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If ham is on the menu this Christmas, you'll want to find an array of side dishes to make it a meal. Unlike your Thanksgiving menu, Christmas dinner isn't necessarily set in stone. You can get creative with your side dishes or keep it traditional. Regardless, these side dishes are sure to complement a rich, savory ham. From classic potatoes gratin to colorful vegetable side dishes, here are 30 side dishes to serve with a Christmas ham dinner.
Broccoli with Garlic Butter and Cashews
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Photo by AllrecipesPhoto
This quick-cooking vegetable side dish is elevated with cashews and a garlic-soy sauce. It all comes together on the stovetop, saving you precious oven space on the big day.
Chef John's Perfect Mashed Potatoes
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Photo by Yoonhoo Nam
Follow Chef John’s technique for mashed potatoes that are “always light, fluffy, and lump-free.” Ham and mashed potatoes are a classic pairing, so there’s no going wrong here.
Green Beans with Cherry Tomatoes
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Photo by bd.weld
Green beans are boiled and tossed in a buttery basil sauce with cherry tomatoes. Reviewer KALFROMCAL says, "This outstanding vegetable dish had my vegetable-hating extended family raving at Thanksgiving dinner, and they REQUESTED it again for Christmas! Easy to prepare, BEAUTIFUL to present, good for you — what's not to like?"
Brussels Sprouts Gratin
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Photo by CookinCyn
Even those who hate Brussels sprouts can get behind this gratin in which Brussels sprouts and bacon are topped with cream, bread crumbs, and Parmesan cheese and baked until bubbling. The cream cuts through the bitterness, according to recipe creator Creative Caterer. “This is a family favorite during the holidays!”
Muffin Tin Potatoes Gratin
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Photo by lutzflcat
Cooking potatoes gratin in a muffin pan makes for an easy-to-serve side with a strong presentation. A silky Parmesan sauce makes it hard to reach for just one!
Cranberry, Sausage and Apple Stuffing
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Photo by Allrecipes Magazine
Pork is friendly to many different types of fruit, including cranberries and apples. Their sweet flavor cuts through the richness of ham and balances out its saltiness. Here it's featured in a hearty, white bread stuffing.
Grandma's Corn Pudding
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Photo by Debi Clark Bickmore
Corn pudding can only be described as classic Southern comfort food. It's a creamy, buttery corn casserole with a bready topping, and it deserves a spot on your Christmas dinner table.
Holiday Dressing
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Photo by MrsFisher0729
Dressing, stuffing, whatever you want to call it — you'll never guess this recipe with nearly 250 5-star ratings starts with a box of cornbread mix.
Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
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Photo by Molly
“It was my first year cooking Christmas dinner for the family and I was just thinking of imaginative vegetables I could have!” says recipe creator Toronto Worm Company. “Turned out great and everyone loved them and have been cooking them ever since. Goes well with everything.”
Pineapple Stuffing
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Photo by Jade Messina
Pineapple and ham were made for eachother. So much so that you’ll find many baked ham recipes cooked with pineapple rings on top. This simple, five-ingredient stuffing will perfectly complement ham’s smoky, salty side.
Asparagus and Cashews
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Photo by Coco Ann
“I didn’t think I liked asparagus until trying this recipe at a Christmas dinner,” says recipe creator Shelly Domke. Asparagus stalks and cashews are tossed in a ginger-soy sauce for a dish that’s sure to impress.
Chef John's Sweet Potato Casserole
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Photo by Allrecipes
Chef John's sweet potato casserole has a subtle maple flavor that will balance out savory dishes without being sickeningly sweet. A brown sugar and roasted pistachio topping puts it over the top.
Garlic Potatoes Gratin
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Photo by naples34102
“An unbelievable rich twist on au gratin potatoes, this casserole develops a caramelized, cheesy, roasted-garlic crust as it bakes,” says recipe creator Lisa Ramos. You can never have too many cheesy, potato side dishes to go with ham.
Chef John's Potato Roses
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Photo by Chef John
The good thing about these potato roses (aside from their stunning presentation and delicious flavor) is they can be made ahead of time and warmed up the day of, saving you much needed time and energy.
Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Bacon and Caramelized Onions
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Photo by cheerychirp
This sweet potato side dish has both sweet and savory sides to it; roasted sweet potato chunks are tossed with onions and bacon and coated in a maple glaze.
Chef John's Roasted Brussels Sprouts
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Photo by Island Barbie
"This makes a very nice side dish to your holiday feast, and I can't think of a main course, especially one made from some type of succulent animal, that this wouldn't pair wonderfully with," says Chef John of these Brussels sprouts roasted and tossed with cipollini onions and butter.
Chef John's Candied Yams
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Photo by
Though not actually yams, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are simmered in a brown sugar, lemon, and maple glaze that’s hard to resist. The tartness of lemon keeps the sweet potatoes from getting too rich, as is common with sweet potato dishes.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Vegetables With Thyme and Maple Syrup
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Sweet potatoes, carrots, and parsnips make for a sweet and savory root vegetable trio. They're flavored simply with olive oil, salt, pepper, maple syrup, and thyme.
Amazing Oven Roasted Potatoes
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Photo by naples43102
Classic roast potatoes with a crisp, golden exterior and a tender interior are never a bad idea, especially if you're serving ham. This fundamental recipe is one you'll want in your recipe box.
Tartiflette (French Potato, Bacon, and Cheese Casserole)
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Photo by Chef John
Chef John describes this special occasion French casserole as, "a potato, onion, and bacon casserole, topped with Reblochon cheese." There's no way your mouth is not watering.
Cheese Grits Casserole
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Photo by Nicolette
Though often a breakfast dish, cheese grits make an excellent pairing for ham. As it bakes, this casserole forms its own crisp, cheesy crust that, when broken into, reveals a creamy, tender interior.
Chef John's Truffled Potato Gratin
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Photo by Chef John
Specialty wild mushrooms like morel, chanterelle, porcini, or lobster work very nicely in this dish, but Chef John says supermarket mushrooms will serve you well too.
Teena's Bacon and Cheddar Potatoes
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Photo by Allrecipes
Mashed potatoes are loaded with bacon, cottage cheese, green onions, and Cheddar cheese and baked until brown and bubbling. “This would be awesome with ham!” says reviewer witchywoman.
Pommes Anna with Gruyere
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Photo by lutzflcat
Thinly sliced Yukon Gold potatoes — one of our favorite potatoes for their tender, buttery flesh — are stacked with Gruyere cheese and saut?ed onions in this French dish.
Portabella Mushroom Dressing
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Photo by
A trio of portobello, shiitake, and crimini mushrooms bring earthy, umami flavor to traditional dressing. "This was a hit! I wanted to try a new stuffing for Christmas and we love mushrooms," says reviewer SKYGALVAL.
Easy Creamed Onions
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Photo by bd.weld
Sweet, tender, and rich, creamed pearl onions are a classic holiday side dish. And they just happen to make an excellent companion to ham. “It was a great add to Christmas dinner!” says reviewer Edwin.
Sweet Stuffing
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Photo by lutzflcat
What's the secret to this sweet stuffing? Using raisin bread in place of the traditional white bread or cornbread! Cranberries and fresh orange juice add fruity, holiday flavor.
Fancy Crusted Rosemary Scalloped Potatoes
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Photo by Mackenzie Schieck
A crisp crust is arguably the best part of any scalloped potato dish, and this recipe maximizes the crust by layering sliced potatoes around the baking dish. Plus, it will be stunning on the Christmas dinner table.
Sweet Potato and Gruyere Gratin
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Photo by lutzflcat
Here sweet potatoes are used instead of white for a unique, seasonally-appropriate take on a holiday favorite. Recipe creator Sandy Wilson Wickber says it’s “elevated with a Gruyere cheese sauce made with four fresh herbs.”
Mom's Zesty Carrots with Horseradish
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Photo by lutzflcat
Baked carrots are taken up a notch thanks to horseradish's spicy, biting flavor. Carrots are tossed in a creamy horseradish sauce, baked, and topped with a bread crumb and butter topping.
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