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30 Standout Side Dishes for Ham to Complete Your Holiday Meal

These ham side dishes will make your dinner plate even more delicious.

By Samantha MacAvoy and Loren Cecil

Nov 18, 2021

coriandermaple glazed carrots in blue pan

MIKE GARTEN

Whether you’re planning an elegant holiday dinner or just feel like treating your family to a fancy Sunday night feast, these side dishes for ham will make your menu complete. Of course, the ham will always be the centerpiece of the meal, especially if you use one of these delicious Easter ham or Christmas ham recipes, but complementary sides are essential.

If you’re baking a ham around the holidays, you can’t go wrong with any of these warm and flavorful Christmas side dishes. Though most of them can also accompany all sorts of main meats at any time of year, like for Easter dinner or other celebratory events, these side dishes are specifically curated to delight your taste buds between mouthfuls of ham. You’ll probably want to make more than one to ensure that vegetables and starches are represented in your meal, and of course, you must have some sort of bread or biscuit nearby to soak up any extra sauce. From an aesthetic perspective, it can also be fun to have a colorful holiday table, decorated with bright green snap peas and deep pink roasted radishes sitting beside your golden glazed pork.

You may be leaning towards refreshing platters of rainbow-colored carrots and tasty salads brimming with the best produce of the season or feel like going a cozy, heartier route with the fluffiest biscuits and crispiest smashed potatoes. No matter your preferences, we’ve rounded up the perfect partners to your show-stopping festive ham or weekend roast. Prepare to feast!

COLIN FAULKNER

Coriander-Maple Glazed Carrots

Coriander, maple and lime make these roasted carrots zesty and full of holiday flavor.

Get the recipe for Coriander-Maple Glazed Carrots »

MIKE GARTEN

Fresh Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is a classic, comforting holiday side (that still sneaks in some veggies!) sure to warm up any Christmas meal.

Get the recipe for Fresh Green Bean Casserole »

MIKE GARTEN

Hasselback Butternut Squash with Maple Brown Butter

Not only does this festive squash side look amazing on your holiday table, but it also tastes like winter warmth with sage and maple flavors.

Get the recipe for Hasselback Butternut Squash with Maple Brown Butter »

MIKE GARTEN

Lime and Aleppo Pepper Green Beans

A lighter option for a green bean side with a bit of a spicy, fruity twist.

Get the recipe for Lime and Aleppo Pepper Green Beans »

Mike Garten

Colcannon

These mashed potatoes with cabbage and greens are the ideal buttery-yet-bright pairing for salty ham.

Get the recipe for Colcannon »

sauteed spinach with garlic and lemon in white bowl

MIKE GARTEN

Sautéed Spinach with Garlic and Lemon

Simple, satisfying and healthy, this spinach side dish is surprisingly delicious for how few ingredients it requires — and it's vegan!

Get the recipe for Sautéed Spinach with Garlic and Lemon »

MIKE GARTEN

Brown-Butter Brussels Sprouts

Pour this rich brown butter with almonds and golden raisins over your roasted Brussels sprouts for the perfect healthy-ish holiday side.

Get the recipe for Brown-Butter Brussels Sprouts »

Mike Garten

Roasted Asparagus Salad with Feta Vinaigrette

When it comes to Easter ham, you can't go wrong with asparagus! The spring veggie is the perfect match.

Get the recipe for Roasted Asparagus Salad With Feta Vinaigrette »

Mike Garten

Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad

With rainbow carrots on the side of pink ham, your dinner plate has never been prettier!

Get the recipe for Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad »

Mike Garten

Potato Salad with Vinaigrette

Think beyond mashed potatoes and serve this bright, zippy potato salad instead.

Get the recipe for Potato Salad With Vinaigrette »

Mike Garten

Roasted Asparagus with Creamy Feta

Salty feta meets sweet asparagus in this slam-dunk side that everyone will be talking about.

Get the recipe for Roasted Asparagus with Creamy Feta »

smashed potatoes best side dishes for ham

Mike Garten

Charred Snap Peas with Creamy Tarragon Dressing

Bust out your trusty cast-iron skillet to give these greens an extra bite of flavor.

Get the recipe for Charred Snap Peas with Creamy Tarragon Dressing »

Mike Garten

Mixed Green and Herb Toss Salad

That's it. We officially declare edible flowers the MVP of your holiday.

Get the recipe for Mixed Green and Herb Toss Salad »

Mashed Potatoes - Best Side Dishes for Ham

Mike Garten

Rustic Sour Cream and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Problem solved: Add all of your go-to baked potato toppings right into the bowl for the ultimate creamy, cheesy side.

Get the recipe for Rustic Sour Cream and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes »

Yossy Arefi

Lemony Asparagus, Beans and Peas

Keep it classic this Easter with this tangy trio of greens.

Get the recipe for Lemony Asparagus, Beans, and Peas »

garden greens salad best side dishes for ham

Mike Garten

Garden Greens and Pumpernickel Panzanella

Summer watermelon isn't here yet, but these watermelon radishes will pretty-up your plate instead.

Get the recipe for Garden Greens and Pumpernickel Panzanella Salad »

Mike Garten

Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Caper Gremolata

For a refreshed take on a staple side, smash potatoes instead of mashing or baking 'em.

Get the recipe for Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Caper Gremolata »

Mike Garten

Tahini-Lemon Quinoa with Asparagus Ribbons

Balance out the sticky-sweet ham with this refreshing salad made with chick peas, quinoa and zoodles.

Get the recipe for Tahini-Lemon Quinoa with Asparagus Ribbons »

Yossy Arefi

Buttery Rosemary Rolls

If it has butter in the name, you know it's gonna be good. Make 'em and see.

Get the recipe for Buttery Rosemary Rolls »

Mike Garten

Parsnip Potato Mash

The best way to trick your kids into eating more than one vegetable? This dish.

Get the recipe for Parsnip Potato Mash »

Yossy Arefi

Herb Roasted Root Vegetables

Toss your favorite root veggies with thyme and parsley for a flavor-packed side.

Get the recipe for Herb Roasted Root Vegetables »

Mike Garten

Garlicky Kale & Pea Sauté

People either love or hate garlic. If you're the former, go for this green sauté for a burst of fresh flavor.

Get the recipe for Garlicky Kale & Pea Sauté »

Mike Garten

Spicy Southern Greens

And if you're looking for an Easter side that packs a punch, try this collard green and kale blend dressed in a red pepper-infused vinaigrette.

Get the recipe for Spicy Southern Greens »

side dishes for ham - brussels sprout salad

Mike Garten

Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad

Add brightness to your dinner table with this fresh, raw sprout salad.

Get the recipe for Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad »

side dishes for ham - kale and gruyere gratin

Mike Garten

Creamed Kale and Gruyère Gratin

These creamed greens get fancy with nutty Gruyère and the trendiest leaf of all: kale!

Get the recipe for Creamed Kale and Gruyère Gratin »

Mike Garten

Brussels Sprouts with Pepitas and Figs

Chewy dried figs add sweetness to this sprout side that perfectly complements glazed ham.

Get the recipe for Brussels Sprouts with Pepitas and Figs »

side dishes for ham - crispy smashed potatoes

Mike Garten

Crispy Golden Smashed Potatoes

This easy potato recipe will please every guest this Easter, with its perfect balance of soft and crispy.

Get the recipe for Crispy Golden Smashed Potatoes »

Mike Garten

Fluffy Apple-Cheddar Biscuits

Stir cheddar cheese right into the batter of these biscuits for ooey-gooey flavor. Whatever you do, serve 'em warm.

Get the recipe for Fluffy Apple-Cheddar Biscuits »

side dishes for ham - creamy mashed potatoes

Mike Garten

Creamy One-Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

The last thing you want to do on Christmas is wash another dish, so choose this mash recipe for easy prep and clean up.

Get the recipe for Creamy One-Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes »

Mike Garten

Butter-Glazed Rainbow Carrots

This Christmas, add color to your plate and palate with this 30-minute side.

Get the recipe for Butter-Glazed Rainbow Carrots »

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Samantha MacAvoy Samantha MacAvoy is the Editorial Assistant on the Good Housekeeping food team, where she writes about tasty recipes from the Test Kitchen, must-try food products and tools, and top-tested secrets for home cooking success.

Loren Cecil Loren Cecil joined the Good Housekeeping team as a freelance contributor in November 2021 after interning in the Test Kitchen while in graduate school.