Honey baked ham is always a crowd-pleaser, but the side dishes really take the meal to the next level. However, heating up those luscious sides like mac and cheese green beans and cheesy potatoes can be tricky. You want to make sure you get them piping hot without drying them out or making them mushy. Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered with my tried and true techniques for reheating Honey Baked Ham sides to absolute perfection.
Get Out All Your Side Dishes
First things first – get all your Honey Baked Ham sides out of the fridge so they can come closer to room temperature before you start heating them up. This prevents you from overcooking the outside before the inside is warmed through. Set your green beans, mac and cheese, cheesy potatoes, creamed spinach, and any other sides you may have on the counter while you preheat your oven. Removing the chill will allow them to heat faster and more evenly.
Preheat Your Oven
Turn your oven on to 325°F to get it nice and hot for reheating. The low, steady heat will ensure the sides are heated through without getting dried out or burnt on the outside. While the oven is preheating, you can start prepping the sides.
Prepare the Sides for the Oven
For sides in sauce or gravy like mac and cheese and cheesy potatoes, transfer them to an oven-safe baking dish. Loosely cover the dish with foil to help hold in moisture as they heat up.
For drier sides like green beans, asparagus or roasted veggies, spread them out on a rimmed baking sheet Drizzle lightly with olive oil or butter to prevent them from drying out in the oven.
No matter what cooking vessel you use, be sure not to pack the sides in too tightly. Leave some space between portions so the heat can circulate and warm every bite evenly.
Reheat Sides for the Appropriate Time
Here are some general guidelines for how long to reheat common Honey Baked Ham sides:
- Mac and cheese: 20-25 minutes covered in foil
- Cheesy potatoes: 20-25 minutes covered in foil
- Green beans: 12-15 minutes uncovered on a baking sheet
- Creamed spinach: 15-18 minutes covered in foil
- Roasted veggies: 10-12 minutes uncovered on a baking sheet
The type of dish and thickness of the portions will impact cooking time. Get to know your specific sides to perfectly time the reheating process. Uncover and stir periodically to help distribute heat if needed.
For small side dish portions, you may be able to reheat them together on one baking sheet. Just be sure not to overcrowd. Larger portions or whole side dishes may need to go into the oven separately to ensure proper heating.
Check for Proper Temperature
After time is up, use an instant-read thermometer to check that your Honey Baked Ham sides have reached a safe 165°F throughout. If not, continue reheating in 5 minute increments, checking the temperature in between until the proper temperature is reached.
You can also do a visual check for sides like mac and cheese and cheesy potatoes. Look for steaming hot, bubbling cheese and sauce to indicate doneness. For green beans or roasted veggies, they should be piping hot with the natural vibrant color of the vegetable.
Adjust Seasoning if Needed
Give your Honey Baked Ham sides a taste once heated through, and tweak flavors if needed. You may want to add a pinch of extra salt, pepper, or spices. For richer sides, stir in an extra pat of butter or splash of cream to restore the luscious texture.
Get creative with mix-ins too. Toss crispy bacon bits or crushed crackers into hot mac and cheese. Top roasted veggies with fresh herbs, grated parmesan or a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Take side dishes over the top!
Serve and Enjoy!
Your Honey Baked Ham sides are ready to be served alongside juicy ham, fresh rolls, and sweet cornbread. Move reheated sides into pretty serving bowls or dishes to take to the table. Make sure to give them one final stir just before serving to distribute all the delicious flavors in each bite.
With these simple tips, you can easily reheat Honey Baked Ham side dishes to maintain their comfort food magic. Perfectly hot, creamy, and tender sides ready to complement the start of your meal – the main event honey baked ham! Your guests will be going back for seconds…and thirds when you nail reheating techniques. Happy feasting!
Common Questions about Reheating Honey Baked Ham Sides
Heating up Honey Baked Ham sides does take some finesse. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
Can you reheat side dishes in the microwave?
I don’t recommend the microwave for delicate sides like mac and cheese or cheesy potatoes. The high heat can make cheese grainy or sauce curdle. Dense sides like green beans also heat unevenly. Oven reheating is gentler.
What if my sides are drying out?
Drizzling a little extra butter, olive oil or gravy over top while reheating can help combat dryness. You can also stir in cream, milk or cheese to add moisture back.
My sides are getting mushy, help!
If sides seem to be losing their shape or getting mushy, try reheating at a slightly higher oven temp (350°F) for less time. Avoid overpacking sides together when reheating.
What temperature should Honey Baked Ham sides be?
Honey Baked Ham sides should reach 165°F at a minimum for food safety when reheated. Use an instant read thermometer to check.
Can I reheat sides in advance?
It’s best to reheat sides just before serving to preserve texture. If needed, you can reheat 1-2 hours in advance then keep warm in a low (200°F) oven until ready to serve.
More Tips for Reheating Honey Baked Ham Sides
-
Always reheat ham and sides separately – ham needs lower, slower reheating.
-
Portion sides into oven-safe dishes or baking sheets before freezing for easier reheating.
-
Add a dash of water or chicken broth to baking sheets for moisture if needed.
-
Preheat oven while removing chill from refrigerated sides to save time.
-
Use heavy duty foil to prevent leaks or tears when covering sides.
-
Stir in extra sauce or gravy if sides seem dry, absorbent after reheating.
-
Gently fold sides like mac and cheese after reheating to distribute cheese evenly.
-
Add crunchy toppings like breadcrumbs, crackers or nuts after reheating.
-
Leftover roasted veggies make great pizza toppings!
-
Toss green beans or asparagus with lemon juice and zest after reheating.
With the right techniques, Honey Baked Ham sides can be just as delicious the second time around. I hope these tips help you reheat sides to savory perfection again and again. Now pass the cheesy potatoes, please!
