What to Serve with Ham and Bean Soup? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Ham and bean soup has the heart of every soup lover that likes to have a little bit of everything in their bowl.

It's a comforting meal option that can give you a nutrient boost or warm you up on a chilly day.

And if it delights you, you'll want to keep a list of what to serve with ham and bean soup, so you never have to worry about last-minute preparations.

So, let's find the ones that will impress you time and again.

10 Side Dishes to Serve with Ham and Bean Soup

Whether it's fancy-looking bread or a good crispy treat, there's no end to finding side dishes for a meal as comforting as ham and bean soup.

Here are ten of the best pairings - including ham loaf side dish ideas for hearty meals:

1 - Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

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Light and fluffy pumpkin rolls are the perfect ones to serve with ham and bean soup because they have the perfect texture to dip into a soup.

And they're so easy to make at home, so you'll enjoy baking them every time.

Also, their mild sweetness pairs exceptionally well with the flavorful and hearty ingredients in the soup.

And if you like it, you can add spices to your advantage, too; there's no limit to what these dinner rolls can achieve.

This side dish will end all debates about pumpkin, whether you love or hate it - or try pumpkin risotto side pairings for richer dinners.

These rolls are filled with the sweetness of pumpkins and have a pleasant aroma that heightens your appetite with just one whiff.

2 - Grilled Avocado Salad

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If you like avocadoes but want some new way to eat them, here's one dish that will excite your palate.

Grilling avocadoes gives them a smoky aroma and a fun appearance, just enough to go with the veg-infused ham soup.

But grilled avocadoes alone may seem too boring sometimes.

So, gather a few refreshing and crunchy fruits and veggies and turn them into an interesting salad.

Since avocadoes have a buttery texture, using ripe ones for grilling may turn them too mushy for the recipe.

You can use the slightly unripe ones for the perfect texture.

For a seafood-forward menu, consider grilled swordfish side ideas for summer meals that complement smoky avocado flavors.

3 - Turkey Meatloaf

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Meatloaves always find a way to impress us with their versatility.

They're perfect to pair with just about anything, but soups take it a notch higher.

So, the next time you cook ham and bean soup, get those baking dishes out because you'll need some meatloaf.

You can dip the soup just like any other bread to enjoy the classic bread and soup combo.

Since turkey meat is full of protein, you will enjoy having this treat on your dinner table - and smoked turkey breast side ideas for hearty mains work the same way.

4 - Smashed Roasties

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Tenderly cooked potatoes smashed and roasted to golden perfection are called smashed roasties.

They are bite-sized, crispy treats that'll make delicious accompaniments for a ham and bean soup.

The savory nature of this side dish makes it perfect to pair with a filling soup.

Small types of potatoes work better for this dish, as larger ones tend to come apart while smashing - see smashed potatoes side ideas for perfect crunch for more tips.

Nutrition-wise, they offer a decent amount of carbs, fat, and fiber.

Not the healthiest option, smashed roasties make a universal favorite that everyone looks forward to during a diet cheat.

5 - Broccoli Gnocchi

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This easy-to-make side dish needs just 15 minutes to impress you and your guests.

And it's made of everyone's favorite- potatoes.

This dish is a savory contrast to the soup and is perfect for weeknights because it asks so little but gives back much flavor.

Because gnocchi alone is pretty plain and not the healthiest, you have a reason to use leftover veggies to make it healthier.

And the broccoli does just that, though you can use fresh ones too - or pair similar greens with beef and broccoli side pairings for bold flavors.

Broccoli adds the touch of freshness that the gnocchi needs to feel complete and balanced on your palate.

In addition, crushed nuts, cream, and fresh lemon juice add more dimension to the dish.

6 - Prawn Salad

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Prawns are an easy and inexpensive way to bring seafood into your diet.

When paired with ham and bean soup, it gives an exciting texture with crunchy and salty ingredients that contrast the comforting soup.

Fruits and veggies that pair well with prawns include cherry tomatoes, bean sprouts, zucchini, mangoes, and fresh herbs.

You can even use a chili sauce dressing to your advantage.

There are no limits to improving the overall taste of a prawn salad.

And in just 10 minutes, you will have a dish that works for multiple occasions and fits multiple palates.

If a lighter starch is wanted, orzo salad side suggestions for easy meals pair well with seafood-forward plates like this prawn salad.

7 - Pickled Red Cabbage

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Finely shredded red cabbage cooked in red wine, vinegar, and herbs is a side dish no one can say no to.

Its bright colors are a treat for the eyes, and its refreshing, acidic taste revives your palate after the soup's comforting effect.

Pickled foods help replenish your body's electrolytes, and this side dish is no exception.

So, you must include such foods to keep your body functioning at its best.

The best part about this side dish is that you can easily store it for future use.

Now, you won't have to worry about making new side dishes when you're short on time.

For other briny, pickled companions, consider pickled herring side pairings for Nordic menus that echo the tart-salty profile.

8 - Bacon Rolls

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Bacon rolls are party classics, but you can serve them at dinners to make everything fancier.

It has a fun mix of flavors, textures, and a deliciously addicting aroma- everything you need to complete a meal.

The pastry wrap makes this dish so much better.

But the filling is equally satisfying; it contains chopped bacon, tomatoes, basil, and cheese.

This dish brings a savory contrast to the hearty ham and bean soup and is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy every flavor without having one overwhelm the other.

You can eat it separately or dip it into the soup; any way works.

9 - Teriyaki Chicken

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This is an effortless dinner idea that tastes perfect even from your first time cooking.

The result is tender, fragrant, and delicious chicken that you'll want to eat over and over again.

The chicken is sweet and savory and adds much protein to your meal, but it does not overwhelm the soup.

One thing that makes this side dish special is its protein content; it'll make you feel satiated.

Using something like bok choy in the recipe will give it a more Asian feel, which is a good thing considering how the modern palate needs new flavors to experience ethnicity.

10 - Nut Roast

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Ever wanted to make the most of those veg items in your pantry? Here's your chance to make the most delicious and healthy vegetarian side dish, a fancy form of bread.

Nuts are the star of this dish, so you'll want to be generous with them.

But don't overwhelm the roast with nuts alone; add pulses, herbs, veggies, spices, and cheese to breadcrumbs to bring the dish together.

This nut roast is filled with the aroma of its ingredients and fills you up with the carbs and proteins it comes with.

But you can easily make the dish healthier or savory by choosing ingredients that suit your palate and diet restrictions.

Grilled ham steak pairs nicely with many similar sides - see grilled ham steak side ideas for weeknight meals. Serrano ham brings a cured boost to boards; try Serrano ham accompaniments for tapas-style spreads.