Side Dishes for Ham

30 Delicious Sides, Perfect Pairings & Expert Tips

Why Side Dishes Make or Break a Ham Dinner

Ham is one of the most versatile centerpiece meats in the world. Whether you are serving a honey-glazed spiral ham at Easter, a smoky bone-in ham for the holidays, or simple ham steaks on a weeknight, the sides you choose will define the entire meal.

A great ham is salty, smoky, and rich. The best side dishes either complement these qualities with warmth and heartiness or contrast them with brightness and freshness. Think creamy scalloped potatoes soaking up the savory pan juices. Think crisp roasted asparagus cutting through the fat. Think sweet cranberry sauce dancing against the salt.

This guide covers 30 outstanding side dishes for ham, organized by category, occasion, and ham type. You will also find a full nutrition table, a ham-specific pairing guide, practical cooking tips, and a detailed FAQ section so you can build the perfect ham dinner every single time.

30 Best Side Dishes for Ham

These 30 sides span every flavor profile, cooking method, and occasion. From classic holiday staples to fresh, modern options, every dish here works beautifully alongside ham.

Scalloped Potatoes

Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. Golden, bubbling, and deeply comforting alongside a glazed ham.

Honey-Glazed Carrots

Tender carrots roasted with honey, butter, and fresh thyme. Their natural sweetness beautifully mirrors a brown sugar ham glaze.

Southern Macaroni & Cheese

Extra-creamy baked mac and cheese with a golden, crispy top. A crowd-pleasing classic that balances the saltiness of ham perfectly.

Green Bean Casserole

Green beans smothered in creamy mushroom sauce and topped with crispy fried onions. A beloved holiday table staple.

Deviled Eggs

Creamy, tangy egg yolk filling piped into egg white halves. A simple, elegant starter that pairs beautifully with ham.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Velvety mashed sweet potatoes topped with a crunchy pecan streusel or toasted marshmallows. A sweet, hearty side.

Dinner Rolls

Soft, buttery, pull-apart rolls. Ideal for soaking up ham drippings and making little sandwiches with leftover slices.

Roasted Asparagus

Crispy asparagus spears roasted with olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, and parmesan. Light and elegant on the plate.

Cornbread

Buttery, golden cornbread with a slightly sweet crumb. A Southern classic that complements the smoky depth of ham.

Pineapple Coleslaw

Creamy coleslaw with crushed pineapple for a sweet, tropical twist. Cuts through the richness of the ham beautifully.

Baked Beans

Slow-cooked navy beans in a smoky, sweet molasses sauce. A hearty, deeply flavored side that is a natural ham companion.

Collard Greens

Slow-simmered collard greens with smoked pork, garlic, and apple cider vinegar. A soulful, deeply satisfying Southern classic.

Au Gratin Potatoes

Sliced potatoes layered with gruyere cheese and heavy cream, baked until golden and bubbly. Luxuriously rich and satisfying.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Crispy, caramelized sprouts roasted with balsamic glaze and bacon. Earthy and slightly sweet — a modern holiday favorite.

Cranberry Sauce

Bright, jewel-red cranberry sauce with a perfect sweet-tart balance. The contrast with salty, savory ham is unbeatable.

Potato Salad

Creamy or tangy mustard-dressed potato salad, depending on your preference. Both versions pair wonderfully with sliced ham.

Glazed Turnips

Buttery turnips roasted with brown sugar until caramelized and tender. An underrated but outstanding ham companion.

Creamed Corn

Sweet corn kernels simmered in a rich cream sauce with butter and a hint of nutmeg. Silky, sweet, and indulgent.

Pea Salad

Fresh or frozen peas tossed with cheddar, bacon, red onion, and a creamy ranch dressing. Cool, crisp, and vibrant.

Roasted Root Vegetables

A colorful medley of parsnips, carrots, sweet potatoes, and beets roasted until caramelized and tender.

Mashed Potatoes

Buttery, fluffy mashed potatoes seasoned with salt, cream, and a generous knob of butter. A timeless ham pairing.

Spinach Salad

Fresh baby spinach with sliced strawberries, candied pecans, goat cheese, and a honey balsamic vinaigrette.

Cheesy Broccoli Bake

Tender broccoli florets baked in a cheddar cheese sauce until hot and bubbly. A kid-friendly and crowd-approved side.

Fruit Salad

A bright bowl of seasonal fruits tossed with honey, fresh mint, and lime juice. Light and refreshing alongside a rich ham.

Stuffing / Dressing

Herbed bread cubes baked with celery, onions, and sage. Savory and aromatic — a classic holiday plate companion.

Cucumber & Dill Salad

Thin-sliced cucumbers dressed with fresh dill, sour cream, and white vinegar. Cool, tangy, and wonderfully light.

Fried Apples

Cinnamon-spiced skillet apples cooked in butter and brown sugar. Sweet, warm, and the perfect fruity contrast to ham.

Roasted Garlic Mushrooms

Meaty cremini mushrooms roasted with garlic, thyme, and butter until golden and tender. Earthy and deeply savory.

Harvard Beets

Tender beets in a sweet and tangy vinegar glaze. Their bright ruby color and bold flavor make any ham plate sing.

Cheese Grits

Creamy Southern-style grits loaded with sharp cheddar and a pat of butter. Rich, warming, and utterly satisfying.

Side Dishes by Category

Organizing your sides by category helps you build a well-rounded plate. A great ham dinner usually includes one starch, one vegetable, one fresh or fruity element, and one warm bread. Here is how each category plays its role.

Potato Dishes

Potatoes and ham are a natural partnership. The starch absorbs the rich, salty flavors of the ham while adding body and comfort to the plate. Scalloped potatoes, au gratin potatoes, and mashed potatoes are the most popular choices. For a lighter option, a simple roasted potato with herbs works just as well. For summer cookouts, cold potato salad adds a satisfying, creamy contrast.

Casseroles & Baked Sides

Casseroles are the workhorses of the ham dinner table. Green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, cheesy broccoli bake, and macaroni and cheese can all be assembled ahead of time and baked when needed. This makes them ideal for holidays when oven space and timing are tight. They also travel well for potlucks and family gatherings.

Fresh Salads & Slaws

Every ham dinner needs a fresh element to balance the richness of the meat and the heaviness of the warm sides. Pineapple coleslaw brings a tropical tang. Spinach salad with strawberries and candied pecans adds elegance. Cucumber and dill salad provides a cool, creamy contrast. Fruit salad refreshes the palate between bites. These lighter sides are especially important at large holiday meals.

Roasted Vegetables

Roasted vegetables bring caramelized depth and natural sweetness to the ham plate. Asparagus, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and root vegetables all roast beautifully alongside ham. The high heat of roasting concentrates the sugars in the vegetables, creating a slightly crispy exterior that contrasts wonderfully with tender ham slices.

Beans & Legumes

Baked beans and ham have been paired together for generations, and with good reason. The smoky sweetness of slow-cooked beans echoes the flavors of the ham while adding fiber and plant-based protein to the meal. Collard greens with a ham hock is another timeless Southern combination that turns simple ingredients into something deeply satisfying.

Breads & Rolls

A basket of warm dinner rolls or a pan of golden cornbread is essential at any ham dinner. These breads serve a double purpose: they round out the meal and provide the perfect vehicle for making little ham sandwiches with the leftovers. A good roll soaks up the pan juices and carries a bite of ham to perfection.

Nutrition at a Glance

Understanding the nutrition of your side dishes helps you build a balanced, satisfying ham dinner. Here is a quick reference for the most popular options.

Side Dish	Serving	Calories	Carbs	Fiber	Flavor Profile
Mashed Potatoes	1 cup	230	35g	3g	Buttery, mild
Scalloped Potatoes	1 cup	290	30g	3g	Creamy, cheesy
Mac & Cheese	1 cup	350	40g	2g	Rich, savory
Green Bean Casserole	1 cup	180	18g	4g	Earthy, creamy
Sweet Potato Casserole	1 cup	260	42g	5g	Sweet, nutty
Honey-Glazed Carrots	1 cup	140	24g	4g	Sweet, herby
Baked Beans	½ cup	190	36g	7g	Smoky, sweet
Roasted Asparagus	1 cup	60	6g	3g	Light, bright
Cornbread (1 piece)	1 slice	190	28g	1g	Sweet, buttery
Cranberry Sauce	¼ cup	110	28g	2g	Tart, sweet
Collard Greens	1 cup	90	9g	5g	Earthy, smoky
Cheese Grits	1 cup	280	30g	1g	Rich, cheesy

Nutrition Tip: Ham itself is high in sodium. Balance your plate by choosing lower-sodium sides like roasted vegetables, fresh salads, and fruit-based options alongside any richer casseroles. This keeps the overall meal satisfying without being overwhelming.

Ham Pairing Guide by Type

Different styles of ham call for different sides. A delicate honey-baked ham needs different companions than a robust smoked ham hock. Use this guide to match your sides to your specific ham.

Ham Type	Best Side Dishes
Glazed Holiday Ham	Scalloped potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, sweet potato casserole
Smoked Ham	Baked beans, collard greens, cornbread, coleslaw, mac & cheese
Honey Baked Ham	Fried apples, sweet potato casserole, pea salad, creamed corn, dinner rolls
Ham Steak	Mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, spinach salad, cheese grits, glazed carrots
Ham Hock	Collard greens, baked beans, cornbread, potato salad, deviled eggs
Leftover Ham	Potato soup, deviled eggs, macaroni salad, pineapple coleslaw, stuffing
Easter Ham	Scalloped potatoes, deviled eggs, asparagus, fruit salad, dinner rolls
BBQ Ham	Coleslaw, baked beans, cornbread, mac & cheese, potato salad

Expert Tips for the Perfect Ham Dinner

Tip 1: Plan for Three Flavor Zones

Build your side dish lineup to cover three zones: rich and hearty (potatoes, casseroles), fresh and bright (salads, roasted vegetables), and sweet and fruity (cranberry sauce, fried apples, fruit salad). This balance keeps every bite interesting and prevents menu fatigue across a long holiday meal.

Tip 2: Use the Ham Drippings

The liquid and fat that collect in the bottom of your ham roasting pan are pure gold. Use the drippings to baste your potatoes or vegetables, add flavor to a gravy, or stir into baked beans. Do not let them go to waste. They carry all the smoky, sweet, savory depth of the ham and will elevate every side they touch.

Tip 3: Make Ahead for Stress-Free Hosting

Most ham sides can be fully prepared the day before. Scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, baked beans, and collard greens all reheat beautifully and often taste better the next day. Make these in advance, refrigerate overnight, and bake or reheat before serving. This frees you to focus on the ham itself on the day of the meal.

Tip 4: Serve a Fruit-Based Contrast

Ham’s natural saltiness is perfectly tamed by fruit. Cranberry sauce, fried apples, pineapple coleslaw, or a simple fresh fruit salad provide a sweet, acidic note that makes the ham taste even better. This is not just a flavor preference — it is a classic culinary principle of contrast that professional chefs rely on. Never skip the fruity element.

Tip 5: Match Your Sides to the Season

Ham is served year-round, so your sides should reflect the season. At Easter and spring celebrations, lean toward asparagus, pea salad, spring greens, and fruit. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, go heavier with sweet potatoes, stuffing, casseroles, and roasted root vegetables. At summer cookouts, potato salad, coleslaw, and baked beans are the natural choice.

Tip 6: Always Include a Bread

Dinner rolls and cornbread are not optional at a ham dinner. They are essential. Guests use them to soak up sauces, build little sandwiches, and round out their plates. Bake a pan of cornbread or a batch of pull-apart rolls at the same time as your ham for timing efficiency. The smell of fresh bread coming out of the oven alongside a glazed ham is one of the great pleasures of holiday cooking.

Side Dishes for Every Occasion

Easter Ham Dinner

Easter calls for sides that celebrate the freshness of spring. Scalloped potatoes are the anchor of the Easter table. Fresh asparagus, deviled eggs, pea salad, glazed carrots, dinner rolls, and a simple fruit salad round out the spread perfectly. Cranberry sauce works beautifully here as well, despite being associated with Thanksgiving — its tartness is a year-round asset.

Christmas & Holiday Ham

Holiday ham dinners call for the full spread. Think green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, roasted Brussels sprouts, dinner rolls, and a spectacular dessert. The key at Christmas is abundance — the table should look and feel generous, with warm colors and rich aromas filling the room.

Sunday Ham Dinner

A Sunday ham dinner is more relaxed than a full holiday spread. Three or four sides are usually enough. Macaroni and cheese, collard greens, cornbread, and potato salad make for a satisfying, soulful Southern-style Sunday spread. Keep things warm and comforting. This is family food at its best.

Summer Ham Cookout

When ham hits the summer grill or smoker, the sides shift accordingly. Creamy coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad, corn on the cob, and a fresh watermelon fruit salad create a perfect warm-weather spread. Keep the oven off and rely on make-ahead cold sides and the grill for everything.

Weeknight Ham Steaks

For a quick weeknight ham steak dinner, you need sides that come together in 20 minutes or less. Cheesy grits, sauteed spinach, fried apples, a simple cucumber salad, and store-bought dinner rolls all deliver maximum flavor with minimum effort. Sheet pan roasted vegetables alongside the ham steaks keep the cleanup to just one pan.

What to Do with Leftover Ham

Leftover ham is one of the best problems to have. The day-after possibilities are almost endless. Sliced cold ham makes outstanding sandwiches with leftover dinner rolls and mustard. Diced ham stirred into leftover macaroni and cheese creates a completely new dish. Ham and bean soup uses leftover ham hock or bone to create a deeply flavored broth that simmers all day.

Leftover ham works beautifully in omelets, quiche, fried rice, potato soup, pasta carbonara, and grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. The key is to store it properly — wrapped tightly in the refrigerator, sliced ham keeps for three to five days, and a whole or half ham keeps for five to seven days. Freeze portions for up to two months for longer storage.

Storage Tip: Store leftover ham in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in aluminum foil. For best results, separate slices with parchment paper before refrigerating. This prevents sticking and makes it easy to grab just what you need for a quick weekday meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the best side dishes for a holiday ham?

The best sides for a holiday ham are scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, and a fresh salad. This combination covers every flavor and texture zone — rich, starchy, sweet, bright, and fresh — for a complete and satisfying holiday spread.

Q: What vegetables go well with ham?

Ham pairs beautifully with a wide range of vegetables. Asparagus, Brussels sprouts, glazed carrots, green beans, roasted root vegetables, and collard greens are all outstanding. The best vegetable sides bring either sweetness (carrots, sweet potatoes) or brightness (asparagus, green beans) to balance the saltiness of the ham.

Q: What starch goes best with ham?

Scalloped potatoes and au gratin potatoes are the most popular starch sides for ham. Their creamy, cheesy richness complements the savory ham beautifully. Mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and cheese grits are also excellent options. For a lighter starch, a simple roasted potato or cornbread works very well.

Q: Does fruit go with ham?

Absolutely — fruit is one of ham’s best companions. Cranberry sauce, fried apples, pineapple coleslaw, and fresh fruit salad all pair wonderfully with ham. The sweetness and acidity of fruit contrasts with the salt and smoke of the meat, creating a more complex and satisfying overall flavor. Pineapple is a particularly classic pairing.

Q: What sides go with ham for Easter?

Classic Easter ham sides include scalloped potatoes, deviled eggs, glazed carrots, fresh asparagus, pea salad, dinner rolls, fruit salad, and cranberry sauce. The goal is to celebrate spring freshness with bright colors and lighter flavors, while still including the warm, comforting elements that make a holiday meal feel special.

Q: How many side dishes should I serve with ham?

For a holiday dinner, plan for four to six side dishes alongside the ham. This typically means one or two starches, one or two vegetable sides, one fresh salad, and one bread. For a weeknight dinner, two to three sides is usually sufficient. Scale up or down depending on the number of guests and the formality of the occasion.

Q: Can I make ham side dishes ahead of time?

Yes! Most ham sides are perfect for making ahead. Scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, baked beans, and collard greens can all be prepared one to two days in advance and reheated before serving. Many of these dishes actually taste better the next day as the flavors have time to meld.

Q: What bread goes best with ham?

Soft dinner rolls are the classic choice for ham dinners. Their pillowy texture is ideal for soaking up pan juices and building small ham sandwiches. Cornbread is the Southern standby, especially with smoked ham and beans. Buttermilk biscuits are another excellent option for a more rustic, homestyle spread.

Q: What cold sides go with ham?

Cold sides are essential for balance at a ham dinner, especially in summer. Potato salad, coleslaw, pineapple coleslaw, deviled eggs, cucumber and dill salad, pea salad, and fruit salad are all outstanding cold options. They require no oven space, can be made entirely in advance, and provide a refreshing contrast to hot, rich sides.

Q: What sauce or condiment goes with ham?

Mustard is the most traditional condiment for ham — both yellow mustard and whole-grain Dijon work beautifully. Cranberry sauce, pineapple glaze, honey mustard, and a simple brown sugar pan sauce are all excellent options. For a more elevated approach, a cherry reduction sauce or maple bourbon glaze elevates any ham to special-occasion status.

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