The best Christmas side dishes are the ones that turn a holiday meal into a feast everyone remembers. Whether you’re serving a glazed ham, a roast turkey, or a cozy prime rib this year, the sides are what fill the table with color, comfort, and that unmistakable holiday magic.
We’ve pulled together 18 of our favorite Christmas sides, from creamy mashed and scalloped potatoes to festive cranberry stuffing, cheesy gratins, warm rolls, and a bright winter salad. There’s something here for every corner of the table, so grab a mug of something warm and click through to find the recipes that will make your holiday dinner shine.
1. The Ultimate Creamy Mashed Potatoes
No Christmas table is complete without a big bowl of buttery, cloud-soft mashed potatoes. Whipped with cream and plenty of butter, they’re the ultimate blank canvas for gravy and the side everyone reaches for first.
2. Creamy Parmesan Herb Scalloped Potatoes
Thinly sliced potatoes layered in a Parmesan-herb cream and baked until golden and bubbling make an elegant holiday showpiece. They look impressive on a festive table yet come together with just a handful of pantry staples.
3. Cheesy Funeral Potatoes (Hash Brown Casserole)
Creamy, cheesy hash brown casserole topped with a buttery, crunchy crust is pure holiday comfort in a dish. It’s a make-ahead crowd-pleaser that disappears fast at every Christmas gathering.
4. Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions
This classic green bean casserole brings tender beans in a creamy mushroom sauce under a shower of crispy fried onions. It’s the nostalgic holiday side no Christmas spread should go without.
5. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Honey Glaze
Roasted until caramelized and tossed with crispy bacon and a touch of honey, these sprouts win over even the skeptics. The sweet-and-savory glaze makes them feel special enough for the Christmas table.
6. Honey Glazed Carrots with Thyme
Sweet roasted carrots glossed in honey and fresh thyme add a pop of festive color to any holiday plate. They’re simple, fast, and a welcome bright note among the richer sides.
7. Maple Roasted Butternut Squash
Cubes of butternut squash roasted with maple syrup turn jammy, caramelized, and irresistible. The warm sweetness makes this a cozy, seasonal side that feels right at home at Christmas dinner.
8. Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasty Marshmallows
Silky spiced sweet potatoes crowned with golden, toasty marshmallows are a holiday tradition for good reason. It straddles the line between side dish and dessert, and nobody ever complains.
9. Cauliflower Gratin with Gruyere
Tender cauliflower baked in a nutty Gruyere cream sauce is a low-key showstopper for the Christmas table. Golden and bubbling on top, it’s rich, elegant, and a nice change from the usual potato gratin.
10. Creamed Spinach Gratin
Steakhouse-style creamed spinach gets a golden, cheesy gratin topping in this decadent holiday side. The rich, velvety greens are an easy way to add an upscale touch to Christmas dinner.
11. Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Tender broccoli folded into a creamy cheddar sauce and baked until bubbly is comfort food the whole family loves. It’s an easy, kid-friendly side that rounds out a festive holiday menu.
12. Classic Corn Casserole
Somewhere between cornbread and creamy spoonbread, this cozy corn casserole is a holiday-table favorite. It comes together in one bowl and bakes up golden, soft, and subtly sweet.
13. Easy Creamy Mac and Cheese
Ultra-creamy, extra-cheesy, and loved by every generation at the table, mac and cheese earns its spot on the Christmas spread. Make it in advance and bake it off while the roast rests.
14. Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing
Studded with tart cranberries, sweet apples, and toasted walnuts, this stuffing is bursting with festive flavor. The mix of savory herbs and holiday fruit makes it a standout alongside roast turkey or ham.
15. Wild Rice Pilaf with Cranberries
Nutty wild rice tossed with dried cranberries and fresh herbs is a lighter, elegant grain side for the holidays. The jewel-toned berries make it as pretty as it is flavorful on the Christmas table.
16. Fluffy Buttery Parker House Rolls
Soft, pillowy, and brushed with butter, these homemade Parker House rolls are made for mopping up gravy. Warm from the oven, they’re the kind of holiday bread that makes the whole house smell amazing.
17. Roasted Garlic Herb Pull-Apart Bread
Buttery, garlicky, and herb-flecked, this pull-apart bread is fun to share and impossible to resist. Set it on the table and watch it vanish piece by piece during Christmas dinner.
18. Pear, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Salad
Crisp greens with juicy pears, toasted walnuts, and tangy blue cheese bring a fresh, festive balance to a rich meal. This elegant salad adds color and a little lightness to the Christmas feast.
More Holiday Recipes to Explore
Building your full holiday menu? Browse more of our favorites, from mains to sweets: our Side Dishes, Holiday & Thanksgiving Recipes, and Desserts & Baked Goods collections are full of dishes worthy of the Christmas table. Happy cooking, and happy holidays from our kitchen to yours!
Kitchen Gear for This Recipe
- Instant-Read Meat Thermometer
- Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Heavy-Duty Sheet Pan Set
- Glass Mixing Bowl Set
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