Home Holidays Christmas
ByLesley Balla
Taste of Home's Editorial Process
Updated: Apr. 09, 2024
These delicious Christmas side dishes will bring all the good cheer to your table. Watch out, holiday ham. This year, you have competition!
No matter what your family is eating for Christmas dinner this year, you’ll need a few winning side dishes to pull the meal together. From roasted Brussels sprouts to top-rated potato recipes, you’ll find Christmas side dishes to pair with ham dinners, chicken feasts, tofurkeys, holiday lasagna or roast beast. They’re so good, they might even upstage the main event!
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Green Bean Casserole
Perfect for family gatherings, this classic can be made ahead of time and popped in the oven when guests arrive. Use fresh or frozen green beans, make a quick sauce and top with crunchy onions. And because it’s so easy, the casserole makes a great Christmas potluck side dish.
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2/53
Also known as Hasselback potatoes, named after a hotel in Sweden where they originated, these cheesy spuds look great on the Christmas dinner table. An easy tip on getting the slices just right without going all the way through to the bottom: Place a wooden spoon along the side of the potato, then cut carefully until the blade hits the handle.
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3/53
Pretzel-Topped Sweet Potatoes
Creamy, mashed sweet potatoes loaded with sweet-and-savory toppings like pretzels, cranberries, brown sugar and pecans is a wonderful alternative to the classic holiday side. It might just become the new family favorite!
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4/53
Roasted Cauliflower
There’s nothing easier than roasted cauliflower for dinner. Baked in the oven until caramelized and a little sweet, and covered in herbs and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, the vegetable is transformed into a Christmas side dish that goes with everything—roast beef, ham, turkey or even tofu!
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5/53
Creamy Cranberry Salad
A salad that eats like a dessert? Sign us up! A mix of tangy fruit, fluffy marshmallow and crunchy nuts makes this a standout for the holidays. For more side dish inspo, here are some of our best Christmas salad recipes.
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6/53
Festive Rice
Everything deserves a little sprucing during the holiday season, even plain old rice. Here it’s transformed with sweetened pepitas, cranberries, salty feta cheese and a kick of cayenne. Keep that festive spirit going with some of our best Christmas punch recipes.
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7/53
Sharp Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes
Butter, cream and two kinds of cheese make these scalloped potatoes impossible to resist. Great with any roasted meat, they’re the perfect Christmas side dish.
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8/53
Garlic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard Sauce
We’re not saying roasted Brussels sprouts need embellishment, but when you add lots of garlic and this delicious mustard cream sauce they become something spectacular.
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9/53
Sweet Potato Pilaf
Sweet potatoes, kale, asparagus and bacon (yay!) create a beautiful symphony of color and flavor when combined with wild rice. For a shortcut, use your Instant Pot to cook the rice.
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10/53
Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
These loaded, and we mean loaded, potatoes can be made at least one day ahead of time and popped back in the oven right before you serve dinner. Yes, there are at least five kinds of dairy products and bacon, but they’ll be a Christmas side dish your friends and family will ask for each year.
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11/53
Corn Pudding
If you’re looking for an easy Christmas dinner idea, look no further than this southern corn pudding casserole. Simply combine cornbread mix, two kinds of canned corn and a few other ingredients, and you’ll have a delicious side in a snap.
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12/53
Tuscan-Style Roasted Asparagus
Year-round asparagus is easy to come by these days, and it’s particularly good with this Italian-inspired roasted vegetable recipe. Dressed up with grape tomatoes, pine nuts and a little lemon zest, it can be served hot or cold—perfect for day-long holiday celebrations.
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13/53
Stuffing from the Slow Cooker
This simple slow-cooked stuffing makes a great Christmas side dish for big holiday get-togethers, especially when you run out of oven space. Pop sauteed vegetables, herbs and bread cubes into a slow cooker and forget about it for a few hours, then serve when ready.
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14/53
Special Creamed Corn
Ultra creamy, this corn side dish feels special-occasion without the fuss. It’s all in the roux—the combination of butter and flour that serves as a base of a good sauce—plus heavy cream and a quick hit under the broiler for a cheesy golden brown top.
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15/53
Honey-Thyme Butternut Squash
Like comfort in a bowl, the combination of creamy whipped butternut squash with a bit of honey and a touch of thyme will complete any Christmas table. While you can serve it alongside potatoes, it’s a nice alternative on its own.
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16/53
Baked Parmesan Broccoli
Even kids who hate broccoli will dig into this creamy baked version. After steaming the florets, cover them in a cheese sauce, top with breadcrumbs and pop in the oven until browned. It’s good for the holidays or any day.
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17/53
German Red Cabbage
Red cabbage cooked with apple creates a perfectly festive Christmas side dish for the holiday table. A touch of vinegar gives the mixture a subtle sweet-tart flavor.
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18/53
Cranberry-Walnut Brussels Sprouts
Dried cranberries add just enough sweetness to these easy caramelized Brussels sprouts, and walnuts give some crunchy texture. All together, the combo is a satisfying side for any main dish.
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19/53
Potatoes Lyonnaise
Potatoes cooked with butter, onion and herbs: What could be better? This side dish is good for everyday but also elegant enough for special occasions. Simple to make, it’s a wonderful accompaniment to things like baked ham or roast pork tenderloin.
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20/53
Winter Endive Salad
A tangy citrus dressing balances the endive’s hint of bitterness, and sweet-tart pomegranate seeds add a stunning ruby color to this crisp salad. It’s yet another easy Christmas salad everyone will love.
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21/53
Skillet Sausage Stuffing
During the bustling holiday season, we all need a few cooking hacks to make things easier. Here packaged stuffing mix gets a boost of flavor and texture from sausage, mushrooms, celery and onion, and goes from stovetop to table in under 30 minutes.
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22/53
Spinach-Parm Casserole
Quickly saute fresh spinach, top with a buttery garlic mixture and Parmesan cheese, then throw the whole thing in the oven. It’s like a quick gratin without all the work.
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23/53
Pearl Onion Broccoli Bake
Broccoli and pearl onions smothered in a creamy white cheese sauce and topped with buttery breadcrumbs will be the hit of the Christmas table. Frozen broccoli is a time-saver here.
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24/53
Acorn Squash with Cranberry Stuffing
Amp up those acorn squash with fresh cranberries, a bit of tart apple, butter and savory herbs. Both colorful and festive, it’s a fitting addition to a small-scale Christmas dinner.
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25/53
Celery Gratin
Let celery be the star of your Christmas side with this easy, creamy gratin. This simple dish comes together in a snap and makes a lovely side for glazed ham or roast beef.
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26/53
Butternut Squash Jumble
The beauty of this roasted squash and sweet potato dish isn’t just the color. It’s the delicious salty-sweet additions of dried cranberries, gorgonzola cheese and toasted pecans for a nice contrast. It can be served at room temperature, which means one less serving time to worry about.
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27/53
Mashed Cauliflower with Parmesan
If you’re looking for a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, try mashing cauliflower with butter, cream and parmesan cheese instead. This is one of those Christmas side dishes you’ll turn to every year.
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28/53
Spiced Carrots with Pistachios
Turn traditional candied carrots into something special with a hint of warm spices, plus golden raisins and pistachios. It will please every palate, from gluten-free to vegetarian and vegan.
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29/53
Perfect Winter Salad
Laced with tart apples, crunchy pecans and dried cranberries, this easy winter salad makes a delightful Christmas side dish. Or enjoy it for lunch the next day topped with leftover turkey or chicken.
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30/53
Ginger Butternut Squash Bisque
A lightly spiced bisque goes well with any holiday meal. Serve it beforehand as an appetizer or alongside other sides for a non-traditional Christmas dinner. Served with rice and topped with dried coconut and peanuts, it can even be a vegetarian main course.
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31/53
Super Simple Scalloped Potatoes
Everyone should have a fail-proof recipe for scalloped potatoes in their back pocket. Simply cover sliced russet potatoes in a cream mixture, cover and bake. That’s it. Let the potatoes settle for at least 10 minutes before serving.
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Cranberry-Sesame Spinach Salad
This snappy salad balances sweet cranberries with subtly tart apple cider vinaigrette, plus added crunch from almonds and sesame seeds. It’s a terrific side dish with other seasonal favorites like creamy mashed potatoes, stuffing and roast turkey.
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33/53
Bacon Collard Greens
Simmer hearty collard greens with bacon, a few herbs and chicken stock for the most flavorful Christmas side dish. If you’re serving glazed ham, you need these greens.
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34/53
Thyme-Roasted Vegetables
For a delicious and no-fuss holiday side, simply toss cubed sweet potatoes, mushrooms and bell peppers in a bit of olive oil and herbs, put on a sheet pan, and roast in the oven. The aroma alone will make the house feel like the holidays.
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35/53
Caramelized Port Onions
Pearl onions (fresh are better but frozen will do) glazed in port wine, balsamic vinegar and brown sugar go with just about everything. But the tangy side dish is particularly good with roasted meats, especially beef.
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36/53
Broccoli Rabe with Tuscan Crumbs
With seasoned bread crumbs, cheese and currants, basic broccoli rabe becomes an excellent Christmas side dish that goes with a variety of entrees. Try it with rack of lamb, ham or any number of roasted or grilled meats.
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37/53
Coconut-Bourbon Sweet Potatoes
This sweet potato casserole is packed with so much flavor and texture, it’ll be your new favorite Christmas side dish. It has everything: Cream, bourbon, brown sugar, marshmallows, coconut, raisins and spices all brought together from a short bake in the oven.
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38/53
Air-Fryer Herb and Lemon Cauliflower
If you don’t have an air fryer yet, this recipe might be the one that will convince you. With a total cooking time of only 20 minutes, this quick and easy side is a little bit tart, a little bit spicy and extremely tasty.
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39/53
Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
Pancetta, a cut of pork that’s similar to bacon but isn’t smoked, elevates the Brussels sprouts to make them feel extra fancy. Don’t skimp on the balsamic vinegar, which brings the whole dish together.
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40/53
Gluten-Free Stuffing
Having a large family gathering usually means at least one guest will have a dietary restriction. The recipe can also be made vegan by using vegan butter and an egg substitute.
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Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans
You’ll want to drizzle this irresistible glaze on everything. And with just four ingredients—butter, brown sugar, garlic salt and soy sauce—it’s easy enough to whip up anytime.
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Cranberry Wild Rice
If you insist on having at least one nutritious side on the table, let it be this flavorful wild rice dish. With dried cranberries, pine nuts and thyme, every bite is loaded with flavor and crunch. We have even more rice side dishes if you want to have options on the table.
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43/53
Lemon-Scented Broccolini
If you want to make a veggie look and taste like it came from a restaurant, grate a little lemon zest on it. A dash of lemon-pepper seasoning adds even more oomph.
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Honey Roasted Heirloom Potatoes
Mashed potatoes will always have a special spot on the holiday spread, but we love having options too! These colorful little guys are a little bit sweet and a little bit salty, and only take about 35 minutes to prepare.
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45/53
Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Brussels sprouts are divisive. Some people love them no matter how they’re cooked, while others give them a hard pass. Folks in the second camp must try this cheesy, caramelized masterpiece that will convert anyone into a Brussels fan.
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46/53
Easy Apple Sweet Potato Bake
While this apple dish sounds like it could double as a Christmas dessert, it will add a welcome hint of sweetness to the dinner table. It complements everything from turkey to roasted duck.
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Grandpa’s Party Potatoes
Let’s get this party started! Cream cheese, French onion dip and paprika make these creamy and flavorful mashed potatoes extra special.
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Parmesan Butternut Squash
Ordinarily, squash can take upwards of an hour to roast, but this is a microwave shortcut recipe that cuts down on the cooking time significantly. Pop the dish into the broiler for a minute or two right before serving.
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Let’s face it, plain frozen peas are a snooze. Add fresh dill, chives and lemon-pepper seasoning to transform it into a side dish that’s worthy of a celebration.
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50/53
Balsamic Purple Potatoes
While purple potatoes aren’t available at every grocery store, you might find them at your local farmers market around Christmastime. The difference in taste is subtle, but they’ll add a colorful pop to your holiday spread.
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Sourdough, Sausage and Blueberry Dressing
When it comes to stuffing or dressing (which is what the dish is called when it’s cooked outside of the bird) adding blueberries probably never crossed your mind. But hear us out! It’s a unique flavor combination that will have your guests begging for the recipe.
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Beer-Cheese Green Bean Casserole
If Christmas dinner at your house means decadence, look no further than this ooey, gooey side. It’s like macaroni and cheese and green bean casserole had a really delicious baby.
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Spectacular Fingerling Potatoes
If you can’t find these cute mini potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes work too. In the unlikely event that there are leftovers, they’ll last for up to three days in an airtight container in the fridge.
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Originally Published: October 12, 2018
Author
Lesley Balla
An associate food editor forTaste of Home,Lesley has written about food, restaurants, wine, and spirits for 20-plus years. She’s regularly contributed to local, regional and national print and digital publications as an editor and writer, includingResy,Food Fanatics,10Best,Los Angelesmagazine,Zagat andEater. When not at her desk...
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