Easter dinner at my house always begins with a flurry of activity, the clatter of pots and pans, and that unmistakable aroma of a holiday ham baking to perfection. But let’s be real, a show-stopping ham, while glorious, is only half the story. What truly elevates the meal from good to unforgettable are the supporting stars – the sides! This year, I’m thrilled to share how to build an Easter feast around the star of the show by pairing it with nine truly ultimate side dishes that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

You might be thinking, “Another ham recipe?” But this isn’t just about cooking a ham; it’s about crafting an entire Easter experience. This guide goes beyond the main dish, focusing on creating a harmonious spread that’s both deeply satisfying and surprisingly straightforward. Imagine a meal where rich, savory ham meets bright, fresh vegetables, creamy textures, and a hint of sweetness. It’s designed to be the kind of holiday meal that feels special without overwhelming you in the kitchen.

> “I used to stress so much about Easter dinner, but this guide gave me the perfect balance of classic flavors and easy-to-follow recipes. My family RAVED about the sides!” – A Happy Home Cook

The Cooking Process Explained: Building Your Easter Ham Dinner

Creating the ultimate Easter Ham Dinner is all about thoughtful planning and smart execution. First, you’ll want to select your ham. A pre-cooked, spiral-cut ham is often the easiest option for a holiday, as it just needs to be heated through and glazed. While the ham warms, you’ll strategically prepare your side dishes, some of which can be made ahead of time to reduce day-of stress. The goal is to have everything ready to serve hot and fresh, creating a beautiful and delicious spread for your guests.

What You’ll Need for Your Ham Dinner

For the Ham (Choose your favorite, but here’s a classic example):

1 (7-9 lb) pre-cooked, spiral-cut ham
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
Whole cloves (optional, for studding)

And for the 9 Ultimate Sides (Specific ingredients for each side will vary, but general categories include):

Potatoes: Russets, Yukon Golds, or small red potatoes. Butter, cream, cheese, fresh herbs.
Green Vegetables: Asparagus, green beans, Brussels sprouts. Garlic, olive oil, lemon.
Sweet Vegetables: Carrots, sweet potatoes. Brown sugar, cinnamon, pecans.
Bread/Starch: Artisan bread, flour, eggs, milk for rolls or a savory bread pudding.
Salad: Mixed greens, specific vegetables (cucumber, tomatoes), vinaigrette ingredients.

Directions to Follow for Your Easter Ham Dinner

Let’s get this delicious feast on the table!

Preparing Your Ham:

Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). If your ham came with a glaze packet, you can follow those instructions or make the homemade glaze below.
Score & Stud (Optional): If your ham isn’t spiral-cut, score a diamond pattern on the fat cap about 1/4 inch deep. You can insert whole cloves at the intersection of each diamond.
Make the Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and honey/maple syrup. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Bake the Ham: Place the ham, cut-side down, in a large roasting pan. Pour about 1/2 cup of water or apple juice into the bottom of the pan to keep it moist. Cover loosely with foil.
Roast: Bake for about 10-12 minutes per pound, or until an internal temperature of 130°F (54°C) is reached.
Glaze: During the last 30-45 minutes of baking, remove the foil and brush the ham generously with your glaze every 10-15 minutes, allowing it to caramelize. Once the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C), it’s ready.
Rest: Remove the ham from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender ham.

Preparing Your 9 Ultimate Sides:

While the ham is in the oven (or even the day before for some dishes), you’ll work on your sides. Here’s a general approach:

Potatoes (e.g., Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes): Prepare mashed potatoes by boiling, ricing/mashing, and then mixing with warmed milk, butter, garlic, and seasoning. Keep warm in a slow cooker or a double boiler.
Roasted Asparagus with Lemon: Toss asparagus spears with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Roast at a high temperature (400°F/200°C) for 8-10 minutes until tender-crisp.
Honey Glazed Carrots: Boil or steam carrots until tender. Toss with melted butter, honey, and a pinch of cinnamon.
Scalloped Potatoes: Layer thinly sliced potatoes with a creamy cheese sauce. Bake until tender and bubbly.
Green Bean Casserole (from scratch!): Cook fresh green beans, make a homemade mushroom cream sauce, top with crispy fried shallots, and bake.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping: Mash cooked sweet potatoes with butter, brown sugar, and spices. Top with a crunchy pecan streusel and bake.
Dinner Rolls: Bake your favorite homemade dinner rolls or warm up good quality store-bought ones.
Spring Salad with Vinaigrette: Combine fresh mixed greens, sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and a light homemade vinaigrette. Toss just before serving.
Deviled Eggs: Boil eggs, halve them, mix yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, and seasonings, then pipe back into whites.

Best Ways to Enjoy Your Easter Ham Dinner

The beauty of this Easter Ham Dinner is its versatility in serving. Once the ham has rested and been carved into individual slices, arrange it beautifully on a large platter. Surround it with generous bowls or platters of your nine ultimate sides. Think about varying heights and colors on your table to make it visually appealing. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives over some of the savory dishes always adds a nice touch. Don’t forget a gravy boat filled with any pan drippings from the ham (thinned slightly if needed) or a complementary gravy.

Keeping Leftovers Fresh: Storage and Reheating Tips

One of the joys of a holiday feast is the next-day leftovers! Proper storage is key to enjoying your Easter Ham Dinner for days to come.

Ham: Once cooled, transfer leftover ham to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze sliced portions of ham in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Side Dishes: Most cooked side dishes (potatoes, casseroles, cooked vegetables) should be stored in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheating: Reheat ham slices gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out, or in the oven wrapped in foil. Casseroles can be reheated in the oven or microwave. Mashed potatoes reheat well on the stovetop with a little extra milk or butter. Salads are best enjoyed fresh.

Helpful Cooking Tips for Your Feast

Plan Ahead: Many side dishes can be prepared a day in advance (like making the deviled egg filling, chopping vegetables, or even fully preparing and refrigerating casseroles to bake on the day). This drastically reduces stress.
Temperature Check: Invest in a good meat thermometer. This is crucial for ensuring your ham is cooked perfectly and safely.
Don’t Overcrowd the Oven: If you have many dishes requiring oven time, stagger their cooking or utilize multiple ovens if available (or consider slow cooker options for some sides).
Rest the Ham: Seriously, don’t skip the resting step for the ham. It makes all the difference in juiciness.
Taste as You Go: Always taste your glazes, sauces, and side dishes as you prepare them and adjust seasonings as needed.

Creative Twists for Your Easter Ham Dinner

While these nine sides are “ultimate,” there’s always room for personalization!

Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your honey glaze for a subtle kick, or to your roasted vegetables.
Herbaceous Swaps: Experiment with different fresh herbs. Rosemary pairs beautifully with ham and potatoes, while dill or chives are fantastic in a spring salad or deviled eggs.
Cheese Please: For your scalloped potatoes, try a mix of Gruyère and cheddar, or even a smoked Gouda for extra depth.
Vegetable Variety: Swap out asparagus for broccolini, or green beans for roasted snap peas.
Fruity Notes: Consider a cranberry or apricot glaze for the ham, or add dried cranberries to your sweet potato casserole for an extra layer of flavor and texture.

Your Questions Answered About Easter Ham Dinner

Q1: How much ham should I buy per person?

A: For a bone-in ham, plan on about 3/4 to 1 pound per person. For a boneless ham, aim for 1/2 pound per person. This usually allows for some generous servings and delicious leftovers!

Q2: Can I prepare any of the side dishes completely in advance?

A: Absolutely! Deviled eggs can be made a day ahead. Many casseroles (like scalloped potatoes or sweet potato casserole) can be assembled the day before and baked on Easter. Dinner rolls can also be baked ahead and gently reheated. Cooked mashed potatoes sometimes benefit from being made ahead and simply reheated on the stovetop or in a slow cooker with a splash of milk.

Q3: My ham often turns out dry. What am I doing wrong?

A: The most common reasons for dry ham are overcooking and not covering it. Ensure you’re cooking to the correct internal temperature (140°F for pre-cooked ham) and using a reliable meat thermometer. Covering it loosely with foil for most of the cooking time helps to trap moisture. Also, don’t skip the resting period after it comes out of the oven!

A baked Easter ham dinner recipe presented beautifully on a platter.

Classic Easter Glazed Ham

This classic glazed ham recipe is perfect for your Easter celebration. A pre-cooked ham is basted with a sweet and tangy glaze made from brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and orange juice, resulting in a delicious and festive centerpiece.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 2

Total Time 2 15

Servings 10 people

Equipment

roasting pan
whisk
meat thermometer
foil

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

6-8 lbs Pre-cooked, Bone-in or Boneless Ham
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Honey or Maple Syrup
2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
1 teaspoon Ground Cloves
1/2 cup Orange Juice or Pineapple Juice
1/2 inch water or juice for roasting pan

Instructions

Cooking Instructions

Remove the ham from its packaging and allow it to come to room temperature for 1-2 hours. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
Optionally, score the fatty side of the ham in a diamond pattern, about 1/4 inch deep.
Place the ham fat-side up in a large roasting pan with 1/2 inch of water or juice at the bottom. Bake for 10-12 minutes per pound, until the internal temperature reaches 130°F (54°C).
While the ham bakes, whisk together brown sugar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, ground cloves, and orange or pineapple juice to make the glaze.
Take the ham out of the oven and increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
Brush the ham generously with glaze every 10-15 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C) and the glaze is caramelized (approximately 20-30 minutes).
Remove the ham from the oven, tent it loosely with foil, and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For best results, allow the ham to rest properly before slicing to keep it juicy. If you don’t have a roasting pan, a large oven-safe dish will work. Adjust the glaze sweetness to your preference by adding more honey or brown sugar. If the glaze starts to brown too quickly, you can cover the ham loosely with foil while it finishes cooking.

Easter Ham Dinner Recipe: The 9 Ultimate Sides