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Traditional Southern Sides for Holiday Ham
Last Updated: October 22, 2026
Quick Summary
Traditional southern sides for holiday ham include creamy mashed potatoes, collard greens, mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, and cornbread dressing. These sides balance the ham's salty richness with varied textures and flavors, from savory to slightly sweet, creating a memorable holiday meal.
- Mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, and potato salad are all make-ahead friendly and can be prepared days in advance.
- Collard greens improve with time and can be made one to two days ahead, then reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Sweet potato casserole should be assembled the day of your meal to prevent the topping from becoming soggy.
- Cornbread dressing is entirely make-ahead friendly and can be prepared, refrigerated, and baked on the day of your meal.
- Most casseroles can be assembled unbaked the day before and baked on the day, adding 10-15 minutes to cooking time.
Table of Contents
- Why Southern Sides Matter for Holiday Ham
- Christmas Ham Side Dishes: Building a Balanced Menu
- Potato Sides: Mashed, Scalloped, and Salad
- Southern Collard Greens Recipe and Greens Sides
- Southern Macaroni and Cheese and Casseroles
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Ham and Sweet Sides
- Bread and Cornbread Dressing
- Make-Ahead Planning and Serving Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Southern Sides Matter for Holiday Ham
A holiday ham is only as memorable as what surrounds it. The meat carries the tradition, but the sides make the meal feel like a celebration.
At Padow's Hams Co., we've watched families gather for nearly 90 years.
The sides you choose also determine how much work you'll do on the day itself. Some assemble days ahead; others need only a quick reheat.
Christmas Ham Side Dishes: Building a Balanced Menu
The best holiday ham menus are built with intention. If your ham is salty and rich, choose sides that cut through with brightness or creaminess. Vary texture so not everything is soft, and mix warm and cool dishes so guests have choices.
The Role of Potatoes, Vegetables, and Starches
Potatoes are non-negotiable on a Southern holiday table. Mashed potatoes provide creaminess, scalloped potatoes add richness and cheese, and potato salad brings freshness and acid.
Vegetables add color and nutrition. Root vegetables like carrots and parsnips can be roasted or glazed, and green beans round out the vegetable presence. Cornbread dressing or greasy rice provides a starch different from potatoes.
Don't overwhelm the table. Three to four starch and vegetable sides is plenty. Pick ones that cook differently, some oven-based, some stovetop, so you're not fighting for space at the last minute.
Balancing Sweet and Savory Flavors
Ham is inherently salty and savory. Sweet potato casserole, with its brown sugar topping and marshmallow finish, provides sweetness many guests expect.
Include one clearly sweet side, and sweet potato casserole fills that role perfectly.
Cranberry sauce or a simple fruit element can bridge the gap. A tart, slightly sweet sauce complements ham beautifully and doesn't compete with the other sides.
Potato Sides: Mashed, Scalloped, and Salad
Potatoes are the foundation of most Southern holiday tables. The question isn't whether to include them, it's which preparation fits your menu.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are comfort in a bowl. For a holiday meal, skip the plain version: butter, cream, and a touch of salt transform basic potatoes into something worthy of the occasion.
Mashed potatoes can be made a day ahead, refrigerated, and reheated gently with more cream stirred in, freeing up oven and stovetop space. Most guests expect them at a holiday table, so they're a safe choice alongside ham.
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped potatoes are richer and more formal than mashed. Thin potato slices are layered with cream, cheese, and sometimes onion, then baked until golden. They take up oven space, so plan timing carefully if you're also roasting ham.
The cheese adds depth that complements ham's salty character. Scalloped potatoes can be assembled ahead and baked on the day, or partially cooked and finished later, leaving one fewer thing to reheat at the last minute.
Lemon-Tarragon Potato Salad
A chilled potato salad brings freshness to a heavy meal. Lemon and tarragon cut through the richness of ham and creamy sides, and it can be made entirely ahead, making it invaluable for busy hosts.
Serve it at room temperature or chilled. It's a side that doesn't require last-minute attention, which means it's a smart choice if you're managing multiple dishes.
| Potato Side | Make-Ahead Friendly | Texture | Best Paired With |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mashed Potatoes | Yes (reheat gently) | Creamy, smooth | Rich ham, savory sides |
| Scalloped Potatoes | Partial (assemble ahead, bake day-of) | Layered, creamy | Lighter ham, vegetable sides |
| Potato Salad | Yes (fully prepared ahead) | Chunky, slightly firm | All ham styles |
Southern Collard Greens Recipe and Greens Sides
Collard greens define a Southern holiday table. Cooked until tender and flavored with bacon or ham hock, they're served in their cooking liquid, sometimes called "pot liquor" or "pot likker." The flavor is deep, savory, and unmistakably Southern.
Classic Collard Greens
Traditional collard greens start with bacon or salt pork for flavor.
Collard greens improve with time. Make them a day or two ahead, refrigerate, and reheat gently; the flavors deepen as they sit.
Collard greens are savory and slightly bitter, which makes them an excellent counterpoint to sweet potato casserole or any rich, creamy side.
Cooked Cabbage and Root Vegetables
If collard greens don't appeal to your family, cooked cabbage is a traditional alternative, sautéed with onions and bacon for a milder, slightly sweeter flavor.
Root vegetables can also be roasted separately with olive oil, salt, and herbs. This method is less traditional but offers a different texture and works well alongside the creamy sides that dominate most holiday tables.
Southern Macaroni and Cheese and Casseroles
Macaroni and cheese is a staple on Southern tables and not optional at many holiday meals. Unlike the boxed version, proper Southern mac and cheese is made from scratch with real cheese, cream, and butter. It's rich, comforting, and worth the effort.
Creamy Southern Mac and Cheese
The foundation is a classic béchamel of butter, flour, and milk. Sharp cheddar provides flavor; some cooks add gruyere for depth. The pasta is folded into the sauce, then baked until the top is golden and crispy while the inside stays creamy.
Mac and cheese can be assembled a day ahead and baked on the day of your meal. It reheats well, though you may need to add a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
Corn Pudding Casserole
Corn pudding bridges the gap between vegetable and starch. Fresh or frozen corn is mixed with eggs, cream, butter, and sometimes cheese, then baked until set. It's lighter than mac and cheese but still rich and satisfying.
Corn pudding can be made ahead and reheated. It's a particularly good choice if you want a corn-based side without the heaviness of cornbread dressing.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Ham and Sweet Sides
Sweet potato casserole is the sweet element that balances a savory ham meal.
Make this casserole on the day of your meal, since the topping can become soggy if assembled too far ahead.
The sweetness of this side pairs beautifully with salty ham. It's also a dish that appeals to many tastes, from children to adults.
Bread and Cornbread Dressing
Bread plays two roles on a Southern holiday table: cornbread dressing as a substantial side, and biscuits or dinner rolls as an edible plate for soaking up ham and gravy.
Cornbread Dressing
Cornbread dressing is a savory casserole of crumbled cornbread mixed with broth, celery, onions, and seasonings, then baked until golden.
Cornbread dressing is entirely make-ahead friendly. Prepare it completely, refrigerate, and bake on the day of your meal. It reheats well, freezes for weeks, and the flavor actually improves if it sits a day or two before baking.
Buttermilk Biscuits and Dinner Rolls
Fresh biscuits or dinner rolls are essential. They serve practical purposes, a vehicle for ham and gravy, but they're also a comfort element. Warm bread at a holiday table signals care and effort.
Biscuits can be prepared and frozen weeks ahead, then baked fresh on the day. Dinner rolls can be made ahead and reheated gently. Either choice means you have warm bread without last-minute stress.
Make-Ahead Planning and Serving Tips
The secret to a relaxed holiday meal is preparation. Not every side needs to be made the day before, but knowing what can be prepped ahead takes pressure off the day itself.
Prep Timeline for Holiday Sides
Start your preparation three to four days before your meal. Make cornbread for the dressing. Prepare any sides that freeze well, like biscuits or dinner rolls. Chop vegetables for collard greens and store them in the refrigerator.
Two days before, assemble casseroles that can sit unbaked in the refrigerator. Make potato salad. Prepare sweet potatoes for the casserole.
One day before, make mashed potatoes and scalloped potatoes. These can be refrigerated and reheated gently with added cream. Finish any remaining prep work.
On the day of your meal, bake casseroles, warm sides gently, and focus on timing so everything comes to the table warm.
Reheating and Scaling for Your Guest Count
Most Southern sides reheat beautifully. Casseroles can go back in a 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes.
For scaling, most sides can be doubled or halved easily. Casseroles are the exception; if you're doubling, use two baking dishes and adjust oven time slightly.
When planning your menu, consider what your family loves. Tradition matters, but so does feeding people food they'll actually eat. If your family doesn't love collard greens, choose another vegetable. If sweet potato casserole feels redundant, skip it. The goal is a table that reflects your family's tastes and brings people together around quality food.
At Padow's Hams Co., we know that the ham is the centerpiece, but the sides create the memory.
A holiday ham dinner doesn't require hours of last-minute cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sides go with a holiday ham?
Traditional Southern sides pair beautifully with holiday ham. Mashed potatoes, collard greens, sweet potato casserole, and cornbread dressing are classic choices that balance the salty, savory ham. Add vegetable sides like green beans or cooked cabbage, a creamy casserole such as mac and cheese or corn pudding, and fresh dinner rolls or biscuits. The key is mixing textures and flavors, creamy with crisp, sweet with savory, to create a complete, satisfying meal.
How do you make Southern collard greens recipe style?
Southern collard greens are traditionally cooked low and slow with bacon, onion, and garlic until tender and flavorful. Wash and chop fresh collard greens, then cook them in a pot with diced bacon and onions until the bacon renders. Add the greens, broth, and seasonings (salt, pepper, and a touch of vinegar), then simmer for 30-45 minutes until the greens are soft and the pot liquor is rich. Serve hot alongside your holiday ham for an authentic Southern side.
Can you make Southern macaroni and cheese ahead of time?
Yes, Southern macaroni and cheese is an excellent make-ahead side. Prepare it fully, transfer to a baking dish, cover with foil, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, bake covered at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, then uncover and bake another 10 minutes to warm through and crisp the top. This frees up oven space on holiday day and lets you focus on the ham and other dishes.
What is the best way to serve sweet potato casserole with ham?
Sweet potato casserole offers a sweet contrast to salty, savory ham. Prepare it ahead and reheat gently before serving. The creamy sweet potato base topped with pecans or marshmallows provides texture and flavor that complements ham's richness. Serve it as one of several sides rather than the only sweet element on the table, and consider offering both the casserole and a simple green vegetable so guests have variety.
How many side dishes should you serve with holiday ham?
Plan for 4-6 side dishes when serving holiday ham. A balanced menu includes one starch (mashed potatoes or rice), one or two vegetables (greens and another cooked vegetable), one casserole (mac and cheese or corn pudding), one sweet side (sweet potato casserole), and bread (biscuits or rolls). This variety lets guests build a plate with different flavors and textures without overwhelming the table. For larger gatherings, you can add a salad or additional vegetable.
