of preparation.
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