Side Dishes to Serve with Ham and Potato Salad

Ham and potato salad are classic duo for many meals and events. But rounding out the menu with more sides can take your ham spread from basic to spectacular. The right combination of savory bright, and fresh side dishes will make your ham and potato salad the stars of the show.

When planning sides, consider flavors, colors, textures to complement the salty and creamy notes in typical ham and potato salad. Crunchy, tangy, and cool dishes provide contrast And don’t be afraid to add even more comfort foods like mac and cheese to the mix! Here are some sensational side dishes to consider pairing with ham and potato salad.

Savory Sides

Savory sides are natural complements to the smoky, salty flavor of sliced ham. Lean into more rich and umami-packed recipes to match the bold ham flavors.

Baked Beans

Baked beans are a classic pairing for ham and potato salad. Different styles like homemade, barbecue-style, or Boston-baked beans in molasses sauce provide warmth and plenty of flavor contrast. Beans also add protein, fiber, and texture.

To give basic baked beans more flair, stir in extras like crumbled bacon, sautéed onions, chili sauce, brisket, or pulled pork. Top buttery baked beans with melted cheddar or shredded barbecue pork before serving.

Macaroni and Cheese

Mac and cheese is another familiar ham side dish. The creaminess pairs perfectly with salty meats. Make macaroni and cheese with the kids the day before and bake just before serving for a hearty, crowd-pleasing accompaniment.

To dress up traditional mac and cheese, add mix-ins like roasted veggies, crispy bacon bits, sautéed mushrooms, or jalapeños and pimentos for heat. Use cheese choices like aged cheddar, gruyere, or gouda for deeper flavor.

Greens

Collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, and kale make great matches for the rich savoriness of ham. Slow simmer greens with smoked ham hocks or pieces to infuse plenty of meaty flavor.

Season greens with pepper vinegar or hot sauce. Top with crispy bacon or ham bits. Swiss chard or spinach also work well prepared more simply by sautéing with olive oil and garlic.

Cornbread

Warm buttery cornbread complements the saltiness of ham and potato salad excellently. Bake up a pan of scratch cornbread with corn kernels or make it jalapeño-cheddar for a kick. Box mixes work well too for speed and ease.

For mini-muffins or corn stick pans, whip up sweet honey cornbread dotted with bacon bits. Serve cornbread warm right out of the oven slathered with soft butter or honey.

Dinner Rolls

Freshly baked bread or rolls let guests make mini ham sliders or mop up flavorful pan juices and sauces. Bake refrigerator dinner rolls, buttermilk biscuits, Hawaiian rolls, or crusty artisan loaves.

For special flavor, stir Parmesan, sage, rosemary, or sun-dried tomatoes into dough before baking. Brush rolls with garlic butter or herb oil right after taking them from the oven. Provide butter, jellies, and mustard for spreading.

Bright & Fresh Sides

Clean, crunchy sides complement the richness of ham and potato salad. Think crisp, green veggies and salads with vinaigrettes or creamy dressings. Acidic components like vinegar or citrus add brightness. These dishes give meals with heavy ham refreshing contrast.

Cucumber Salad

Chilled cucumber salad offers cool crunch and plenty of freshness. Simply toss sliced cucumbers with red onion, vinegar, salt, pepper, and a bit of sugar. For variety, mix in radish slices, tomatoes, or bell pepper. Top with dill.

Make cucumber salad creamier with plain Greek yogurt or sour cream. Add a dash of lemon juice or red wine vinegar. The possibilities are endless for customizing this easy salad.

Coleslaw

Cabbage salads like tangy coleslaw pair perfectly with meaty dishes like ham. The acidity cuts richness. For crisper slaw, soak cabbage in ice water before tossing with shredded carrots, mayo or yogurt, vinegar, and spices.

Kick up creamy coleslaw with extras like jalapeño pepper, red onion, raisins, crushed pineapple, chopped peanuts or bacon bits. The crunchy texture contrasts soft potato salad nicely.

Broccoli Salad

Chilled broccoli salad is a great make-ahead option that delivers crunch. Simply mix bite-size fresh broccoli florets with halved red grapes, shaved carrots, and red onion. Toss with a sweet vinaigrette or creamy dressing and chill before serving.

Optional add-ins like cheese, rice, bacon, or sunflower seeds complement the crisp texture. The bright, acidic flavors cut through heavier dishes.

Tomato Salad

When tomatoes are in season, take advantage for serving with ham. Make a simple tomato salad by slicing assorted heirloom varieties. Toss with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, basil, and seasoning. Allow to sit 30 minutes for juicy flavor.

Mix tomatoes with fresh mozzarella or feta cheese and olives for a caprese spin. Chilled tomato salad avoids competing with hot sides during summer meals.

Green Salad

A classic green garden salad is an easy way to work in greens. Start with a base of chopped lettuce or mixed greens. Add sliced cucumbers, baby carrots, radishes, and tomatoes for color and crunch.

Make it a main-dish meal salad by topping with ham slices, chopped hard-boiled eggs, cheese crumbles, and croutons or crackers. Serve dressing on the side to prevent sogginess.

Comfort Food Favorites

Comfort foods like cheesy dishes, stuffing, and casseroles are natural additions to a ham menu. These sides offer familiar flavors and go well with potato salad’s creaminess.

Scalloped Potatoes

For double the potato flavor, add scalloped potatoes to the mix. Sliced russet or Yukon gold potatoes layered with cream sauce and cheese are so rich and irresistible with ham. Customize with herbs like rosemary or sage. Top with buttery breadcrumbs or fried shallots.

Make this satisfying dish ahead. Assemble casserole then refrigerate and bake just before serving. Scalloped potatoes are ideal for holiday buffets and feeding a crowd.

Stuffing or Dressing

Every Thanksgiving table has fluffy stuffing alongside the turkey, so why not serve it with ham too? Bake stuffing inside the cavity of a whole uncooked ham to absorb fantastic flavor. Or spoon bread stuffing into a casserole dish and bake as a side.

Get creative with the starch, seasoning, and mix-ins. Try wild rice, corn bread, sourdough, or potato stuffing variations. Add sausage, apples, chestnuts, or oysters for even more character.

Cheesy Potatoes

Loaded cheesy potatoes pair doubly well with ham as another spud dish. Bake russet wedge fries or potato slices smothered in cheddar, bacon, sour cream, scallions, and chili seasoning for a comforting match.

For a lighter take, boil and mash potatoes and gently fold in Parmesan, cream cheese, or crumbled feta. Top baked or mashed cheesy spuds with extra shredded cheese for melted goodness.

Creamed Spinach

Earthy creamed spinach makes a nice change from dense casseroles. Sauté spinach with olive oil and garlic. Make a creamy sauce with cream cheese, sour cream, or béchamel to bind the greens. Season with nutmeg. Stir in Parmesan for a rich finish.

Creamed spinach gives a lighter contrast to ham and potato sides. Sprinkle with crunchy breadcrumbs or toasted nuts before serving for extra texture.

Rounding Out the Menu

Building a balanced and delicious ham menu is easy with savory, bright, and comfort food sides on the roster. Round out your spread with:

• A refreshing beverage like mint iced tea, lemonade, or a fruited punch

• Hearty breads like rosemary focaccia or monkey bread

• Lighter starters like deviled eggs or baked brie

• Fresh fruit like melon, berries, or pineapple for a sweet touch

• Luscious desserts like pies, cakes, or pudding

With ham and potato salad as your tasty headliners, the possibilities for amazing sides are endless. Try new flavor and texture combinations each time. Add festive garnishes and table decor to pull the menu together. With the right recipes and creativity, you can take any meal from basic to beautiful!