Delicious Wine Side Dish for Turkey and Ham: Elevate Your Feast with These Perfect Pairings

The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and delicious food. Turkey and ham are two of the most popular holiday dishes, and they both pair perfectly with a glass of wine. But what are the best wine side dishes for turkey and ham?
In this blog post, we’ll share some of our favorite wine side dishes for turkey and ham. We’ll also provide some tips on how to choose the right wine for your holiday meal.

Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce is a classic holiday side dish that pairs perfectly with both turkey and ham. It’s tart and sweet, with a hint of spice.
To make cranberry sauce, you’ll need:

• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Simply combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole is another popular holiday side dish that pairs well with both turkey and ham. It’s creamy, sweet, and savory, with a crunchy pecan topping.
To make sweet potato casserole, you’ll need:

• 4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine sweet potatoes, brown sugar, butter, milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Pour into a 9×13-inch baking dish and top with pecans. Bake for 45 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender and topping is golden brown.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels sprouts are a healthy and delicious side dish that pairs well with both turkey and ham. They’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a slightly nutty flavor.
To make roasted Brussels sprouts, you’ll need:

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, or until tender and slightly browned.

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a classic holiday side dish that pairs perfectly with both turkey and ham. They’re creamy, smooth, and flavorful, with a hint of butter and garlic.
To make mashed potatoes, you’ll need:

• 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Place potatoes in a large pot of cold water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Drain potatoes and return to the pot. Add milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth.

Stuffing

Stuffing is a savory side dish that pairs perfectly with both turkey and ham. It’s made with bread, vegetables, herbs, and spices, and it’s cooked inside the bird.
To make stuffing, you’ll need:

• 1 loaf white bread, cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped sage
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, onion, celery, parsley, sage, butter, chicken broth, white wine, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat. Pour stuffing into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through.

Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is a classic holiday side dish that pairs perfectly with both turkey and ham. It’s made with green beans, cream of mushroom soup, French’s fried onions, and a hint of salt and pepper.
To make green bean casserole, you’ll need:

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 can (10.75 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup French’s fried onions
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large bowl, combine green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, French’s fried onions, salt, and pepper. Pour into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and bake for 25 minutes, or until heated through.

Wine Pairing Tips

Now that you have some delicious wine side dishes for turkey and ham, it’s time to choose the perfect wine to pair with them. Here are a few tips:

• Consider the flavors of the dish. What are the dominant flavors in the dish? Sweet, savory, tart, or spicy? Choose a wine that will complement those flavors.
• Consider the weight of the dish. A light-bodied wine will pair well with a light-bodied dish, and a full-bodied wine will pair well with a full-bodied dish.
• Consider the occasion. Are you having a formal dinner or a casual get-together? Choose a wine that is appropriate for the occasion.

Here are a few specific wine pairings for turkey and ham:

• Turkey: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc
• Ham: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir

Recommendations: A Feast for the Senses

With these delicious wine side dishes for turkey and ham, you’re sure to have a feast for the senses this holiday season. So gather your family and friends, pour a glass of wine, and enjoy!

Basics You Wanted To Know

Q: What are the best wine side dishes for turkey?
A: Some of the best wine side dishes for turkey include cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, roasted Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green bean casserole.
Q: What are the best wine side dishes for ham?
A: Some of the best wine side dishes for ham include roasted Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, and scalloped potatoes.
Q: What are some tips for choosing the right wine for turkey and ham?
A: When choosing a wine for turkey and ham, consider the flavors of the dish, the weight of the dish, and the occasion.