Anyone here remember Ham Salad Sandwiches? Maybe it was a midwest thing, but man I used to like that stuff.
In fact, I've missed it so much that last night I decided to try and make some Vegan Ham Salad, and let me tell you....this Indiana boy is one happy camper.
For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about ....
Years ago, I used to work in a small Mom & Pop Grocery Store.
We had 4 aisles, including a small produce section and a meat department. Now we sold conventional prepackaged deli meats like everyone else, but we also had a deli slicer where we would slice up the big loaves of bologna, ham, etc as well.
I'd plop down a pound of sliced ham or olive loaf on some of that white butcher paper, weight it, and tape it up with a price tag for the cashier....remember those days?
Well, when we got down to the ends of those loaves....we would toss them into a big plastic bin and save them. And when that bin got full, we would grind up all those various pieces into a hamburger like consistency.
Then the deli girls would mix in a gallon jug of mayonnaise, pickle relish, and paprika (by hand), and we called it Ham Salad.
They didn't use gloves back then either....can you imagine? Ahhh ....life in the 80's.
So it was kind of like Tuna Salad....only instead of Tuna we used ground up lunch meats,,,,,,, and it was GOOD! Really! I'd take my break and pile this stuff on my sandwich bread at least an inch thick......mmmm.
My poor arteries...... if only I had known right?
Well as bad as it sounds....I've really missed this stuff. Convenient sandwich material.....right? Something to munch on during the game or whatever.
So last night I played around with some chickpeas, ham flavorings, and beets of all things....and came up with this recipe.
And let me tell you, it satisfies my Ham Salad craving perfectly.
I hope you enjoy it too.
Vegan Ham Salad
First, we're going to need some mayonnaise, about ¾ of a cup. Sure, you can use Vegannaise or whatever....but that's loaded with oil and fat....so why not take a few extra minutes and make your own?
I've used this mayonnaise recipe in my Vegan Turkey Salad and my Vegan Potato Salad, and it's not only easy, its low-fat as well.
Drain and rinse a can of White Beans (cannelloni beans will work too) and add them to your blender. Add in the remaining mayonnaise ingredients and blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides occasionally if necessary. This will make about 1 cup so you'll have a little extra left over.
Now for the Ham Salad
Drain and rinse a can of Chickpeas (Garbonzo beans) and add them to your food processor.
Also add 1 rib of Celery, roughly chopped so it will fit, ½ of a Red Bell Pepper, about ¼ of chopped, raw beet that you've peeled and diced, ⅓ cup of pineapple chunks (frozen is easy), and 2 Tbs of dried, dehydrated Onion Flakes.
Give your food processor a whirl or 2 to start breaking everything down. We're not making hummus here - so don't go crazy.
Add in your ¾ cup of Mayo, ¼ cup Sweet Pickle Relish, ¼ cup Dijon Mustard, 1 teaspoon Soy Sauce, ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder, and ¼ teaspoon Liquid Smoke.
Gently pulse the mixture a few times until it JUST starts to come together. Again, go easy or you'll end up with a pink paste.....probably not very appetizing either.
Scrape your salad into a bowl and refrigerate it for a while to allow all those flavors to meld together, and.....
And we have Vegan Ham Salad.
Goes great on a sandwich, but you could also serve it up with oil-free crackers, or as a topper for your green salad.
However you enjoy it , I hope you DO....enjoy it. I know it brings back many happy memories for me.
Vegan Ham Salad
- Category: Sandwich
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Vegan Ham Salad is a tasty blend of chickpeas, red bell pepper, pineapple, and beet to replicate my favorite midwestern sandwich spread.
Ingredients
White Bean Mayo
- 1 can White Beans - drained & rinsed ((15oz))
- 3 Tbs Lemon Juice
- 1 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Tbs Tahini
- 1 tsp Brown Sugar
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Dijon Mustard
- ¼ tsp Onion Powder
- ¼ tsp Salt
Vegan Ham Salad
- 1 can Chickpeas, drained & rinsed ((15oz))
- 1 rib Celery ((chopped))
- ½ Red Bell Pepper ((chopped))
- ⅓ cup Pineapple Chunks ((frozen works))
- ¼ cup Raw Beet ((peeled & diced))
- 2 Tbs Dried Dehydrated Onion Flakes
- ¾ cup White Bean Mayo ((see recipe))
- ¼ cup Sweet Pickle Relish
- ¼ cup Dijon Mustard
- 1 tsp Soy Sauce ((low sodium))
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ¼ tsp Liquid Smoke
Instructions
White Bean Mayo
- Drain and rinse the can of White Beans and add to blender.
- Add remaining mayo ingredients and process until smooth. Scrape down the sides if necessary.
Vegan Ham Salad
- Drain and rinse a can of Chickpeas and add to a food processor.
- Add bell pepper, celery, pineapple, dried onions, and beet and pulse a few times - just until everything starts to break down.
- Add in mayo, relish, mustard, soy sauce, seasoning, and liquid smoke and pulse just until mixed.
- Scrape out into bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Notes
Garnish with Smoked Paprika if desired.
Tips are always appreciated!
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Amber
I always hate when people rate before actually trying recipes…Anyway, I grew up in the south and my Mamaw would make this. I was very skeptical, but it sure was just like it. I used cannelloni beans in the mayo. I was too lazy to scrape out the Mayo before processing the rest, so I just added the ham salad ingredients to the finished mayo ingredients. Came out just fine. I definitely will be making it again and again!!!
Kristy
This was so good! My husband who isn’t vegan said it tastes “just like ham”! My mom usually makes a ham loaf with a honey mustard glaze….do u think this would do well in the oven if I leave out the Mayo?
I’ve seen other vegan ham loaf recipes- but it is made to be like a whole ham- not a “loaf” type recipe that has more of a meatloaf vibe.
Susan Haines
This is a really good recipe! I used cooked beets as i did not have any raw on hand and it still turned out fantastic!!
Mojo
I was ready to break my diet due to cravings for ham salad. I am so glad I saw this recipe. I used white beans due to chickpea problem. I made some adjustments due to my tastes and allergies. It is not ham salad but it is close enough that I was very happy with it on a bed of lettuce and I will not pay the price for two weeks for eating something I know I should not. Thank you! You have some really great things on your website.
Jennifer Patterson
I really truly dislike sweet pickle relish, Can you suggest a good substitute? I have bread and butter pickles would those work? I would like to try this!
Ally
Been craving Ham Salad - can't take the midwest out of the girl. This was so yummy! I did'n't have pineapple so subbed frozen mango. Didn't have raw beet so subbed steamed beet. This was so satisfying! Thank you!
Melinda
Reviewers have noted how this reminded them of ham salad, but as someone who has never had ham salad before, I can tell you that this is SUPER DELICIOUS on its own. No need to benchmark it to ham salad, it's just soooo tasty. The main flavour that I get is savoury, sweet, and tangy. A really good filling for a sandwich lunch. I can finish the whole batch at one go. In fact, I'm tempted to do so. Love all of the texture combinations in it. Can't find pickle relish where I'm at, so I replace it with gherkin relish. Amazing tanginess. Amazing
Renee W
We had a church function this past weekend, and one of the members prepared this "ham" salad. Our members are mainly vegan/vegetarian, and I know that the woman who prepared it is vegan. I am not observing a completely plant based diet, but I saw the ham salad and a roll, and began eating this wonderful ham salad, and asked twice, "are you sure there's no meat in this" So, here I am today looking up vegan ham salad, because it was that good...
Raydene M Hammerberg
Could Tahini paste be substituted for the Tahini in an effort to reduce oil intake?
Betsy
This is very good, although I left out the liquid smoke because I can’t imagine in what planet that is healthy ?thanks!
Julie
This is yummy! I grew up with bologna spread and ham salad and never thought I'd enjoy them again going plant based. I've made this a few times and love it! Thank you!
daniel
I found a recipe for vegan balonie...made it with it being wonderful. Soooo....I made my own 'ham' salad with the 'balonie'. Basically, chopped it up, added chopped pickles of choi8ce, chopped celery, onion, red sweet pepper, along with some chopped vegan cheeze, and, ending with some vegan mayo. It was great! as Tony tiger would say...
Susie
Daniel, you need to sing the Oscar Mayer song... 😉
Cindy
Thank you so much for this recipe!! I always loved ham salad sandwiches, and thought I'd never have one again. When I saw your post, I thought it looks just like ham salad, I had to make it, It ws delicious!! Just like I remembered. How you ever figured out how to re-create it like this blows my mind, I think you're genius!! It did make allot, do you think it would freeze ok?
Tammy
I made this yesterday!!! I have some leftovers so I should take a picture to show evidence because this was awesome! I will
definitely be making this again!
Cap'n Dave
Definitely going to try it this weekend - I've suddenly started craving one of my most favorite sandwiches ever - ham salad on a toasted onion bagel with lettuce, tomato, and occasionally a slice of onion. I had this in Pennsylvania so regularly that as soon as the woman behind the counter saw me, she started making it. It was often ready and in my hands as soon as I got to the register! I'll be sure to come back and let you know how it compares to what I remember!
After that? A tarragon chicken salad on a toasted onion bagel with tomato and lettuce - no onion on this. Trust me, it doesn't work. I'll be using your chicken salad recipe for this as well, modifying it only for the tarragon. 🙂
Pat
A staple in the Midwest! Along with chicken salad and beef salad. Any chance of a recipe to complete the trifecta? Beef salad was my favorite! Roast beef chopped with the same ingredients as ham or chicken salad! Gotta try this! Thanks Chuck!
Emily
I used to always eat ham salad in the summer on top of pretzel chips! It’s funny that it’s only a midwestern thing; I never realized! I was so happy to find this recipe since I had a craving today and it tastes so similar; even my meat eating family loved it.
Cindy
I can’t stand beets. Doesn’t that make it taste earthy? Anything else I can sub?
Shannon
I don't like beets but I can't even taste them in this recipe. It's delicious!
J. Purpora
YES!!! I used to LOVE ham salad. A true Midwestern girl from Wisconsin!! Thanks for coming up with this recipe and sharing it with all of us!! I look forward to making this.
Terry
You've got to be kidding! Awesome! I'd make it right now, but don't have any beets, and I'm snowed in. But I'll get some asap. Maybe I'll buy some canned beets and freeze in portions for this recipe, so I can make it whenever (unless you think canned won't work well). I can't think of a substitute for today - can you? I can almost taste this - thanks so much!
Teri
Your ham salad was absolutely genius and delicious! Thank you for your dedication to finding "good ole comfort food" replacements! Ham salad used to be one of my absolute favorites! Thanks for you love and commitment to food!
Doober Steele
I will definitely try your mayo recipe.
Barb Noon
Clever! I am going to try this - I do remember those sandwiches!
Mal Milligan
It looks so realistic... I'm getting a few ingredients I need for this and trying it out. Cheers !!
tammy
Does this really taste like ham?
Mardi Kightlinger
I think it is hilarious that your last name is Underwood and you are showing a faux potted meat product. 😀 It looks great and I will make it this week. Thanks so much for the pureed white beans suggestion instead of vegan mayo. I don't know why I never thought of that, but I am glad you did!
Sonya
I cannot wait to try this. All ingredients sound delicious mixed together.
Beth Richardson
I'm allergic to chickpeas (I know, right?). Do you think a white bean would work in the ham salad recipe? I usually use navy beans or canalleni beans as a sub. Which do you think would be better?
Chuck Underwood
I'd go with the larger bean then....so the cannellini..