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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Cheese & Herb Potato FansAlso 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.
Pretzel-Topped Sweet PotatoesCreamy, 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!
Roasted CauliflowerThere'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!
Creamy Cranberry SaladA 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.
Festive RiceEverything 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.
Sharp Cheddar Scalloped PotatoesButter, 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.
Garlic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard SauceWe’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.
Sweet Potato PilafSweet 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.
Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed PotatoesThese 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.
Corn PuddingIf 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.
Tuscan-Style Roasted AsparagusYear-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.
Stuffing from the Slow CookerThis 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.
Special Creamed CornUltra 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.
Honey-Thyme Butternut SquashLike 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.
Baked Parmesan BroccoliEven 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.
German Red CabbageRed 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.
Cranberry-Walnut Brussels SproutsDried 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.
Potatoes LyonnaisePotatoes 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.
Winter Endive SaladA 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.
Skillet Sausage StuffingDuring 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.
Spinach-Parm CasseroleQuickly 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.
Pearl Onion Broccoli BakeBroccoli 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.
Acorn Squash with Cranberry StuffingAmp 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.
Celery GratinLet 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.
Butternut Squash JumbleThe 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.
Mashed Cauliflower with ParmesanIf 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.
Spiced Carrots with PistachiosTurn 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.
Perfect Winter SaladLaced 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.
Ginger Butternut Squash BisqueA 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.
Super Simple Scalloped PotatoesEveryone 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.
Cranberry-Sesame Spinach SaladThis 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.
Bacon Collard GreensSimmer 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.
Thyme-Roasted VegetablesFor 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.
Caramelized Port OnionsPearl 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.
Broccoli Rabe with Tuscan CrumbsWith 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.
Celery Root and Pear SlawCrunchy celery root is an underrated star from the produce section. Here, it’s shaved thin and tossed with cabbage, pears and a creamy dressing for a tangy slaw. It's a perfect combo for pork roast or baked ham.
Coconut-Bourbon Sweet PotatoesThis 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.