To make sides for a honey baked ham, choose dishes that balance its sweet and smoky flavor. Start with something creamy like mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese. Both pair perfectly with the rich glaze on the ham. You can make mashed potatoes by boiling peeled potatoes until soft, mashing them with butter, milk, salt, and a little garlic for flavor. For mac and cheese, cook pasta, mix it with melted cheese sauce, then bake it until golden on top.
Add something fresh to balance out the meal. A crisp green bean casserole or roasted Brussels sprouts works great. Toss the veggies in olive oil, sprinkle salt and pepper, and roast until they’re lightly browned.
Don’t forget something sweet and tangy to match the ham’s glaze. Glazed carrots or pineapple stuffing add a nice contrast. And if you want a classic Southern touch, serve buttery dinner rolls or cornbread on the side.
The trick is to mix textures and flavors. Combine creamy, crunchy, and a little sweet to round out your honey baked ham dinner. With these simple sides, your meal will feel warm, comforting, and ready for any holiday or family gathering.
Creamy Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is one of those sides that makes any meal feel special. When I make it with honey baked ham, it’s usually the first dish to disappear from the table. The creamy texture and cheesy flavor pair perfectly with the ham’s sweetness. The trick is getting that smooth, rich sauce without making it too thick or too runny.
Start by boiling your pasta until it’s just soft enough to bite. Elbow macaroni works great, but cavatappi noodles hold sauce really well too. Once the pasta’s done, drain it and set it aside. In a big pan, melt some butter, then whisk in a spoonful of flour. This mix, called a roux, is what keeps the cheese sauce thick and smooth. Slowly pour in warm milk while whisking to avoid lumps. When the sauce starts to thicken, stir in your cheese. I like using a mix of cheddar for flavor and mozzarella for stretch.
When the cheese melts, pour the sauce over the cooked pasta and mix until every piece is coated. If you want that classic baked version, pour everything into a casserole dish and sprinkle a little extra cheese on top. Bake it until the top gets golden and crispy. The smell alone will have everyone hovering near the oven.
The best part about this mac and cheese is how it balances the meal. The creaminess softens the ham’s saltiness, and the cheese gives it that warm, comforting taste everyone loves. It’s simple to make, easy to serve, and goes with just about any holiday spread.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are the comfort food of all comfort foods. They go with just about anything, but when you’re serving honey baked ham, they turn into something amazing. The creamy texture of mashed potatoes mixed with the smoky, sweet ham flavor is hard to beat. What really takes them over the top, though, is garlic. Roasted or fresh, garlic gives the potatoes a rich, deep taste that keeps everyone coming back for more.
Start by peeling your potatoes and cutting them into chunks. I like using russet or Yukon gold potatoes because they mash up so smooth. Boil them in salted water until they’re soft enough to pierce with a fork. While that’s cooking, roast a few garlic cloves in the oven. You can wrap them in foil with a little olive oil and bake until soft. Roasted garlic gives the potatoes a gentle, sweet flavor instead of that sharp, raw bite.
Once the potatoes are done, drain them and let them steam for a minute. That helps them stay fluffy instead of watery. Then mash them up with butter, warm milk, and those roasted garlic cloves. If you like extra creamy potatoes, add a spoonful of sour cream or cream cheese. Season with salt and black pepper, then give them one final mix until everything’s smooth.
When you serve these alongside honey baked ham, the flavors balance perfectly. The buttery potatoes soak up the ham glaze, and the garlic adds just enough punch to keep it interesting. It’s one of those simple sides that feels fancy without trying too hard. Every bite feels like a little bit of home, warm, smooth, and satisfying.
Roasted Green Beans and Carrots
If you want something colorful and fresh to go with your honey baked ham, roasted green beans and carrots are the way to go. They’re simple, healthy, and bring a nice crunch to your plate. Plus, the little bit of sweetness from the carrots ties in beautifully with the ham’s honey glaze. I like to roast them until they get a little browned on the edges, that’s where all the flavor hides.
Start by washing your green beans and peeling your carrots. Cut the carrots into thin sticks so they cook at the same speed as the beans. Toss everything in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and some cracked black pepper. If you want a bit more flavor, sprinkle in some garlic powder or a dash of paprika. Mix until the veggies are coated, then spread them out on a baking sheet. Make sure they’re in a single layer so they roast evenly.
Bake them in a hot oven until the edges start to caramelize. You’ll know they’re done when the carrots are soft enough to pierce and the green beans look a little wrinkled. Right before serving, drizzle just a bit of honey over the top and toss again. That tiny touch of sweetness makes them taste like they belong right next to your ham.
These roasted veggies add the perfect pop of color to your table, and they don’t take much effort at all. They taste fancy but are actually super easy. Every bite gives you that mix of crisp, sweet, and savory that balances out the richness of the ham. It’s the kind of side dish that makes your meal feel complete without stealing the spotlight.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole is one of those sides that feels like dessert and dinner all in one bite. When it’s sitting next to honey baked ham, it just makes sense. The soft, creamy potatoes with that sweet topping match perfectly with the ham’s glaze. Every holiday, this dish disappears first at my table. It’s warm, cozy, and smells amazing while it bakes.
Start by peeling and cutting up your sweet potatoes. Boil them until they’re soft enough to mash easily. Once they’re done, drain them and mash until smooth. Add a little butter, brown sugar, and a splash of milk. Some people like to add cinnamon or nutmeg for that extra cozy flavor, I always do. Mix everything together until it’s creamy and well blended.
Next comes the best part: the topping. There are two great options, and I switch between them depending on my mood. The first is mini marshmallows, which melt into a gooey, golden layer. The second is a pecan crumble made with butter, sugar, and chopped nuts. Both add that sweet crunch that makes this dish special. Spread your sweet potato mix into a baking dish, then add your topping of choice. Bake it until the top turns golden and starts to bubble around the edges.
When it comes out of the oven, the smell fills the whole kitchen. It’s buttery, sweet, and just a little nutty. When you spoon it next to honey baked ham, the flavors blend like they were made for each other. The salty-sweet combo works perfectly, and it gives your plate a nice pop of color too. This casserole isn’t just a side dish, it’s a holiday must-have that makes everyone go back for seconds.
Homemade Dinner Rolls
Nothing beats the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven. Homemade dinner rolls might sound fancy, but they’re actually pretty simple once you get the hang of it. And when you serve them with honey baked ham, they just tie everything together. The soft, buttery rolls soak up that sweet glaze and make the perfect little sandwich for leftovers later on.
Start by mixing warm water, sugar, and yeast in a big bowl. Let it sit until it gets foamy on top, that means the yeast is alive and ready to work. Then add melted butter, a beaten egg, a pinch of salt, and flour. Mix until it forms a soft dough that doesn’t stick too much to your hands. If it’s sticky, sprinkle in a little more flour. Knead the dough for a few minutes on a floured surface until it feels smooth and stretchy. Then cover it and let it rest in a warm spot until it doubles in size. This part takes patience, but it’s worth it.
Once it’s risen, punch the dough down to release the air and divide it into small pieces. Roll them into little balls and place them on a baking tray. Cover them again for another short rise, they’ll puff up nicely. Brush the tops with melted butter before baking. When they come out golden brown, brush them again with butter to make them soft and shiny.
When you tear one open, the steam hits your face and you just know they’re perfect. Soft, fluffy, and buttery on the inside, with a light golden crust. They’re amazing with ham, mashed potatoes, or even a swipe of cranberry sauce. And the next day, slice one open and pile on some leftover ham for an easy sandwich. These dinner rolls might seem like a simple side, but they’re the kind of thing that makes a meal feel homemade and special.
Fresh Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce might be small on the plate, but it packs a punch. It’s that bright, tangy pop that cuts through the sweetness of honey baked ham and balances the whole meal. I used to skip making it from scratch and just buy the canned version. But once I tried making it at home, there was no going back. It’s fresher, prettier, and way easier than most people think.
Start with a bag of fresh cranberries. Give them a rinse and pick out any soft ones. Pour them into a saucepan with some sugar and orange juice. The orange juice adds a citrusy kick that goes so well with the tart cranberries. Turn the heat to medium and let it cook. At first, it’ll look thin, but as the berries heat up, they start to pop. That’s when the magic happens, the sauce thickens and turns this beautiful deep red color.
You can add a little cinnamon or a tiny pinch of nutmeg for warmth if you like. I usually toss in some orange zest too, just for that bright flavor. Stir it now and then while it cooks, and in about 10 minutes, it’s done. Let it cool before serving; it thickens even more as it sits. If you want it extra smooth, blend it a bit, but I like to keep some chunks in there for texture.
When you spoon it next to the honey baked ham, it’s like a flavor explosion. The tartness of the cranberries balances the ham’s sweetness perfectly. It also looks beautiful on the plate, the color just makes everything pop. This simple little sauce adds freshness to your meal and makes it feel festive, whether it’s Christmas, Easter, or just a weekend dinner with family. Once you make it from scratch, you’ll never want to go back to the canned stuff again.
Conclusion
When it comes to serving honey baked ham, the sides are what truly make the meal shine. They bring color, texture, and balance to that sweet and savory main dish. From the creamy mac and cheese that melts in your mouth to the fluffy dinner rolls that soak up every drop of glaze, each side has its own way of turning a simple ham dinner into something special. Even something as simple as roasted veggies or a fresh cranberry sauce can take the whole plate to the next level.
The best part is, none of these sides are hard to make. They use simple ingredients, everyday kitchen tools, and a little love. You don’t need to be a pro cook, just a bit of patience and a good playlist while you cook. Whether you’re hosting a big holiday meal or just making a nice Sunday dinner, these recipes are meant to bring people together. That’s what good food does, it makes everyone slow down, share stories, and enjoy the moment.
So next time you’re planning to serve honey baked ham, try mixing a few of these sides together. Make it colorful, flavorful, and full of warmth. Once you see your family going back for seconds (and maybe thirds), you’ll know you got it just right. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to be made with care. And honestly, that’s what makes any meal unforgettable.