What Vegetables Go With Ham

Introduction

When it comes to pairing ham with vegetables, the options are plentiful. The versatility of ham makes it a fantastic protein choice that can be complemented by a variety of vegetable side dishes. Whether you’re cooking a holiday ham or simply looking to elevate a weeknight meal, choosing the right vegetables to go with ham can enhance the flavors and create a well-balanced meal.

Ham, with its rich and salty flavors, pairs well with a range of vegetables that offer contrasting textures and tastes. The right vegetable side dishes can provide a refreshing and vibrant element to balance out the richness of the ham. From roasted, steamed, grilled, sautéed, glazed, to pickled vegetables, there are numerous delicious options to consider.

In this article, we will explore various vegetable preparations that complement ham perfectly. Whether you prefer a classic pairing or want to try something new and exciting, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s dive in and discover the best vegetable dishes to accompany a succulent ham.

Roasted Vegetables

Roasting vegetables is a popular and delicious way to bring out their natural flavors and add a caramelized touch. When paired with ham, roasted vegetables create a perfect balance between sweetness and saltiness. Here are some fantastic options:

• Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts become crispy and tender when roasted. Their slightly bitter taste complements the saltiness of ham beautifully. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and black pepper before roasting until golden brown and caramelized.
• Roasted Carrots: Sweet and colorful, roasted carrots add a vibrant touch to any ham dish. Toss them with honey, thyme, and olive oil before roasting until they’re tender and slightly charred.
• Roasted Potatoes: Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, roasted potatoes are a classic companion to ham. Season them with rosemary, garlic, salt, and black pepper before roasting until they’re golden and crispy.
• Roasted Asparagus: Asparagus is a versatile vegetable that pairs well with various proteins, including ham. Toss the asparagus spears with olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper before roasting until they’re tender and slightly charred.

Roasting vegetables brings out depth and sweetness in their flavor profile, making them an excellent choice to enhance the taste of ham. Their crispy caramelized texture adds a delightful crunch to every bite, creating a memorable dining experience.

Steamed Vegetables

Steaming vegetables is a healthy and nutritious way to prepare them while retaining their natural colors and flavors. Steamed vegetables provide a light and refreshing accompaniment to ham, allowing both the protein and vegetables to shine. Consider these delightful options:

• Steamed Broccoli: Broccoli is a versatile vegetable that pairs well with many dishes, including ham. Steam the broccoli florets until tender-crisp, and then season with a drizzle of lemon juice, olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
• Steamed Cauliflower: Cauliflower is another vegetable that complements ham beautifully. Steam the cauliflower florets until they’re tender, and then toss them with a touch of melted butter, chopped garlic, salt, and grated Parmesan cheese.
• Steamed Green Beans: Crisp and vibrant, steamed green beans provide a burst of freshness to any ham dish. Steam the green beans until they’re tender and bright green, then toss them with a drizzle of olive oil, lemon zest, and a sprinkle of sea salt.
• Steamed Snow Peas: Snow peas have a delicate and slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with ham. Steam the snow peas until they’re tender-crisp, and then toss them with a splash of soy sauce, sesame oil, minced ginger, and garlic.

Steamed vegetables offer a light and vibrant contrast to the rich and savory ham. Their natural flavors and textures shine through, providing a healthy and delicious side dish for any ham-centered meal.

Grilled Vegetables

Grilling vegetables adds a smoky and charred flavor that pairs exceptionally well with ham. The heat from the grill caramelizes the natural sugars in the vegetables, creating a delightful contrast to the savory ham. Here are some delicious grilled vegetable options:

• Grilled Bell Peppers: Grilled bell peppers are sweet, tangy, and slightly charred. Cut the peppers into thick slices, brush them with olive oil, and grill until they’re tender and have grill marks. Season with salt and pepper for added flavor.
• Grilled Zucchini: Grilled zucchini becomes tender and caramelized, adding a fantastic texture to any ham dish. Slice the zucchini lengthwise, brush with olive oil, grill until they’re charred and slightly soft. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
• Grilled Eggplant: Grilled eggplant has a smoky and creamy flavor that pairs beautifully with ham. Slice the eggplant into thick rounds, brush with olive oil, grill until they’re well-marked and tender. Season with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like basil or thyme.
• Grilled Onions: Grilled onions add a savory and slightly sweet element to complement ham. Slice the onions into thick rounds, brush with olive oil, grill until they’re caramelized and tender. Season with salt, pepper, and a dash of balsamic vinegar for added depth.

Grilled vegetables infuse the ham dish with a delightful smokiness and charred flavor. The slightly crispy texture and rich taste of grilled vegetables create a satisfying contrast to the succulent ham.

Sautéed Vegetables

Sautéing vegetables is a quick and flavorful method that brings out their natural sweetness while maintaining a tender-crisp texture. Sauteed vegetables add a burst of color and flavor to any ham dish. Here are some delicious options to consider:

• Sautéed Spinach: Spinach cooks down quickly and becomes tender when sautéed. Heat some olive oil in a pan, add minced garlic, then sauté the spinach until it wilts. Season with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of nutmeg for added depth.
• Sautéed Mushrooms: Mushrooms have a rich and earthy flavor that pairs well with ham. Heat butter or olive oil in a pan, add sliced mushrooms, and sauté until they’re golden and tender. Season with salt, pepper, and a touch of fresh thyme.
• Sautéed Bell Peppers and Onions: This classic combination adds a burst of sweetness and crunch to any ham dish. Heat olive oil in a pan, add sliced bell peppers and onions, and sauté until they’re tender and slightly caramelized. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of chili flakes for a hint of heat.
• Sautéed Zucchini and Squash: Sautéed zucchini and squash are tender and flavorful additions to ham. Heat olive oil in a pan, add sliced zucchini and squash, and sauté until they’re lightly browned and tender. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.

Sautéed vegetables bring out the natural flavors of the vegetables while adding depth and texture to the ham dish. The vibrant colors and aromatic profile of these sautéed vegetables create a visually appealing and delicious side dish.

Glazed Vegetables

Glazing vegetables adds a touch of sweetness and a beautiful glossy finish. This method creates a caramelized coating that complements the savory notes of ham wonderfully. Here are some delicious glazed vegetable options:

• Honey-Glazed Carrots: Glazed carrots are a classic choice that pairs well with ham. Cook carrots in a mixture of butter, honey, and a pinch of salt until they’re tender and coated in a shiny glaze.
• Brown Sugar-Glazed Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes provide a naturally sweet and creamy texture. Toss sweet potato cubes in a mixture of brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon, then roast them until they’re tender and caramelized.
• Balsamic-Glazed Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts take on a sweet and tangy flavor when glazed with balsamic vinegar. Sauté Brussels sprouts in olive oil until they’re partially cooked, then drizzle balsamic vinegar and honey over them. Continue cooking until they’re glazed and caramelized.
• Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash: Acorn squash has a slightly nutty and sweet flavor that pairs well with ham. Cut the acorn squash into slices or wedges, brush with maple syrup, butter, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Roast until they’re soft and caramelized.

Glazed vegetables offer a delightful combination of sweet, savory, and caramelized flavors. The shiny coating adds a visually appealing element to the dish, creating a mouthwatering side dish to accompany the ham.

Pickled Vegetables

Pickled vegetables provide a tangy and refreshing contrast to the richness of ham. The acidity and crunch of pickled vegetables help cut through the heaviness of the meat, creating a balanced and flavorful combination. Here are some tasty pickled vegetable options:

• Pickled Cucumbers: Thinly slice cucumbers and marinate them in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, salt, and dill. Let them sit for a few hours or overnight to develop their tangy flavor. The crisp and refreshing pickled cucumbers complement the saltiness of the ham.
• Pickled Red Onions: Slice red onions and soak them in a mixture of red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and peppercorns. After a few hours, the onions will turn bright pink and have a tangy flavor that adds a burst of acidity to the ham dish.
• Pickled Radishes: Slice radishes thinly and pickle them in a mixture of white vinegar, sugar, salt, and a touch of chili flakes. The pickled radishes offer a vibrant color and a zesty, tangy kick that pairs well with the savory ham.
• Pickled Jalapenos: Slice jalapenos and pickle them in a mixture of white vinegar, salt, sugar, and garlic. The spicy and tangy jalapenos add a burst of heat and acidity that complements the ham’s richness.

Pickled vegetables provide a deliciously tangy and refreshing element to any ham dish. The acidity and crunch of these vegetables add a zing of flavor and texture, making them a perfect choice to accompany the ham.

Conclusion

Pairing the right vegetables with ham can elevate your meal to new heights. From roasted and steamed vegetables to grilled, sautéed, glazed, and pickled varieties, there are numerous options to explore. Each preparation method brings out unique flavors and textures, providing a delightful contrast to the saltiness and richness of the ham.

Roasting vegetables enhances their sweetness and creates a crispy exterior, while steaming vegetables preserves their vibrant colors and tender-crisp texture. Grilling vegetables adds a smoky and charred flavor, while sautéing them brings out their natural sweetness. Glazing vegetables creates a sweet and shiny coating, and pickling them offers a tangy and refreshing contrast.

When selecting vegetables to pair with ham, consider the flavors, textures, and colors that will provide a balanced and harmonious combination. Whether you opt for classic choices like roasted carrots or explore more unique options like pickled radishes, the key is to create a well-balanced meal that enhances the ham’s flavors.

So, the next time you serve ham, get creative with your vegetable side dishes. Experiment with different preparation methods and flavor profiles to create a meal that is not only delicious but visually appealing as well. Whether it’s a holiday feast or a casual dinner, the right combination of vegetables will enhance your ham dish and impress your guests.