Description
This Easy Southern Deviled Ham Spread is a creamy, tangy, and mildly spicy spread perfect for sandwiches, crackers, or as a party appetizer. Made with finely chopped cooked ham, mayonnaise, mustard, pickle relish, and a blend of flavorful seasonings, it brings a traditional Southern twist to your leftovers or deli ham in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Ham Base
- 2 cups cooked ham, diced (leftover holiday ham works perfectly)
Creamy Foundation
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise (start with less, add more as needed)
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard (or Dijon for a more sophisticated flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Flavor Components
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, drained
- 1 hard-boiled egg, finely chopped (optional but traditional)
- 1 tablespoon finely minced onion (sweet or yellow onion work best)
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
Seasonings
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish for heat
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika for color and mild smokiness
- Dash of hot sauce (Louisiana-style preferred)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ham Base: Finely chop the cooked ham into small, uniform pieces about 1/4-inch in size. Use a food processor with caution to avoid turning the ham into a paste, or chop by hand with a sharp knife for the right texture that spreads easily yet still has bite.
- Create the Creamy Foundation: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth and blended. Adjust mustard or mayonnaise amounts to suit your taste, aiming for a creamy but not overly thick base.
- Add the Flavor Components: Gently fold in the drained pickle relish, minced onion, chopped hard-boiled egg if using, and fresh chives. Ensure an even distribution to balance sweetness, texture, and fresh herbaceous notes with the ham’s smokiness.
- Combine and Season: Add the chopped ham to the creamy mixture and fold until well-coated. Season with garlic powder, black pepper, horseradish, paprika, and a dash of hot sauce. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed so the mixture holds together nicely without being dry.
- Rest and Serve: Transfer the deviled ham spread to a covered container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and to firm up the texture. Before serving, stir gently and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve chilled with crackers or use as a sandwich spread.
Notes
- Use leftover cooked ham or store-bought deli ham for convenience.
- Adjust mayonnaise and mustard quantities to achieve desired creaminess and tanginess.
- The hard-boiled egg is traditional but optional; it adds texture and creaminess.
- Pulse ham lightly in a food processor to avoid a paste-like consistency.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and improve spreadability.
- Customize heat level by varying horseradish and hot sauce amounts.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and use within 3-4 days.
