Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Ham for a Delicious Christmas Feast

As Christmas approaches, there’s something so comforting about planning the festive meals over the Christmas period – and for me, a traditional ham always takes pride of place on the table. Whether you're serving up one of our classic Wiltshire hams or something with a twist, it’s the side dishes that really bring everything together.

Over the years, I’ve come to rely on a few tried-and-tested favourites, along with a couple of new ideas that keep things interesting. So, if you’re wondering what goes well with Christmas ham, here are some of the dishes I like to serve in our own home – simple, full of flavour, and perfect for when family and friends are around.

The Classics – Always a Winner

Roasted Winter Veg

A tray of roasted vegetables is always welcome on the Christmas table. I like to use whatever’s in season – usually a mix of parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts and red onion. Just cut them into even pieces, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a few sprigs of rosemary or thyme. Roast at 200°C for about 35–40 minutes, giving them a turn halfway through. You get lovely caramelised edges and heaps of flavour – the perfect match for ham.

Potato Gratin

Rich, creamy, and wonderfully indulgent – a proper potato gratin always goes down well. I slice the potatoes thinly, layer them with grated Gruyère and a touch of thyme, then pour over a mixture of double cream, garlic, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Into the oven at 180°C for just over an hour until golden on top and bubbling around the edges. It’s hard to beat.

Honey-Glazed Carrots

These are wonderfully easy and always well received. I use small, young carrots if I can get them – boiled until just tender, then tossed in butter and a spoonful of honey in a hot pan until they take on a lovely glaze. A few fresh thyme leaves or chopped toasted pecans on top finishes them off nicely.

Stuffing – Not Just for Turkey

Stuffing goes just as well with ham, in my opinion. A classic sage and onion version is lovely, but I also like to mix it up sometimes – maybe with dried cranberries and apricots for a bit of sweetness, or chestnuts and mushrooms for something more savoury. I always bake stuffing separately in a dish so it keeps a nice crisp top while staying soft in the middle.

Something a Bit Different

Citrus Salad

This might not be the first thing that springs to mind at Christmas, but it makes a delicious side option with ham. I slice up a mix of oranges, blood oranges and pink grapefruit, and serve them on a bed of peppery rocket. A sprinkle of pomegranate seeds and a few toasted pistachios give it texture, and a quick dressing of olive oil, lemon juice and a little honey ties it all together. It’s fresh, sharp, and cuts through the richness of the meat brilliantly.

Savoury Bread Pudding

This one’s a bit of a hidden gem – somewhere between stuffing and a bread-based bake. I cube up some day-old bread and mix it with softened onions, celery, sage and thyme. Then I whisk together eggs, milk and a splash of cream, pour it over the bread and let it soak in. Baked until golden and set, it’s got a lovely crisp top and a soft, custardy centre – a great alternative if you fancy something a bit different.

And Lastly… Macaroni Cheese

A homemade macaroni cheese goes down an absolute treat with ham. It’s a firm favourite in America and for good reason – rich, comforting, and full of flavour. I make mine with strong Cheddar and a bit of Gruyère for extra depth, then top it with breadcrumbs before baking. It’s especially popular with the younger members of the family – and truth be told, most of the grown-ups too.

Our Wiltshire Ham

The Copas Farm Shop Wiltshire Ham is cooked, ready to eat and available to pre-order now.  If you love the taste of glazed ham, simply spread a glaze onto your ham and place in a hot oven for 10-15 minutes to warm up.  For festive glaze ideas, check out our recent blog here.