Make the best ham salad sandwiches with leftover ham, pickle relish, and dried onion flakes. This old-fashioned recipe is creamy, tangy, and perfect for lunch.

Ham salad sandwiches take me straight back to my childhood kitchen. This version with leftover ham, a little mayo, and pickle relish is exactly the kind of lunch I loved then and still love now. The crunch of potato chips and the tang of pickle slices make it feel like home.

Why You’ll Love This Ham Salad Sandwiches

Uses up leftover ham from holiday dinners, so nothing goes to waste.
Comes together with just 4 basic ingredients you probably already have.
Easy to customize with your favorite add-ins like chopped celery or hard-boiled eggs.

Key Ingredients for Old-Fashioned Ham Salad

Leftover ham, Grind it yourself in a food processor for the best texture. A spiral-cut ham works great, but any cooked ham will do.
Mayonnaise, Use a good-quality mayo for creaminess. You can substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter version, but the flavor will be tangier.
Pickle relish, Sweet relish is classic, but dill relish adds a sharper kick. Drain it slightly if you want a less wet salad.

Kitchen Tools for Easy Ham Salad

Food processor (for grinding leftover ham into the right texture)

Tips for Making the Best Ham Salad Sandwiches

Chill the ham salad for at least 1 hour before serving. This lets the flavors meld and the dried onion flakes soften. If you're in a hurry, 30 minutes will do, but the longer rest makes a difference. For the best texture, grind the ham to a fine consistency but not a paste. A food processor with a few pulses works perfectly.

Expert Tips for Perfect Ham Salad

For a smoother, more spreadable ham salad, pulse the ham in a food processor until it's finely ground. Avoid over-processing, which can turn it into a paste. If you want a chunkier texture, chop the ham by hand with a knife. Another tip: let the ham salad rest overnight in the fridge. The flavors deepen and the dried onion rehydrates fully, giving a more balanced taste.

Packing Ham Salad Sandwiches for Lunch

If you're taking these sandwiches to work or school, pack the ham salad, bread, and toppings separately. Assemble just before eating to keep the bread from getting soggy. Keep the potato chips in a separate bag and add them at the last minute for maximum crunch. A small container of pickle slices on the side works well too.

Ham Salad Variations to Try

This ham salad recipe is easy to adapt. Stir in a tablespoon of finely chopped celery for extra crunch. Add one or two chopped hard-boiled eggs for a heartier salad. If you prefer a spicier kick, mix in a teaspoon of Dijon mustard or a dash of hot sauce. For a different flavor profile, swap the pickle relish for chopped sweet pickles or even a spoonful of chutney. You can also serve the ham salad on crackers or lettuce wraps instead of rolls for a low-carb option.

What to Serve with Ham Salad Sandwiches

Serve these ham salad sandwiches on soft potato rolls or dinner rolls spread with extra mayonnaise. Top each sandwich with crisp lettuce, dill pickle slices, and a handful of potato chips right on the sandwich for that classic crunch. Pair it with a side of coleslaw or a simple fruit salad for a complete lunch. The chips and pickles are non-negotiable in my book.

How to Store Leftover Ham Salad

Store leftover ham salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors continue to develop overnight, making it even better the next day.

Recipe

Ham Salad Sandwiches

Pin recipe

Prep: 10 min
Total: 1 h 10 min
Servings: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Course: Lunch

Ingredients

Instructions

Mix together the ground ham, mayonnaise, pickle relish and dried onion flakes in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour for flavors to meld.
To assemble sandwiches, split the rolls in half then spread each side with mayonnaise. Top the bottom half with ham salad, pickle chips, potato chips and lettuce leaves and serve.