Ham salad is a classic and delicious way to use up leftover ham But sometimes ham salad can end up being too salty, especially if you’re using a salty, cured ham Luckily, there are easy ways to make ham salad less salty!
What Makes Ham Salad Salty
There are a few main culprits that contribute to a very salty ham salad
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The ham itself – Ham especially cured ham, contains a lot of sodium. So if you start with a very salty piece of ham your ham salad is likely going to end up quite salty.
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Added salt – Many ham salad recipes call for adding extra salt. But with salty ham and other salty ingredients like pickles, this extra salt often pushes it over the top in terms of saltiness.
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Pickles or relish – Sweet pickle relish and other pickled ingredients also contain a good amount of sodium. A few tablespoons adds nice flavor but too much can make your ham salad salty.
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Mayonnaise – While mayo doesn’t contain a ton of sodium on its own, a couple cups of mayo mixed into ham salad can start to add up in the sodium department.
Tips for Making Ham Salad Less Salty
Luckily, there are some easy ways to make ham salad with less salt. Here are some tips:
1. Use Low-Sodium Ham
One of the easiest ways to cut down on salt is to use lower sodium ham. Opt for boiled ham or smoked ham over very salty cured or country ham. You can also give the ham a quick rinse or soak to help remove some exterior salt.
2. Limit Pickled Ingredients
Ingredients like sweet pickle relish, dill pickles, and mustard contain a good amount of sodium. Limit to a tablespoon or two of these salty ingredients to keep the overall saltiness in check.
3. Use Low-Sodium Mayonnaise
Regular mayonnaise doesn’t contain a ton of sodium, but it does have some. Opting for a low-sodium mayo helps cut the sodium content even further.
4. Skip Added Salt
Many ham salad recipes call for 1/4 tsp or more of added salt. But with salty ham and other ingredients, this extra salt is often unnecessary. Start with no added salt and then season after mixing everything together.
5. Increase Low-Sodium Ingredients
Ingredients like celery, onion, hard boiled eggs, and herbs add lots of flavor without sodium. Pack your ham salad full of these to dilute and balance the salty ingredients.
6. Add Acidic Ingredients
A sprinkle of lemon juice or a spoonful of vinegar cuts through saltiness. The acid helps balance and neutralize the salt.
7. Add More Mayonnaise
While mayo does contain some sodium, using a bit more mayo or sour cream can help dilute and moderate the overall saltiness of the ham salad.
8. Use Fresh Ground Pepper
Lots of fresh cracked black pepper adds back needed seasoning without sodium. It also enhances other flavors to compensate for less salt.
9. Chill Thoroughly Before Serving
Letting the ham salad chill for a few hours in the fridge allows time for the flavors to meld and distribute throughout. Taste and season again before serving.
10. Drain Excess Liquid
Drain off any excess water or liquid that accumulates at the bottom of the bowl while chilling. This removes excess salt and concentrates the flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps for making ham salad with the perfect amount of salt:
Step 1: Choose your ham wisely. Opt for lower sodium boiled or smoked ham rather than very salty cured ham. If needed, give the ham a quick rinse to remove exterior salt.
Step 2: Dice the ham into small pieces. This allows for quicker and more even distribution of flavors.
Step 3: In the food processor, pulse the ham with chopped hardboiled egg, onion, celery and limited pickle relish or mustard. Process until the mixture is finely chopped but not completely smooth.
Step 4: Transfer the ham mixture to a bowl. Add mayonnaise, starting with 1⁄2 cup and adding more to reach desired consistency.
Step 5: Season with fresh cracked pepper. Add a squeeze of lemon juice or splash of vinegar. Mix well.
Step 6: Taste the ham salad. It likely needs little or no extra salt at this point. If needed, add salt a pinch at a time until desired flavor is reached.
Step 7: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, until well chilled. The flavors will continue to develop as it chills.
Step 8: Before serving, drain off any excess liquid that has accumulated at the bottom of the bowl. This removes excess saltiness.
Step 9: Give the ham salad a final taste test. Adjust salt or other seasonings if needed.
Step 10: Serve the ham salad piled high on bread, crackers or lettuce leaves. Enjoy!
With these tips and tricks, you can easily make ham salad with the perfect amount of salt – flavorful without being overly salty. Adjust ingredients and seasoning to suit your preferences. The possibilities are endless for making delicious ham salad!
How to Neutralize Excess Salt in Ham Salad
Even with the best intentions, sometimes a recipe doesn’t turn out exactly as planned. If you end up with ham salad that’s still too salty, don’t despair! There are some tricks for neutralizing and reducing excess salt:
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Stir in some plain Greek yogurt or sour cream. This will help cut through the saltiness.
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Mash in a ripe avocado. The creaminess helps moderate the salt.
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Sprinkle in a bit of vinegar or lemon juice. The acid counters the salt.
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Add more chopped celery, onions or other vegetables. This dilutes the saltiness.
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Stir in some fresh, soft breadcrumbs. These will help absorb excess salt.
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If needed, you can rinse the ham salad under cool water to remove some salt. Drain well before serving.
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Consider doubling the whole recipe to reduce the ratio of salty ingredients to other additions.
With a little creativity, you can rescue even the saltiest ham salad! Taste and adjust as you incorporate more ingredients to get the seasoning just right. The ham salad can be enjoyed right away, but chilling it for a few hours helps the flavors redistribute. With a few simple tricks, you can neutralize and modulate excess salt in ham salad.
Serving Ideas for Delicious Ham Salad
Once you’ve perfected your ham salad recipe, it’s time to serve it up! Here are some fun and creative ways to enjoy ham salad:
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Sandwiches – Pile ham salad high on soft bread, rolls or biscuits for a classic ham salad sandwich.
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Lettuce Wraps – Spoon ham salad into lettuce leaves for a fun handheld option.
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Crackers – Spread ham salad on crackers like Ritz for an easy appetizer.
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Stuffed Eggs – Fill halved hard boiled eggs with ham salad for a protein packed snack.
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Omelets – Mix ham salad right into your morning omelet for a breakfast twist.
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Potatoes – Top baked potatoes with ham salad instead of plain sour cream.
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Salad Topper – Sprinkle ham salad over fresh spinach salads or wedge salads.
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Baked Potatoes – Fill twice baked potatoes with ham salad for a hearty side dish.
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Pizza – Use ham salad as a tasty topper for homemade or store bought pizza.
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Breakfast Tacos – Fill tortillas with ham salad, scrambled eggs and cheese for breakfast.
Get creative with how you serve up your ham salad! It makes for a protein-packed topping, sandwich filler or snack any time of day. Adjust the seasonings to create your favorite go-to ham salad recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does ham salad last in the fridge?
Properly stored ham salad will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Keep it covered and chilled. The mayonnaise helps prevent bacteria growth.
Can you freeze ham salad?
It’s best not to freeze ham salad. The texture tends to suffer once thawed. The mayonnaise can also separate or curdle. For best results, store ham salad in the fridge.
How can I use up leftover ham salad?
Leftover ham salad is great to use up in omelets, pot pies, casseroles, pasta salad, deviled eggs or stirred into hash. Spread it on crackers or sandwiches for quick snacks too.
What’s the difference between ham salad and chicken salad?
Chicken salad and ham salad are very similar in ingredients – just one uses chicken and one uses ham as the base. Beyond that, they are both made with a mayonnaise mixture and seasonings. The ham version often also includes pickles.
What kind of ham is best for ham salad?
For ham salad, you want a lower sodium ham that isn’t overly salty by itself. Good options include boiled ham, smoked ham, or baked ham. Stay away from very salty country ham or cured ham.
Making delicious ham salad is easy with the right techniques and ingredients! With a few simple tips, you can create the perfect ham salad recipe tailored to your taste – flavorful without being overly salty. Whip up a batch to use in sandwiches, snacks, salads and more.
