Serving baked ham is a delightful experience, especially when paired with the perfect side dishes. Consider scalloped potatoes for a creamy, cheesy delight, or green bean casserole topped with crispy fried onions for a comforting touch. Sweet potato casserole offers a subtler sweetness, while roasted Brussels sprouts, drizzled with balsamic reduction, provide a crunchy, savory bite. Creamed spinach, with its velvety sauce, adds elegance to your plate. Other excellent choices include quinoa salad, deviled eggs, and classic dinner rolls. Each dish brings its unique flavor to the table, creating a balanced and inviting meal. Discover even more delicious ideas below!
Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped potatoes are a quintessential side dish that beautifully complements the savory flavors of baked ham.
To elevate this classic, consider experimenting with different cheese variations like Gruyère, cheddar, or Parmesan.
For best results, slice potatoes thinly and layer them with cheese, cream, and seasoning.
Bake until the top is golden and bubbly, ensuring a delicious, creamy texture that pairs perfectly with ham.
Green Bean Casserole
Another classic accompaniment to baked ham is the green bean casserole, which offers a delightful contrast with its crisp-tender beans and rich, creamy sauce. For cooking tips, consider using fresh green beans for best texture.
Serving suggestions include topping the casserole with crispy fried onions for added crunch. This dish not only complements the savory ham but also adds a comforting, homestyle touch to your meal.
Sweet Potato Casserole
A sweet potato casserole, with its creamy texture and subtle sweetness, serves as an excellent side dish to complement the savory flavors of baked ham. Not only delicious, it offers nutritional benefits like vitamins A and C.
Casserole variations include adding marshmallows for extra sweetness or pecans for a crunchy twist, ensuring there's a version to please every palate at your table.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Balancing the richness of a sweet potato casserole, roasted Brussels sprouts bring a delightful contrast with their crispy texture and slightly bitter flavor.
Drizzled with a balsamic reduction, these sprouts gain a hint of sweetness that complements their natural taste.
A parmesan topping adds a savory note and a pleasant crunch, making this side dish a wonderful companion to baked ham.
Creamed Spinach
Infused with a rich, velvety sauce, creamed spinach serves as an indulgent side dish that pairs seamlessly with baked ham.
The spinach texture is perfectly tender, providing a delightful contrast to the savory ham.
A hint of nutmeg flavor elevates the dish, adding a subtle warmth that complements the creamy base.
This combination creates a comforting, elegant dining experience sure to impress.
Glazed Carrots
Why not add glazed carrots to your menu for a vibrant and sweet side dish that pairs beautifully with baked ham? Carrots, rich in vitamin A and antioxidants, offer numerous benefits.
The glaze variations are endless: honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup can all be used to enhance the natural sweetness of the carrots, creating a delightful complement to the savory ham.
Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese offers a creamy and indulgent side dish that perfectly complements the savory flavors of baked ham.
With an array of cheese variations like cheddar, gouda, or parmesan, and pasta types such as elbow, shell, or cavatappi, this dish can be tailored to your preferences.
The richness of the cheese melds beautifully with the tender pasta, creating a comforting and satisfying pairing.
Cornbread Stuffing
Combining the rustic charm of cornbread with the savory elements of traditional stuffing, cornbread stuffing provides a hearty and flavorful side dish that pairs excellently with baked ham.
Regional variations abound, from adding sausage to incorporating pecans.
Preparation tips include using day-old cornbread for the best texture and moistening the mixture with a rich, savory broth to enhance flavor.
Honey-Glazed Carrots
Complementing the rich flavors of cornbread stuffing, honey-glazed carrots offer a sweet and vibrant addition to your baked ham meal.
Carrot variations, whether baby or sliced, are easily transformed by the simple addition of honey. The honey benefits include natural sweetness and a lovely glaze, enhancing the carrots' texture and flavor.
This side dish adds a colorful, nutritious touch to your feast.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Elevate your baked ham dinner with garlic mashed potatoes, a creamy and savory side dish that perfectly balances the meal's flavors.
Using different garlic variants adds depth, while leaving some potato skins on provides texture and nutrients.
This combination creates a delightful mix that complements the baked ham, ensuring each bite is rich and satisfying.
Enjoy this inviting and delicious pairing!
Braised Red Cabbage
Braised red cabbage offers a tangy and slightly sweet contrast to the savory flavors of baked ham. This delightful side dish not only enhances the meal but also provides significant health benefits, such as being rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
Traditional recipes often include apples and spices, creating a comforting, flavorful dish that complements the ham beautifully and adds a vibrant color to your plate.
Quinoa Salad
Quinoa salad offers a nutritious and versatile side dish that pairs exceptionally well with baked ham. Its nutritional benefits include being high in protein and fiber, making it a healthy choice.
The flavor variations are endless; you can add ingredients like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta cheese for a vibrant, tasty mix. This salad's lightness complements the rich, savory taste of baked ham perfectly.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs serve as a classic and flavorful side dish that pairs well with baked ham, offering a creamy texture and tangy taste that complements the main course.
Preparation techniques include boiling the eggs perfectly, and mixing the yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, and seasonings.
Flavor variations can be achieved by adding ingredients like paprika, relish, or even bacon bits, creating delightful twists on the traditional recipe.
Waldorf Salad
Waldorf salad is an invigorating and crunchy combination of apples, celery, and walnuts. It serves as a versatile and elegant side dish for baked ham. Originating from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in the late 1800s, this salad's history adds a touch of sophistication.
Experiment with different apple varieties like Granny Smith for tartness or Honeycrisp for sweetness to enhance the flavor profile.
Can the Same Side Dishes for Baked Ham Be Used for Meatloaf in the UK?
When it comes to preparing meatloaf in the UK, you can use the best side dishes for meatloaf that are also suitable for baked ham. Classic options like mashed potatoes, green beans, and roasted vegetables complement both dishes deliciously. So, yes, the same side dishes can be used for both baked ham and meatloaf.
Dinner Rolls
Few side dishes complement baked ham as perfectly as warm, buttery dinner rolls. These rolls can be enhanced with various butter variations, such as garlic or honey butter, adding an extra layer of flavor.
If you're looking for roll alternatives, consider options like crescent rolls or even cornbread muffins. Each choice offers a delightful contrast to the savory richness of baked ham.