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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Leftover Ham Salad with Figs & Blue Cheese
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
• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •
Balvinder
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?
Lesley
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
Monika Dabrowski
I love fruit in savoury dishes, your salad is bursting with flavour, and so much goodness too! thank you for bringing it to #CookBlogShare:)
Lesley
You’re welcome Monika, I couldn’t agree more I love fruit in a salad, it balances out salty cheese perfectly. Lesley x
Donna
Oh this looks gorgeous! Anything for Blue Cheese! #CookBlogShare
Lesley
Hi Donna, thank you. I agree – I love blue cheese and so quick to prepare.