Ham might be the star of your dinner table, but these incredible side dishes are about to steal the spotlight completely. From creamy potato classics to fresh veggie showstoppers, these recipes will have your guests asking for seconds (and thirds) of everything but the main course.
1. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
This is a solid side dish for when you want something richer than mashed potatoes but not as heavy as a full casserole. The key is getting the cream mixture just right so every tender potato slice is perfectly coated in that golden, bubbly cheese layer. It’s comfort food at its finest and pairs beautifully with the saltiness of ham.
2. Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
This is wicked simple and frees up oven space when you’re already juggling a ham and other sides. The slow cooker does all the work while you focus on everything else, and you still get that classic green bean casserole everyone expects. No more fighting over oven real estate during the holidays!
3. Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
These are the richest mashed potatoes you’ll ever make – the cream cheese makes them incredibly smooth and adds a slight tang that balances all that butter perfectly. They’re so decadent they could honestly be a meal on their own. The creamy texture is the perfect complement to sliced ham.
4. Lemony Charred Broccoli with Parmesan
This is my go-to side when I want something that feels healthy but tastes indulgent. The high heat creates these crispy, caramelized edges while the lemon brightens everything up and the Parmesan adds that savory punch. It’s the perfect fresh counterpoint to rich, salty ham.
5. Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
This is my go-to potato side when I want something that looks fancy but takes almost zero effort. The boiling step first makes them fluffy inside while the roasting creates those golden, crispy exteriors everyone fights over. The rosemary makes your whole kitchen smell amazing too.
6. 3 Bean Salad
This is the classic picnic side that actually gets better after sitting in the fridge overnight. The beans soak up all that tangy dressing and the flavors just keep developing. It’s a refreshing break from all the rich, warm sides and adds great color to your plate.
7. Funeral Potatoes
This is the casserole that shows up to every potluck and gets scraped clean every time. It’s basically hash browns bound with sour cream and cheese, then topped with more cheese and crushed cornflakes for crunch. Don’t let the name fool you – these potatoes are pure comfort food gold.
8. Lemony Green Beans with Pine Nuts & Garlic
These green beans work great as a side for pretty much anything – the lemon zest and toasted pine nuts make them feel fancy enough for company but they’re simple enough for weeknight dinners. The garlic adds depth while the pine nuts give you that perfect little crunch in every bite.
9. Roasted Garlic Creamed Corn
This is one of those sides that makes people ask for the recipe – the roasted garlic makes regular creamed corn taste like it came from a restaurant. The sweetness of the corn plays beautifully against the savory ham, and that roasted garlic flavor just makes everything taste more sophisticated.
10. Steakhouse Creamed Spinach
This is the rich, velvety creamed spinach you get at steakhouses – but way easier to make at home. The key is getting all the water out of the spinach first so your cream sauce doesn’t get watery. It’s indulgent enough to make even the pickiest eaters love their greens.
11. Apple Orange Cranberry Sauce
This cranberry sauce has way more going on than the canned stuff – the apples add texture and the orange marmalade gives it a deeper flavor. The sweet-tart combination cuts through the richness of ham perfectly, and the beautiful ruby color looks gorgeous on the table.
12. Homemade Brown Gravy
This brown gravy doesn’t need pan drippings – just butter, flour, and stock. The key is browning the roux properly so you get that deep, nutty flavor that makes everything taste better. Pour it over mashed potatoes, biscuits, or honestly just drink it with a spoon.
13. Homemade Cornbread
This is a basic cornbread that goes with pretty much any dinner – it’s slightly sweet but not cake-like, with that perfect crumbly texture. It’s amazing for soaking up any pan juices from the ham or just slathered with butter. Plus, your house will smell incredible while it bakes.
14. Super Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits
These biscuits use a stacking technique that creates crazy flaky layers – you literally stack pieces of dough on top of each other before rolling. The buttermilk gives them that classic tangy flavor, and they’re perfect for making little ham sandwiches with your leftovers.
15. Smoked Cheddar Biscuits
These are flaky, layered biscuits made with sour cream in the dough and studded with smoked cheddar cheese. They get their height from a lamination-style technique that creates all those beautiful layers. The smoky cheese flavor pairs incredibly well with ham.
16. Potato Bread
This bread has a soft crumb and stays fresh longer than regular white bread thanks to the mashed potato in the dough. It’s perfect for making sandwiches with your leftover ham, and the subtle potato flavor makes it extra satisfying. Plus, it toasts up beautifully for breakfast the next day.
17. Classic Beer Bread
This is a simple quick bread that’s ready in under an hour and uses ingredients you probably have on hand. The beer adds a subtle malty flavor and helps create that tender crumb, while the top gets golden and slightly crusty. It’s the perfect rustic addition to any ham dinner.
