Deviled Ham Spread: Tasty Appetizer Ideas

Transform a ham steak into a delightful deviled ham spread. A quick and tasty appetizer that everyone will love!

Deviled ham spread in a jar with crackers.

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Why we love this recipe 🥰
Ingredients you need 🥣
Ingredient notes and substitutions 📝
How to make this recipe 👩🏻‍🍳
Recipe FAQs 🧐
Equipment we used for this recipe 🥣
Other appetizer recipes we love! 🥰
We want to know what you think! 🤔
Deviled Ham Spread

Why we love this recipe 🥰

This easy deviled ham spread is not only delicious on top of delicious, but it is one of the speediest appetizers I know.

This is another one of those lovely recipes that whirl up in no time in your friendly food processor. I’m talking ten minutes from walking in the kitchen to having this scrumptious appetizer ready to roll.

A cooked ham steak (or leftover cooked ham if you happen to have that hanging out in your fridge), a little cream cheese, a little mayo, a little mustard and a few other things are all processed into a creamy, tangy, slightly salty concoction that is just begging to be nibbled on everything from crackers to celery.

Even endive if you are feeling extra fancy.

I don’t know about you, but there’s always someone in my house who is totally up for getting fancy.

Ingredients you need 🥣

Ingredient notes and substitutions 📝

Ham: Any cooked ham you have will work…if I don’t have leftovers, I buy a cooked ham steak, which you can usually find near the bacon.
Cream Cheese: Either regular or light cream cheese will work.
Shallot: If you don’t have a shallot, a couple of scallions will work just fine.
Mustard: We like grainy mustard for this recipe (it has a milder taste) but you can use any mustard you like.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.

How to make this recipe 👩🏻‍🍳

STEP 1: Pop your ham in the food processor (cut it into chunks if you are using a ham steak) and process until it is finely chopped.

STEP 2. Add some cream cheese, mayo and mustard and pulse a few more times until it is mixed up.

STEP 3. Transfer to a mixing bowl and stir in some chopped shallot and parsley. Give it a taste and add some salt and pepper if you think you need it.

STEP 4. You’re done! I like to serve this out of a wide mouth mason jar (just pop the top on to save the leftovers).

So whether you are planning a dinner party or a light leftovers supper, deviled ham spread is for you!

Recipe FAQs 🧐

What is a ham steak?

A ham steak is a thick, single slice of that is cut from the center of a cured and cooked ham. It’s usually about a half inch thick and has a rind around it (which is totally edible, but if you don’t like it you can cut it off. A ham steak is a nice convenient amount that just needs to be heated up into a ham steak dinner…or made into this ham appetizer!

Why is it called Deviled Ham?

In olden times, to “devil” a dish meant to spice it up to make it as fiery as the devil, using pepper, mustard abd other spices. (Think deviled egg, which also commonly use mustard). These days we go a little lighter on the devilish flavorings…we add just enough to give it a little sass. So Deviled Ham is finely chopped ham mixed with enough mustard and shallot and pepper (and the mayo and cream cheese to make it spreadable) to give it some spice without knocking us out of our socks. 🧦

What should I serve alongside this ham spread?

So many possibilities! Celery, cucumber slices and bell pepper strips are all great veggies. Crackers, toasted bagel chips and sturdy tortilla chips also work. And any leftover ham spread is amazing on your morning bagel or made into a ham spread sandwich.

Can this recipe be made ahead of time?

Yes! Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days, and when you are ready to serve it, bring it to room temperature for easy spreading.

Have a question that I didn’t cover?

Pop your question in the Comments section under the recipe card and I will answer pronto!

Equipment we used for this recipe 🥣

These are some of my favorite kitchen tools! These are Amazon affiliate links, which means I get a little something if you buy through my links at no extra cost to you. (Which helps pay for all that bacon I keep buying! 😄) And I only share things I use and love. I’m so grateful for your support!

Measuring Cup: We love these angled cups that show the measurements on both the inside and outside of the cup.
Cutting Board: These sturdy, dishwasher-safe cutting boards come in all different sizes.
Food Processor: This all-star kitchen appliance is one of the very few that gets to live on our countertop 24/7.
Mason Jars As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.: Oh, the ever helpful mason jar! Just right for shaking up salad dressings, storing ingredients, and eating slow cooker brownie pudding out of!
Measuring Spoons: These handy magnetic spoons are not on a ring, so you can just pick the one you need.
Pyrex Mixing Bowls: These classic sturdy bowls come in all different sizes and are great for everything from mixing ingredients to being casual serving bowls.

Other appetizer recipes we love! 🥰

Looking for more appetizer inspiration? We’ve got you covered! 🥳 Here is our complete collection of appetizer recipes.

We want to know what you think! 🤔

If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section below the recipe card.