Wondering what to do with your leftover ham? Try whipping up this quick and easyHam Saladmade with celery and mayonnaise. Delicious for after the holidays and done in 5 minutes.

Ham salad sandwiches stacked on a plate with chips.

Ham salad is very similar to tuna salad. You can use your leftover cooked ham or cooked ham from the store. Simply chop the ham into small pieces and mix with celery, mayo and serve on a roll, toasted bread, croissant or as a cracker spread. So fast and delicious!

If you want to really speed up the process you can put the ham in a food processor instead of chopping it into small pieces. Depending on the amount of people you are feeding, you can stretch the size of the ham salad by adding a few hard boiled eggs to the mix too. Great for flavor and for bulking up the salad. I love to serve them with myhomemade potato chipsorsweet potato chips.

A close up of ham salad sandwiches stacked on a plate with chips.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This is a perfect yummy leftover option. After cooking a big holiday meal, it feels so nice to throw something together that tastes great and can feed a crowd if you still have company around.
This requires minimal prep work and uses simple, readily available ingredients, making it perfect for a quick meal.
The recipe can be prepared ahead of time and chilled, making it an excellent option for meal prepping or serving at gatherings.

Recipe Ingredients

Ham
Mayonnaise
Celery
Green onions
Salt
Bread
Lettuce

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

top view of slices of bread and ingredients for ham salad

How to Make Ham Salad Sandwiches

Step 1.In a food processor, blend ham, ½ cup mayonnaise, celery, green onions, and salt until creamy and finely chopped.

Step 2.Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in more mayo if needed. Chill in the fridge for 1 to 4 hours.

Step 3.Spread the ham salad on six slices of bread, top with lettuce, and cover with the remaining bread slices.

Step 4.Cut sandwiches as desired and serve.

What kind of ham is best for making ham salad?

This recipe is great to use your leftover holiday ham. I use boneless cooked ham but any cooked ham will do. You know those blocks of pressed ham you can get? Those work great too if you don’t have any leftovers.

Can I use a different type of meat instead of ham?

Yes, you can substitute cooked chicken, turkey, or even tuna for a different take on this salad.

Can I make this recipe without a food processor?

Absolutely. You can finely chop the ham, celery, and green onions by hand and then mix them with the mayonnaise and salt in a bowl.

Can I add other ingredients to the ham salad?

Yes, you can customize the ham salad with additional ingredients like diced pickles, bell peppers, or a splash of mustard for extra flavor.

Top view of a ham salad sandwiches stacked on a plate with chips.

Expert Tips

For thebest flavor, use high-quality ham, such as leftover holiday ham or a good-quality precooked ham.Avoid overly processed hamswith high water content.
Start with ½ cup ofmayonnaiseand add more gradually if needed. The right consistency should becreamy but not too runny.
Allow the ham salad tochill for at least 1 hour. This helps the flavors meld together, resulting in a more delicious sandwich filling.
Usefresh celery and green onionsto ensure acrisp textureand vibrant flavor.
Experiment with add-inslike diced pickles, bell peppers, or a dash of mustard tocustomize the flavorprofile to your liking.
Opt forsturdy breadlike whole grain, sourdough, or rye to prevent sogginess and add extra flavor. Toasting the bread slightly can also help.

How to Serve and Store Ham Salad Sandwiches

I love to serve the ham salad spread on a bread such assourdough,soft whole wheat sandwich bread, orpita bread. Usetortillasorsweet potato cassava tortillasinstead of bread for a different twist. For a lighter option or appetizer, serve the ham salad with an assortment oflavash crackersorsourdough crackers. For a low-carb version, spoon the ham salad into large lettuce leaves and roll them up.

Leftover ham salad should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It will stay good for up to 5 days. I wouldn’t freeze ham salad. Mayonnaise tends to separate once it has been frozen.

More Sandwich Recipes to Consider

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Ham Saladis a recipe that you want to keep in your tool bag. It is such a simple way to use leftover ham and give you a break in the kitchen during the holidays.