For many, Christmas is the epitome of festive joy. The prospect of a sumptuous holiday feast, replete with a perfectly roasted turkey and an array of delectable sides, is enough to get anyone in the mood. If you’re tasked with hosting this year’s Christmas dinner, it’s essential to plan ahead. Beyond the star of the show – the turkey – you’ll need to prepare a selection of tantalizing side dishes that will impress your guests. But where do you start?
With so many options available, choosing the right sides can be overwhelming. To take the pressure off, we’ve compiled 33 mouth-watering Christmas side dish recipes for you to try. Each one is surprisingly easy to make, so why not get started and see what deliciousness you can whip up?
Roasted Asparagus
Roasted asparagus is a timeless favorite that complements many roasted meals. Its simplicity and flavor profile are undeniable – what’s not to love? For those seeking the perfect roasted asparagus experience, I encourage you to explore the accompanying recipe for a step-by-step guide.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Why settle for traditional roast potatoes when you can offer your loved ones a delightful twist this Christmas? Roasted sweet potatoes are an excellent alternative that combines the same satisfying textures as regular roasted potatoes with a plethora of new flavors. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love the natural sweetness and irresistible taste of sweet potatoes?
By roasting them, you can achieve that perfect balance of crispy and fluffy while introducing a world of possibilities for seasoning and flavor combinations. This Christmas, consider shaking things up and serving roasted sweet potatoes instead – your guests are sure to appreciate the unique twist!
Seared Mushroom With Garlic And Thyme
As an alternative to traditional holiday sides, consider serving seared mushrooms at your Christmas celebration. While they may be more commonly enjoyed in warmer climates, the rich flavors and textures they bring to the table make them a great addition to any winter dinner. This recipe takes it a step further by incorporating tons of seasoning and flavor, guaranteeing a dish that’s sure to impress.
Green Beans
When planning your Christmas dinner menu, it’s often helpful to have some quick and easy side dish options up your sleeve. Green beans are an excellent choice for just such an occasion. Not only do they require minimal preparation time, but they’re also incredibly flavorful when done right. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to create a mouthwatering garlic green bean dish that’s perfect for pairing with more complex sides.
Roasted Fennel
If you’re looking to shake things up this Christmas, consider serving roasted fennel as a side dish. Unlike other vegetable options, roasted fennel offers a crispy texture and bold flavors that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. What’s more, this recipe takes it a step further by caramelize the fennel, imbuing it with a sweet and savory flavor profile. This unique offering is sure to broaden your family’s culinary horizons and provide a memorable holiday experience.
Pumpkin Cornbread
Cornbread, a staple in the southern United States, finds a perfect pairing with pumpkin’s warm, comforting flavors. This recipe harmoniously blends the classic sweetness of cornbread with the autumnal essence of pumpkin, creating a delightful side dish that transcends seasonal boundaries. Whether you’re planning a Thanksgiving feast or looking for a festive accompaniment to your Christmas dinner, this light and airy pumpkin cornbread is sure to please.
Its tender texture also makes it an ideal partner for sopping up any remaining sauces and gravies.
Stuffing Balls
Why settle for traditional Christmas stuffing when you can elevate it into bite-sized morsels that are just as flavorful? Stuffing balls are the perfect solution. By condensing all the familiar flavors, seasonings, and textures of classic stuffing into small, rounded snacks, these little treats offer a fun twist on a holiday staple. Not only are they a breeze to devour, but they’re also ideal for sopping up any remaining gravy or cranberry sauce from your Christmas feast.
Give them a try and discover a new way to enjoy the last of your holiday meal.
Caramelized Broccoli
When it comes to vegetable sides at Christmas, broccoli is a classic choice. However, many kids (and let’s be honest, some adults too) can be quite picky when it comes to this nutritious green. That’s why we’re suggesting a twist on the traditional: caramelized broccoli! This sweet and crispy version is a game-changer for getting your little ones to eat their veggies without complaint.
The natural sweetness of the caramelization process makes it a winner with even the most discerning palates, and the crunchy texture adds a delightful surprise to the dish. So why not give it a try this holiday season?
Roasted Pears
As you celebrate Christmas in a warmer climate this year, you may find that the usual hot vegetable side dishes can be overwhelming. In search of a lighter, refreshing accompaniment to your holiday feast, roasted pears emerge as an intriguing option. Typically served as a sweet dessert due to its delicate flavors and textures, this dish can also surprise as a unique side dish pairing perfectly with Christmas dinner.
While it’s best savored warm, the light, easy-to-eat nature of roasted pears makes them a welcome respite from the usual rich and heavy holiday fare.
Potato Casserole
Looking for a creative way to serve potatoes at Christmas? Consider serving a potato casserole instead. This delightful dish combines the comforting starchy flavors and nutrients of potatoes with the richness of butter and chicken broth, creating a smooth and velvety texture that’s sure to be a hit. If your family is tired of traditional roasted potatoes, this fun alternative is a great way to mix things up and add some excitement to your holiday meal. Try it out this Christmas!
Roasted Butternut Squash
This Christmas, consider elevating your vegan holiday table with a deliciously quirky side dish: roasted butternut squash. The caramelized flavors and added paprika spice create a tender and smoky experience that’s sure to please. And the best part? This recipe is incredibly easy to make, yielding great results in just ten minutes. With its unique flavor profile and simplicity, roasted butternut squash is an excellent addition to any vegan Christmas dinner.
Mushroom And Lentil Salad
For a festive twist on traditional sides, this mushroom and lentil salad is an excellent choice for your Christmas gathering. When served warm over leafy greens, the dish offers a nutrient-dense option that’s rich in fiber and protein. This makes it an ideal accompaniment to vegan and vegetarian holiday meals, providing a healthier alternative to richer meat-based options.
Vegan Stuffing
As you prepare to host a festive Christmas dinner this year, consider delighting your vegan guests with a plant-based twist on the classic stuffing dish. By substituting traditional ingredients like lard and animal products with vegan alternatives such as vegan butter, vegetable broth, and flaxseed, you can create a deliciously crispy and soft vegan stuffing that caters to all dietary needs.
Candied Sweet Potato And Marshmallows
While traditionally associated with Thanksgiving, there’s no reason why candied sweet potatoes can’t be enjoyed during the holiday season as well. In fact, adding marshmallows takes this classic side dish to new heights of sweetness and texture, making it a perfect fit for Christmas celebrations. With its gooey, caramelized goodness, you’ll want to make sure to save room for seconds!
Christmas Coleslaw
As the mercury rises, there’s no better way to beat the heat than with a refreshing serving of coleslaw. And what if you’re celebrating Christmas in the midst of summer? Why not combine the two and create a festive, ginger-spiced coleslaw that embodies the essence of the holiday season? This recipe is as easy as it gets, featuring a zesty dressing that will elevate your Christmas dinner to new heights.
Prosciutto Scallion Bundles
For those looking to elevate their holiday spread, this prosciutto scallion bundles recipe is an excellent choice. By combining the richness of meat with the sweetness of vegetables, these bite-sized morsels offer a delightful fusion of flavors and textures that are sure to impress your guests.
Whether you’re seeking a show-stopping side dish for Christmas dinner or a unique appetizer for your holiday party, these bundles are a great way to add some flair to your menu while still showcasing the natural sweetness of scallions.
Rosemary Rolls
As the holiday season approaches, bread plays a crucial role in many festive gatherings. A staple at any Christmas dinner, this fragrant and flavorful side dish deserves a spot on your table. One popular variation is the rosemary-infused bread rolls recipe, which harmonizes perfectly with the traditional flavors of the season. This classic combination of herbs and spices will undoubtedly become a new favorite.
Cranberry Rice And Caramelized Onions
As the holiday season approaches, many of us are already thinking about our Christmas dinner plans. While some may opt for traditional potato-based sides, others in warmer climates might choose a lighter, cooler option – like rice. This unique approach has inspired me to create a recipe that combines the flavors of cranberry and caramelized onion with a delicious rice dish.
Bacon And Green Beans
Looking for a creative twist on traditional green bean recipes? Look no further! This innovative bacon and green beans combination is sure to impress. While it may require a bit more effort than some of your go-to recipes, the end result is well worth the extra challenge. Serve it up at your holiday gathering this Christmas and watch as your guests rave about the unique flavor combination.
Spinach Souffle
Elevate your Christmas spread by trading in traditional cooked spinach for a decadent spinach soufflé. This luxurious side dish combines the richness of cream, the pungency of cheese, and the airy lightness of a perfectly crafted soufflé. The result is a texturally complex and flavorful addition to your holiday meal that will surely impress guests.
Popovers
While sharing some similarities with traditional Yorkshire puddings, popovers take on a life of their own with their unique, irregular shapes. Despite this unpredictability, they still boast the same airy, light texture that makes them an ideal companion for sopping up savory gravy and sauces – a perfect match for your Christmas dinner table.
Roast Potatoes
Roast potatoes are a staple side dish during many holiday feasts, including Christmas dinner. Their crispy exterior and fluffy interior make them a crowd-pleaser, while also providing a boost of energy and nutrients with each bite. For a deliciously perfect roast potato this Christmas, consider the recipe outlined above.
Honey Glazed Carrots
Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a plate of succulent, sweet, and crunchy carrots. This beloved vegetable is a staple at many holiday tables, and it’s easy to see why. Not only are carrots incredibly nutritious, but they’re also incredibly delicious when prepared just right. Our honey glazed carrot recipe takes the humble veggie to new heights by adding a touch of sweetness that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
With this recipe, you’ll be serving up a side dish that’s sure to become a new family tradition.
Roasted Parsnips
Roasting parsnips is a great way to bring out their natural sweetness and add depth of flavor to your holiday spread. With just a few simple seasonings, you can elevate this classic root vegetable from ordinary to extraordinary. By following the recipe above and adding a pinch of onion powder, minced garlic, and dried oregano, you’ll be able to create a deliciously complex flavor profile that will complement your other dishes perfectly.
And with their easy preparation, you’ll have more time to focus on cooking up the rest of your Christmas feast.
Buttery Mint Peas
While traditional boiled peas are a staple for many holiday meals, this recipe elevates the classic to new heights by infusing the natural sweetness with the bright, refreshing flavor of mint. Dubbed ‘mint peas,’ this delectable side dish not only tantalizes the taste buds but also harmoniously complements the rich flavors of your Christmas main course. So why settle for the ordinary when you can make the extraordinary?
Give this recipe a try and experience the delightful fusion of textures and tastes that will leave everyone wanting more.
Cauliflower Cheese
Why settle for plain roasted or steamed cauliflower when you can elevate it to a decadent Christmas side dish with a creamy cauliflower cheese? This twist on the classic veggie adds a rich, velvety texture that even picky eaters will love. By coating your cauliflower in a cheesy sauce, you’re not only making it more appealing but also infusing it with an extra depth of flavor.
It’s no wonder this variation has gained popularity in American households – it’s a game-changer for any Christmas dinner table!
Pigs In Blankets
In the United Kingdom, pigs in blankets have become an integral part of Christmas tradition. In fact, serving Christmas dinner without them is considered taboo. But what exactly are these tasty treats? Essentially, they’re small, succulent sausages wrapped in a thin layer of crispy bacon, then roasted to perfection. The combination of salty and savory flavors makes pigs in blankets a popular side dish that’s hard to resist.
If you’re worried about adding too much meat to your Christmas spread, fear not – these bite-sized morsels can be enjoyed in moderation, bringing a welcome burst of flavor and texture to your holiday meal.
Yorkshire Pudding
This Christmas, bring a taste of British tradition to your holiday table with Yorkshire Pudding, a light and airy side dish that’s surprisingly simple to make. The secret lies in creating little bowls of batter, which can then be filled with a medley of vegetables and meats for a satisfying accompaniment to your festive feast. While perfecting the art of Yorkshire pudding can take some trial and error – who hasn’t ended up with a batch of popovers instead?
– with this easy recipe, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the technique.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a delightful twist on the classic roasted potato. For those who find the crispy texture of roasted potatoes unappealing, mashed potatoes offer a comforting and flavorful alternative. This recipe provides a foolproof guide to achieving the perfect mash, complete with expert seasoning tips. With this dish, you can confidently serve your guests and family, knowing they’ll be treated to a rich culinary experience that rivals its roasted counterpart.
Honeyed Brussel Sprouts
While some may have a love-hate relationship with Brussels sprouts, there’s no disputing their prominent role as a traditional Christmas side dish. The key to unlocking their full flavor potential lies in balancing the natural bitterness and pungency. This recipe presents a game-changing approach by drizzling honey glaze over the roasted vegetables, effectively embedding sweetness within each crisp, flavorful sprout.
By doing so, even picky eaters may find themselves won over by this tasty twist on a holiday classic.
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is an integral component of Christmas celebrations, making it a must-have condiment during the holiday season. Rather than settling for store-bought options, why not try your hand at crafting a batch from scratch? This simple recipe will guide you through the process of creating a homemade cranberry sauce that strikes the ideal balance between sweet and tangy flavors. The best part?
It’s surprisingly quick to prepare, allowing you to whip it up just as you’re putting the finishing touches on dinner preparations.
Root Vegetable Salad
As Christmas dinner approaches, many of us turn to tried-and-true veggie side dishes featuring root vegetables. However, what if we told you there’s a way to enjoy those same flavors in a lighter, more refreshing package? Enter the humble root vegetable salad. This delightful dish combines the natural sweetness and earthiness of carrots, parsnips, beetroot, onions, and other root veggies with the added depth of walnut and pomegranate, all held together by a zesty dressing.
By choosing this salad as your go-to side, you’ll free up space on your plate for even more festive fun.
Barbara is an enthusiastic food-exploring person that goes through different culinary experiences. She got inspired by creating a pizza blog post after she tasted one of the best-selling pizzas in Toledo.