The Ultimate Guide to Delicious Ham Side Dishes

Planning a meal centered around a succulent ham can be a delightful experience, whether it’s for a festive holiday spread, a comforting Sunday dinner, or an elegant brunch. The star of the show, ham, boasts a rich, savory, and often sweet flavor profile, making it incredibly versatile. However, pairing it with the perfect accompaniments can elevate your meal from good to unforgettable. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “What should I serve with ham?” this comprehensive list is tailor-made for you. We’ve curated a collection of easy-to-make, incredibly flavorful ham side dishes that promise to complement every bite.

From hearty potato dishes and vibrant vegetable creations to refreshing salads and unique sweet-savory combinations, these recipes are designed to impress without overwhelming your kitchen. They work wonderfully for any occasion – be it Christmas dinner, Easter brunch, Thanksgiving feast, or simply a weeknight family meal where ham is on the menu.

Perfect Side Dishes to Complement Your Ham

Often, after a big holiday or family gathering, you might find yourself with a generous amount of leftover ham. This guide not only helps you find the best side dishes to serve alongside your freshly prepared ham but also inspires creative ways to enjoy that delicious ham throughout the week. If you’re specifically looking for ideas on what to do with the main course leftovers, don’t miss our favorite leftover ham recipes for even more culinary inspiration.

When selecting the ideal side dishes for ham, consider balancing its inherent saltiness and sweetness. Creamy textures, vibrant fresh vegetables, tangy dressings, and comforting starches all have a place on the ham dinner table. Our selections aim to offer a diverse range of flavors and textures, ensuring there’s something for everyone and every palate. Get ready to discover your new favorite ham pairing!

Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls

Kick off your meal with these irresistible Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls. A delightful twist on classic Southern Bisquick sausage balls, this recipe features savory ground pork sausage, rich shredded cheddar cheese, and the beloved Red Lobster’s Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix. They are exceptionally moist, bursting with flavor, and wonderfully “dip-worthy,” making them a perfect appetizer or a substantial side for any brunch spread. Watch them disappear quickly at your next gathering – even the most dedicated meat-lovers at your table will be satisfied.

Easy Cheesy Green Beans

These Easy Cheesy Green Beans live up to their name, offering a simple yet incredibly satisfying side dish that pairs wonderfully with ham. Requiring only fifteen minutes of prep time and twenty minutes in the oven, this comfort food casserole is a weeknight dream. We enhance its appeal with a buttery, crunchy cornflake topping that adds a delightful texture contrast. This recipe is also perfect for making ahead; simply prepare the casserole without the cornflake and cheese topping, refrigerate, and add them right before baking for a fresh, hot dish.

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Planning a delectable brunch featuring ham? This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is an absolute must-try. Oh-so-satisfying and wonderfully comforting, it features crispy tater tots baked into a hearty casserole. You can easily adapt this recipe to your preferences: omit diced ham if you want to control the meat portions, or incorporate any leftover holiday ham for a delicious and resourceful meal. We’ve included various suggestions to tweak the recipe to perfectly match your menu, making it a versatile and delicious choice for any morning feast.

Funeral Potatoes

Despite its somewhat somber name, this cheese-filled potato casserole is anything but bleak; it’s a beacon of gooey, savory sunshine for any meal, especially a holiday table laden with ham. Funeral Potatoes are a quintessential potluck-friendly dish, beloved for their creamy texture, rich cheesy flavor, and comforting warmth. Guests will undoubtedly adore this decadent potato side, which offers a delightful contrast to the saltiness of ham and a satisfying richness to your festive spread.

Eggs in a Basket

Elevate your breakfast or brunch with the charming simplicity of Eggs in a Basket, also affectionately known as eggs in a hole or by a surprising 66 other names! This breakfast staple is incredibly versatile and fun to prepare. We used a heart-shaped cookie cutter to give them a lovely, festive look, but you can let your imagination run wild with different shapes to match any occasion. Served alongside savory ham slices, these perfectly cooked eggs nestled in crispy toast create a balanced and delightful morning meal that’s both playful and comforting.

Pineapple Stuffing

Harnessing the classic sweet-and-savory harmony of ham and pineapple, a beloved combination in Hawaiian cuisine, this Pineapple Stuffing is a revelation. Why not infuse your traditional stuffing with the bright, tangy sweetness of pineapple to complete your ham dinner experience? This sweet and savory stuffing recipe can also be prepared beforehand, making it a fantastic make-ahead option for busy hosts. Just be sure to wrap it as airtight as possible before refrigerating to preserve its fresh flavors.

Air Fryer Vegetables

For a quick, healthy, and incredibly flavorful vegetable side, turn to these easy Air Fryer Vegetables. Sturdy frozen veggies, such as a mix of broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, and sliced carrots, transform into a nutritious, tasty, and simple accompaniment to ham. The air fryer cooks them perfectly from frozen, achieving a delightful tender-crisp texture. Jazz them up with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, a crack of black pepper, or your favorite fresh herbs for an even more exquisite finish. This method ensures maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Carrot Souffle

Light, airy, and delicately sweet, our Carrot Soufflé is an unexpectedly easy yet elegant side dish that pays homage to the vibrant flavors of spring. Perfect for a springtime brunch or dinner, especially around Easter, this amazingly delicious recipe will win over even the most hesitant soufflé makers. While the word “soufflé” can often inspire a little fear in the kitchen, this approachable recipe truly got me past any trepidation. Its vibrant color and unique texture make it a standout accompaniment to your ham, offering a sophisticated touch without the fuss.

Grape Salad

Break away from purely savory traditions with this delightfully sweet Southern Grape Salad. It offers a refreshing change of pace amidst the typically rich options often paired with ham. We particularly enjoy using a mix of red and green grapes to create a beautiful color contrast that brightens any plate. True to the nature of many great salads, this dish actually tastes even better the next day, once the creamy dressing has had ample time for the flavors to meld beautifully together. It’s a wonderfully cool and sweet complement to the saltiness of ham.

Hawaiian Mac Salad

Transport your taste buds to the islands with this authentic Hawaiian Mac Salad. My love for Hawaiian cuisine blossomed during my marine biology internship on the Big Island of Hawaii, and this dish has since become a cherished craving for those moments when I long for the sunshine and vibrant flavors of island living. This simple yet pleasantly tangy macaroni salad perfectly accompanies the sweet and savory notes found in a classic Hawaiian lunch plate, making it an ideal side for your ham. Craving more Aloha spirit? We also have a fantastic Hawaiian Hurricane Popcorn for your snack rotation.

Southern Pear Salad

A true Southern classic with roots tracing back to the 19th century, first documented in the 1899 cookbook The American Salad Cookbook, our Southern Pear Salad offers a refreshing and subtly sweet counterpoint to rich ham. This nostalgic side dish was shared with us by Nathan, John’s nephew from Alabama, during a visit to Spokane. Featuring halves of canned pears, a dollop of mayonnaise, a sprinkle of shredded cheddar, and a bright maraschino cherry in the center, it’s visually appealing. Served atop a bed of crisp lettuce greens, it looks incredibly elegant. Chill it thoroughly in the fridge before serving to allow all the unique flavors to meld beautifully.

Air Fryer Asparagus

Achieve perfectly crisp-on-the-outside, yet tender-on-the-inside, asparagus in a mere seven minutes with the magic of your air fryer. This quick and healthy vegetable side is incredibly simple to prepare and makes a fantastic, fresh addition to any ham dinner. As a base seasoning, we toss our asparagus in a light coating of olive oil and a pinch of salt to highlight its natural flavors. Remember to always trim the woody ends of your asparagus stalks for the best texture and results, ensuring every bite is delicious.

Creamed Corn Casserole

Few things are more straightforward or satisfying than this five-ingredient, “dump-and-go” Creamed Corn Casserole. Featuring the convenience of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, this creamy, comforting side comes together with minimal effort. Even better, the unbaked mixture can be prepared up to 48 hours in advance and kept in the refrigerator, making it an ideal meal prep recipe for those busy nights when you need to get dinner on the table quickly. Its sweet and savory profile is a fantastic complement to the richness of ham.

Cracker Barrel Carrots

We absolutely adore recreating beloved restaurant dishes at home, and these Cracker Barrel Carrots are a prime example. For us, getting to our nearest Cracker Barrel involves an hour-long drive across state lines, so mastering this copycat recipe allows us to enjoy its comforting flavors anytime. These brown sugar butter baby carrots offer a delightfully sweet and tender addition to your ham dinner, packing a delicious dose of vision-loving vitamin A. They are a familiar, crowd-pleasing side that adds a touch of homespun charm to any meal.

Crockpot Green Bean Casserole

A beloved staple on any holiday table, this Crockpot Green Bean Casserole is the ultimate hands-off side dish that naturally accompanies any ham-based meal. You can easily customize it with your preferred condensed soup – while we use cream of mushroom, we’ve heard wonderful results from cream of chicken soup or even cheddar versions. With the help of your trusty Crock Pot, this speedy dish takes only two and a half hours from start to finish, freeing up valuable oven space. We particularly love the satisfying crunch of fried onions atop the tender green beans, making it a perfect classic for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

Carrot Ginger Soup

Warm, comforting, and exquisitely balanced, this Carrot Ginger Soup brings a touch of gourmet elegance to your springtime meal. It features the delightful complementary flavors of sweet carrots and zesty ginger, creating a truly harmonious profile. The creamy coconut milk base is absolutely essential for this particular recipe, lending a luxurious texture and subtle richness; we advise against substituting it unless you’re aiming for a distinctly different soup. This stovetop soup is a recreation inspired by a memorable seven-course meal at Elderberry House, the on-site eatery at Chateau du Sureau, making it a truly special accompaniment for ham.

Crockpot Glazed Carrots

Transform humble carrots into a sweet and irresistible side with these Crockpot Glazed Carrots. The vibrant combination of orange, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla creates a luscious glaze that will cleverly “trick” even the pickiest eaters into enjoying their veggies. The beautiful, glistening glaze comes together effortlessly with a simple slurry of cornstarch and water. Best of all, this is another fantastic “set-it-and-forget-it” recipe that cooks to perfection in your slow cooker, making it a stress-free and delicious addition to your ham dinner.

Crockpot Mashed Cauliflower

Enjoy the rich, creamy satisfaction of mashed potatoes with a lighter, vegetable-packed twist thanks to our Crockpot Mashed Cauliflower. Did you know cauliflower is a close relative of cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts? We promise these “lighter” loaded mashed cauliflower don’t skimp on flavor. They’re still piled high with familiar, decadent toppings like crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and tangy sour cream. For an extra kick of fun and flavor, we also incorporate Montreal steak spice, creating a truly irresistible side dish for your ham.

Orzo Pasta Salad

Pasta salads are synonymous with sunnier skies and warmer temperatures, making this veggie-packed orzo salad a perfect, vibrant companion for your ham entrée. Bursting with fresh flavors and a delightful texture, it brings a lightness to the meal. As with many grain-based salads, the dressing tends to be absorbed quickly, so we recommend preparing extra Parmesan vinaigrette to set aside. This way, you can add more just before serving if you prefer your pasta salad a bit saucier, ensuring a perfectly moist and flavorful experience with every forkful.

Crock Pot Candied Sweet Potatoes

This classic holiday side dish is equally at home on a festive springtime spread as it is during Thanksgiving. Sweet potatoes are sliced into elegant medallions and slow-cooked to tender perfection in a rich, sweet glaze of sugar, fragrant vanilla extract, and warm ground nutmeg. The result is a wonderfully soft, caramelized dish that offers a perfect balance to the savory ham. We suggest using a pair of kitchen tongs for serving, as these candied sweet potatoes will be deliciously hot when they emerge from the Crock Pot, ready to be enjoyed.

Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes

A timeless classic, Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes are a versatile and comforting side that pairs beautifully with ham and just about anything else throughout the calendar year. This Crock Pot version utilizes unpeeled red potatoes, lending a charming rustic color and texture to the dish. For easier mashing, we highly recommend using a vegetable or hamburger meat chopper. If you’re looking for a slightly healthier alternative without sacrificing creaminess, feel free to swap the sour cream for plain Greek yogurt. This dish promises garlicky, herbaceous goodness with every spoonful.

Cheesy Ranch Potatoes

Infuse your ham dinner with irresistible cheesy ranch flavor using this quick and creamy baked potato recipe. To maximize their natural flavor and achieve a delightful crispiness, we skip peeling the potatoes, allowing their skins to shine. For a more even cooking result, we also recommend baking the potatoes on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. This ensures each potato chunk is perfectly tender on the inside and wonderfully golden on the outside. Such a simple, yet incredibly satisfying side dish that is easy to prepare and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Kidney Bean Salad

Another delightful Southern gem, Kidney Bean Salad is a vibrant and flavorful addition to any meal, shared with us by Nathan, John’s nephew from Alabama. Kidney beans, naturally ranging in light and dark red hues, combine with other ingredients to create a stunning purple and green salad that looks absolutely gorgeous on a springtime spread or a festive holiday table. Since we first shared this recipe with our family, it has consistently received rave reviews at potlucks, holidays, summer barbecues, and various gatherings, proving its universal appeal as a refreshing and hearty side.

Caprese Salad

For a refreshingly light and elegant accompaniment to your ham, look no further than this incredibly easy Caprese Salad. It’s one of our favorite warm-weather uses for Roland’s family-sized bottle of balsamic glaze. Simply slice fresh mozzarella and ripe tomatoes, artfully layer them on a plate with fragrant basil leaves, and then drizzle generously with the rich balsamic glaze. The result is a stunningly fresh, vibrant, and effortlessly elegant side dish that beautifully complements the richness of ham. We also have an epic Caprese Pasta Salad that tastes amazing when paired with ham.

BLT Pasta Salad

Capture the essence of a classic BLT sandwich in a vibrant and satisfying pasta salad, making it a fantastic way to utilize juicy, in-season tomatoes. This deconstructed version is bursting with fresh flavors and textures. To save time, you can cook the bacon while the rest of the salad mixture chills in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld. For optimal crispness, add the fresh lettuce alongside the cooked bacon just before serving. This ensures every bite of this delightful BLT Pasta Salad offers that irresistible combination of smoky, fresh, and creamy goodness, perfectly complementing your ham.

Kale and Apple Potato Salad

A lively and wholesome option, this Kale and Apple Potato Salad offers a delightful contrast to a savory meat entrée like ham. This potluck-friendly salad is wonderfully fresh, balancing savory notes from the potatoes with the crisp sweetness of apples. The addition of red onions provides a pleasant crunch and a subtle zing. Miracle Whip, a staple we often use in salads, dips, and sandwiches, creates a light, creamy coating that brings all the diverse ingredients together harmoniously. It’s a refreshing, texture-rich side that will brighten any meal.

Crockpot Creamed Corn

Turn simple corn into a luscious, creamy side dish with minimal effort using your Crock Pot. Whether you have frozen corn in your freezer or canned corn in your pantry, you’re halfway to creating this easy creamed corn recipe that relies on common kitchen ingredients. Its convenience comes from the slow cooker, allowing you to prepare it as-is for a classic flavor or customize it with our suggested add-ins to perfectly complement your ham entrée. We also highly recommend trying our delicious Crockpot Corn Pudding for another comforting corn-based option.

Crockpot Cheese Grits

Discover the soulful comfort of Southern cuisine with these incredibly cheesy Crockpot Grits. As a Northwesterner, I wasn’t deeply familiar with Southern food until I met my dear husband, John, who grew up in the South. Since then, we’ve lovingly recreated various Southern staples in our home, and these creamy, cheesy grits have quickly become one of my favorites to prepare whenever he craves a taste of home. This versatile recipe can be served in two delicious ways: enjoy them as classic cheesy grits with a delightfully creamy texture, or let them firm up slightly to create a cheesy grits cake that cuts like bread.

Garlic Cheese Muffins

These Garlic Cheese Muffins hold a special place in my recipe collection, as I still vividly remember them jumping out at me from the pages of a Southern Living magazine. The moment I discovered these cheesy and garlicky delights, I knew I had to recreate them in my own kitchen. They offer a savory, aromatic counterpoint to any meal, providing a delightful burst of flavor and a soft, satisfying texture. Perfect as a bread substitute or a standalone snack, these muffins are an absolute must-try for garlic and cheese lovers alike, and they pair beautifully with ham.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

A cherished holiday favorite, this Sweet Potato Casserole crowned with toasted mini marshmallows is one of our go-to easy side dishes for festive occasions. Made with the convenience of canned yams, it comes together effortlessly, delivering a comforting blend of sweet and creamy textures that everyone adores. The golden, slightly caramelized marshmallows on top add a delightful visual appeal and an extra layer of sweetness. This casserole offers a wonderful, familiar flavor that perfectly balances the savory richness of your ham, making it an essential part of any holiday spread.

Jiffy Cornbread with Sour Cream

Achieve perfectly moist and flavorful cornbread with this incredibly simple Jiffy Cornbread recipe enhanced with sour cream. It takes mere minutes to prepare, making it an ideal choice for pairing with dinner, chili, or simply enjoying as a quick snack. This versatile recipe can be baked into individual cornbread muffins, prepared in a classic cast iron skillet for that rustic crust, or baked in a baking pan. We love to serve this with a side of honey, allowing guests to drizzle it on their cornbread for an extra touch of delightful sweetness, which beautifully complements savory ham.

Air Fryer Mushrooms

Our Easy Air Fryer Mushrooms Recipe offers the perfect vegetable side dish for family dinners or holiday feasts. This quick and healthy option allows you to make either a small bowl for a simple meal or a big batch to feed a crowd, all with the convenience of your air fryer. These mushrooms emerge perfectly tender with a slight crispness, packed with savory umami flavor that beautifully complements the richness of ham. We’re continually expanding our collection of classic side dish recipes, with exciting additions like creamed peas, wild rice, creamed spinach, and roasted carrots on the horizon. Our ultimate goal is to provide the perfect side dish for any and every occasion.

Discover More Delicious Recipe Collections

Expand your culinary repertoire with these fantastic recipe collections, perfect for any occasion:

Cream Cheese Recipes – Explore a delightful range of recipes featuring cream cheese, from savory dips and elegant desserts to satisfying entrees and tempting appetizers. Discover innovative ways to incorporate cream cheese into your cooking!

Celery Recipes- Got leftover celery in your fridge? Wondering how to make the most of it? This collection features our favorite recipes that highlight the crisp, refreshing qualities of celery.

Olive Garden Recipes – Recreate the flavors you love from Olive Garden right in your own kitchen! These easy-to-follow copycat recipes bring your favorite restaurant dishes to your home dining table.

Kielbasa Recipes- Dive into epic Kielbasa Recipes that you’re sure to love! From hearty soups and stews to delicious appetizers and versatile side dishes, this collection showcases the delicious versatility of kielbasa.

Vegetarian Crockpot Recipes – Discover a wealth of easy vegetarian Crockpot recipes, including delightful appetizers, wholesome side dishes, satisfying main courses, delectable desserts, and more, all made simple with your slow cooker!

Side Dishes for Ribs(What to serve with BBQ Ribs) – This ultimate list of side dishes for ribs has something everyone will love! Find easy and perfect accompaniments to pair with your epic Barbecue Ribs.

Side Dishes for Soup – Find delicious sides for soup that taste great and don’t require hours of preparation! These easy side dishes include comforting bread rolls, fresh salads, satisfying sandwiches, and more.

Lemon Desserts- Pucker up for these deliciously bright Lemon Desserts! They are the perfect sweet and tangy treats for spring and summer, offering a refreshing burst of flavor.