We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (2024)

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (1)

There's nothing that brings people together over the holidays quite like dinner — and no holiday dinner is complete without a spread of Christmas side dishes to sop up juicy prime rib, complement savory Christmas ham or contrast meaty roast beef. We gathered all of our best dishes for the occasion, including crisp winter salads, warming roasted veggies and potatoes in every form: mashed, smashed, roasted, even air-fried.

What sides should you have for Christmas dinner? First, think about the dietary restrictions of your guests. Use olive oil instead of butter in at least one side dish for any lactose-intolerant or dairy-free guests to enjoy. Hold the bacon on the Brussels sprouts if you have vegetarian Christmas party-goers or people who don't eat pork. Think twice before adding nuts to a salad or flour to something otherwise gluten-free. We included options for all of these guidelines and more — without sacrificing flavor, of course.

After you've noted everyone's dietary needs, consider varying the side dishes for the best flavor experience: Got the carbs covered? Be sure to include a fresh salad or garlicky vegetable side dish to lighten up Christmas dinner. If everything leans a little savory, consider adding something sweet like butternut squash or sweet potato. Or if your table already looks a little too orange and brown, look into adding green, red and purple pops of color (and flavor!). With your menu complete, you're almost ready to get the party started — just don't forget about a round of Christmas appetizers and Christmas co*cktails to kick things off!

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1

Winter White Bean and Radicchio Salad

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (3)

This bitter lettuce salad not only looks great, but it's also a delicious, bracing contrast to any holiday roast.

Get the Winter White Bean and Radicchio Salad recipe.

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2

Fresh Green Bean Casserole

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (4)

With cheese, crispy breadcrumbs and meaty mushrooms in a secret-ingredient creamy sauce, no one will be able to resist this classic side.

Get the Fresh Green Bean Casserole recipe.

RELATED: 23 Thanksgiving Green Bean Recipes to Complete Your Turkey Day Menu

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3

Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (5)

Add some dramatic flair to your feast with this side salad that's chock full of cheese, dried fruit and nuts.

Get the Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad recipe.

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4

Mushroom and Chile-Garlic Green Beans

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (7)

Blanched green beans are a classic side, but this dish takes the unexpected route by mixing in wild mushrooms, red chile and garlic butter.

Get the Mushroom and Chile-Garlic Green Beans recipe.

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5

Best Focaccia Bread

Fluffy, salt-topped bread will fit right in with your holiday spread. Just be sure to have an extra pan in the oven.

Get the Best Focaccia Bread recipe.

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6

Roasted Root Vegetables

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (10)

Sprucing up a tray of veggies can be as easy as a sprinkle of spices, a squeeze of fresh lemon and a drizzle of honey.

Get the Roasted Root Vegetables recipe.

RELATED: 24 Easy Vegetable Side Dishes That Go With Any Main

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7

Butternut Squash Mac 'n’ Cheese

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (11)

Sometimes a simple weeknight dinner, starring canned butternut squash, can double as a side dish. Scale it up for a larger crowd.

Get the Butternut Squash Mac 'n’ Cheese recipe.

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8

Garlicky Kale & Pea Sauté

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (12)

Balance that hearty roast with a plate of delicious and garlicky greens.

Get the .

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9

Brussels Sprouts With Pepitas and Figs

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (14)

These aren't any boring Brussels sprouts. Pack this vegetable side dish with crunchy pumpkin seeds and dried figs for the ultimate partner to your Christmas ham.

Get the Brussels Sprouts with Pepitas and Figs recipe.

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10

Scalloped Hasselback Potatoes With Cheddar

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (15)

This cheesy masterpiece is almost too pretty to eat. But it's also way too delicious not to, so go ahead and chow down.

Get the Scalloped Hasselback Potatoes with Cheddar recipe.

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11

Roasted Carrots and Red Onions

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (17)

This sweet and savory side, tossed with an orange-sherry vinegar dressing, goes with just about any main.

Get the Roasted Carrots and Red Onions recipe.

RELATED: 12 Easy Carrot Recipes That'll Spruce Up Your Easter Meal

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12

Spinach and Gruyère Potato Casserole

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (18)

Cheese and potatoes truly make everything better (yes, even Christmas).

Get the Spinach and Gruyère Potato Casserole recipe.

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13

Vegetarian Antipasto Salad

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (20)

Leaving out the salami ensures that this salad doesn't clash with your roast — and makes it a fit for your vegetarian friends.

Get the Vegetarian Antipasto Salad recipe.

RELATED: 55 Healthy Vegetarian Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Dinner

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14

Mashed Potatoes With Buttery Sliced Scallions

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (21)

Add some interest to this year's mash with fresh herbs, scallions and a pinch of lemon zest.

Get the Mashed Potatoes with Buttery Sliced Scallions recipe.

RELATED: 46 Easy Mashed Potatoes To Help You Find the Ultimate Holiday Side

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15

Parsnip and Potato Mash

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (22)

Sneak an extra veggie on the table by adding parsnips to your creamy mash. Bonus: they also add an earthy sweetness to this classic side.

Get the Parsnip and Potato Mash.

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16

Shaved Fennel and Celery Salad

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (23)

This monochromatic number may look simple but it's loaded with flavor, thanks to salty capers, Parmesan and a honey-Dijon vinaigrette.

Get the Shaved Fennel and Celery Salad recipe.

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17

Crispy Golden Smashed Potatoes

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (24)

These are basically mashed potatoes with a golden, crispy crust. Side dish goals realized.

Get the Crispy Golden Smashed Potatoes recipe.

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18

Roasted Beet and Orange Salad

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (26)

Put two stars of cold-weather cooking, beets and oranges, front and center in this colorful side.

Get the Roasted Beet and Orange Salad recipe.

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19

Sweet Potato Baked Pasta With Hazelnut Brown Butter

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (27)

Bring a creamy, cozy main to this year's celebration and you'll be the hit of the party. Wait until the last minute to add the buttery hazelnut topping.

Get the Sweet Potato Baked Pasta with Hazelnut Brown Butter recipe.

RELATED: 56 Best Sweet Potato Recipes That Are Perfect for Any Fall Occasion

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20

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (28)

Not your average sprouts, these are doused in a sweet-spicy combo of maple syrup, sriracha and hot paprika.

Get the Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts recipe.

RELATED: 7 Best Air Fryers of 2023, Tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute

We Gathered All Our Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes Right Here (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular side dish? ›

What are the most popular side dishes?
  • Roasted Asparagus.
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
  • Steak Fries.
  • Mashed Cauliflower.

What is a common side dish in a bento box? ›

Perhaps the most common side dish ingredient used in bento are eggs. Eggs used in bento are cooked in many different ways: tamagoyaki (omelet strips or squares typically cooked with salt and sugar), sunny-side-up eggs, scrambled eggs, omelets with many different kinds of filling, and even boiled eggs.

What is the main dish and side dish? ›

A main dish is the primary dish of a meal, around which the meal is built. It is usually meat or fish, or something like a casserole with meat or fish in it, and is usually accompanied by one or more side dishes. A side dish is a food item meant to accompany the main dish.

What is considered a side dish? ›

A side dish, sometimes referred to as a side order, side item, or simply a side, is a food item that accompanies the entrée or main course at a meal.

What is a dish that everyone likes? ›

Meals Everyone Loves
  • Guacamole Recipe: Simple, Easy, Authentic & The BEST! - Fantabulosity. ...
  • Ultimate Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese - Seasons and Suppers. ...
  • Baked Turkey Meatballs - No Breadcrumbs, Low Calorie. ...
  • Roasted Garlic Broccoli with Soy Sauce. ...
  • Easy Homemade Maple Syrup Recipe! ...
  • The Easiest Chipotle Shrimp Tacos.

What is America's number 1 dish? ›

Burgers remain to be among the most popular American dishes. The restaurant options for consumers vary from fast-food burgers in lower price segments to high-quality beef burgers in more expensive sit-down restaurants. Some restaurants also offer plant-based vegetarian or vegan burgers.

What goes at the bottom of bento box? ›

Start with a base (usually rice).

For most bento boxes, you'll want to start by filling about half of your container with rice.

What is the red ball in bento box? ›

Hinomaru Bento

Like the flag, this meal is elegant in its simplicity; the base is white rice topped with a single red umeboshi (pickled plum) to represent the sun, with a side dish of meat or fish.

What does obento mean? ›

An obento is a special kind of Japanese lunch that is not only tasty, but also very healthy and eye-catching. Japanese people tend to carry around their obentos in lunch boxes called “obento-bako.”

What is a good side dish instead of potatoes? ›

Use a whole grain such as quinoa, bulgur, couscous or brown rice in place of your potato. You can also add a whole grain roll where your potato would normally be. Whole grains contain fiber, which can help you feel full, lower blood sugar levels and may help lower cholesterol.

What is a fancy word for side dish? ›

What is another word for side dishes?
extrasaccompaniments
appurtenancesadditions
trappingsgarnish
bits and piecesfrills
add-onsfixins
7 more rows

How many side dishes should I serve? ›

Side Dishes

Aim for at least one starch, like a Neapolitan pasta with lentils; one vegetable dish; and a bright salad, like Michael Solomonov's kale tabbouleh to break everything up. For a slightly larger party, you will want at least four sides, but the same rules above apply, and make sure to keep things balanced.

What are some popular side dishes? ›

30 best side dishes
  • Cauliflower cheese.
  • Epic summer salad.
  • Quick kimchi.
  • Roasted carrots.
  • Easy pilau rice.
  • Ultimate roast potatoes.
  • Giant couscous & tomato salad with zhoug-style dressing.
  • Best ever macaroni cheese.

What is the most ordered dish? ›

Top Ordered Food Nationwide
  • Fries.
  • Chicken Quesadilla.
  • Mozzarella Sticks.
  • Garlic Naan.
  • Spicy Chicken Sandwich.
  • Pepperoni Pizza.
  • Chips & Queso.
  • Traditional Wings.
Dec 13, 2023

What is the most famous dish ever? ›

​Pizza​ Italian pizza is probably the most famous food in the world.

What is the greatest dish of all time? ›

Let's dig in.
  • Sushi (Japan) Source Prepared with vinegared rice and a wide range of ingredients including seafood, vegetables, and sometimes fruits. ...
  • Rendang, Indonesia. ...
  • Ramen, Japan. ...
  • Tom Yam Goong, Thailand. ...
  • Kebab, Turkey. ...
  • Pho, Vietnam. ...
  • Peking duck, China. ...
  • Paella, Spain.

References

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