Best Christmas Side Dishes for the Holiday Table
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These favorite Christmas Side Dishes will help take the guesswork out of what to serve for Christmas Dinner. From fresh vegetables and salads to roasted potatoes, stuffing, and crowd-pleasing casseroles, these side dish recipes are delicious, savory, and festive.
From roasted potatoes and carrots, to wild mushroom stuffing, sweet potatoes, and even mac and cheese. Christmas side dishes are often what make the holiday table memorable.
The holidays are here, and it's time to think about the sides that round out Christmas dinner. While the main dish is often decided early - whether it's prime rib, baked ham, roasted turkey, or an Italian pork tenderloin - the side dishes can sometimes be left until the last minute. Not this year.
Below you'll find a collection of festive Christmas side dishes, along with curated recipe lists featuring the most popular and beloved sides served at Christmas dinner tables around the world.
How to Choose the Right Christmas Side Dishes
When planning your Christmas menu, it helps to think in balance rather than abundance. A well-rounded holiday table often includes:
- One fresh or crisp element - such as a winter salad, citrus-forward dish, or lightly dressed vegetables
- One comforting classic - potatoes, like these easy garlic mashed potatoes, stuffing, or a warm vegetable side that feels familiar and grounding
- One make-ahead or slow-cooker option - to keep the day relaxed and the kitchen calm
- One seasonal favorite - featuring winter vegetables, herbs, or flavors you look forward to all year.
Many of the recipes in this collection can be prepared in advance or finished just before serving, making them ideal for both intimate family dinners and larger holiday gatherings.
Christmas Side Dishes
Armed with the top picks for Christmas sides, here are some ideas for your own Christmas Dinner.
1
Spinach Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
It's the festive season and this Spinach Puff Pastry Christmas Tree is savory treat you, your family, and guests will love. Simple to make with a cheesy spinach filling, store-bought puff pastry and pizza sauce for serving.
Spinach Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
2
Green Bean Salad Recipe
A vibrant Green Bean Salad with balsamic basil vinaigrette, juicy tomatoes, mozzarella, cranberries, arugula, and pecans. Perfect for holiday gatherings or fresh weeknight meals.
Green Bean Salad
3
Winter Greens Salad with Pomegranate and Blood Oranges
Winter Greens Salad with Pomegranate and Blood Oranges is a sweet and zesty, crispy salad that is perfect for the holidays.
Winter Greens Salad
4
Warm Brussels Sprouts Salad
This warm Brussels sprouts salad is a cozy fall side made with shredded sprouts, bacon, toasted pecans, apples, and cranberries, all tossed in a bright maple-citrus dressing. Quick enough for weeknights-and special enough for holiday gatherings.
Warm Brussels Sprouts Salad
5
www.bbcgoodfood.com
Sage & onion Yorkshire puddings
Add sage and onion to Yorkshire pudding batter for a delicious side dish to go with a Sunday roast or your Christmas dinner
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6
www.jamieoliver.com
The best roast potato recipe
This roast potato recipe takes your roasties to the next level.
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7
Green Bean Casserole Recipe
This iconic Green Bean Casserole is a favorite holiday side with minutes of prep, can be made ahead with canned, frozen, or fresh green beans.
Easy Green Bean Casserole
8
www.countryliving.com
Scalloped Oysters
“Leeks, dry vermouth, and heavy cream add richness and depth to this Thanksgiving dish. Meanwhile, a smattering of Saltines on top provides a much-needed crunch!”
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9
Easy Sweet Potatoes Anna
This Sweet Potatoes Anna recipe is a delicious take on a classic French-inspired dish with historic origins. Delightfully simple, it's a potato side dish that's elegant, utterly irresistible, and perfect to serve for Christmas dinner.
Sweet Potatoes Anna
10
Garlic Parmesan Duchess Potatoes
Here I'll show you THE most delicious way to make Duchess Potatoes!
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11
Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Try our lighter version of scalloped potatoes with a rich, nutty flavor. Perfect for holiday dinners or any occasion.
Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
12
www.countryliving.com
Orange Carrots with Yogurt-Parsley Dressing
Beautiful and colorful carrots pair well with Christmas entrees.
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13
www.bbcgoodfood.com
Cheesy sprout gratin recipe
“Wondering how to make winning sprouts for your Christmas menu? Try our cheesy sprout gratin and you'll convert anyone who previously snubbed this festive vegetable.”
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14
Easy Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet Potato Casserole is an easy, iconic side dish perfect for the holidays with a smooth, velvety texture and sweet distinctive flavor. Topped with a crunchy pecan streusel and a hint of citrus, it's a classic favorite.
Sweet Potato Casserole
15
Simple Cornbread Dressing Recipe
This simple Cornbread Dressing recipe is a classic holiday side dish that's utterly delicious with holiday flavors of cornbread, sage, and thyme. Simple to make and perfect for Thanksgiving.
Cornbread Dressing Recipe
16
Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese
A comfort food classic in our home, this baked Macaroni and Cheese dish. Most especially on cold winter evenings. Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese is a comfort food classic at our house. Especially when it's baked in ramekins. An old family recipe that's comfy and cozy and perfectly simple.
Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
17
Wild Mushroom Stuffing Recipe
If there is one iconic Thanksgiving dish, other than the turkey, stuffing has to be it. This Wild Mushroom Stuffing recipe is an impressive, delicious side dish, packed with savory, earthy flavors, and easy to make from scratch.
Wild Mushroom Stuffing
18
Easy Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Creamy, fluffy, and full of cozy garlic flavor, these mashed potatoes are a favorite for weeknight dinners and holiday gatherings. Made with simple ingredients and easy to scale, plus make-ahead and reheating instructions for oven, stovetop, and slow cooker.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
19
Green Beans Almondine Recipe
A quick (15-minute) and elegant side dish: Green Beans Almondine blends crisp beans, buttery almonds, garlic, nutmeg, and bright lemon for a fresh, elegant holiday or weeknight side.
Green Beans Almondine
20
Easy Creamed Spinach Recipe
This decadent creamed spinach recipe with toasted panko is an easy and elegant side dish that's ready in minutes. Made with fresh spinach, butter, garlic, and cheese.
Creamed Spinach
21
Oven Roasted Cauliflower with Turmeric and Cumin
An easy side dish, Oven Roasted Cauliflower with Turmeric and Cumin is one of my go-to side dish recipes for quick-fix dinners - and delicious taste. All year long.
Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
22
Wild Rice Pilaf with Maple Glazed Carrots and Pecans
This Wild Rice Pilaf with Maple Glazed Carrots is a delicious and versatile side dish or vegetarian main dish for any occasion, but it is especially delightful during the holidays! Simple to make in 3 easy steps, it's a wonderful and healthy recipe you'll love to serve your guests!
Wild Rice Pilaf
23
Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Toasted Pecans is a favorite side dish with rich slightly sweet flavors and savory notes from bacon!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
24
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa, Kale and Cranberries
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa, Kale, and Cranberries is a healthy side dish perfect for fall and pretty enough for any holiday.
Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe
25
Air Fryer Potatoes Recipe
Crispy, golden Air Fryer Potatoes seasoned with paprika, garlic, and herbs. A quick, easy side dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners, game days, or holidays.
Air Fryer Potatoes
26
Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe
Add a touch of sweetness and warmth to your meals with this delightful Roasted Butternut Squash recipe with maple, cinnamon and sage.
Roasted Butternut Squash
27
Creamed Peas or Peas in Béchamel
Creamed Peas is a classic summer dish and has been a staple comfort food in the homes of many for years, whether in the United States or the United Kingdom. Creamed Peas on Toast is a fond culinary memory for those who grew up in Depression-era homes.
Creamed Peas
28
French Pea Soup
This French Pea Soup recipe, otherwise known as Potage Saint Germain, is an easy, classic dish, filled with the flavors of fresh peas and mint.
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29
Warm Vichyssoise Soup Recipe
This Warm Vichyssoise Soup is a vintage potato soup recipe, much like cream of potato soup. It's a French-inspired creamy and velvety soup that is deliciously special and even elegant. Plus, it can be made in 15 minutes or less.
Warm Vichyssoise Soup
30
Cream of Parsnip Soup
This quick and easy root vegetable soup is slightly sweet, with an almost nutty flavor that pairs well with the rich cream. All dressed up in Christmas colors.
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31
Creamy Chestnut Mushroom Soup
Tis the season for Creamy Chestnut Mushroom Soup. It’s also the time of year when I begin dreaming about chestnuts roasting over an open fire.
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32
Sweet Potato Soup Recipe
This Sweet Potato Soup is an incredibly delicious hearty vegetable soup that's naturally vegan, velvety in texture, and fragrant with herbs and spices. And quick to make in 30 minutes or less.
Sweet Potato Soup
33
Quick Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls
These Quick Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls are flaky, soft, ready in no time, and are decidedly beautiful for the dinner or holiday table!
One Hour Dinner Rolls Recipe
Whether you're hosting a traditional Christmas dinner or a relaxed holiday meal shared with friends, these festive side dishes are meant to support the moment - not compete with it. Choose what fits your table, your time, and your traditions, and let the meal unfold naturally.
