Southern Deviled Ham Salad is the ultimate retro-inspired spread that delivers tangy, creamy, and savory flavor in every bite. It’s quick to make and impossible to resist.
Whether you’re dressing up a sandwich or loading up buttery crackers, this crowd-pleasing Southern classic always feels like home—comforting, nostalgic, and just a little bit sassy.
Star Players in This Southern Deviled Ham Salad
- Finely chopped ham – The savory soul of the salad, giving it hearty texture and rich, smoky depth.
- Premium mayonnaise – Adds a silky, creamy binder that smooths the mixture while enhancing the flavor.
- Sweet pickle relish – Balances the saltiness of the ham with a bright, sweet tang that gives this spread its signature zip.
How to Make Southern Deviled Ham Salad
Start by finely chopping fully cooked ham—leftovers or deli-style work great. In a large bowl, stir the ham together with mayonnaise and sweet pickle relish until the mixture is evenly coated and creamy.
Taste as you go and adjust to your liking. More relish for extra zing or more mayo for a smoother spread—it’s all about your flavor preferences. Once blended, let the salad chill briefly to meld the flavors.
Serve it as a sandwich filling, a dip for crackers, or even dolloped onto cucumber slices for a low-carb twist.
Tips to Tweak or Perfect Your Deviled Ham Salad
For a touch of heat, a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne adds Southern sass. Craving crunch? Finely diced celery or red onion brings texture and bite. If you prefer a smoky profile, add a hint of smoked paprika or use smoked ham for that extra depth.
This recipe is incredibly versatile—turn it into tea sandwiches for gatherings or stuff it into deviled eggs for a double-deviled twist.
Keep It Fresh: Storing Southern Deviled Ham Salad
To maintain flavor and texture, store your deviled ham salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 7 days. Stir before serving to redistribute the ingredients and bring back its creamy consistency.
This salad does not freeze well, as mayonnaise tends to separate. For best results, enjoy it fresh and chilled, straight from the fridge.
Southern Deviled Ham Salad
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups finely chopped ham
- 1/2 cup premium mayonnaise
Instructions
- In a sizable bowl, thoroughly mix the finely chopped ham with the premium mayonnaise and sweet pickle relish until the texture is uniformly cohesive. Adjust the flavor to your preference by incorporating additional mayonnaise for a smoother consistency or increasing the relish for heightened sweetness and tang. Present this deviled ham salad elegantly as a sandwich filling or as a rich spread served with crackers. To preserve its quality, keep the salad in an airtight container within the refrigerator, where it will retain its freshness for up to one week. Before each serving, stir well to redistribute the flavors and texture evenly.
