Wondering what to serve with sliced ham? Try creamy mashed potatoes, which offer comfort and a flavorful balance. Green bean casserole, with its crispy onions and savory mushroom sauce, is a delicious holiday favorite. Rich creamed spinach adds a velvety touch, while scalloped potatoes provide a cheesy, indulgent delight. For a crisp, earthy contrast, roasted Brussels sprouts, especially when drizzled with balsamic, are fantastic. Explore more tasty sides like baked beans, Caesar salad, garlic bread, and fruit salad to complement your meal and delight your guests. There's an assortment of options waiting for you to discover!
Mashed Potatoes
A quintessential accompaniment to sliced ham, mashed potatoes offer a creamy and comforting balance to the savory meat. Gravy options range from classic brown to rich mushroom, enhancing flavor.
Butter variations, such as garlic-infused or herb-blended, elevate the dish further. The smooth texture of mashed potatoes, combined with these flavorful additions, creates a delightful and harmonious pairing with the ham.
Green Bean Casserole
Green Bean Casserole, a holiday staple, complements sliced ham with its savory blend of tender green beans, crispy onions, and creamy mushroom sauce.
Casserole variations abound, allowing for ingredient substitutions like fresh green beans instead of canned, or a homemade mushroom sauce in place of the traditional canned version.
These adjustments can elevate the dish, making it both familiar and delightfully new.
Creamed Spinach
For a rich and velvety accompaniment to sliced ham, creamed spinach offers a luxurious blend of tender spinach leaves and a creamy, flavorful sauce.
This side dish achieves its creamy texture through a delicate balance of ingredients, often finished with a subtle nutmeg garnish.
The smooth sauce and vibrant spinach create an enticing contrast, making it a delightful addition to your meal.
Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped potatoes, with their layers of thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce, offer a comforting and indulgent side dish that pairs perfectly with sliced ham.
Using a blend of cheese varieties enhances the richness, while a golden breadcrumb topping adds a delightful crunch.
This dish brings warmth and satisfaction, making it an ideal accompaniment to your ham feast.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Complementing the creamy richness of scalloped potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts bring a contrasting crispness and earthy flavor to the table, perfectly balancing the meal with sliced ham.
These delightful vegetables, enhanced with a balsamic drizzle and crispy pancetta, provide a satisfying crunch and a subtle sweetness.
This combination creates a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, making every bite a delightful experience.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole, with its creamy texture and hint of natural sweetness, is an ideal side dish to enhance the savory flavors of sliced ham.
The dish often features a delightful nut topping that adds a satisfying crunch, while the marshmallow layer brings a touch of whimsy and extra sweetness.
This combination creates a perfect balance, making it a favorite at many family gatherings.
Honey Glazed Carrots
Honey glazed carrots, with their vibrant color and subtly sweet flavor, offer a delightful contrast to the savory richness of sliced ham.
By mastering glazing techniques, you can bring out the natural sweetness in different carrot varieties.
This simple yet elegant side dish not only enhances the visual appeal of your meal but also provides a satisfying balance of flavors.
Macaroni and Cheese
Adding a creamy and indulgent touch to your meal, macaroni and cheese pairs beautifully with the savory notes of sliced ham. Choosing the right cheese varieties, such as cheddar, gouda, or gruyere, enhances the dish's flavor.
Additionally, exploring different pasta types, like elbows, shells, or cavatappi, can create an exciting texture. This classic side dish brings comfort and satisfaction to your table.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs offer a tangy and creamy complement to the savory flavors of sliced ham, making them a popular and visually appealing side dish. Serve them chilled for the best taste.
For presentation tips, arrange the eggs on a platter, sprinkle with paprika for a touch of color, and garnish with fresh herbs. This makes them both delicious and attractive for any gathering.
Coleslaw
For an invigorating and crunchy side that pairs wonderfully with sliced ham, coleslaw is an excellent choice. Coleslaw variations bring diversity to your meal, from classic cabbage-based recipes to those incorporating apples or carrots.
The key lies in the coleslaw dressing, whether creamy or vinegar-based, which enhances the flavors and provides a rejuvenating contrast to the savory ham.
Cornbread
Cornbread, with its slightly sweet and crumbly texture, serves as a delightful complement to the rich flavors of sliced ham. Regional variations, such as adding jalapeños or honey, offer exciting twists.
Paired with drinks like sweet tea or a chilled glass of Chardonnay, cornbread enhances the meal, making it both comforting and satisfying. Its versatility and ease of preparation make it a favorite.
Baked Beans
Baked beans, with their rich, savory flavors and tender texture, provide a hearty and satisfying side dish for sliced ham. The barbecue flavor complements the smoky taste of ham perfectly.
Additionally, vegetarian options are available, making it an inclusive choice for all guests. This classic pairing guarantees a delightful balance of tastes and textures, enhancing your meal's overall enjoyment.
Caesar Salad
A Caesar salad, with its crisp romaine lettuce and invigorating dressing, offers a rejuvenating contrast to the richness of sliced ham.
The anchovy dressing, a hallmark of Caesar salad, brings a savory depth that complements the ham's flavors.
The crunchy romaine lettuce adds vitality and texture, making each bite a delightful balance.
This classic salad is an elegant and invigorating sidekick to ham.
Garlic Bread
Garlic bread, with its aromatic blend of garlic and butter, offers a savory and comforting complement to sliced ham. Its buttery texture and crispy edges create a delightful contrast to the ham's tender slices.
Easy to prepare and universally loved, garlic bread enhances the dining experience, making it a perfect addition to any meal featuring ham.
Fruit Salad
An invigorating fruit salad brings a vibrant and sweet counterpoint to the savory flavors of sliced ham.
Using seasonal varieties like berries, melons, and citrus guarantees freshness and flavor.
Dressing options range from a light honey-lime glaze to a tangy yogurt blend, adding an extra layer of taste.
This colorful dish not only delights the palate but also enhances the overall dining experience.