This Keto ham salad recipe is incredibly easy and takes 5 minutes to make. Use as a dip with your veggies or spread it on low-carb bread for a keto friendly ham salad sandwich.
This low carb ham salad recipe is sure to be a hit with your keto dieters and non-dieters alike. The flavor is amazing.
It's a staple for Phil and me every January, which is when we low-carb it for a while to shed a few pounds.
See, as the end of the year approaches, we tend to celebrate a bit too much. We're very aware that we'll be dieting in January, so we adopt a “better eat it while we can!” attitude.
We are not proud of this.
By the time it's all said and done, we're glad to be dieting, because...yikes! Our clothes are getting a bit tight.
We always keep this low carb ham salad around because it's keto-friendly and delicious. It's perfect for a snack between meals or to make keto sandwiches. Just make sure to use low carb bread.
Also, because it tastes so good, the whole family snacks on it regardless of whether they are on a diet or not.
Interested in other low-carb salad spreads? If so, make sure to check out my egg salad and chicken salad recipes too!
Jump to:
Is ham salad keto friendly?
Traditional ham salad is already relatively low carb but there ARE a few ingredients to watch out for to be sure that it's keto friendly.
Use the correct pickle relish: most recipes call for a sweet version. That’s a no-no. We use dill pickle relish that has zero carbs. Plus, it adds a bit more tang, which we like.
Another thing to consider is your ham: make sure to use one that has the lowest carb count you can find. Avoid all glazed hams: they're full of sugar.
Finally, let's talk about Miracle Whip. It's not mayonnaise. And it's full of sugar, so don't use it. Only opt for real mayonnaise.
Ingredients for keto ham salad
First, let's talk ham. Leftover Easter ham is perfect for making keto ham salad. Or any leftover ham for that matter.
If you're not concerned about carb counts, leftover Orange Bourbon Glazed Ham is delicious in this ham spread.
If you don't have leftover ham, just buy a hunk from the grocery (again, check the carb count if you want a keto-friendly spread).
Additional ingredients include:
- Cheddar cheese
- Onion
- Celery
- Capers
- Dill pickle relish (or chopped dill pickles)
- Black pepper
- Real mayonnaise
- Yellow mustard
Feel free to remove or add ingredients to your taste. The recipe is very flexible.
NOTE: There is no added salt in this recipe. The ham, capers and pickles pack plenty. If needed, you can easily add salt to taste at the end, but you can't take it out!
How to make ham salad
I have great news: this recipe is super simple because you let the food processor do all the work! (Don't have a food processor, just mince all the ingredients by hand)
I like to begin by adding the onions, celery and cheese first and pulse it 3-4 times to give it a head start.
Then I add remaining ingredients and pulse an additional 15-20 times until I get the consistency I want.
You will want to use a spatula and scrape the edges into the mixture half way through.
NOTE: Don’t blend for too long because you'll turn your ham spread into a paste. We want some texture!
How to serve keto ham salad
If I'm having guests over, I like to serve the ham salad in a bowl along with veggies and crackers.
This allows the keto dieters and non-dieters alike to enjoy the spread.
If it is just Phil and me, we simply spread it on some zero carb bread or toast with some lettuce and away we go.
We also enjoy ham salad lettuce wraps. Simply dollop some on a lettuce leaf, wrap, and snarf.
Can you freeze ham salad?
Yes you can! It's best to freeze any leftover ham salad within 5 days of making it.
I like to make a big batch and freeze half of it in an airtight, freezer-safe container (making sure to leave about ¾" of space at the top: the spread will expand as it freezes).
Other Party Appetizers
Deviled Eggs with Relish
Homemade Kettle Corn
Cast Iron Chocolate Chip Cookie
Michelle's Sweet & Zingy Asian Meatballs
Pico de Gallo
Cutting-Board Guacamole
Mini Peppers Stuffed with Goat Cheese
Phil's Taco Dip
That's it!! How easy is this?!
I hope that my keto ham salad is a hit with your family. It's great to bring to parties and potlucks—and have on hand for the kids, especially with Summer just around the corner!
Stay safe. Stay well.
—Michelle
Keto Ham Salad Spread Recipe
Homemade Keto ham salad is incredibly easy and takes less than 5 minutes to make. Use as a dip with your veggies or spread it on low-carb bread for a sandwich. This is also a great snack to have on-hand for the kids when they're home for the summer.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked ham, cubed
- 1 cup medium cheddar cheese, cubed
- ½ cup sweet onion, diced
- ½ cup celery, cubed
- ½ cup mayonnaise (see Recipe Note #1)
- ½ tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon non-pareil capers
- 2 tablespoon dill pickle relish
- ½ teaspoon coarse salt, (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, (or to taste)
- 2 teaspoon mixed herbs, (optional; see recipe note #2)
Instructions
- Fit food processor with s-blade. Add cubes of onion, celery, and cheese. Close processor and pulse 2–3 times, or until the ingredients are coarsely chopped.
- Open processor and add remaining ingredients. Close and pulse until combined.
- Check seasoning, adjusting as necessary. Serve on sliced vegetables or keto bread.
Notes
- If you like a creamier spread, feel free to mix in more mayonnaise.
- My favorite herb mix for this ham spread is Sunny Paris by Penzey's Spices, but feel free to use your favorite.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: about ¾ cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 284Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 987mgCarbohydrates: 3gNet Carbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 15g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate: if you are tracking this information for medical purposes, please consult a trusted external source. Thanks!
Want more information about low carbohydrate diets and whether they're right for you? Check out The Mayo Clinic's take, Low-carb diet: can it help you lose weight?
About Us
Hi there! We're Michelle and Phil, the blogging duo behind flipped out food. Our mission is to inspire you with our favorite strategies for delivering easy, healthy dishes—even at the busiest of times.
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