22 Delicious Sides to Serve with Ham Barbecue Sandwiches

Ham barbecue sandwiches are a classic and easy meal that are perfect for feeding a crowd. Smoky, sweet ham pairs perfectly with tangy barbecue sauce and is sandwiched between soft bread or buns for convenient handheld eating. But what really takes these sandwiches to the next level are the side dishes served alongside them!

When planning your next ham barbecue sandwich meal, don’t just default to boring potato chips or a small side salad. With a little creativity, you can transform your sandwiches into a full satisfying feast. Here are 22 of my favorite side dishes to serve with ham barbecue sandwiches.

Hearty Soups and Stews

Warm up with a bowl of delicious soup or stew to complement your ham barbecue sandwiches The savory broths pair perfectly with the sweet and tangy flavors of the sandwiches

• Tomato Soup – Creamy tomato soup with ham barbecue sandwiches is classic comfort food. Try adding parmesan cheese or cream to make it extra rich and flavorful.

• Clam Chowder – For ultimate savory depth, New England clam chowder packed with potatoes cream, and smoky bacon is ideal with ham barbecue sandwiches.

• Chili – A bowl of hearty beef or turkey chili loaded with beans, ground meat, peppers, and spices makes a supremely satisfying pair with your sandwiches.

• Vegetable Beef Stew – Tender chunks of beef and veggies in a savory gravy is total cold weather food perfection alongside your ham barbecue sandwiches.

Crispy Potato Sides

You can never go wrong pairing your sandwiches with some type of potato dish. The starchiness balances the sweet and tangy flavors perfectly.

• French Fries – Classic crispy fries, especially seasoned with cajun spices, garlic, or parmesan, make a craveable ham barbecue sandwich side.

• Sweet Potato Fries – For a healthier option, oven-roasted sweet potato fries with a hint of cinnamon bring out the natural sweetness of the ham.

• Potato Wedges – Crispy outside, fluffy inside. Baked potato wedges seasoned with paprika, salt, and garlic powder are simple but scrumptious.

• Scalloped Potatoes – Take your potatoes up a notch with cheesy, creamy scalloped potatoes. The indulgent casserole pairs wonderfully with ham barbecue sandwiches.

Fresh and Pickled Vegetable Sides

Don’t forget your veggies! Bright, fresh vegetable dishes add color and nutrition to your ham barbecue sandwich meal.

• Coleslaw – Cool, creamy coleslaw with crisp cabbage and carrots is a classic. Add apples or cranberries for extra crunch and sweetness.

• Pickles – Tangy dill pickle spear chips are made for ham sandwiches. Make your own for bonus points!

• Cucumber Salad – A light Greek yogurt and dill cucumber salad offers a refreshing bite between sandwiches.

• Baked Beans – No barbecue meal is complete without a side of sticky-sweet baked beans. The smoky flavor pairs perfectly with the ham.

Pasta and Grain Salads

Hearty pasta and grain salads make excellent portable sides for picnics and cookouts featuring ham barbecue sandwiches. The flavors marry together wonderfully.

• Macaroni Salad – A mayo-based macaroni salad with peppers, onions, pickles, and hard-boiled egg is simple and tasty.

• Farro Salad – Nutty farro, arugula, tomatoes, feta, and balsamic make a fresh Mediterranean-style salad.

• Pasta Primavera Salad – Rotini pasta with fresh veggies like zucchini, peas, and bell peppers in a light dressing is colorful and delicious.

• Quinoa Tabouli Salad – Quinoa stands in for bulgur wheat in this bright herb and vegetable studded salad.

Grilled Dishes and Barbecue Favorites

You can’t beat barbecue sides when serving ham barbecue sandwiches! Grilled veggies, corn, and potatoes give you that smoky flavor in every bite.

• Grilled Corn on the Cob – Brushed with butter or mayo and sprinkled with salt and chili powder. Grilled corn is a classic summer treat.

• Grilled Vegetables – Think grilled mushrooms, peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and more! Balsamic glaze adds a tangy sweetness.

• Grilled Potatoes – Slice potatoes into planks, brush with oil, and grill until tender and crisp. Season with your favorite dry rub.

• Baked Beans – Sweet, smoky baked beans simmered with bacon, brown sugar, ketchup, and spices are made for barbecue.

Indulgent Cheesy Sides

When you want to really treat yourself, cheesy sides are the way to go with ham barbecue sandwiches. Rich, gooey, irresistible cheese takes these sandwiches over the top.

• Mac and Cheese – A creamy cheese sauce takes basic macaroni up about a million levels of comfort food perfection.

• Potatoes Au Gratin – Thinly sliced potatoes smothered in a cheesy mornay sauce and baked to golden bubbly perfection.

• Broccoli Cheese Casserole – Chopped broccoli and cheddar cheese sauce topped with buttery breadcrumb topping. Ultimate nostalgia food.

• Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes – Scalloped potatoes get even better with heaps of melty shredded cheddar or gruyere cheese.

So next time you’re planning on making ham barbecue sandwiches, don’t just default to boring chips or a small salad. With flavorful sides like soups, salads, vegetables, grilled dishes, and cheesy casseroles, you can transform your sandwiches into a full, satisfying feast!