There are certain times of year when ham calls to me. I’ll admit I’m not the biggest fan of a ham sandwich (though my family loves them), but I do like ham when served in other ways. This easy ham dip is the perfect example. It works really well for leftover Easter ham or Christmas ham, but it’s also great as an appetizer for spring and summer get togethers!
Ham Dip
Whether you’re looking for an option for a summer cookout or a holiday party, this dip is a great recipe to have on hand.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple and Quick to Make – You only need a few familiar ingredients to make this easy dip recipe and it can be ready in as quick as 10 minutes!
- Perfect for a Variety of Occasions – This dip is super versatile and great for everything from a holiday party or game day to a summer picnic or snack time.
- Easy to Customize – This simple recipe is also easy to make your own. You can add your own favorite mix-ins like your favorite type of shredded cheese or your favorite spices.
- Make It Ahead of Time – This recipe is also super convenient. You can make it ahead of time and then just let it chill in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it. That makes it great for entertaining.
Ingredients & Equipment
This recipe has a pretty short ingredient list and they’re all very easy to find at the grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need to make cream cheese ham dip:
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Garlic powder
- Smoked ham lunch meat (or leftover ham)
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Green onion
- Your favorite crackers, chips, fresh veggies, etc. for dipping
Full measurements for each ingredient can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
You’ll also need a few pieces of kitchen equipment:
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowl
- Silicone spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Serving dish of your choice

Step By Step Instructions
This easy appetizer recipe makes 6-8 servings and only needs 10 minutes of prep time. At least 1 hour of chill time is also recommended
Step 1. Chop the ham into tiny pieces.
Step 2. Slice the green onion, reserving a few pieces to top the dip.
Step 3. Mix cream cheese, sour cream and garlic powder in a bowl, and stir until well combined.
Step 4. Then stir in the ham pieces, shredded cheese, and green onion.
Step 5. Spoon the mixture into a serving dish, then sprinkle a few green onion pieces on top.
Step 6. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours, then serve with crackers, veggies, or your favorite dippers.
Ham Salad Dip Variations
- Spicy. Add jalapenos, a splash of hot sauce, or some cayenne pepper to add some heat to this ham dip recipe.
- Bacon. For even more flavor, add crumbled bacon or bacon bits to the dip.
- Ranch ham dip. Substitute Ranch dressing seasoning for the garlic powder to change the flavor.
- Hawaiian style. Add finely chopped pineapple for a sweet and savory combo.
- Cheese it up. Swap out the cheddar cheese for other cheeses like Gouda, Monterey Jack or Swiss cheese. Or try a combination of different cheeses.
- Ham swaps. You can also try different variety of ham to change up the flavor. Try smoked ham, Black Forest ham, honey ham, country ham, or brown sugar ham. You can also substitute prosciutto for ham if you’re feeling fancy.
- Tangy. Add dijon mustard to add a bit of tang to the dip.
- Buffalo ham dip. Stir in some buffalo sauce to taste and serve with celery sticks.
- Sweeten it up. Try addingsome diced apple fora completely different and refreshing take on this ham dip.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve this dip with your favorite dippers. Here are some ideas:
- Crackers
- Breadsticks
- Baguette slices
- Pita chips
- Tortilla chips
- Crostini
- Baby carrots
- Cucumber slices
- Bell peppers
- Celery sticks
You can also serve this dip in a bread bowl!
Leftovers & Storage
You can keep this dip or any leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator.
Tips & Tricks
- For a creamier dip, you can use a food processer to blend all of the ingredients together.
- You can also use this dip recipe as a ham spread or a ham salad dip.
- You can also make this dip recipe into a ham cheese ball. Once you’ve mixed all of the ingredients together, roll it into your desired shape (you can make a ball or a log) and then wrap it in plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator.
More Cold Dip Recipes

Instructions
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Chop the ham into tiny pieces.
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Then slice the green onion, reserving a few pieces to top the dip.
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Add the cream cheese, sour cream and garlic powder to a bowl, and stir until well combined.
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Then stir in the ham pieces, shredded cheese, and green onion.
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Spoon the mixture into a serving dish and sprinkle a few green onion pieces on top.
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Refrigerate for 1-2 hours, then serve with dippers lick crackers, veggies, etc.
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