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My Christmas ham dinner menu features the best appetizers, side dishes, rolls, and 3 fan-favorite recipes for your holiday ham main course! Mix and match to build your ideal Christmas meal, or try them all and have an epic holiday feast! There's something here for everyone!
What To Eat With Ham For Christmas
Are you planning on featuring a succulent ham at the center of your Christmas dinner table but unsure what to serve with it? Below, I've got plenty of side dish options to choose from, as well as my favorite recipes for the best holiday ham!
For even more menu planning inspiration, check out my Italian Christmas dinner menu and a British Christmas dinner menu! If it's your first time hosting, this easy Christmas dinner menu is a great place to start!
Jump to:
- What To Eat With Ham For Christmas
- 1. Baked Holiday Ham
- 2. Honey Glazed Ham
- 3. Gingersnap Baked Ham
- 4. Ranch Ball
- 5. Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes
- 6. Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
- 7. Onion Rolls
- 9. Honey Glazed Carrots
- 10. Dauphinoise Potatoes
- 11. Bacon Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
- 12. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- 13. Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- 15. Creamed Kale
- 16. Creamed Corn
- 17. Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
- 18. Jiffy Corn Casserole
- 19. Campbell's Green Bean Casserole
- 20. Baked Buttercup Squash
- 22. Herb Butter Rhodes Rolls
- 23. Cheese Rolls
- 💭 Tips For Making The Best Ham Christmas Dinner
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Christmas Ham Dinner Menu (23+ Recipes For The Best Holiday Ham Dinner!)
- IngredientsUS CustomaryMetric
- Instructions
- Notes
- 💬 Reviews
I'm a huge fan of ham for the holidays, so of course, I have a traditional Thanksgiving ham dinner menu you can follow, too! For general ham side dishes that work for Easter, Christmas, or whenever, see my page on what to serve with holiday ham!
1. Baked Holiday Ham
This fruit-studded holiday ham is the perfect main course for a show-stopping centerpiece on your Christmas dinner table! It has that delectable caramelized brown sugar and mustard glaze that is always amazing on ham.
Baked Holiday Ham
A baked holiday ham is the savory, hearty centerpiece to any festive Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas dinner table! The pineapple and maraschino cherry studded ham with brown sugar and mustard glaze is a crowd-pleasing dish! Plus, sliced ham is an easy way to feed a large family gathering!
Check out this recipe
2. Honey Glazed Ham
Elevate your Christmas dinner with the irresistible sweetness of honey-glazed ham! This recipe features a succulent ham coated in a sticky glaze made with honey, brown sugar, and cloves for a classic holiday ham!
Glazed Honey Ham
My glazed honey ham recipe is the perfect Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving main course for a fabulous family meal that everyone will love! This delicious ham is glazed with rich butter, sweet brown sugar, sticky honey, and studded with cloves to create an amazing main dish!
Check out this recipe
3. Gingersnap Baked Ham
This juicy baked ham is coated with a sweet, tangy glaze made from brown sugar, mustard, and crushed gingersnap cookies. The result is a delightful blend of sweet and spicy notes that adds a festive touch to the usual Christmas ham!
Gingersnap Crusted Ham
This gingersnap crusted ham features a tender and juicy ham that is coated in Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and crushed gingersnap cookies! The combination of the savory ham and sweet gingersnap crust is unlike anything else! Go ahead and prepare this mouthwatering ham for the holidays and you will not be disappointed!
Check out this recipe
4. Ranch Ball
Not only is a ranch cheese ball delicious, but it's a super easy appetizer that you can make in advance! Serve it on a platter with crisp veggies, crackers, or chips, and let everyone snack while you finish up Christmas dinner!
Ranch Cheese Ball
This ranch cheese ball is a tasty party dip perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, or any other party or get-together. It's loaded with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, chives, and lots of ranch seasoning. Once you try it, this ranch cheese ball will be your new go-to party appetizer.
Check out this recipe
5. Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes
It's Christmas, and oven space is limited, so bust out your Instant Pot for these rich and cheesy au gratin potatoes! Thinly sliced potatoes are layered with a rich blend of cheeses, garlic, and herbs, then pressure-cooked to perfection.
The result is a comforting potato side dish with a golden-brown crust and a melt-in-your-mouth texture!
Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes
These Instant Pot au gratin potatoes are easy to prepare, quick to make, and completely cheesy and delicious! Thinly sliced potatoes are layered with melted cheese and seasoning for a truly mouthwatering side dish. This tasty comfort food is sure to be a hit with your whole family!
Check out this recipe
6. Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Add a touch of Southern charm to your holiday ham dinner with these candied sweet potatoes. Sliced sweet potatoes are baked in a mixture of brown sugar, butter, and warm spices that become a sticky, sweet, caramelized glaze!
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Southern candied sweet potatoes are a traditional holiday side dish that kids and adults love because it almost tastes like dessert! The sweet potatoes are cooked until delectably tender in a sweet cinnamon and nutmeg syrup that is hard to resist. This classic recipe will surely make its way onto your list of holiday traditions.
Check out this recipe
7. Onion Rolls
These soft and flavorful onion rolls are infused with caramelized onions, adding a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to every bite. With a golden-brown crust and a fluffy interior, these rolls are perfect for soaking up gravy or the juices from your Christmas ham.
Onion Rolls
Onion rolls are some of my favorite no-knead yeast rolls. They are ever-so-slightly sweet and always turn out fluffy. Not only that, but they can be made fast (in less than 2 hours) so you can have rolls ready for dinner. Try these pull-apart onion rolls for yourself and see how simple they are.
Check out this recipe
8. Baked Mac & Cheese
Paula Deen's baked mac and cheese is a comforting Southern classic, with a rich blend of cheeses baked to golden perfection. Sour cream and evaporated milk are the secret ingredients that make the cheese sauce so creamy and indulgent!
Paula Deen's Macaroni and Cheese
Paula Deen's macaroni and cheese recipe is made with just a few simple ingredients and always comes out deliciously cheesy and rich! Combine the ingredients in a baking dish and pop it in the oven for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling. It's the ultimate Southern comfort food!
Check out this recipe
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9. Honey Glazed Carrots
Honey-glazed carrots are a simple yet elegant side dish that pairs perfectly with ham and adds a pop of color to any plate! These carrots are cooked until tender and then coated in a honey glaze to enhance their natural sweetness.
Honey Glazed Carrots
These oven roasted honey glazed carrots are the perfect easy vegetable side dish for any time of the year! They are sweet and fragrant and pair wonderfully with ham or turkey around the holidays. The winning combination of honey, brown sugar, and fresh herbs is what takes these tender honey glazed roasted carrots over the top!
Check out this recipe
10. Dauphinoise Potatoes
Dauphinoise potatoes are a sophisticated and creamy alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. The potatoes are layered and baked with a rich mixture of cream, garlic, and cheese until golden and bubbling!
Dauphinoise Potatoes (Cheesy Potatoes Gratin Dauphinoise)
Dauphinoise potatoes are simple and cheesy thin-sliced potatoes layered with cream, butter, and cheese for an incredible side dish! This easy potato dish is so elegant and beautiful, it almost looks too good to eat! The flavor is so mouthwateringly delicious, you’ll never want to make potatoes another way!
Check out this recipe
11. Bacon Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Take mashed potatoes to a whole new level with this recipe that combines the richness of cream cheese and the savoriness of bacon. This indulgent twist on the classic side dish will surely be a hit with your holiday ham!
Bacon Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
These bacon cream cheese mashed potatoes are a creamy, savory, and completely delicious side dish that pairs well with any meal! Mashed potatoes are mixed with cream cheese, bacon, butter, and herbs for an extra special combination. Once you try out this tasty side, you'll never want to make mashed potatoes another way again!
Check out this recipe
12. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
To make mashed sweet potatoes, boil them until tender and then mash them with a touch of butter and heavy cream. Keep them savory with a simple seasoning of salt & pepper, or add honey and cinnamon for a sweeter side!
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These mashed sweet potatoes are the perfect sweet side dish to accompany all of your favorite holiday meals! They are creamy, rich, and have just the right amount of added sweetness to make them completely irresistible! This is going to become your new favorite sweet potato side dish!
Check out this recipe
13. Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
These carrots are simmered in a delectable brown sugar and butter glaze that creates a sticky caramelization everyone will love. The natural sweetness of the carrots shines through, making them a perfect accompaniment to a sweet and succulent Christmas ham.
Skillet Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
These brown sugar-glazed carrots are an easy, quick, and family-approved vegetable side dish that's ready to serve in just 15 minutes! The carrots are caramelized in a brown sugar and butter glaze with the added hint of garlic from the whole cloves for a tasty, sweet, and savory flavor! They're perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you have carrots to use up in your refrigerator!
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14. Buttered Peas & Carrots
Tender peas and crisp carrot slices are sautéed in butter for an easy and delicious vegetable side dish. Buttered peas and carrots will add a pop of color and freshness to your holiday plate.
Buttered Peas & Carrots
Tasty buttered peas & carrots are a classic vegetable side dish that can easily be made either on the stove or in the microwave! Sometimes the most simple recipes are the best, and this delicious combination of tender carrots and buttery sweet peas is one of those times!
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15. Creamed Kale
Creamed kale is an indulgent vegetable side dish with fresh kale wilted in a creamy sauce made with butter, garlic, cheese, and heavy cream. It has the perfect balance of earthy kale flavor with the richness of a velvety cheese sauce!
Creamed Kale
Creamed kale is a new take on an old classic and the perfect cheesy side dish if you’re looking for some savory greens to go with dinner! It's quick, easy, and delicious! Creamed kale might just be your new favorite way to eat your greens!
Check out this recipe
16. Creamed Corn
Creamed corn is warm and savory, with a subtle sweetness from the juicy corn kernels and just a touch of sugar. It's a rich and savory side dish that comes highly requested at my Christmas dinner table each year!
Creamed Corn
This creamed corn is a creamy, quick, and simple vegetable side dish that tastes like it took all day to prepare! It is ready to enjoy in only 15 minutes and is a completely beginner-friendly recipe. Plus, it is so irresistibly delicious that your family will be requesting it for every occasion!
Check out this recipe
17. Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Each year, the kids fight over the leftovers of these sweet potatoes simmered in a syrupy blend of brown sugar, butter, and warm spices. They bring a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth to any holiday meal!
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Southern candied sweet potatoes are a traditional holiday side dish that kids and adults love because it almost tastes like dessert! The sweet potatoes are cooked until delectably tender in a sweet cinnamon and nutmeg syrup that is hard to resist. This classic recipe will surely make its way onto your list of holiday traditions.
Check out this recipe
18. Jiffy Corn Casserole
Jiffy corn casserole is a quick and easy 'pudding' or 'spoon bread' that combines Jiffy muffin mix with creamed corn, sour cream, and butter. Baked to golden perfection, it offers a sweet and savory corn flavor with a moist and fluffy texture that is hard to resist!
Jiffy Corn Casserole
This Jiffy corn casserole is a sweet and savory side dish with creamy corn mixed into every bite of your cornbread! Best of all, you only need 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time to put it together. Whether you call it corn casserole, corn pudding, or spoon bread, it's a side that goes with practically anything!
Check out this recipe
19. Campbell's Green Bean Casserole
Campbell's green bean casserole is a classic Christmas favorite made with green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions. Using canned green beans, soup, and onions makes it quick and convenient, yet the results are always incredible!
Classic Campbell's Green Bean Casserole
Campbell's green bean casserole is a classic recipe that takes minimal prep work, is ready in a snap, and tastes delicious. This casserole is packed with green beans and a creamy sauce, perfect for the holidays, and then topped with crispy French fried onions. Plus, it only uses a handful of ingredients.
Check out this recipe
20. Baked Buttercup Squash
Buttercup squash is an easy seasonal side dish that is perfect for fall or winter celebrations and pairs beautifully with ham! I like to enhance the sweet and nutty flavor of the buttercup squash by adding fresh apples, honey, and pumpkin pie spice!
Baked Buttercup Squash
Baked buttercup squash is a delicious yet overlooked winter squash that is delightful to make during the fall season! When you bake buttercup squash with chopped apples, butter, honey, salt, and pumpkin pie spice, you will have a sweet yet savory side dish that's also super easy to make! If you are looking for a new and unique vegetable side to wow your family, this one is it!
Check out this recipe
21. Velveeta Mac & Cheese
When it comes to ham, you really can't go wrong pairing it with any macaroni and cheese recipe! However, velvety smooth Velveeta cheese blends seamlessly with macaroni for a decadent side dish that kids and adults will love!
Velveeta Mac and Cheese (Easy Stove Top Recipe)
My easy stove-top Velveeta mac and cheese is a rich and creamy comfort food delight that's irresistibly cheesy! It's a one-pot stovetop side dish that takes practically no effort to make! This family favorite dish is ready to enjoy in less than 20 minutes!
Check out this recipe
22. Herb Butter Rhodes Rolls
These ready-made frozen dough rolls offer a hassle-free way to create warm and soft dinner rolls for Christmas. Bake until fluffy and golden, then baste them with melted herb butter for the most amazing finishing touch!
Butter Herb Rhodes Rolls
These butter herb Rhodes rolls are soft, fluffy, and delicious dinner rolls that make a wonderful addition to any weeknight dinner! Rhodes rolls are first thawed and set out to rise, then baked with a tasty herb-infused butter. With a prep time of only 5 minutes and a short baking time, you can have pull-apart rolls ready for dinner or any holiday gathering in a jiffy!
Check out this recipe
23. Cheese Rolls
Everything is better with melted cheese, and these soft and fluffy dinner rolls are no exception! This super simple recipe is almost foolproof if you want to make homemade rolls from scratch for Christmas!
Cheese Bread Rolls
These easy cheese bread rolls take the usual dinner rolls to a new level of deliciousness! They pair with practically anything to round out your family meals with a wonderful side of bread that the whole family will rave about!
Check out this recipe
💭 Tips For Making The Best Ham Christmas Dinner
Choosing any combination of the recipes above will give you a flawless and flavorful Christmas dinner! Here are a few ways to ensure you get the most succulent ham and that your meal comes together seamlessly:
- Choose the Right Ham: Select a high-quality ham that will suit your chosen recipe. There are different types of ham, such as bone-in or boneless, smoked or unsmoked.
- Score the Ham: Scoring the ham enhances the presentation and allows the glaze to penetrate the meat. Follow this step-by-step guide to scoring ham for easy and thorough instructions!
- Use a meat thermometer: Use a meat thermometer to make sure the ham is cooked to the right internal temperature. The internal temperature should reach 140°F (60°C) for fully cooked hams (see my guide to pork levels of doneness for more information)!
- Resting period: Allow the ham to rest for about 15-20 minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps redistribute the juices and will give you juicier, more flavorful ham when sliced.
- You can never go wrong with classics: Ham is incredibly versatile and will taste fantastic with any of your favorite Christmas side dish recipes! Ultimately, the best Christmas dinner menu is one that you and your family will enjoy!
Which of these mouthwatering recipes will be gracing your holiday table this year? Share what your family serves with Christmas ham in the comments below!
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5 from 4 reviews
Christmas Ham Dinner Menu (23+ Recipes For The Best Holiday Ham Dinner!)
My Christmas ham dinner menu features the best appetizers, side dishes, rolls, and 3 fan-favorite recipes for your holiday ham main course! Mix and match to build your ideal Christmas meal, or try them all and have an epic holiday feast! There's something here for everyone!
Author | Angela
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 618kcal
Prep 20 minutes minutes
Cooking 3 hours hours
Resting Time 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 3 hours hours 35 minutes minutes
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Ingredients
- 10-12 lb half ham (smoked, bone-in)
- 2 tablespoon whole cloves (optional)
- 20 oz pineapple (canned pineapple rings, reserve the juice)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 4 oz maraschino cherries (stems removed)
Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C/Gas Mark 3). Peel, slice, and core a fresh pineapple, if using.
Place your 10-12 lb half ham in a roasting dish with the sliced surface facing down.
For hams over 5-6 pounds, you will want to bake the ham without the additional fruit for a bit. Bake the ham until there's only about 1½ hours remaining on the cooking time. *The ham can be scored with cloves for the whole cooking time.
(Optional) Score your ham. If you have a thick enough skin and layer of fat, you can score the ham in a diamond pattern for a more festive appearance. Set your ham with the sliced side down and using a sharp knife, cut ¼-inch thick slices vertical strips across the ham. Leave 1 inch between slices. Rotate and cut in a criss-cross motion in the opposite direction.
(Optional) Place 2 tablespoon whole cloves in the intersections of your scored ham.
Whisk the reserved 20 oz pineapple juice, 1 cup light brown sugar, and 2 tablespoon yellow mustard together in a small bowl until the brown sugar is dissolved.
Arrange 20 oz pineapple rings and 4 oz maraschino cherries on the ham, use toothpicks to secure your fruit if needed. Add cloves if using then coat the ham and fruit with half of the brown sugar mustard glaze.
Bake at 325°F (163°C/Gas Mark 3) for 1½ hours, basting with the remaining pineapple juice glaze every 30 minutes. Cook until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C) at the thickest portion.
Set the oven to broil on high and brown the ham for about 5 minutes or until the pineapple slices are lightly browned.
Remove the cooked ham from your oven and rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Servings for bone-in ham are typically ⅓-½ pounds of ham when sliced and served or 2-3 servings per pound. You can carve boneless ham into ¼ pound portions if you want leftovers.
- You can use 1 medium pineapple instead of the canned pineapple rings if desired. In this case, you will need a 6-ounce can of pineapple juice.
- Use no-frill toothpicks if securing your fruit with them. Make sure that you use wood only (plain) toothpicks.
- Ham can be cooked in a roasting bag if desired. Follow the directions to assemble the ham then slide it into a roasting bag. Cut a few small slits to vent and roast as directed (omitting the broiling).
- The cook time is calculated at 18-23 minutes per pound when cooking at 325°F (163°C/Gas Mark 3). Smaller hams will have considerably less cooking time.
- Pre-cooked hams have recommended cooking times that you can follow with this recipe.
Nutrition
Calories: 618kcal (31%) | Carbohydrates: 17g (6%) | Protein: 49g (98%) | Fat: 38g (58%) | Saturated Fat: 14g (88%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 141mg (47%) | Sodium: 2713mg (118%) | Potassium: 701mg (20%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 16g (18%) | Vitamin A: 21IU | Vitamin C: 14mg (17%) | Calcium: 35mg (4%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
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Baked Holiday Ham, best Christmas ham recipe, brown sugar, christmas ham dinner menu, christmas holiday ham dinner menu, ham glaze, maraschino cherries, pineapple, traditional holiday ham with pineapple rings and glace cherries, yellow mustard
Course Christmas dinner, Dinner Recipes, Holiday Recipes, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
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