This southern 3-ingredient deviled ham spread is the kind of thing that quietly steals the show at a block party or church potluck. My neighbor brought a little glass platter of it to our street gathering last summer, and my dad went back so many times I finally had to march over and ask her what in the world was in it. I was sure it had to be some long, fussy recipe, but she just laughed and told me it was only canned deviled ham, cream cheese, and sweet pickle relish. It tastes like something our mothers and grandmothers would have set out with crackers on a Sunday afternoon—simple, thrifty, and just plain good.
Serve this deviled ham spread well-chilled on a glass serving platter, mounded in the center with a little spoon tucked in the side, and surround it with crisp buttery crackers or sturdy saltines. It’s also lovely spread on soft white sandwich bread for little tea sandwiches, or tucked into celery sticks for something a bit lighter. A plate of sliced cheddar, some dill pickles, and a bowl of potato chips or pretzels make it feel like an old-fashioned snack spread, perfect for card night, tailgates, or a lazy Sunday supper.
Southern 3-Ingredient Deviled Ham SpreadServings: 8
Ingredients
2 (4.25-ounce) cans deviled ham (such as Underwood), well drained
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sweet pickle relish, well drained
Directions
Place the softened cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl. If it’s still a bit firm, mash it gently with a fork or the back of a spoon until smooth and easy to stir.
Add the well-drained deviled ham to the bowl with the cream cheese. Use a fork to break up any larger pieces of ham so it mixes evenly into the cream cheese.
Stir the cream cheese and deviled ham together until the mixture is mostly smooth and evenly pink, with no big streaks of plain cream cheese showing.
Add the well-drained sweet pickle relish to the bowl. Fold it in gently until it’s evenly distributed, giving the spread a slightly textured look from the relish and ham.
Taste the spread and, if you like, adjust the texture by adding a spoonful more deviled ham for a meatier spread or a spoonful more cream cheese for a milder, creamier spread. (This is optional and still keeps it to the same three ingredients.)
Spoon the deviled ham spread onto a glass serving platter and use the back of the spoon to gently smooth it into a low mound or oval shape. You can add a few shallow swirls or ridges on top for a homemade look.
Cover the platter lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until well chilled and slightly firm. This resting time lets the flavors come together and makes it easier to scoop neatly with crackers.
Just before serving, remove the plastic wrap and set the platter on the table. Arrange crisp golden crackers all around the spread and serve chilled, letting guests scoop the spread onto crackers as they like.
Variations & Tips
You can keep the heart of this recipe—three simple ingredients—while tailoring it to your own table. For a touch more tang, use whipped cream cheese instead of block cream cheese; it blends faster and gives a slightly lighter texture. If your family prefers more sweetness, add an extra spoonful of sweet pickle relish (just be sure to drain it very well so the spread doesn’t get watery). For a smokier flavor, choose a smoked-style deviled ham if you can find it. You can also shape the chilled mixture into a small cheese-ball style mound and roll just the outside in very finely crushed buttery crackers for a bit of crunch while still leaning on the same core ingredients. Food safety tips: Always keep this spread refrigerated until serving, and don’t leave it out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if it’s a very hot day or you’re outdoors). Because it contains meat and dairy, store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3 to 4 days. If you’re making this ahead, be sure your hands, utensils, and bowl are clean, and keep the ingredients cold up until mixing to maintain freshness.
