Complement Ham with These 7 Delicious Meats for a Hearty Meal

Ham is a versatile cured meat that can be the star of many meals. But when served alone, it can fall flat. The key is pairing ham with complementary meats to make a hearty and delicious dish. Here are my top 7 favorite meats to serve with ham.

1. Chicken

Chicken may seem like an obvious choice but its mild flavor makes it an ideal match for salty rich ham. They pair wonderfully in pastas, sandwiches, casseroles and more. Here are some tasty ham and chicken pairings

• Chicken Cordon Bleu – A classic! Butterfly chicken breasts stuffed with ham and cheese makes an elegant yet easy dinner, Serve with roasted potatoes or rice pilaf

• Ham and Chicken Pasta – Dice ham and chicken breast and sauté with garlic. Toss with penne pasta and a creamy cheese sauce. Sprinkle with parsley.

• Chicken & Ham Casserole – Combine cubed chicken, ham, onions, celery, peas and cheese sauce. Pour into a casserole dish, top with breadcrumbs or crackers and bake until bubbly.

2. Turkey

Like chicken turkey offers a mild taste that perfectly balances salty ham. Plus the duo provides a nutritious protein punch. Try these winning turkey and ham combinations

• Turkey Club Sandwich – Layer sliced turkey, ham, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo on toasted bread for an easy lunch or dinner.

• Ham and Turkey Stuffed Peppers – Fill bell peppers with a cheesy mixture of ground turkey, diced ham, rice, onions, garlic and seasonings. Bake until peppers are tender.

• Turkey Ham Roll-Ups – Spread a thin layer of cream cheese onto deli slices of turkey and wrap around a slice of ham. Enjoy as an appetizer or snack.

3. Beef

Hearty beef makes the ultimate flavor partner for ham. The duo brings richness and depth of flavor to pot pies, casseroles and other one-dish meals. Consider these winning beef and ham pairings:

• Ham and Beef Wellington – Top filet mignon with ham and brie then wrap in puff pastry and bake. An elegant entree for a special occasion.

• Beef & Ham Lasagna – Layer lasagna noodles with a meaty sauce of ground beef, ham, tomatoes, onions, garlic, herbs and cheese. So satisfying!

• Pot Pie – Dice cooked roast beef and ham then combine with veggies like peas, carrots and potatoes in a creamy sauce. Top with pie crust and bake. Comfort food at its finest!

4. Pork

What better to serve with ham than more pork? Different cuts like loin, shoulder and sausage offer flavor variety. Here are tasty ways to pair pork with ham:

• Maple Glazed Ham Steak with Pork Medallions – Brush pork loin medallions with a maple glaze to complement the ham’s sweetness.

• Ham, Sausage and Pepper Sheet Pan Dinner – Roast ham steaks, spicy sausage and bell peppers tossed in oil for an easy one-pan meal.

• Cuban Sandwich – A Cuban bakery roll piled high with ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard is simply delicious.

5. Lamb

Lamb may seem like an unlikely pairing for ham, but their flavors complement each other wonderfully. The rich, meaty lamb balances the saltiness of the ham. Try:

• Shepherd’s Pie – Ground lamb and peas stewed with onions, carrots and herbs gets topped with mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese then baked until golden. Diced ham adds a tasty salty kick.

• Lamb Chops with Ham and Cream Sauce – Pan-fry lamb chops and ham steaks then spoon over a rich cream sauce flavored with garlic, white wine and rosemary.

• Lamb and Ham Meatballs – For an appetizer, combine ground lamb, diced ham, breadcrumbs, egg, mint and parsley then roll into balls and bake or simmer in your favorite sauce.

6. Fish

The saltiness of ham magnifies the delicate sweet flavor of mild white fish like tilapia, cod and halibut. Here’s how to pair them:

• Baked Tilapia with Ham – Stuff tilapia fillets with a mixture of cream cheese, ham and herbs then drizzle with lemon and bake.

• Halibut Baked in Ham – Wrap halibut filets in thin ham slices secured with toothpicks. Bake until fish is opaque and ham is slightly crispy.

• Salmon Rolls – Spread smoked salmon slices with cream cheese and mustard then wrap around ham and pickles. Serve as an appetizer.

7. Seafood

Like fish, the briny taste of seafood marries seamlessly with salty ham. Shrimp, scallops, crab and lobster all complement ham’s rich flavor. Consider:

• Ham and Shrimp Fettuccine – Saute shrimp and ham in garlic, olive oil and white wine then toss with fettuccine ribbons. Grate Parmesan on top.

• Stuffed Lobster – Fill cracked lobster tails with a mixture of ham, herbs, onions, breadcrumbs and melted butter then broil until lobster is opaque.

• Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms – The ham’s salty savor offsets the sweetness of the crabmeat stuffing perfectly in this easy appetizer.