60 Delicious Side Dishes to Serve with Ham
Discover the ultimate collection of potato, veggie, and bread sides to complement every ham centerpiece.
60 Delicious Side Dishes to Serve Alongside Ham
When celebrating holidays like Easter, Christmas, or any special gathering, a beautifully glazed ham often takes center stage. However, every great main course deserves equally stellar sides. Whether you prefer creamy potatoes, vibrant vegetable dishes, or fluffy home-baked rolls, this comprehensive collection of 60 side dish recipes ensures your ham dinner is perfectly balanced, colorful, and bursting with flavor.
Potato Sides: Creamy, Crispy, and Carby Classics
Few foods pair as naturally with ham as potatoes. Their creamy or crispy textures, along with subtle flavors, help balance ham’s sweet-salty notes. This section covers classic favorites and innovative twists on this versatile tuber.
- Classic Mashed Potatoes – Buttery and creamy, the ultimate comfort side offering a blank canvas for gravy or herbed butters.
- Scalloped Potatoes – Thinly sliced potatoes layered with cheese and baked to bubbly perfection, this rich dish brings decadent flair to the table.
- French Onion Smashed Potatoes – Combining the flavors of French onion soup with the texture of smashed potatoes, caramelized onions elevate this side.
- Roasted Fingerling Potatoes – Tossed with olive oil, herbs, and cornstarch for superb crispness, these slender potatoes are irresistible.
- Melting Potatoes – Roasted in a rich broth, these thick potato rounds achieve irresistibly crisp edges and a soft, melting center.
- Garlic Smashed Potatoes – Boiled potatoes, smashed and roasted for a crispy-crusted, garlicky side that’s great for dipping.
- Mashed Potato Casserole – Creamy mashed potatoes baked with cheese, breadcrumbs, and optional bacon for the ultimate holiday crowd-pleaser.
- Crispy Domino Potatoes – Sliced thin and layered upright, these potatoes bake to crisp edges and a creamy interior—imagine scalloped potatoes meets a potato chip!
- Mashed Cauliflower – Creamed with cheese and butter, this low-carb alternative is silky-smooth, perfect for those seeking lighter fare.
- Potatoes au Gratin – Cheese-laden layers of potato baked bubbling and golden, a rich classic that never disappoints.
Vegetable Sides: Brighten the Plate
Balance the richness of ham with a rainbow of vegetable sides. From simple oven-roasted veggies to creative gratins and sautés, these dishes bring freshness, texture, and color to your table.
- Green Beans Almondine – Lightly blanched and sautéed with garlic and toasted almonds for a nutty flourish.
- Glazed Carrots – Simmered in sweet and tangy glaze until glossy and tender; finish by roasting for caramelized notes.
- Roasted Asparagus – Olive oil, salt, and pepper let spring asparagus shine; roast until crispy-tender for a simple but elegant pairing.
- Cacio e Pepe Brussels Sprouts – Inspired by the Roman pasta, these sprouts are roasted and tossed with black pepper and heaps of grated Parmesan.
- French Onion Cabbage Gratin – Shreds of cabbage smothered in creamy onion and Gruyère, baked until golden—a luxe veggie casserole.
- Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Mini Peppers – Sweet mini peppers overstuffed with a creamy, tangy pimento cheese filling, served warm or at room temp.
- Crispy Parmesan Ranch Smashed Carrots – Steam, then smash carrots and roast with a Parmesan-ranch crust for a fun play on textures.
- Sugar Snap Peas Sauté – Quickly sautéed with shallots and a squeeze of lemon, these crunchy peas provide a fresh bite against salty ham.
- Seven-Layer Salad – A fun retro salad stacked with shredded lettuce, peas, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, and creamy dressing, great for make-ahead meals.
- Creamed Spinach – Cooked with cream, butter, nutmeg, and garlic until lush—an indulgent green side beloved at steakhouses and family tables alike.
Bread & Rolls: Homemade Comfort
No holiday ham dinner is complete without warm, pillowy breads. Whether you prefer classic dinner rolls, cornbread, or creative stuffed breads, these carbs are always a crowd-pleaser.
- Peanut Butter-Honey Cornbread – Moist and crumbly cornbread sweetened with honey and enriched with peanut butter for unique flavor depth.
- Fluffy Potato Rolls – Using extra baked or mashed potatoes, these rolls are ultra-soft and tender—ideal for soaking up sauces and gravies.
- Goat Cheese Stuffed Rolls – Soft bread rolls filled with tangy goat cheese for a savory surprise in every bite.
- Sweet Potato Rolls – Sweet potatoes make these rolls extra soft and subtly sweet, finished with honey butter and sea salt.
- Cheddar Chive Biscuits – Flaky, cheese-studded biscuits flecked with fresh chives—delicious warm from the oven.
- Parker House Rolls – A classic, buttery dinner roll with a signature folded shape, perfect for any festive table.
- Rosemary Focaccia – Chewy and aromatic Italian bread topped with fresh rosemary, ideal for dipping or serving alongside ham slices.
Creative Side Dishes & Flavorful Twists
Sometimes, you need a side dish that goes beyond classic comfort and truly wows your guests. These inventive recipes bring spice, new textures, and layers of flavor to your ham dinner.
- Buffalo Chicken Biscuit Bombs – Shredded buffalo chicken wrapped in biscuit dough and baked golden brown. Cheesy, spicy, and perfect for fans of hearty apps-meet-sides.
- Parmesan Asparagus Fries – Asparagus spears breaded, baked, and served crisp with Parmesan for a healthy, flavorful alternative to fries.
- Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Celery – Crunchy celery sticks filled with zippy, homemade pimento cheese, ideal for snacking or nibbling between bites of ham.
- Hot-Honey Glazed Carrots – Sweet roasted carrots finished with a drizzle of spicy honey for a vibrant, modern take on glazed carrots.
Legume & Bean Sides
Beans offer hearty, protein-packed comfort and a hint of sweetness that balances smoky ham perfectly.
- Baked Beans – Classic sweet and savory flavors, slow cooked for richness; ideal for backyard barbecues or cozy holiday spreads.
- Ham and Bean Stew – A robust first course or filling side, with ham, beans, and aromatic vegetables in a flavorful broth.
Egg-Based and Cheesy Sides
- Deviled Eggs – Tangy, creamy filling piped into halved eggs—a must for holiday appetizers or as a rich, cool counterpoint to warm ham.
- Cheesy Mashed Potato & Ham Bake – Layers of fluffy mashed potatoes, gooey cheese, and pieces of ham baked under a crispy topping—serve as a side or a comforting main.
- Ham & Cheese Spinach Puffs – Flaky puff pastry stuffed with creamy ham, spinach, and cheese mixture; serve warm for best results.
Sweet Potato Sides & Casseroles
- Sweet Potato Casserole – Creamy mashed sweet potatoes, topped with crunchy pecan streusel or marshmallows, bring sweet notes and texture.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Herb & Honey Glaze – Cubes of sweet potato tossed in a herby, honey glaze and oven-roasted until tender and caramelized.
Salad Sides: Freshness & Crunch
- Spring Cobb Salad – Layers of crisp lettuce, radishes, avocado, hard-boiled eggs, and bacon tossed in a bright vinaigrette.
- Seven-Layer Salad – (Detailed above) – A showstopper make-ahead option for crowded tables and buffet service.
Specialty Sides & Unique Pairings
- Cornbread – Sweet and moist with a naturally crumbly texture, the classic Southern side for all things ham.
- Onion Soup Mix Roasted Potatoes – Potatoes roasted with a packet of onion soup mix for effortless, savory flavor; ideal for make-ahead or beginner cooks.
Pro Tips for Creating a Balanced Ham Dinner Spread
- Offer a mix of creamy, crunchy, and brightly flavored sides to offset the richness and saltiness of ham.
- Incorporate both hot and chilled dishes for texture and temperature contrast.
- Choose at least one starchy dish (potatoes, rolls), one green vegetable, and a tangy or sweet side for complete flavor harmony.
- Don’t forget make-ahead options—like layered salads or baked casseroles—for stress-free hosting.
Sample Ham Dinner Side Dish Menu
| Category | Sample Dish | Flavor & Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Potato | Scalloped Potatoes | Creamy, cheesy, classic comfort |
| Vegetable | Roasted Asparagus | Fresh, seasonal, elegant |
| Bread | Sweet Potato Rolls | Soft and subtly sweet |
| Bean/Legume | Baked Beans | Hearty, sweet-savory |
| Specialty | Deviled Eggs | Tangy bite; traditional favorite |
Tips for Leftover Ham
- Chop leftover ham to mix into potato or egg bakes for an easy brunch casserole.
- Dice and add to salads, cold pasta dishes, or creamy soups for a protein boost.
- Layer into grilled cheese, savory muffins, or breakfast sandwiches to repurpose extras deliciously.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What types of potatoes work best for scalloped potatoes?
A: Starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds are ideal; they hold their shape when sliced and bake up creamy and tender.
Q: Can I make side dishes ahead of time for a ham dinner?
A: Yes! Casseroles, layered salads, deviled eggs, and many vegetable roasts can be prepared in advance and either served cold or briefly reheated before serving.
Q: Are there gluten-free options among these side dishes?
A: Absolutely. Many vegetable sides (like glazed carrots, roasted asparagus, mashed cauliflower) and some potato recipes (with gluten-free flour, if used) naturally fit gluten-free diets.
Q: How do I keep rolls or bread fresh for serving?
A: Bake on the day of serving for best results, or reheat in a low oven covered with foil to restore warmth and softness right before mealtime.
Q: What’s the best way to balance flavors when planning ham dinner sides?
A: Pair salty ham with creamy, subtly sweet, and tangy sides. Don’t overload with salt; let fresh herbs, citrus, or sweetness from veggies and breads provide contrast.
Conclusion
No matter your preferences or the holiday, a selection of vibrant, flavorful sides brings out the best in a centerpiece ham. Mix and match from potatoes, vegetables, salads, and breads for a spread that’s as memorable as it is mouth-watering. Happy feasting!
