freezing ham salad?

[wildorchid053]

i have tons of leftover ham and want to make ham salad. i usually use sweet pickles, hard boiled eggs, mustard and.... miracle whip.. since it will make about two gallons .. size wise i need to save it for later .. has anyone tried freezing it made all the way or should i hold off on the miracle whip and add it later after it is thawed.. i don't want to freeze the ham chunks for later so i want to make it all now since it is messy with the grinder and all..any suggestions?

 

[arabianequine]

I have never froze something like that....but I have other dishes with mayo/mw and the problem is stuff becomes mushy when thawed out and stuff with mayo seems to separate making it watery.

 

[bigmike&nan]

I would save the ham in chunks to slice or dice (as needed) later. When I get a big spiral cut ham, or a full ham to bake off whole, next day after it has really cooled and set I break it down into freezer gallon sized bags - portions of 1 1/2 to 2 lb each. Then I can use it for bean soup, slice it for sandwiches or scalloped potatoes or in layered egg casseroles like the Strata... I would not suggest using any mayo or Miracle Whip product in something and then freezing it. Nope

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
I suggest grinding all the ham now to keep the mess controlled, then freezing the extra ground ham for later. Mayo doesn't freeze well, but if you have the ground ham in the freezer you can thaw and drain it, then make salad later.

 

[wildorchid053]

i have made the ham and scalloped potatoes.. the pea soup.. jamalaya.. so now it is ham salad. will grind the ham and eggs and pickles and freeze.. will add dressing when it thaws and is time for lunch.. thank you all.