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Easy Ham Salad with Figs & Blue Cheese

This easy ham salad recipe is a great way of using up leftover roast ham. There is no cooking required, instead it’s more of an assembly job. I like to add sweet fresh figs, earthy beetroot and soft blue cheese to the cold ham salad, a fantastic combination of flavours that work beautifully together.

Two white bowls filled with ham salad with figs and blue cheese with a whole fig and sliced fig set alongside.

This leftover ham salad recipe came about when I was having a look in my fridge and trying to decide what I could do with the remnants of a large roast ham. I found blue cheese, figs and grapes, along with cooked beetroot and the usual variety of salad vegetables. Perfection really in salad terms, as these flavours all work really well together.

I make this easy ham salad without eggs but feel free to add some hard boiled eggs to the salad if you fancy as those would work well in here too.

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • The perfect balance of flavours the salty blue cheese pairs beautifully with the leftover ham, earthy beetroot and the sweet fresh figs and grapes.
  • Ready in no time as this roast ham 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.

Recipe ingredients

Ham fig and blue cheese salad recipe ingredients set into individual bowls.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Grapes: add sweetness and a nice bit of crunch to the salad. I’ve used red grapes but green or black grapes work equally well.
  • 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. However, you can add any variety of salad leaves as a base in this leftover ham salad recipe.
  • Salad dressing – I’ve opted to dress the salad with my Homemade Red Wine Vinaigrette. You can use any vinaigrette style dressing.

How to make Ham Salad with Figs & Blue Cheese

  • Prepare the salad ingredients and divide equally between 2 salad bowls if serving as a main salad.
  • Drizzle the red wine vinaigrette over the salad and serve immediately.
Two white bowls filled with ham salad with figs and blue cheese with a small bunch of red grapes set alongside.

Flavor variations

The ingredients in this cold ham salad are easy to adapt to suit you own palette and use up what you have in your stores at home. Here are some ideas:

  • I’ve used roast ham, but you can use any variety of ham, try thin slices of parma ham, prosciutto or Serrano ham.
  • Swap the leftover roast ham for leftover roast turkey, chicken or pork.
  • I love soft blue cheese, but you can swap blue cheese for any other cheese that you enjoy eating, try vintage cheddar, a crumbly white stilton, brie, feta, or a soft goats cheese.
  • Swap the figs for other fruits, try sliced melon, apples, pears or peaches.
  • Red grapes can be swapped for black or green grapes.
  • Add some green and/or black olives to the mix.
  • Use any variety of salad veggies, add some diced red bell peppers, radishes, sweetcorn, celery or spring onion.
  • Cold hard boiled eggs are a great addition to the salad.
Red wine vinagrette dressing being poured over a bowl of ham salad with figs and blue cheese.

Serving suggestion

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.

If serving this salad as an easy midweek meal, I will serve some crusty bread or bread rolls alongside.

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. If serving to coeliacs or anyone following a gluten free diet just check the label on your pot of mustard and ensure it is gluten free. If using your own or a store bought salad dressing ensure that it is gluten free.
  4. Allergy advice: gluten free, soya free and peanut free. For comprehensive and detailed allergy advice go to Allergy UK.
Two white bowls filled with ham salad with figs and blue cheese with a small bunch of red grapes, a whole fig and sliced fig set alongside.

FAQs

Can ham salad be made ahead?

The cold ham salad can be made ahead and stored in the fridge until you are ready to serve. However, I don’t recommend dressing the salad until you are ready to serve, as the acid in the salad dressing will cause the blue cheese to soften too much and the salad leaves to wilt.

How to store leftover ham salad?

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 salad fruits and vegetables, leaving everything on the soggy side.

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Pinnable image with recipe title and two white bowls filled with ham salad with figs and blue cheese with a whole fig and sliced fig set alongside.

Additional recipe suggestions

If you enjoy a large salad main, try these great recipes:

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

Two white bowls filled with ham salad with figs and blue cheese with a whole fig and sliced fig set alongside.

Easy 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 6 votes
Print Pin Text Save
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 620kcal

Ingredients

  • 150 g roast ham (cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • 100 g blue cheese (cut into small pieces)
  • 2 figs (quartered)
  • 12 grapes (halved)
  • 2 beetroot (roasted and quartered – or buy ready cooked)
  • 12 cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • ¼ cucumber (sliced)
  • salad leaves
  • 4 tbsp red wine vinaigrette

Instructions

  • Prepare the salad ingredients and divide equally between 2 salad bowls if serving as a main salad.
  • Drizzle the red wine vinaigrette 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.
This salad will serve 2 as a salad main, 4-6 as a salad side or starter.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Ham Salad with Figs & Blue Cheese
Amount Per Serving
Calories 620 Calories from Fat 396
% Daily Value*
Fat 44g68%
Saturated Fat 17g106%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10g
Monounsaturated Fat 15g
Cholesterol 84mg28%
Sodium 1543mg67%
Potassium 1058mg30%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 22g24%
Protein 30g60%
Vitamin A 1025IU21%
Vitamin C 30mg36%
Calcium 319mg32%
Iron 3mg17%
* 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
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Recipe Rating




5 from 6 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Cat

Thursday 23rd of November 2023

I absolutely love figs and they're great in salads. These flavours worked so well together, it was so tasty!

Lesley

Thursday 23rd of November 2023

Me too Cat, I think figs are amazing in salad.

Sisley White - Sew White

Monday 20th of November 2023

This dish takes me back to summer and it's so fresh and delicious.

Lesley

Monday 20th of November 2023

Thank you Sisley, its one of my favourite all year round salads.

Chloe

Wednesday 15th of November 2023

Ham and figs are one of my favourite combos in a salad (and on a pizza!)

Lesley

Monday 20th of November 2023

Thank you Chloe, its a great recipe for using sweet figs when they are in season.

Janice

Tuesday 14th of November 2023

I couldn't wait to make this salad. It has all my favourite flavours and it certainly didn't disappoint. It's going to be my go-to salad over the Christmas holidays.

Lesley

Wednesday 15th of November 2023

Glad you enjoyed it Janice, it's a great way of using up leftovers over the festive holidays.

Balvinder

Thursday 1st of February 2018

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

Thursday 1st of February 2018

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

5 from 6 votes (2 ratings without comment)