Complement your country ham with an array of delightful side dishes. Mashed potatoes with garlic butter or cheese make a comforting match. Collard greens, slow-cooked with smoked meat, bring nutrition and vibrancy. Macaroni and cheese, with blends like cheddar and gouda, add indulgent richness. Biscuits, especially buttermilk ones, offer warm, flaky goodness. Deviled eggs enhance the savory experience with their creamy, tangy filling. Additionally, consider baked beans, grits, pickled okra, or roasted Brussels sprouts to create a well-rounded, satisfying meal. There are more delicious options to explore that will elevate your dining experience further.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes offer a classic and comforting side dish that pairs perfectly with the savory flavor of country ham.
Enhance this beloved dish with a rich garlic butter, adding depth and aroma.
For an extra touch of indulgence, stir in a cheese blend, melting into the creamy potatoes.
This combination guarantees a delightful and satisfying accompaniment to your country ham feast.
Collard Greens
Complementing the richness of mashed potatoes, collard greens bring a vibrant and nutritious balance to the country ham meal.
Southern preparation often involves slow-cooking these leafy greens with smoked meat, enhancing their flavor.
Collard greens offer numerous health benefits, including high levels of vitamins A and C, making them an excellent choice for a wholesome, satisfying side dish that's both tasty and nutritious.
Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese, with its creamy texture and rich flavor, perfectly complements the savory notes of country ham.
The delightful blend of cheese varieties, such as cheddar and gouda, melds beautifully with the dish's comforting warmth.
Various pasta shapes, like elbow macaroni or rotini, guarantee that each bite is satisfying.
This classic side dish adds a touch of indulgence to any meal featuring country ham.
Biscuits
To further enhance the rustic charm of a country ham meal, freshly baked biscuits serve as an ideal pairing. Buttermilk biscuits, with their tender, flaky layers, are a perfect complement to the salty richness of ham. These biscuits create a delightful balance, adding a buttery, mouth-watering element that elevates the entire dining experience.
Enjoying them warm from the oven is simply irresistible.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs, with their creamy and tangy filling, offer a classic and flavorful side dish to accompany country ham. They provide a delightful contrast that enhances the savory profile of the ham.
Much like stuffed mushrooms or garlic shrimp, deviled eggs bring a rich and satisfying element to the table, making them a beloved choice for gatherings and family meals alike.
Cornbread
Cornbread, with its golden crust and tender crumb, serves as a quintessential accompaniment to country ham.
The delightful cornbread texture complements the savory flavors of the ham, creating a balanced and satisfying meal.
Cornbread toppings such as honey, butter, or even a drizzle of maple syrup enhance its flavor, making each bite a perfect blend of sweet and savory.
Green Beans
Green beans, with their crisp texture and vibrant color, provide a fresh and nutritious complement to the rich flavors of country ham and cornbread.
Whether served as a savory green bean casserole or simply sautéed as garlic green beans, these versatile vegetables add a delightful contrast.
Their simplicity and freshness balance the hearty, salty taste of country ham, making them an ideal side dish.
Sweet Potato Casserole
A sweet potato casserole, with its creamy texture and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, offers a delightful sweetness that pairs perfectly with the savory notes of country ham.
The nutmeg topping adds a subtle warmth, while a marshmallow garnish provides a fun and gooey twist.
This combination creates a harmonious balance of flavors, making it a crowd-pleasing addition to your meal.
Fried Apples
Complementing the sweet potato casserole, fried apples add a touch of caramelized sweetness and a hint of tartness that enhances the savory richness of country ham.
Selecting the right apple varieties, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, guarantees a perfect blend of flavor.
When cooked to caramelized perfection, these apples provide a delightful contrast, making every bite of country ham even more enjoyable.
Potato Salad
Potato salad, with its creamy texture and tangy flavor, serves as a classic and satisfying side dish alongside country ham.
Using different potato varieties, such as russets or red potatoes, can enhance the dish's appeal.
Dressing options range from traditional mayonnaise-based to lighter vinaigrettes, allowing for versatility in taste.
This delightful combination creates a harmonious balance, perfect for any meal featuring country ham.
Coleslaw
Coleslaw, with its crisp texture and invigorating taste, provides a perfect counterpoint to the savory richness of country ham. The tangy vinegar dressing complements the ham's saltiness, creating a balanced flavor profile.
Shredded carrots add a touch of sweetness and a vibrant splash of color, making this side dish not only delicious but visually appealing. Together, they create a harmonious dining experience.
Baked Beans
Baked beans, with their rich and hearty flavor, are an excellent accompaniment to the robust taste of country ham. Their sweet and savory flavor profile complements the saltiness of the ham perfectly.
Preparation techniques often include slow-cooking the beans with molasses or brown sugar, enhancing their depth of flavor. This method guarantees a delightful contrast that will satisfy any palate.
Grits
Nothing pairs quite as seamlessly with country ham as a well-prepared serving of creamy grits. This breakfast staple, known for its creamy texture, complements the savory, salty flavors of country ham perfectly.
Grits provide a warm, comforting base that balances the dish, making every bite a delightful experience. Whether served plain or with cheese, they elevate your meal to a new level of enjoyment.
Pickled Okra
While grits offer a creamy counterpart to country ham, pickled okra introduces a tangy, crunchy contrast that can elevate the overall flavor profile of your meal.
The pickling process not only enhances okra's unique texture but also adds a zesty kick.
Okra benefits include being rich in fiber and vitamins, making it a nutritious and flavorful addition to your plate.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels sprouts make an excellent side dish for country ham, offering a delightful balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors. Their crispy texture complements the rich ham perfectly.
To elevate the dish, a balsamic drizzle adds a touch of tangy sweetness. This combination creates a harmonious flavor profile that is both satisfying and delicious, making it a wonderful addition to your meal.