Hawaiian-Style Pineapple and Ham Salad with Creamy Dressing
A refreshing salad combining sweet pineapple chunks, savory ham, and crisp lettuce, tossed in a tangy creamy mayonnaise dressing. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, pairs fresh pineapple chunks, cooked ham, romaine lettuce into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 150 g fresh pineapple chunks
- 100 g, diced cooked ham
- 150 g, chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/2, thinly sliced cucumber
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp honey
- to taste salt and pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large salad bowl, combine 150 g chopped romaine lettuce, 150 g fresh pineapple chunks, 100 g diced cooked ham, and 1/2 thinly sliced cucumber.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Step 4: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hawaiian-Style Pineapple and Ham Salad with Creamy Dressing take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Hawaiian-Style Pineapple and Ham Salad with Creamy Dressing?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fresh pineapple chunks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hawaiian-Style Pineapple and Ham Salad with Creamy Dressing?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Hawaiian-Style Pineapple and Ham Salad with Creamy Dressing for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Hawaiian-Style Pineapple and Ham Salad with Creamy Dressing?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
