FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You’ll Love This Ham Salad Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Ham Salad
• Recipe Tips
• Variations
• Storage Instructions
• Serving Suggestions
• More Creamy Salad Recipes For Lunch
• Ham Salad Recipe Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

Looking for a quick and easy lunch option that’s ready to go when you are? This ham salad recipe is just what you need. Inspired by my classic chicken salad and tuna salad , I made this version instead of those when I had some extra diced ham to use up. It’s one of the best ways to take care of that leftover holiday ham in your fridge (but deli ham works, too).

Why You’ll Love This Ham Salad Recipe

• Rich, savory flavor – This dish combines the classic cured flavor of ham with a creamy, herby dressing that satisfies. Each bite offers a mix of tender ham, creamy dressing, and crisp veggies.
• Chunky texture – Some versions blend the salad in a food processor, but I think the best ham salad recipe has all the ingredients diced finely instead. And it’s less dishes to wash!
• Not too heavy – I use mayo for most of my creamy salads, but this time opted for half mayo and half Greek yogurt to lighten it up a bit.
• Common ingredients – You probably have most, if not all, of these on hand.
• Quick and easy – I whip this up in just 10 minutes flat, making it the ultimate solution for a meal in a hurry (or meal prep!). Whether you need a make-ahead lunch, a picnic meal, or a quick snack, this easy ham salad has got you covered.
• Great way to use leftovers from a holiday dinner – Repurpose your ham from Christmas or Easter (or ham steak from any dinner) into something totally different!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ham salad ingredients, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Ham – The star of the show! You can use ham steaks or leftover ham from a holiday if you have some, or just buy deli ham. Dice into small cubes.
• Mayonnaise – This homemade mayo only uses 5-ingredients and takes 5 minutes to make, but you could use your favorite store-bought mayo instead.
• Greek Yogurt – Adds a creamy, tangy base to the ham salad recipe, and makes it a little lighter, too. I’ve also just made this with additional mayo or sour cream instead, and it totally works. If using only mayo, add a splash of lemon juice.
• Dijon Mustard – Lends a sharp and tangy depth, but if you want a different (but equally yummy) flavor, try yellow mustard or stone-ground mustard.
• Cayenne Pepper – This gives it the perfect spicy kick. You can adjust the level of heat to your liking.
• Pickles – I love the crunchy element. Feel free to use any kind of pickles you have: Sweet pickles, cornichons (small dill gherkins), or pickle relish. I prefer dill pickles to avoid added sugar. For a milder flavor, swap with crunchy celery instead.
• Sweet Onion – The sweetness contrasts the salty ham and pickles, but you can use red onion or scallions for a sharper bite.
• Fresh Herbs – I can never resist adding fresh herbs! I used fresh parsley and thyme, but dill or chives also work nicely with the flavors here.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper

How To Make Ham Salad

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Make the creamy dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper.
2. Combine the salad ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ham, pickles, onions, parsley, and thyme.

1. Mix together. Pour the dressing over the ham mixture and stir well. Season with the sea salt and black pepper to taste, if needed.
2. Refrigerate (optional). You can serve this ham salad recipe immediately, or refrigerate for later.

Recipe Tips

This homemade ham salad recipe is super simple and easy to whip up, but here are a couple tips that I find make it even better:

• Chop the ham into similar sizes. Small, uniform pieces will give you a consistent texture that’s both creamy and chunky.
• It gets better with time. You can certainly serve it right away, but I like to refrigerate the salad for a few hours to let the flavors develop. It’s even better the next day!
• Adjust seasoning to taste. Taste the salad before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or other spices.

Variations

Like most salads, you can easily customize this homemade ham salad recipe. Here are some variations I like sometimes:

• Add eggs. Dice up some hard-boiled eggs for extra protein, flavor, and texture variety.
• Add crunchy celery. The onions in this recipe provide some crunch, but if you want more, add 1/4 to 1/3 cup of diced celery.
• Make it deviled. Deviled ham salad is basically one where the ingredients are blended in a food processor, for a smooth, spreadable texture. I used to make it this way, but now prefer the chunky texture I have here. If you like a finer consistency, just pulse the ingredients in a food processor.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I don’t recommend freezing ham salad, as the texture of the dressing will be ruined.
• Meal prep: This salad is ready-to-eat and perfect for meal prep or on-the-go snacks, as it doesn’t require heating — simply take it out of the refrigerator and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

Looking for the best ways to eat your ham salad? Check out these easy ideas that’ll make your meal even tastier:

• Sandwich – Use any bread that fits your lifestyle. I like to add a lettuce leaf, and sometimes a slice of tomato.
• Lettuce Wrap – This is my favorite way to serve it, pictured above. Large, flexible leaves work best, such as butter lettuce, bibb lettuce, or hearts of romaine.
• Crackers – I like to serve this recipe for ham salad with flax seed crackers or almond flour crackers , but any kind works. Don’t use ones that are too small, or the diced pieces will fall off.
• Veggies – Scoop it onto sliced cucumbers or inside mini bell peppers for a fun snack or appetizer .
• Greens – Serve it over a bed of greens for a fresh, light meal.

More Creamy Salad Recipes For Lunch

I love quick and easy meal prep lunches, but here are a few more salad recipes that are perfect for a quick and easy lunch:

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1/4 cup Mayonnaise ▢
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt ▢
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard ▢
• 1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper ▢
• 1 lb Ham (diced small, ~3 cups) ▢
• 1/2 cup Dill pickles (diced small) ▢
• 1/2 cup Sweet onion (diced small) ▢
• 1 1/2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped) ▢
• 1 1/2 tbsp Fresh thyme ▢
• Sea salt (optional, to taste) ▢
• Black pepper (optional, to taste) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ham, pickles, onions, parsley, and thyme.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste, if needed.
4. Serve immediately, or if you have time, refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors develop.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition info does not include optional salt and pepper.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Spring Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Ham Salad

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Ham Salad Recipe

This fast 10-minute ham salad recipe is the perfect lunch. Make it with leftover ham, mayo, Greek yogurt, mustard, pickles, onions and herbs.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/ham-salad/

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper
• 1 lb Ham (diced small, ~3 cups)
• 1/2 cup Dill pickles (diced small)
• 1/2 cup Sweet onion (diced small)
• 1 1/2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1 1/2 tbsp Fresh thyme
• Sea salt (optional, to taste)
• Black pepper (optional, to taste)

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ham, pickles, onions, parsley, and thyme.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste, if needed.
4. Serve immediately, or if you have time, refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors develop.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition info does not include optional salt and pepper.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Spring Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)