Figuring out what to serve with ham can be the hardest part of hosting a holiday dinner. The ham itself? Easy peasy! I just put my Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham in the slow cooker and forget about it until dinner. If you’re trying to settle on a good side dish to go with your ham, you’re in luck, because I’ve rounded up a list of my favorite tried and true side dishes. Nothing fancy, just good regular-folks food that fills up a holiday table.
Since the ham is the main dish, the best sides balance the salty, savory flavor of ham with something creamy, something sweet and something green. My go-tos are creamy mashed potatoes or sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, my pineapple casserole and a pan of soft honey butter rolls.
Below you’ll find all 21 of my favorite easy side dishes for ham, grouped into potatoes, casseroles, vegetables, breads and salads, so you can mix and match your whole menu.
What You’ll Learn
- 21 tried and true sides that go with ham, from potatoes to salads.
- Which sides suit an Easter ham and which feel right at Christmas.
- How to plan your sides so you don’t run out of oven space.
- Which salads and sides you can have ready before the ham comes out.
Potato Sides to Serve With Ham
Potato dishes are the first thing I plan. If you’re feeding a crowd, pick one creamy and one sweet.
Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams
Yam Casserole
Casseroles That Go With Ham
Pineapple Casserole
Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole
Jiffy Corn Casserole
Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
Vegetable Side Dishes for Ham
Canned Green Beans Recipe
Cinnamon Glazed Carrots Recipe
Roasted Broccoli and Sweet Potatoes
Breads and Dressing
Honey Butter Rolls
Easy Buttermilk Cornbread
Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Dressing
Salads and Easter Table Extras
A crisp salad or two balances out the warm, rich sides. Plus, you can have them chilling in the fridge before the ham comes out.
Million Dollar Deviled Eggs
Christmas Salad
Broccoli Salad
Sweet Coleslaw
Ambrosia Salad
Classic Potato Salad
Amish Potato Salad
Amazing Sweet Macaroni Salad
How to Plan What to Serve With Ham
How many sides? When I plan ham dinner sides for a holiday meal, I aim for one potato, one or two casseroles or vegetables, a bread and a cold salad. That way, you get something creamy, something sweet and something fresh without wearing yourself out.
Save your oven space. Cook the ham in the slow cooker and make the green bean casserole in a second Crock Pot. As a result, the oven stays free for a casserole and the rolls.
Lean on cold sides. For example, broccoli salad, Christmas salad, coleslaw and potato salad are all served chilled, so they can be done and waiting in the fridge.
Easter or Christmas? My side dishes for an Easter ham lean fresh: deviled eggs, potato salad, ambrosia and glazed carrots. For Christmas ham sides, on the other hand, I go cozier with mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, dressing and rolls. And most of these work just as well for Thanksgiving or a weeknight meal with ham.
What to Serve With Ham FAQs
What is ham usually served with?
For the most part, ham is served with potatoes (mashed, scalloped or sweet), green beans or another green vegetable, a casserole, rolls or cornbread, and often something sweet like pineapple casserole or a glazed side.
What vegetables should I serve with ham?
Fresh vegetables like broccoli and sweet potatoes go well with ham, along with green beans, glazed carrots and cauliflower. A little sweetness, like brown sugar on carrots or maple on green beans, also plays nicely with the salty ham.
What sides can I make ahead for a ham dinner?
The easiest way to get ahead is with cold salads, because they’re served chilled. Still, check each recipe’s notes for its own make-ahead and storage tips before you plan your timeline.
Which sides for ham are vegetarian or gluten-free?
Most of them are meatless. Only five have meat: the green bean casserole and dressing (chicken soup or broth), plus the loaded cauliflower casserole, canned green beans and broccoli salad (bacon). For gluten-free guests, the mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, roasted broccoli and sweet potatoes, deviled eggs, Christmas salad, coleslaw and potato salad are all made without flour, bread, crackers or pasta. Still, check the labels on packaged ingredients like mayonnaise, mustard and marshmallows.
What can I make with leftover ham?
Lots! My Ham and Noodle Casserole is the first thing I make after a holiday ham. You’ll also find more ideas in my Leftover Ham Recipes, like Split Pea Soup with Ham.
I hope this list makes planning your ham dinner a little easier. Pick a few favorite recipes, mix and match, and enjoy your time around the dinner table this time of year. If you’re still deciding, start with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and pineapple casserole. That way, you can’t go wrong.
Looking for more? Next, browse all my easy side dishes, and save this list to Pinterest so it’s ready for your next holiday ham.
More Holiday Recipes to Try
Appetizers to set out before dinner:
Desserts to finish the meal:
For the leftover ham bone:
