15 ham recipes that make holiday dinners feel effortless

No need to stress about cooking when these dishes do the work. Each one brings rich flavor with hardly any prep. Just set it up, let it go, and enjoy a meal worth remembering. These 15 ham ideas make holiday dinners feel simple and full of taste.

Smoked Sweet Onion Honey Glazed Ham

A plate with sliced ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, and steamed vegetables beside a cup of gravy on a wooden table. — Smoked Sweet Onion Honey Glazed Ham. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Big flavor doesn’t have to mean big effort. Smoked Sweet Onion Honey Glazed Ham layers a bit of smoke and sweetness in a way that feels complete. It’s often the first thing people ask about.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Sweet Onion Honey Glazed Ham

Best Southern Ham Gravy With Cheesy Biscuits And Eggs

A biscuit sandwich filled with scrambled eggs and covered in thick, creamy gravy with chunks of sausage. In the background, there's part of a stovetop and a yellow item. — Best Southern Ham Gravy With Cheesy Biscuits And Eggs. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Brunch and dinner both make sense with something like this. Best Southern Ham Gravy With Cheesy Biscuits And Eggs gives you a full plate that feels warm without being heavy. You’ll want this one in your back pocket for low-effort mornings.
Get the Recipe: Best Southern Ham Gravy With Cheesy Biscuits And Eggs

Leftover Ham Pot Pie with Biscuits

A bowl of creamy chicken and vegetable pot pie filling topped with a baked biscuit, served with a spoon. — Leftover Ham Pot Pie with Biscuits. Photo credit: xoxobella.

When you've got odds and ends from a big dinner, this is the kind of recipe that brings them back to life. Leftover Ham Pot Pie with Biscuits turns extras into something that feels like its own event. Nobody minds if it's the second or third time it's served.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Ham Pot Pie with Biscuits

Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham

Sliced baked ham on a white plate, garnished with fresh parsley. — Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham. Photo credit: Mama's on a Budget.

A little sweetness and depth go a long way here without taking much effort. Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham keeps things simple but still feels like a centerpiece. It’s a great pick when you want big flavor without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham

Ham and Cheese Sliders Hawaiian Rolls

Three stacked ham and cheese sliders on seasoned bread are shown on a white surface. — Ham and Cheese Sliders Hawaiian Rolls. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

These show up often for a reason. Ham and Cheese Sliders Hawaiian Rolls hit that perfect mix of easy to make and impossible to stop eating. They’re a go-to when the crowd includes both kids and grown-ups.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Sliders Hawaiian Rolls

Pineapple Glazed Ham

A baked ham garnished with pineapple rings, maraschino cherries, and star anise, served on a white plate. — Pineapple Glazed Ham. Photo credit: xoxobella.

There’s something about the mix of fruit and meat here that always brings people back for more. Pineapple Glazed Ham has just enough contrast to feel special without complicating things. It works whether you're feeding two or twelve.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Glazed Ham

Vegan Ham

Holiday meals work better when everyone at the table has something worth getting excited about. Vegan Ham keeps things hearty and familiar without leaning on meat. It holds its own next to the traditional dishes.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Ham

Air Fryer Ham Steaks

Two slices of glazed ham garnished with herbs on a white plate next to a knife and a striped cloth napkin. — Air Fryer Ham Steaks. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Sometimes you're not cooking for a crowd, and that’s where this comes in. Air Fryer Ham Steaks offer all the comfort of the classic version in a smaller, quicker form. They're ideal for a quiet evening.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ham Steaks

Dijon Glazed Ham

A cooked, glazed ham on a white plate, garnished with parsley. — Dijon Glazed Ham. Photo credit: Mama's on a Budget.

A little tang gives this one a different feel from the usual sweet glazes. Dijon Glazed Ham balances boldness with just enough sharpness to keep things interesting. It pairs easily with a wide range of sides.
Get the Recipe: Dijon Glazed Ham

Orange Glazed Air Fryer Ham

Sliced ham with orange slices and grapes, garnished with parsley on a platter. — Orange Glazed Air Fryer Ham. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

When you want something bright but not fussy, this is the one to reach for. Orange Glazed Air Fryer Ham keeps prep short and flavor bold. It works for small gatherings without feeling like a shortcut.
Get the Recipe: Orange Glazed Air Fryer Ham

Sheet Pan Ham Dinner

A sheet pan with slices of ham, green beans, and roasted baby potatoes garnished with herbs, set on a white countertop. — Sheet Pan Ham Dinner. Photo credit: xoxobella.

When cleanup matters almost as much as flavor, this is the kind of recipe that comes through. Sheet Pan Ham Dinner gets everything on the table without making a mess. It’s made for those quieter holiday nights.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Ham Dinner

Instant Pot Ham

Sliced ham with oranges and mint. — Instant Pot Ham. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

You don't need a long prep window to pull off something that feels put together. Instant Pot Ham handles the heavy lifting while you focus on everything else. It works well when the kitchen’s already busy.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Ham

3 Ingredient Ham Glaze

A metal roasting pan holds a baked ham covered with a glossy glaze. — 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

A shortcut glaze like this earns a spot in your holiday rotation without question. 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze keeps it simple but still adds just enough to make a difference. You’ll use it more than once.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze

Air Fried Ham with Keto Glaze

Sliced roasted ham garnished with sprigs of rosemary on a white plate. — Air Fried Ham with Keto Glaze. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

You don’t have to compromise flavor when you're keeping things light. Air Fried Ham with Keto Glaze keeps things simple and still holds up next to holiday classics. It’s a good option when you’re feeding folks with different needs.
Get the Recipe: Air Fried Ham with Keto Glaze

Grilled Ham Steak

Grilled fresh ham steak with rosemary dijon maple glaze. — Grilled Ham Steak. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

One quick turn on the grill changes everything. Grilled Ham Steak brings a little char to your plate without a lot of fuss. It’s a nice change when you want something slightly more casual.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Ham Steak