30 Christmas Side Dishes
When it comes to Christmas dinner, the sides are really what make the meal feel festive. Sure, the main dish gets all the attention, but it’s the mashed potatoes, stuffing, and roasted veggies that everyone looks forward to.
This roundup is packed with simple yet delicious Christmas Side dishes everything from creamy mashed potatoes and cheesy green bean casserole to tangy cranberry sauce and sweet honey-glazed carrots.
These side dishes are easy to make and sure to have everyone coming back for seconds. If you want your Christmas dinner to be a hit, these side dishes are a great place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Christmas side dishes ahead of time?
Yes, many side dishes can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Dishes like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and casseroles can be prepared the day before and reheated on Christmas Day. Just ensure that they are cooled and stored properly to maintain freshness.
What are some vegetarian-friendly Christmas side dishes?
Roasted root vegetables (like carrots, sweet potatoes, or beets), Stuffing made with vegetable broth. Brussels sprouts (either roasted or sautéed), Vegetable gratin (such as cauliflower or zucchini) Cranberry relish or sauces. There are quite a few vegetarian sides in this list.
How do I reheat Christmas side dishes without drying them out?
Reheat side dishes in the oven at a low temperature (around 300°F) to preserve moisture. Cover dishes with foil to keep them from drying out. For mashed potatoes, adding a little cream or butter before reheating can help maintain a creamy texture.
Christmas dinner is all about bringing people together, and the side dishes are what make it feel like a true holiday feast. Whether you’re sticking to the classics or trying something new, these dishes are sure to add that extra warmth and flavor to your table.
30 Christmas Side Dishes Everyone Will Love
Image Credit: poshplate
Vegan sweet potato casserole is a delicious, satisfying, plant-based twist on a classic side dish. Make it with marshmallow or a crumbled pecan topping.
This Sweet Potato Casserole is Vegan, making it a healthier alternative to other sweet potato recipes.
Get the full recipe from: Posh Plate
Image Credit: noshingwiththenolands
This Sweet Potato Au Gratin is a stunning savory sweet potato dish with a creamy herb and cheese-flavored sauce and a deliciously crunchy bread crumb topping. It is actually easy to make, fun to serve– it’s the best recipe combination
It’s a perfect holiday dinner side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas and pairs beautifully with chicken, turkey, ham, or a roast. This is a fun and elevated alternative to a sweet potato casserole.
Get the full recipe from: Noshing With The Nolands
Image Credit: noshingwiththenolands
This slightly lemony Green Beans Almondine fits the bill with its roasted almonds and sauteed shallots toppings. They can be half made ahead of time, too, and just heated and served.
Green Beans Almondine is a classic French side dish, and the term almondine means to add almonds to a dish. So easy and such a great recipe for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sunday dinner, and more.
Get the full recipe from: Noshing With The Nolands
Image Credit: thissillygirlskitchen
The perfect side dish to round out any of your holiday meals, this Classic Stuffing is super easy, flavorful, and a great addition to your dinner table. It is just one of those recipes that is hearty and goes great with a variety of different dishes.
No frills, just flavor, simple and with easy-to-find ingredients, it is a recipe that you will fall in love with. This Classic Stuffing Recipe graces the holiday tables every Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Get the full recipe from: This Silly Girl’s Kitchen
Image Credit: thissillygirlskitchen
Parmesan Smashed Potatoes served with roasted garlic aioli is an easy and hearty side dish. Smashed potatoes are easy enough for weeknight meals yet super impressive and perfect for entertaining!
Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, with a nice salty kick from the parmesan cheese, you cannot go wrong with these smashed potatoes! These parmesan smashed potatoes make for a wonderful side dish,
Get the full recipe from: This Silly Girl’s Kitchen
Image Credit: theforkedspoon
These Crispy Hasselback Potato Casserole with Garlic and Herbs are the absolute best potatoes you will ever make!
Thinly sliced Yukon gold potatoes are layered and coated with fresh herbs, garlic, butter, and shredded asiago cheese then baked until tender and creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Get the full recipe from: The Forked Spoon
Image Credit: theforkedspoon
This irresistible Funeral Potatoes Recipe is a creamy, cheesy, potato hotdish casserole filled with shredded hash browns and onions and topped with a crispy cornflake topping. It’s the perfect side dish for Christmas and Easter holidays, potlucks, and family dinners.
They are my absolute, all-time favorite potato casserole. Loaded with gooey cheese, onion, and tender potatoes, the flavors are simple and uncomplicated but perfect and comforting.
Get the full recipe from: The Forked Spoon
Image Credit: xoxobella
This fully loaded mashed potato casserole is the perfect side dish for a holiday meal and a great way to use up a bowl of leftover mashed potatoes. This tasty casserole dish has always been a hit and has become one of my favorite sides to serve to friends and family.
Get the full recipe from: Xoxo Bella
Image Credit: xoxobella
Tender baby potatoes are flavored with garlic, herbs and cheese. This delicious potato side dish is really simple to make and tastes heavenly. You’ll crave it often.
Enjoy these tasty potatoes with any kind of meat, poultry or seafood. They’re great to bring to a potluck or to serve up at a holiday party. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you’re feeding a crowd.
Get the full recipe from: Xoxo Bella
Image Credit: asouthernsoul
Easy to make Orange Cranberry Sauce is bursting with bold, bright flavors! Fresh cranberries sweetened with honey and maple syrup make this an outstanding no-sugar recipe to serve with turkey or ham.
This fresh cranberry sauce is made even more flavorful with the addition of fresh orange juice and zest. This side dish is sure to make your holiday celebrations extra special.
Get the full recipe from: A Southern Soul
Image Credit: asouthernsoul
Beautiful, perfectly cooked Scalloped Potatoes are a classic that you’ll fall in love with after just one bite! Tender, thinly sliced potatoes are baked in a rich, creamy sauce for a side dish that’s excellent to serve alongside any main course and is a must-make for the holidays.
Scalloped Potatoes, cooked in a rich cream sauce, are turned into cheesy potatoes with a hefty sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. They are great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or when you’re entertaining.
Get the full recipe from: A Southern Soul
Image Credit: tastesoflizzyt
These green beans are a delicious side dish for the holiday season or any weeknight dinner.
This healthy side dish is the perfect balance of savory and sweet thanks to the pimentos, butter, honey, pecans and garlic. It takes just 25 minutes from start to finish. This isn’t just any green bean recipe. It turns that common vegetable into a star with a handful of ingredients.
Get the full recipe from: Tastes of Lizzy T
Image Credit: tastesoflizzyt
This Christmas Pear Salad with pomegranate and candied pecans is perfect for the holidays. Drizzle with our homemade poppy seed dressing.
Your family and friends will love the festive colors and winter flavors in this pear and pomegranate salad with homemade poppy seed dressing. It makes a great side dish for any holiday menu.
Get the full recipe from: Tastes of Lizzy T
Image Credit: ihearteating
Classic candied sweet potatoes! This simple recipe bakes right in the oven – no need to boil the sweet potatoes. There is minimal prep with this recipe. The oven does almost all the work, and there’s no pre-boiling necessary.
The sweet potatoes bake up nice and tender, and the sweet, buttery glaze is delicious! While this dish is a traditional Thanksgiving side dish, it goes well with ham and works well for Christmas or Easter dinner, too.
Get the full recipe from: I Heart Eating
Image Credit: easybudgetrecipes
This Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese recipe is a bit on the naughty side because they’re made with Yukon Gold potatoes, butter, cream, and cream cheese. They’re the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and family dinners.
Get the full recipe from: Easy Budget Recipes
Image Credit: easybudgetrecipes
This Healthy Waldorf Salad recipe is easy to make and a tasty side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any meal. This salad is the perfect complement to a holiday meal of turkey, Christmas roast or ham. This Waldorf Salad is versatile and goes perfectly with just about any other dish.
Get the full recipe from: Easy Budget Recipes
Image Credit: tastyoven
Crockpot Mashed Cauliflower is a delicious and versatile side dish made with 5 simple ingredients.The crockpot slowly cooks the cauliflower in butter without burning it, but giving it a roasted flavor and caramelized color for extra deliciousness.
Making mashed cauliflower in your crockpot is an easy way to prepare this tasty side dish that works great for many meals. Mashed cauliflower also makes a great side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.
Get the full recipe from: Tasty Oven
Image Credit: tastyoven
Brussels sprouts are tossed with balsamic vinegar and tasty seasonings, then air fried til crispy and roasted. This easy vegetable side dish is ready to eat in less than 20 minutes.
These Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze and Parmesan Cheese are incredibly delicious, simple to prepare and quick to cook. They make tasty vegetables for dinners and holiday gatherings.
Get the full recipe from: Tasty Oven
Image Credit: kalynskitchen
Roasted Green Beans and Red Peppers are seasoned with garlic and ginger, and these are perfect for a festive low-carb side dish. The beans and peppers roast at high heat for a short time, so they can cook while you’re coming up with the final touches on the meal.
These Roasted Green Beans and Red Peppers are not only beautifully red and green for the holidays, but they’re delicious!
Get the full recipe from: Kalyn’s Kitchen
Image Credit: foodnservice
Think of Duchess Potatoes as a fun and exciting way to dress up your favorite mashed potatoes. They look so elegant that your guests will think you spent hours on them.
Serve this flavor-packed dish as a weekend dinner staple or a festive addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas feast.
Get the full recipe from: Food n Service
Image Credit: masalaherb
Fresh kale salad with cranberries is a favorite during the holiday season. The salad is marinated in a simple dressing, and that’s why it’s simple to put it together.
The salad with all the base ingredients makes a lovely winter side dish. Serve it during the holidays for Christmas because the colors and fresh kale with cranberries complement roast meat well.
Get the full recipe from: Masala Herb
Image Credit: livingchirpy
Sweet Potato Casserole is a healthy, delicious, and sweet side dish option that is great for holiday dinners. Sweet Potatoes are one of nature’s special vegetables, as it is filled with nutrients and has a naturally sweet taste.
This Sweet Potato Casserole combines the natural taste of sweet potatoes, coupled with maple syrup, cinnamon, and pecans. This is easy to make, so it’s a no-brainer side dish to serve with your busy Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Get the full recipe from: Living Chirpy
Image Credit: livingchirpy
This Homemade Cranberry Sauce is a perfect, fresh side dish that isn’t just ideal for holidays, it’s a great fit for many dinners! The tart sweetness of cranberry sauce is a great contrast for hearty, savory dinners.
If you are looking for a deliciously fresh side dish for this Thanksgiving, this is an absolute must-have recipe. In less than 30 minutes you will have a batch whipped up!
Get the full recipe from: Living Chirpy
Image Credit: swirlsofflavor
Pomegranate Apple Salad With Walnut-Crusted Goat Cheese elevates a mixed greens salad to a new level with homemade pomegranate vinaigrette and nutty cheese rounds!
This mixed greens recipe with its homemade vinaigrette and easy-to-make nut crusted cheese rounds is the perfect holiday salad!
Get the full recipe from: Swirls of Flavor
Image Credit: swirlsofflavor
Golden Potatoes Au Gratin Casserole is a creamy cheesy potato recipe that will be your entertaining go-to potato recipe from now on! Slices of potatoes are gently boiled in a shallot cream mixture and then layered with cheese and baked to absolute perfection.
The amazing flavor, creamy texture, cheesy goodness and easy cooking method combine to make this the best potatoes au gratin!
Get the full recipe from: Swirls of Flavor
Image Credit: whatagirleats
This braised red cabbage has been a part of Christmas dinner in our house for decades. It’s easy, with simple ingredients, and is a delicious side dish to a Pork Loin, pork chops, or a Sunday roast dinner.
While this red cabbage recipe is Swedish, it’s very similar to German red cabbage with apples and red currant jelly to give perfect balance and a hint of sweetness.
Get the full recipe from: What A Girl Eats
Image Credit: whatagirleats
Keto Creamed Spinach is a creamy, flavorful side dish that’s perfect for low-carb diets. Made with fresh spinach, rich cream, and tangy cheese, it’s a comforting and indulgent treat without the guilt.
The key to a keto-friendly version is using low-carb ingredients and avoiding added sugars or starches.
Get the full recipe from: What A Girl Eats
Image Credit: crayonsandcravings
Brussels sprouts with bacon and balsamic reduction makes a delicious and easy side dish. These are seriously the best brussels sprouts ever. The balsamic reduction also adds a tangy, slightly sweet addition that really makes the dish pop.
These crunchy brussels sprouts with bacon and balsamic reduction make for a wonderful side dish to accompany any meal. The dish is also great for bringing to a holiday potluck.
Get the full recipe from: Crayons and Cravings
Image Credit: cheerful cook
This recipe for Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glazed Roasted Carrots and Parsnips is a real crowd-pleaser, thanks to its unique blend of sweet, earthy, and savory flavors.
It’s a simple but standout side dish made with roasted carrots and parsnips, coated with a rich, homemade bourbon and brown sugar glaze, then topped with fresh parsley for added freshness.
Get the full recipe from: Cheerful Cook
Image Credit: cheerfulcook
Bacon Stuffing Rolls are a true family favorite. They’re crispy on the outside and tender and savory on the inside.
This delicious dish is an easy way to add a new spin to your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey dinner.
Get the full recipe from: Cheerful Cook
These recipes are not just delicious, they’re simple to make and perfect for sharing with loved ones. So go ahead, pick a few of your favorites from this roundup, and get ready for a meal that’ll have everyone feeling festive and satisfied. Merry cooking, and happy holidays!
