The Perfect Sides to Serve with Baked Ham

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A beautiful glazed ham just screams “special occasion”. Our idea of a main event, though, is all the incredibly easy side dishes that will really make the meal one to remember. These sides can round out your dinner menu and make sure that your holiday ham is paired with delicious potatoes, vegetables, homemade breads, and more. Here are 50 great recipes for side dishes that go with ham. They will surely help you make a great Sunday meal.

We love a creamy side dish to help cut the salty, slight sweetness of ham. The creamiest of all is, of course, potatoes! We love traditional mashed or scalloped potatoes, but we’ve also included some creative potato recipes, like our roasted fingerling potatoes (cornstarch is the key to their great crispness), melting potatoes, or garlic smashed potatoes. Really want to impress your dinner guests? Try a new way to serve potatoes, like our mashed potato casserole.

And yes, we have plans for your leftover ham as well. Check out our other favorite side dishes for year-round too.

Great cruciferous slaws are the best way to welcome warm weather. This tangy, crunchy broccoli slaw will make you the hit of your next spring party. It has shredded cabbage and carrots, along with raw broccoli, toasted walnuts, and sweet craisins. The maple and lemon dressing coats everything. It’s as easy as it is zesty, crisp, and delicious. Get the.

Baked ham is a staple at many holiday and Sunday dinners. The salty sweet meat is delicious but it’s the sides that can really make or break the meal. Luckily, there are plenty of classic and creative options to complement ham’s rich flavor.

Traditional Pairings

Some traditional sides have stood the test of time as perfect partners for baked ham Here are a few classics that should be on your table

Scalloped or Au Gratin Potatoes

Creamy, cheesy potatoes are one of the most iconic pairings The rich and indulgent potatoes balance the saltiness of the ham. Scalloped or au gratin potatoes are easy to prepare ahead of time and just bake before serving

Green Bean Casserole

Another nostalgic favorite, this mushroom and crispy onion-topped casserole is a staple on many holiday tables. The earthy mushrooms and onions and the fresh, snappy green beans create great texture contrast.

Macaroni and Cheese

Comforting, cheesy mac and cheese is delicious alongside ham’s savoriness. And it couldn’t be easier to make for a crowd. Consider kicking it up with extra cheese, bacon, or jalapenos.

Cornbread

Warm cornbread is the perfect vehicle for sopping up any glazes or juices from the ham. Sweet cornbread particularly pairs well with the touch of sweetness from a honey-glazed ham.

Dinner Rolls

Fresh from the oven, fluffy dinner rolls are ideal for serving with ham. Parker House rolls, Hawaiian rolls, or crescent rolls are all excellent choices.

Creative Pairings

While the classics are great, you can also get creative with unique vegetable dishes, salads, and more to liven up your spread.

Honey-Glazed Carrots

Honey’s sweetness complements baked ham. Glazing carrots with honey, brown sugar, and butter boosts carrots from basic to beautiful.

###Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts caramelized in the oven pair perfectly with ham. Toss sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting. Sprinkle with parmesan after roasting.

Fruit Salad

A fresh fruit salad provides brightness and natural sweetness. Combine berries, citrus slices, pineapple, grapes, and melon for a colorful medley.

###Spinach Salad

A spinach salad with crunchy veggies, nuts, cheese, and a zesty vinaigrette cuts the richness of the ham. Add ingredients like red onion, strawberries, feta, and almonds.

###Twice Baked Potatoes

Scoop out baked potatoes, mix the insides with cheese, cream, and seasoning, then bake again. Twice baked potatoes are comforting but lighter than scalloped.

###Spring Vegetable Quinoa

Quinoa tossed with asparagus, peas, and fresh herbs makes a fresh, flavorful salad. The quinoa adds great texture.

Simple Sides

If time is short, round out your meal with simple veggie sides:

  • Roasted asparagus
  • Honey-glazed carrots
  • Garlic green beans
  • Creamed spinach
    -Sauteed broccoli

Making the Meal Complete

Baked ham may be the star, but creative sides make the meal memorable. Traditional favorites like scalloped potatoes and veggie casseroles certainly earn their place at the table. But don’t be afraid to also try lighter, brighter sides to balance the ham’s richness. With the right combinations of nostalgic classics, seasonal produce, herbs, and other flavors, your ham dinner will be spectacular.

what goes with baked ham dinner

Pimiento Cheese Corn Muffins

what goes with baked ham dinner

The flavor squad is here to provide standard corn muffins with a mega boost. The result is pimiento cheese corn muffins, which take their cues from the classic Southern cheese dip. When you mix shredded cheddar, diced pimiento peppers, garlic powder, and a lot of cayenne, you get a tasty treat.

Get the Pimiento Cheese Corn Muffins recipe.

Homemade Mac & Cheese

what goes with baked ham dinner

Our best mac and cheese ever at Delish is great for any event, from holiday spreads to family dinners during the week. We think the best macaroni and cheese recipe should have three things: a golden, crunchy topping, extra creamy macaroni and cheese, and lots of cheese. Get the Homemade Mac & Cheese recipe.

Easy Ham Recipe – How to Bake a Ham

FAQ

What is the best way to serve a precooked ham?

A fully cooked, ready-to-eat ham (also referred to as a “city ham”) can be sliced and served cold or at room temperature—there’s no need to reheat it. A spiral-cut ham is delicious this way, whether eaten by the slice, tucked into biscuits, or in a grilled cheese sandwich.

What does Ina Garten serve with ham?

A classic, flavorfully glazed ham like this would pair well with many classic sides, like melt-in-your-mouth roasted potatoes, a simple spinach salad, cheesy creamed spinach or mustardy roasted carrots.

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