Can you freeze leftover ham salad?

It isn't recommended to freeze ham salad, as the cream cheese-based dressing can break down after thawing. Instead, freeze leftover ham and thaw to make this salad up to two days before serving.

Can you make ham salad without mayonnaise?

This ham salad is made with cream cheese, although the cream cheese can be substituted with mayonnaise, sour cream, or Greek yogurt, if preferred.

Can I use leftover holiday ham for ham salad?

Yes—this recipe is a great way to repurpose leftover Christmas or Easter ham.

Ham Salad Recipe

Name: Ham Salad
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature; 2 scallions, finely chopped; 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley; 1 tablespoon Creole mustard; .25 teaspoon cayenne pepper; .25 teaspoon black pepper; 8 ounces smoked fully cooked ham, finely chopped

Active Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

10 mins

Yield:

2 cups

Ham salad is one of those retro Southern dishes that never goes out of style. Whether you're serving it sandwiched between airy cheese puffs, on a bed of salad greens, or on toast points or crackers, it makes a satisfying lunch or snack.

While we love a simple, old-fashioned ham salad, we also love fun new variations, like this recipe. Instead of the usual mayonnaise or salad dressing, we combine all of the ham salad ingredients with cream cheese for extra richness. Be sure to use full-fat cream cheese, and make sure that it is at room temperature when you're ready to make the ham salad so that the cream cheese is soft enough to work with.

Learn how to make ham salad. Perfect for a spring brunch or afternoon party, your guests will be impressed with this classic Southern dish.

Ingredients for Ham Salad

Cream cheese, scallions, parsley, mustard, and pepper create a creamy coating for smoked ham. To make ham salad, you'll need:

Cream cheese: Gives the salad a creamy richness and mild tanginess.
Scallions: For a fresh oniony flavor and a crunchy texture.
Flat-leaf parsley: Adds fresh, herbaceous notes to the salad.
Creole mustard: Adds a tangy, slightly spicy flavor to the salad. Can substitute with Dijon mustard for a more mild flavor.
Cayenne pepper: For a touch of heat.
Black pepper: Adds a hint of peppery spice.
Smoked fully cooked ham: The primary element of the salad, giving it a meaty texture and a savory, smoky flavor.

ingredients for ham salad — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

How To Make Ham Salad

Grab that leftover ham, chop it finely, and mix with seasonings for a delicious lunch or snack option. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Combine cheese and seasonings: In a bowl, stir to combine cream cheese, scallions, parsley, mustard, and both kinds of pepper.
Step 2. Add ham: Fold in ham.

Ham Salad Variations

To change up this savory ham salad, consider these variation ideas:

Pickles: Add chopped dill pickles or pickle relish for a tangy crunch.
Veggies: Add finely chopped celery, bell peppers, or sweet onions for a flavorful addition.
Bacon: For a boost in savory flavor, add bits of crispy bacon into the mix.
Herbs: Add chives, dill, or other herbs as preferred.
Hard-cooked eggs: Chop and add hard-cooked eggs to the mix for additional richness and to bulk up the salad.
Nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts can add a nutty crunch to the salad.
Lighten it up: Swap a portion of the cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a light and tangy dressing.

Can I Make Ham Salad Ahead?

There's no need to make this salad right before serving. In fact, chilling the salad in the refrigerator gives the flavors time to meld and deepen.

To make ham salad in advance, assemble and refrigerate up to two days ahead of serving for the freshest flavor. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days, and bring to room temperature before serving.

What To Serve With Ham Salad

This retro dish makes a satisfying lunch or snack option. Serve ham salad stuffed into cheese puffs or biscuits, served over salad greens, or spooned onto toast points or crackers. This protein-packed salad is a great way to repurpose leftovers into a creamy, savory dish you'll love.

More Recipes for Leftover Ham You'll Love

If you have an abundance of leftover ham, mix it into these pasta salad, quiche, soup, and hash recipes for guaranteed crowd-pleasers:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Cheese Puffs With Ham Salad - Southern Living — Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Ingredients

4 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
2 scallions, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 Tbsp. Creole mustard
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. black pepper
8 oz. smoked fully cooked ham, finely chopped

Directions

Combine cheese and seasonings:

Stir together cream cheese, scallions, parsley, Creole mustard, cayenne pepper, and black pepper in a medium bowl.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Add ham:

Fold in 8 ounces of ham.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you freeze leftover ham salad?

It isn't recommended to freeze ham salad, as the cream cheese-based dressing can break down after thawing. Instead, freeze leftover ham and thaw to make this salad up to two days before serving.
Can you make ham salad without mayonnaise?

This ham salad is made with cream cheese, although the cream cheese can be substituted with mayonnaise, sour cream, or Greek yogurt, if preferred.
Can I use leftover holiday ham for ham salad?

Yes—this recipe is a great way to repurpose leftover Christmas or Easter ham.