27 Christmas side dishes perfect for potlucks and family dinners
These 27 Christmas side dishes cover all the bases, from comforting favorites to creative new additions. They’re perfect for family dinners or holiday potlucks where everyone has to have a bite. Simple, tasty, and festive, they make holiday meals feel extra special.
Garlic Butter Corn
This buttery skillet corn is next-level, with fresh garlic vibes and a sprinkle of parmesan on top. It is super easy and works for both a weeknight dish and for a special occasion. Get the recipe: Garlic Butter Fried Corn
Maple Glazed Carrots
These maple-glazed carrots are side dish goals. They’ll steal the show at any meal, sweet, spicy, buttery, and perfectly caramelized. Get the recipe: Maple Roasted Carrots
Garlic Butter Green Beans
These garlic butter green beans add the perfect pop of green to any meal and taste way fancier than they are. They come together fast, and you can mix them up with tons of fun add-ons. Get the recipe: Garlic Butter Green Beans
Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash
This spicy roasted butternut squash with quinoa and dried cranberries brings together warm, balanced flavors that feel right for fall. It works well as a warm salad or a simple gluten-free side dish. Get the recipe: Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash
Arugula and Sweet Potato Salad with Goat Cheese
You’ll want to bookmark this arugula salad with goat cheese ASAP. Peppery arugula, tangy goat cheese, and roasted sweet potatoes come together for a perfect balance of flavors and textures that works as an appetizer or side. Get the recipe: Arugula and Sweet Potato Salad with Goat Cheese
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
These roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon are literally the easiest thing ever, with just 10 minutes of prep. Crispy bacon, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and a maple Dijon sauce that ties it all together make this side dish an absolute showstopper. Get the recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Cheesy Cauliflower Broccoli Bake
This cheesy cauliflower broccoli bake is the side dish you didn’t know you needed. Loaded with veggies and melted cheese, it’s the perfect comfort food to complement any meal. Get the recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Bake
Old-Fashioned Sourdough Dressing
This super easy dressing is a family favorite for a reason. The top is crispy, while the center stays soft. Even better, you can make it ahead or cook it in the slow cooker, leaving you more time to hang out with family. Get the recipe: Old-Fashioned Sourdough Dressing
Roasted Carrots and Asparagus with Tarragon Butter
Time to level up your veggie side dish game with these roasted carrots and asparagus, topped with fresh tarragon herb butter and toasted pistachios. It’s simple, gorgeous, and perfect for any occasion with just a few easy ingredients. Get the recipe: Roasted Carrots and Asparagus with Tarragon Butter
Mashed Potato Casserole
This mashed potato casserole is pure comfort in every bite, creamy and cheesy with a crunchy panko topping. Crisp bacon and fresh chives add the perfect salty pop and a splash of color. Get the recipe: Mashed Potato Casserole
Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Arugula
This roasted beet salad turns beets into a colorful, crunchy, creamy side. Roast, chill, and toss with arugula, goat cheese, pistachios, and honey-balsamic vinaigrette for a dish that’s easy to prep. Get the recipe: Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Arugula
Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes
These roasted sweet potatoes are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned with herbs that make them seriously addictive. Simple, flavorful, and guaranteed to steal the spotlight at dinner. Get the recipe: Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Honeycrisp Apple Candied Pecan Salad
This honeycrisp apple and candied pecan salad is a seasonal showstopper for autumn and Thanksgiving gatherings. Apples, goat cheese, candied pecans, and a maple dressing make every bite fresh and crunchy. Get the recipe: Honeycrisp Apple Candied Pecan Salad
Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
These crockpot cheesy potatoes are the ultimate cheesy side that basically steals the show at any family meal or holiday. Super easy, totally foolproof, and guaranteed to have everyone asking for seconds. Get the recipe: Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
Farro and Apple Arugula Salad
This farro salad is fresh, versatile, and packed with crisp arugula, chewy farro, sweet apples, and shaved Parmesan. Tossed in a tangy Dijon vinaigrette, it’s perfect as a nutritious main or a hearty side. Get the recipe: Farro and Apple Arugula Salad
Sweet Potato Cornbread
This sweet potato cornbread takes classic cornbread up a notch with moist, flavorful bites and a hint of warm cinnamon. Perfect alongside holiday meals or rich stews, it’s basically comfort food upgraded. Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Cornbread
Stuffed Butternut Squash
This stuffed butternut squash is loaded with quinoa, kale, cranberries, herbs, and sweet apples for a cozy, veggie-packed meal. Want meat? Toss in some Italian sausage or ground beef, and you’ve got an instant hearty main dish. Get the recipe: Stuffed Butternut Squash
Kale Salad with Apples
This massaged kale salad is fresh, crunchy, and perfectly balanced with apples, cranberries, toasted almonds, and Pecorino Romano. A lemon Dijon dressing with a splash of apple cider vinegar brings it all together. Get the recipe: Kale Salad with Apples
Sweet Potato Casserole
This sweet potato casserole is rich, cozy, and topped with the most addictive brown sugar pecan crumble. Make it ahead, bake it later, and watch it disappear fast. Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole
Homemade Turkey Gravy
This homemade turkey gravy is rich, flavorful, and easy to make straight from your pan drippings. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s fast, foolproof, and perfect whether you like it smooth and classic or boosted with a quick giblet stock. Get the recipe: Homemade Turkey Gravy
Spinach Pear and Feta Salad
This spinach, pear, and feta salad combines sweet pomegranate arils, earthy walnuts, and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. Sweet, tangy, and crunchy, it’s ready in just 5 minutes. Get the recipe: Spinach Pear and Feta Salad
Sweet and Spicy Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sweet and spicy roasted sweet potatoes are the perfect side dish. With just the right mix of sweetness and heat, they’re sure to step up your meal. Get the recipe: Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Butternut Squash Lasagna
This veggie-packed butternut squash lasagna layers roasted squash, zucchini, spinach, and all the melty cheese you can handle. It’s the kind of cozy, crowd-favorite recipe you end up making for every family event. Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Lasagna
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
This Brussels sprout salad mixes shaved Brussels sprouts, chopped kale, pomegranate arils, avocado, and candied pecans in a bright lemon vinaigrette. Quick to make, it’s perfect for a holiday side or a light lunch. Get the recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
Cornbread Casserole
This cornbread casserole is buttery, sweet, and packed with all the corn flavor you could want. It’s the kind of side that steals the show, holiday or not. Get the recipe: Cornbread Casserole
Honey Butter Roasted Carrots
These roasted carrots are as simple as they get, with only 10 minutes of prep time. The sweet and savory honey butter seasoning is so good that everyone will be going back for seconds. Get the recipe: Honey Butter Roasted Carrots
Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
This slow cooker green bean casserole uses simple pantry staples like canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive meal when you want comfort food without tying up the oven. Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole