36 Delicious Side Dishes That Pair Well With Ham

We know how much the audience loves to dine on delicious ham. Whether it’s for Easter Sunday, a midweek delight, or Sunday get-together with the family, it’s important that you pick the right side dishes for ham.

We’ve decided to collect our favorite side dishes that are sure to excite you and give an extra layer of satisfaction to a meal that is already delicious on its own, that will add so much to the sweet and savory flavor.

These recipes are designed for a wide variety of occasions, and even when making them into sandwiches for using them as an entree with a hand base, there is something for everybody here.

And the good news is that many of these recipes won’t require a lot of effort, ingredients, or preparation time! Here are 36 delicious side dishes that will take your ham to the next level.

1. Mashed Potato

For anyone who desires to serve Ham, we would recommend starting with one of the classics.

Mashed potatoes are an easy option that will go with just about anything, but the combination of creamy potato and salty ham is one of our favorite combinations.

You can even have pork onions for a rich side that is packed full of intense flavor.

2. Scalloped Potatoes

On the subject of the potato, an often overlooked side dish for Ham is to go with a scalloped potato. This is made by thinly slicing gold potatoes and adding a creamy sauce that typically contains onion and mustard.

It should also have its fair share of cheese to give a rich creamy flavor. And best of all, this doesn’t take that much effort to prepare.

3. Grandmas’ Sunshine Salad

There’s nothing wrong with trying an all-time classic, and we expect that your mum or your Grandma has been making jello since they were a young girl.

But if you want to get creative in the kitchen, you can try this delicious recipe that is surprisingly delightful. Who said that kids’ food needs to be reserved for children, anyway?

4. Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole

If you are in the mood for some potato, trying a sweet potato casserole will be a delightful alternative that is short to give your audience a delightful treat.

If you want to, you can save this one for Thanksgiving, but we wouldn’t be ashamed if you wanted to make this sooner as it contains both marshmallows and toasted pecans. 

5. Homemade Slow Cooker Baked Beans

Some people find baked beans to be boring, which is why we recommend this recipe. It is a delicious homemade alternative that is slow-cooked to perfection.

You will be using 3 types of canned beans, and we would recommend that you have a little bit of chili to give it a bit of a kick. An ideal choice for Ham which can be served as a dip or eaten as is.

6. Green Bean Casserole

Although often commonly used as a dish served during the holidays, this is super easy to make and can be prepared any day of the week.

With just 5 ingredients and only 10 minutes to prepare, yeah it’s a favorite that has been enjoyed for over 60 years. Be careful, as sometimes the side dishes enjoy more than the ham!

7. Grilled Artichokes With Creamy Lemon Dip

This is an irresistible appetizer that is easy to make and even more enjoyable to eat. The secret is in the tender artichoke that is smoked and used perfectly with a creamy, tangy sauce.

Make these for a hot summer’s day, and serve them in place of fries, as they are healthier and most definitely tastier. You won’t be disappointed.

8. Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Asparagus is an awesome vegetable that pears extremely well with ham, and when it is heavily salted and roasted, it loses its planned texture and becomes a delicious side.

Adding herbs and spices is one of the secrets for roasted asparagus, repaired with a juicy Ham you can keep things minimalistic.

9. Braised Red Cabbage

For something a little fancier that will take you a little bit more time to prepare, we recommend that you try this braised red cabbage Which is perfect as a Christmas side dish (see also ‘33 Christmas Side Dishes To Try This Holiday Season‘).

This is recommended for those that love a sweet and savory combination, that doesn’t compromise on health and nutrition. Truly awesome, and worth the time and effort.

10. Pesto Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

We love taking an already established idea and putting a spin on it. Spaghetti squash is a fun alternative that is sweet and juicy and offers a lot in terms of texture.

When you make spaghetti squash it will separate into smaller strands of noodles, so it is more manageable to eat and it’s the perfect side dish that isn’t too heavy.

11. Green Salad

Many times, people tend to overcomplicate their side dishes, and sometimes less is a lot more.

Why not try a light and delicious seasonal green salad that pairs wonderfully well with the saltiness of the ham, and allows you to eat your five a day. Add some light salad dressing and you’ve got yourself a winner.

12. Honey Glazed Carrots

Honey glazed carrots are simply delicious and will transform a simple vegetable into a showstopper that is sweet and savory. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if you wanted to make seconds as they are simply wonderful.

Using a delicious honey glaze for taste and texture, the secret is in the ginger and garlic, with a pinch of cinnamon for that seasonal flavor.

13. Cranberry Pot Pies

We love pie here, and if you want to enjoy ham as an individual, having a solo pie is the best way to go. Cranberry pot pies are a festive and fun treat that packs a lot of flavor into such a small delicacy.

When paired with ham, this would be a winner as a holiday brunch or light dinner.

14. Dinner Rolls

There’s nothing more irresistible than a light and fluffy dinner roll. Try at least homemade dinner rolls that only need two handfuls of ingredients that will be ready in no time at all.

Bread and ham are one of those combinations that just never seems to miss, and whether you have whole wheat or a simple white bread option, make sure you serve it with jam.

15. Roasted Vegetables

There is often debate about how to best cook a bunch of vegetables, but we absolutely adore it when they are roasted as they add another depth to their flavor that isn’t discovered in any other way of cooking.

This is the perfect go-to lunch for a warm summer’s day, you can even add some quinoa.

16. Southern Cornbread

Cornbread is a great choice because it’s so versatile. It goes well with either sweet or savory dishes, and as long as you’ve picked the right recipe, then it’s always going to be tasty.

If you do decide to make some cornbread, ensure that it is smothered in butter, but you could also add some jalapeno to turn up the heat.

17. Warm Farro And Mustard Green Salad With Maple-Roasted Acorn Squash

If you want to up your side dish game or want to impress that special someone, then picking this salad is the perfect option as it balances sweet and salty, without feeling too pretentious.

You compare this well with ham as it is not too heavy, and contains plenty of nutrients that even the most health-conscious people will enjoy.

18. Creamy Baked Mac And Cheese

Talk about an all-time favorite;  everybody loves mac and cheese and this will be perfect for setting up a side dish for all ages. Ham and cheese are a powerful combination.

But when you add in macaroni. It just seems to elevate the entire meal. Adding white pepper and garlic is always a good option, and a few spices to give it a little extra magic.

19. Apple, Goat’s Cheese, Honey, And Hazelnut Tarts

This is the ultimate quick snack that pairs well with just about any time of the day, but we also love them as a starter or main course with a salad.

There’s plenty of wiggle room to make these and you can vary the fruits, cheese, nuts, and herbs to suit your personal preference. They also make a great dessert if you have leftovers.

20. Creamed Spinach

What I love about side dishes is that they can make a meal look that much more appealing. And nothing says this better than a creamed spinach, that has this wonderful color scheme.

You can mix in some sour Greek yogurt with some spinach or kale, which pairs unbelievably well with a nice cut of ham.

21. Rhubarb Applesauce

Pork and apples are another one of those combinations that are no time classic, and so we wanted to feature applesauce that is homemade as these are 10 times better than buying something already premade for a grocery store.

The rhubarb is the game changer for this recipe as it gives it a lovely kick, and a handful of nutrients to go.

22. Easy 10-Minute Garlic Broccolini

Most people will typically stick with what they know, which is a shame as broccolini is one of our favorite vegetables, and is the tastier cousin of broccoli.

As there is essentially no prep involved, it can be on the table in less than 10 minutes, which is why we have added this 10-minute garlic broccolini recipe. Vibrant and tender to taste, you shouldn’t miss this one.

23. Cacio E Pepe Brussels Sprouts

One of the best ways to eat food that is not always a fan favorite is to make them as interesting as possible.

This is why you should try this brussel sprout recipe that concentrates on roasting them but give them a sweet and nutty twist that is delightfully yummy. Add parmesan and black pepper for even more taste.

24. Grandma’s Corn Pudding

We love Southern classics, and corn pudding is one of the creepiest and tastiest puddings you can serve with ham.

Whilst it’s not technically a desert, it is sweet, and will suit those that love to have a bit of sweetness to their main meal. Warning, as this is quite moreish you will probably need to cook more than you think.

25. Wild Rice And Mushroom Pilaf

Not everyone loves a mushroom, but we think with the right combination of ingredients and a superstar recipe, even those that shy away from this glorious fungi will be tempted to try a spoonful.

It’s easy to make and delicious to boot, it comes with a nutty flavor with the wild rice blend.

26. Deviled Eggs

Who wouldn’t have put money on us putting some kind of egg-based side dish on a list of side dishes that go well with ham?

Well, here we are, and our favorite option is to go with some deviled eggs which is an all-time classic, ideal for any time of the year and all occasions. Add a little bit of spice and you’re good to go.

27. Potato Carrot And Leek Soup

We love cozy food, and this potato carrot and leek soup is the perfect option for those winter nights or frosty weekends.

It’s loaded with veggies that will help you get through the coldest of Autumn Falls and has one of the creamiest tastes we found in a soup recipe. This is some next-level side dish action.

28. Southern Collard Greens

Heading back to the Southern parts of the United States now, we were inspired by these southern collard greens that we just had to share with you.

They are perfectly spiced, resulting in an amazing silky texture that is best served with cornbread or corn muffins, and of course, ham. This is as authentic as it’s going to get.

29. Pineapple Stuffing

For those of you who are Hawaiian pizza lovers, we think we found the perfect side dish for you.

It’s a truly simple recipe to make that doesn’t take a lot of preparation, but you are ultimately left with a Buttery and sweet taste that is fruity and tangy, and an ideal partner for Ham.

If you love your stuffing to be fluffy and moist inside, you won’t go back.

30. Classic Potato Salad

This one is ideal for the summertime, and it’s a real classic. This is the perfect side dish for ham, that would go well with a picnic spread, or paired with leftover roasted ham.

There are plenty of different ingredients to be used in this, and we love the addition of the small capers and cornichons, which add a real depth of flavor.

31. Greek Farro Salad

A recipe concept is all well and good, but if it’s just sitting there and not being used then it’s worthless.

Hopefully, this Greek-inspired Farro salad will give you the motivation to try something new and to experience a whole host of Mediterranean flavors that includes lemon, herbs, chickpeas, roasted peppers, and some feta cheese.

32. Air Fryer Radishes

For many people, radishes are more of a salad ingredient than a stand-alone side dish. So if you enjoy radish and want to try the roasted, you’ll love this deliciously easy and healthy side dish that is seasoned with garlic and oregano.

These have a particularly peppery bite, which is one of those acquired tastes that is worth committing to.

33. Southern Butter Beans

Nothing is more hearty as a side dish with old-fashioned southern butter beans, which are often a crowd pleaser at dining events.

Don’t be intimidated by the name, as this is a straightforward recipe That combines the tender and creamy beans with some smoky ham for the perfect comfort meal. This ticks all the boxes and shouldn’t be missed.

34. Roasted Broccoli With Parmesan

You can take any meal and simply add cheese to it to make it taste ten times better.

This is why roasting vegetables with cheese it’s such a simple concept, but even those that aren’t keen on Brockley will love those that are tossed in olive oil and sprinkled with black pepper, I’m sure even the kids wouldn’t mind having a portion of this.

35. Creamy Pea Salad With Bacon

There’s something about a southern dish that just seems to work so well with ham. Something we love to do is pair ham with another meat from the pig, and this bacon-inspired creamy pea salad is a perfect treat that is packed full of flavor.

It’s simple to make and is the perfect option for those that need something quick on the barbecue.

36. Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

If you have an air fryer, then we recommend these cooked sliced potatoes for a delicious side dish. These were initially created in a hotel in Stockholm in Sweden, and there’s still a popular dish today that’s popular all over the world.

In less than 45 minutes, you’ve got yourself an interesting and delightfully delicious potato side dish.

Final Thoughts

It can be a challenge to find the right side dish for your ham, particularly when you have a lot of guests coming and aren’t sure what their preferences are.

However, now that you have found this comprehensive list of the best side dish, you should have no confusion about what tissues and what you’re going to serve

Whilst we have provided a completely comprehensive guide to a hand-side dish, it is likely that you’ll become overwhelmed, so we recommend you pick 3 to 5 options and see which ones resonate with you the most.

We recommend that you start with some of the easy Options if you are not that confident in the kitchen, or if you want to keep things as simple as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Side Dishes Should I Serve?

This will depend on how many guests you have. We recommend that you serve around 3 sides for 6 dinner guests or about 4 slides for 8-10 dinner guests.

This will allow enough to go around and will give enough variety that people aren’t starved for choice.

How Do You Bake A Ham Steak In The Oven?

As it is already cooked, you simply need to warm it up in the oven for around 35 minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you do not overcook it as it will ruin the finished product.

How Long Does Cooked Ham Last In The Refrigerator?

Cooked ham lasts surprisingly long in the refrigerator. As long as it is still on the bone and is sealed in a plastic wrap then it can last up to 2 weeks chilled in the refrigerator.

Make sure that before you consume ham, you look over it and give it a quick smell just to ensure that it is still good. 

How Long Does It Take To Reheat A Cooked Ham?

This will ultimately depend on the weight of the ham, but a conservative estimate is to go with around 45 minutes at 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to wrap the ham in foil or use a covered dish to avoid it drying out.