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Home » light meals, salads & soups » leftover ham salad with figs & blue cheese

leftover ham salad with figs & blue cheese

25 January, 2018 Last Modified: May 11, 2022

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Leftover ham salad with figs & blue cheese, a fantastic combination of flavours that work beautifully together in this salad bowl, a complete meal in one.

This Ham, fig & blue cheese salad has to be one of my favourite meals at this time of year. I always find a need to lighten things up once the festive period is behind us. As much as I love roast dinners, it is always to fresh fruit and vegetables that I turn.

Furthermore, I always have leftover meats in my fridge after the Christmas dinner cook. I always cook a large joint of ham as the leftover ham comes in really handy over the festive holidays. Leftover ham can be used in pies, sandwiches and in this leftover ham salad.

Not only does this festive ham salad taste great but it is the ideal way to use up any leftover bits and pieces that we all seem to have over the holidays when our fridges are well stocked!

When looking at what to put in my leftover ham salad recipe I found my fridge contained the following: a large amount of leftover roast ham; the remnants of a cheese board; figs; grapes and a variety of vegetables including beetroot. Perfection really in salad terms, as these flavours all work really well together.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • The perfect balance of flavours the salty blue cheese pairs beautifully with the leftover ham and the sweet fresh figs and grapes.
  • Ready in no time as this salad is made using leftover ham and bits and pieces that you may already have in your fridge.
  • Feeding a crowd, no problem, this salad recipe can be easily doubled up depending on numbers.
  • This versatile ham and blue cheese salad can feed 2 as a salad main or 4 as a salad starter or side dish.
  • Gluten free and low carb making this a great healthy meal option.

Ham salad ingredients & substitutions:

  • Roast ham: I have used leftover roast ham and cut it into large chunks. You can use any variety of ham, including thin slices of parma ham. But don’t be limited to only using ham, leftover turkey salad is also delicious and leftover roast chicken would also work in this dish.
  • Blue cheese: ham and cheese salad is always delicious. I have used salty blue cheese as it’s a real favourite and works perfectly with the ham, grapes and figs. However, if blue cheese is not your thing you can add in any other style of cheese that you enjoy eating. Goats cheese; feta; some crumbly white Stilton, anything goes.
  • Figs: these deliciously sweet fruits work really well with both ham and cheese in this salad. If you don’t like fresh figs you can swap them out and add some fresh slices of melon instead.
  • Black grapes: add sweetness and a nice bit of crunch to the salad. If you prefer you can add white or red grapes instead, whatever you have to hand.
  • Salad vegetables: I added roasted beetroot, cherry tomatoes and cucumber to my salad as that was simply what I have in my fridge, also beetroot works a treat with both the ham and blue cheese. You can add any combination of salad veggies that you enjoy eating.
  • Salad leaves: For salad leaves I opted for a mixed bag that contained radicchio as I wanted an element of bitterness. However, you can add any variety of salad leaves as a base in this leftover ham salad recipe.

How to make ham salad dressing:

I love a good dressing as it can transform a plate of salad. I’ve deliberately kept this ham salad dressing simple and on the slightly sour side. The reason for this is that there is enough sweetness in the fruit itself. The result a fresh and tasty bowl of goodness that will tantalise your taste buds.

Ham salad dressing ingredients:

  • Red Wine Vinegar is used in the salad dressing but you could substitute with sherry, cider or white wine vinegar.
  • Sunflower Oil forms the base of the dressing, you could also use olive oil or rapeseed oil.
  • Wholegrain Mustard is also used in the salad dressing for depth of flavour. You can also use Dijon mustard, however English mustard is too strong and would overpower the other ingredients.

How to serve ham and blue cheese salad:

This ham salad with blue cheese and figs serves 4 as a starter and 2 as a main course. I like to serve salads as a simple starter when I am planning to serve a heavier main course.

Leftover ham salad recipe hints & tips:

  1. Taste the salad dressing for seasoning before you pour over the ham salad. It is easier to adjust the seasoning in the dressing than it is once it has coated the salad.
  2. Don’t be too heavy handed when adding salt as you can always add but never take away! Also both the ham and blue cheese in this salad are salty elements so don’t over season.
  3. Leftover ham salad can be stored for 2 days in the fridge. However, I find it is best to store salad without the salad dressing otherwise the acid in the salad dressing starts to break down the vegetables, leaving everything on the soggy side.
  4. If serving to coeliacs or anyone following a gluten free diet just check the label on your mustard pot and ensure that it is gluten free.
  5. Allergy advice: gluten free, soya free and peanut free. For comprehensive and detailed allergy advice go to Allergy UK.

Additional recipe suggestions:

If you enjoy a salad that is a meal in one then try our:

  • Pear, Walnut & Blue Cheese Salad
  • Grilled Vegetables with Halloumi
  • Chicken & Asparagus Salad
  • Chicken & Harissa Salad with Pomegranate

Love salad? Then head to our Best Salad Recipes post where you will find links to all our favourite salads in one place.

Leftover Ham Salad with Figs & Blue Cheese

Ham salad, with figs and blue cheese, a fantastic combination of flavours that work beautifully together in this salad bowl. A complete meal in one and a great way to use up any leftover roast ham.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 0 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 707kcal
Author: Lesley Garden

Ingredients

  • 150 g roast ham (sliced thinly into bite-sized pieces)
  • 100 g blue cheese (cut into small pieces)
  • 2 figs (quartered)
  • 12 black grapes (halved)
  • 2 beetroot (roasted and quartered)
  • 12 cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • ¼ cucumber (sliced)
  • salad leaves

Salad Dressing

  • 4 tbsp sunflower oil
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp wholegrain mustard
  • pinch of caster sugar
  • salt & pepper

Instructions

  • Prepare the salad ingredients and split between 2 salad bowls. Place the salad leaves on the base of the bowl and layer all other ingredients on top.
  • Place all the the ingredients for the salad dressing into a bowl and whisk well to combine. Test for seasoning, pour over the salad and serve immediately.

Notes

If you don’t have all ingredients some simple substitutions can be made. Blue cheese can be swapped for another soft cheese. Not a fan of figs, then simply replace with melon.
Nutrition Facts
Leftover Ham Salad with Figs & Blue Cheese
Amount Per Serving
Calories 707 Calories from Fat 495
% Daily Value*
Fat 55g85%
Saturated Fat 16g100%
Cholesterol 84mg28%
Sodium 1693mg74%
Potassium 998mg29%
Carbohydrates 24g8%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 17g19%
Protein 29g58%
Vitamin A 1005IU20%
Vitamin C 29.5mg36%
Calcium 316mg32%
Iron 2.3mg13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •

Course : Salad
Cuisine : British
Keyword : Easy, ham and cheese salad, ham salad, ham salad dressing, Quick, Simple
Tried this recipe? We’d love to see your photos!Mention @lostinf00d or tag #lostinfood!
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Tagged With: simple 6 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Balvinder

    1 February, 2018 at 16:24

    I love this salad although I can’t handle the strong flavor of blue cheese. I have tried it in restaurants,..eat a few spoons then pass it on to my husband. Can you suggest any milder blue cheese?

    Reply
    • Lesley

      1 February, 2018 at 17:23

      Hi Balvinder, no problem at all. Whilst I love blue cheese my blogging buddy doesn’t like it at all. As an alternative to blue I served her Marks & Spencer “Doux de Montagne” instead. It’s a lovely mellow cheese and ideal for anyone who doesn’t like blue cheese. Lesley x

      Reply
  2. Monika Dabrowski

    1 February, 2018 at 08:33

    I love fruit in savoury dishes, your salad is bursting with flavour, and so much goodness too! thank you for bringing it to #CookBlogShare:)

    Reply
    • Lesley

      1 February, 2018 at 13:30

      You’re welcome Monika, I couldn’t agree more I love fruit in a salad, it balances out salty cheese perfectly. Lesley x

      Reply
  3. Donna

    30 January, 2018 at 13:47

    Oh this looks gorgeous! Anything for Blue Cheese! #CookBlogShare

    Reply
    • Lesley

      30 January, 2018 at 13:59

      Hi Donna, thank you. I agree – I love blue cheese and so quick to prepare.

      Reply

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