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  5. 16 Spring Side Dishes That Pair Beautifully with Easter Ham
Mastering the Holiday Meal Franchise Logo

16 Spring Side Dishes That Pair Beautifully with Easter Ham

By Lynn Andriani Updated March 23, 2021
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asparagus potato gratin
Credit: Con Poulos

Ham is an easy main dish for spring holidays, and part of the pleasure of serving it is enjoying it with favorite side dishes, from new season vegetables to potato gratin and drop biscuits, that play well with its rich, savory flavors.

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Quick Carrots and Snap Peas with Lemony Mustard Dressing
Credit: Chris Simpson

The classic centerpiece of many Easter feasts is a glazed ham, and not only is a ham easy to make, but it's terrific with a range of side dishes. So, what should you pair with your holiday main? There are so many options that it's hard to go wrong, so it's best to consider your tastes and preferences. Need a little inspiration? All of the dishes we've gathered in this collection nicely balance out the ham's richness, and none are too heavy on the sodium, since ham itself can be a bit salty.

Spring vegetables are an obvious choice, whether you choose asparagus, peas, or early season lettuces. Green beans, too, are a great option, as is broccolini. Any green vegetable (or orange, for that matter—carrots, we're looking at you) will be a nice counterpoint to the ham, both in terms of color and taste; just take the Quick Carrots and Snap Peas with Lemony Mustard Dressing you see right here—this dish is a perfect example of a side that plays nicely with him, neither overshadowing your impressive main nor getting lost beside it.

If your family prefers starches as sides, consider mashed potatoes, a grain salad, cornbread or a gratin; all of these can work nicely alongside an Easter ham. And there's no need for the gratin to be a traditional potato one—consider a spaghetti squash gratin laced with anchovies and Parmesan; or an asparagus-potato version made with goat cheese and Pecorino Romano.

Finally, don't forget biscuits and rolls. You can slice them and slip a few slices of ham inside for mini sandwiches, or just spread them with butter for a no-fuss, everyone-loves-it side. Bonus: If you have any extras for the day after, a biscuit or roll makes a fine breakfast, lunch or dinner, whether stuffed with ham (if you've got leftovers) or not.

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White Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes

White-Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes
Credit: Chris Simpson
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When your Easter centerpiece is a gorgeously marbled ham, your menu just needs a few sides for a surefire feast. These Cheddar-topped scalloped potatoes are a crowd pleaser that complement the main.

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Asparagus Mimosa

mld106963_0411_asparagus.jpg
Credit: Kate Mathis
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Hard-cooked eggs aren't just for decorating. Here's another seasonal way to enjoy them: in asparagus mimosa, a classic dish named for the pretty yellow-and-white flower. Press a peeled hard-cooked egg through a fine, stainless steel sieve to create the bright and fluffy garnish.

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Sweet Peas with Shallots and Gem Lettuce

sweet peas with shallots gem lettuce
Credit: Anson Smart
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Caramelized shallots and sautéd lettuce enhance the sweetness of fresh peas in this warm spring salad.

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Minted Carrots

minted carrots on sheet pan
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Using small, slender carrots makes this an especially stunning side, but large carrots work equally well when halved lengthwise. Mint really makes them pop.

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Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

instant pot mashed potatoes
Credit: Bryan Gardner
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Who'd have thought the Instant Pot would be a winning way to make this classic side? It's true, though: creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are a snap to make in this appliance. Plus, you can keep them warm there until it's time to transfer them to a serving bowl.

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Easy Creamed Spinach

easy creamed spinach
Credit: Diana Chistruga
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This take on the classic creamed spinach side dish uses fresh spinach and cream cheese as a thickener. It's a crowd-pleasing recipe that won't lead you astray.

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Farro Salad with Fennel, Golden Raisins, and Radicchio

grain-salad-0087-d112652.jpg
Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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Not just good looking, the contrasting flavors and texture in this salad make it a lively complement to sliced ham.

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Asparagus-and-Potato Gratin

asparagus potato gratin
Credit: Con Poulos
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Prosciutto adds extra flavor to this delightful gratin, as do two cheeses: goat (with sweet, grassy undertones) and Pecorino Romano (which has a pleasantly sharp taste).

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Braised Broccolini

Braised Broccolini
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Looking to keep things simple? Broccolini and garlic, plus chicken broth, should do the trick. This side is easy, delicious, and beautifully bright.

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Cheddar-Pepper Drop Biscuits

biscuits-160-d111230-1114.jpg
Credit: Christopher Testani
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These flaky, fluffy, and buttery biscuits are delicious on their own but even better with a thin slice of ham tucked inside.

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Herbed Green Beans with Warm Mustard Vinaigrette

green-beans-opener-d112369.jpg
Credit: linda xiao
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This garden-fresh side combines green beans with a mustard vinaigrette and raisin-nut croutons.

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Spaghetti Squash Gratin

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Credit: Standard
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You can make this savory spaghetti squash casserole ahead of time and reheat it when you're ready to eat. It gets an umami boost from anchovies and Parmesan.

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Dinner Rolls

dinner rolls
Credit: Dana Gallagher
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These warm, buttery rolls only take a little hands-on prep (the yeast does all the work) and they fill the house with a delicious aroma.

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Minted Pea Mash

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Green is the color, or it should be, of at least one of the sides for an Easter ham. And nothing is easier than than this three-ingredient mash.

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White-Cheddar Grits

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Hot sauce and cheddar amp up the flavor of these creamy grits. 

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    1 of 16
    2 of 16 White Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes
    3 of 16 Asparagus Mimosa
    4 of 16 Sweet Peas with Shallots and Gem Lettuce
    5 of 16 Minted Carrots
    6 of 16 Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
    7 of 16 Easy Creamed Spinach
    8 of 16 Farro Salad with Fennel, Golden Raisins, and Radicchio
    9 of 16 Asparagus-and-Potato Gratin
    10 of 16 Braised Broccolini
    11 of 16 Cheddar-Pepper Drop Biscuits
    12 of 16 Herbed Green Beans with Warm Mustard Vinaigrette
    13 of 16 Spaghetti Squash Gratin
    14 of 16 Dinner Rolls
    15 of 16 Minted Pea Mash
    16 of 16 White-Cheddar Grits

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    16 Spring Side Dishes That Pair Beautifully with Easter Ham
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