33 Christmas Side Dishes To Try This Holiday Season

Christmas – to many people, it’s literally one of the most wonderful times of the year. Many people look forward to that massive Christmas dinner, with a huge roasted turkey and – what else? 

33 Christmas Side Dishes To Try 
This Holiday Season

If it’s your turn to host the annual Christmas dinner this holiday season, then you need to be prepared. It’s a huge meal that involves more than just a single turkey. You will also need to serve up a few sides (and a dessert) – but what sides should you consider making? 

If you are stuck wondering what sides you should serve this Christmas, then here are 33 amazing Christmas side dishes you can try out. Each one has a super easy recipe, so check them out!  

1. Roast Potatoes

Let’s start off with a classic side dish for Christmas dinner – roast potatoes. 

Roast potatoes are a stable side dish to try out during any kind of roast dinners. They are beloved for their crispy outer shell and light, fluffy insides while packing a ton of energy and nutrition in each bite.

If you want to make the perfect roast potatoes this Christmas, then the recipe above will show you how to do just that. Check it out! 

2. Honey Glazed Carrots

Another popular vegetable to eat during Christmas is carrots. Seriously, who has their Christmas dinner without carrots? 

Carrots are delicious and incredibly nutritious, and this recipe here can show you how to make the most amazing honey glazed carrots. The additional (but not overpowering) sweetness of this recipe will help even the fussiest of kids chow down on all of their veggies this Christmas. 

3. Roasted Parsnips

Parsnips are another classic root vegetable to serve up this Christmas. They’re packed with flavor and super easy to roast so you can concentrate more on your more difficult sides and mains. 

Just follow the recipe above to add all the seasoning you need to make the perfect batch of roasted parsnips. With additional seasoning of onion, garlic, oregano and more, you can make your typical batch of parsnips even more delicious! 

4. Buttery Mint Peas 

Peas are a classic side dish that goes well with all kinds of meals, but this recipe takes your basic batch of garden peas and cranks up the flavor to eleven.

Of course, you could do what everybody else does at Christmas – just boil your peas and be done with it – but this recipe will show you how to make the better version of garden peas – mint peas. 

Mint peas are delicious in texture and flavor, plus the mint will help complement the flavors of the meat dish you are serving this Christmas. So, give it a try! 

5. Cauliflower Cheese

Cauliflower is another popular side dish to serve during Christmas dinner but instead of steaming or roasting your cauliflower, why not try making a cauliflower cheese instead? 

Cauliflower cheese helps coat your cauliflower in a classic velvety cheese sauce. This makes it easier for picky eaters to eat and it adds a lot of additional flavor to your veggies. It’s rich and creamy and delicious, so it’s easy to see why this version of cauliflower is becoming more and more popular in the States! 

6. Pigs In Blankets

This crazy side dish hails all the way from the United Kingdom where every Christmas, it’s considered a faux pas to serve Christmas dinner without pigs in blankets. 

Pigs in blankets are basically very small yet juicy sausages wrapped up in a thin layer of crispy bacon before being roasted to perfection. Salty and savory (although you can glaze them in honey for additional sweetness), pigs in blankets are a popular side dish that you need to try out. 

Although you may be hesitant at serving even more meat during Christmas dinner (after all, that’s what the turkey is for), these sides are great when eaten in small quantities and bring a bit of variety to the overall flavors and textures of your meal. 

7. Yorkshire Pudding

The Brits strike again with this amazing side dish that is perfect for Christmas dinner – Yorkshire Pudding! 

Yorkshire puddings are basically little bowls made from a batter, and can then enjoy this light, fluffy side dish when filled up with a mixture of your veggies and meat. However, the best Yorkshire puddings can be hard to make and some of your results may turn out looking more like popovers than bowls. 

So, follow the steps of this easy recipe to try and master the Yorkshire pudding! 

8. Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes make a triumphant return with this entry of mashed potatoes. If you’re not a fan of the hard, crispy texture of roast potatoes, then the go to alternative is their smooth, creamy cousin mashed potatoes. 

Mashed potatoes are easy to make and this recipe here will help you achieve the right texture with all the best seasoning. Then, you can proudly serve up your roast potato alternative knowing that your guests and family won’t be missing out on the great flavors and seasoning. 

9. Honeyed Brussel Sprouts

Love them or hate them, there’s no denying that brussel sprouts are a huge traditional vegetable side dish to serve at Christmas.

They are packed with flavor and can sometimes be viewed as overpowering or pungent to some, but this recipe will show you how to coat your brussel sprouts with a honey glaze to help complement that veggie flavor. 

Honeyed brussel sprouts are served roasted and crisp, meaning that all the sweetness is embedded within these veggies – making them more tasty to picky eaters! 

10. Cranberry Sauce

You can’t have Christmas dinner without serving up some cranberry sauce! Cranberry sauce is considered a staple sauce to serve during Christmas, so why not try making your very own? 

This recipe here will help show you how to make your very own homemade cranberry sauce while keeping that perfect balance between sweet and tart flavors. It’s also very quick to make so you can whip it up just as you are wrapping up the final sides before serving dinner. 

11. Root Vegetable Salad

When it comes to the best veggie side dishes to serve at Christmas, a lot of root vegetables take the top spots. So, why not swap out all those sides and save some room on your plate by serving a root vegetable salad instead?

This recipe for a root vegetables salad contains all the classic ingredients – carrots, parsnips, beetroot, onions and more – along with a delicious dressing and additional flavors of walnut and pomegranate to perfectly complement the sweetness and earthiness of this dish. 

By serving a root vegetable salad instead, you can save room on your plate for more fun sides! 

12. Roasted Asparagus

A traditional side dish for any roasted meal is roasted asparagus. It’s easy to make, crispy and filled with flavor in each bite – how can you go wrong? 

If you want to find out the best way to make roasted asparagus, then check out this recipe above! 

13. Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Roast potatoes are great and all but why not shake things up and serve roasted sweet potatoes this Christmas instead! 

Sweet potatoes are what they say on the tin – super sweet and tasty, which is why so many people prefer them over regular potatoes.

By roasting them, you can still serve the same crispy and fluffy textures that regular roasted potatoes have but with a ton of different flavors! So, roasted sweet potatoes are a great alternative to try out this Christmas. 

14. Seared Mushroom With Garlic And Thyme

Another fun, alternative side to serve at Christmas is mushrooms. Although this side is more preferred in warmer climates, seared mushrooms are a great way to serve a different flavor during dinner. Plus, this recipe serves these mushrooms with tons of seasoning and flavor to help pack a punch.

15. Green Beans

For a quick, easy side dish you can rustle up while concentrating on more difficult sides for your Christmas Dinner, then green beans are the veggie to go with! They’re super easy to make and this recipe will show you how to make delicious garlic green beans in just a few steps! 

16. Roasted Fennel

If you want to try something a bit ‘out there’ this Christmas, then roasted fennel is definitely a side you should try. 

Roasted fennel has all the crispy texture and strong flavors that other vegetable side dishes feature, but it’s something unique and different you can try to widen your family’s palette this Christmas. This recipe even caramelizes the fennel, making it sweeter and even more delicious! 

17. Pumpkin Cornbread

Cornbread is a popular side dish eaten in the southern United States, so it’s a great traditional side dish to eat in warmer climates. This recipe combines the classic sweetness of cornbread with flavors of pumpkin, bringing a touch of cozy fall flavors to this side. 

Although you may prefer to try out pumpkin cornbread for Thanksgiving dinner instead, it still works great alongside your Christmas dinner and its light, fluffy texture is a great way to mop any leftover sauces and gravy! 

18. Stuffing Balls

Stuffing is definitely a go-to traditional side dish for Christmas, but why not shake things up with stuffing balls instead? 

Stuffing balls take all the great flavors, seasonings, and textures of traditional stuffing and condenses it all down into small, ball-shaped snacks.

These are much easier to eat and use to mop up the remains of your Christmas dinner. So, try these stuffing balls out and use them to use up the last of the gravy and cranberry sauce! 

19. Caramelized Broccoli

Another popular vegetable side to serve at Christmas is broccoli but a lot of kids (and some adults) turn up their nose to this nutritious vegetable. So, to get your kids to eat their veggies this Christmas, why not try making caramelized broccoli instead? 

Caramelized broccoli is far sweeter than traditional steamed broccoli and brings a nice, crispy texture to your meal. So, it’s much more interesting for young taste buds and thus more likely to go down without a fight! 

20. Roasted Pears

All of these hot vegetable side dishes can be difficult to swallow if you’re enjoying Christmas in a warmer climate this year. As a result, you’re probably looking for a lighter, refreshing side to serve – and this is where roasted pears come in. 

This dish is sometimes served as a dessert due to its sweet, refreshing flavors but roasted pears can also serve as an interesting side dish to try with your Christmas dinner. Although it’s best served warm, the flavors and texture of roasted pears are much lighter and easier to eat in warmer weather! 

21. Potato Casserole

If you’re looking for a fun way to serve your potatoes this Christmas, then why not try serving a potato casserole instead? 

Potato casserole contains all the great starchy flavors and nutrients needed to bulk up your Christmas dinner but also brings a creamy, velvety texture thanks to the healthy servings of butter and chicken broth.

It’s smooth, rich, and delicious – so if your family is sick of roasted potatoes, then a potato casserole is a fun alternative to try. 

22. Roasted Butternut Squash

Another fun, quirky vegetable side dish to serve this Christmas is roasted butternut squash. It’s perfect for vegan Christmas dinners as it’s packed with caramelized flavor as well as additional paprika spice. 

Tender and smoky, roasted butternut squash is super easy to make and this recipe will leave you with great results in only ten minutes! 

23. Mushroom And Lentil Salad

If you want to serve a salad side this Christmas, then this recipe for mushroom and lentil salad will help you capture all the cozy flavors of Christmas in a single side. 

Served warm with leafy greens, this side dish is packed with nutritional value thanks to the high level of fiber and protein. This makes it a great side dish to serve for vegan and vegetarian Christmas dinners, plus it’s a healthier alternative to heavy portions of meat. 

24. Vegan Stuffing

If you have a vegan joining you for Christmas dinner this year, then why not try making a vegan stuffing so all of your guests can enjoy the same sides? 

Vegan stuffing is super easy to make and this recipe swaps out the lard and animal products for vegan alternatives such as vegan butter, vegetable broth, and flaxseed. It still has all the crispy and soft textures of traditional stuffing but is suitable for everyone’s dietary requirements. 

25. Candied Sweet Potato And Marshmallows

This side dish is more traditionally seen during Thanksgiving but what’s stopping you? Why would you deprive yourself of having a second chance to enjoy this amazing side dish? 

Candied sweet potato is the epitome of sweetness to serve this Christmas and this recipe adds marshmallows not only to increase this sweetness, but to add a delicious gooey texture to your meal. 

26. Christmas Coleslaw

A great side dish to enjoy during hot weather is coleslaw and if you are enjoying your Christmas dinner this year in the summer season, then a Christmas coleslaw is a great way to capture all the traditional flavors of the Holiday in a cool side. 

This recipe is super easy to follow and tops off this amazing coleslaw with a ginger-spiced dressing! 

27. Prosciutto Scallion Bundles

Want to try something really fancy? Then this recipe for prosciutto scallion bundles is a great one to try! 

This side combines meat and veggies together in a delicious, flavorful side that looks just as good as it tastes. Salty and savory, they’re a great way to add your veggies to your Christmas dinner with a flourish! 

28. Rosemary Rolls

Bread is a traditional side dish that is served with all kinds of meals, so it just makes sense to add it to your Christmas dinner table. The best bread side dish to serve is this recipe for rosemary-infused bread rolls. Rosemary is a classic flavor of Christmas, so it’s perfect! 

29. Cranberry Rice And Caramelized Onions

I know what you’re thinking – rice? At Christmas? 

A lot of people who enjoy their Christmas dinner in warmer climates swap out their potato-based sides for a rice dish instead because it’s lighter and cooled to eat. So, this recipe for cranberry and caramelized onion rice is the perfect one to try! 

30. Bacon And Green Beans 

Want to shake up your green beans recipe? Then try out this version of bacon and green beans. 

It’s a bit trickier than the above green beans recipe so you can really test your skills and serve something different this Christmas!

31. Spinach Souffle

Spinach is a great vegetable to serve at Christmas but test your skills by serving your spinach as a souffle instead! It’s rich, creamy, and cheesy – so you can bring a ton of texture and flavor to your Christmas meal with this side dish! 

32. Popovers

Popovers are similar to Yorkshire puddings but a bit crazier due to their irregular shapes. However, they still contain the same light, fluffy textures which makes them great for mopping up gravy and sauces – perfect for Christmas dinner. 

33. Cheesy Rice With Broccoli

 Another great rice recipe to try out this Christmas is this recipe for cheesy rice. With the addition of broccoli, you can enjoy a classic vegetable and carb side combined in one with rich, creamy textures and strong, delicious flavors! 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Sides Should You Have For Christmas Dinner? 

Technically, you can serve as many sides as you like for your Christmas dinner. However, most people only serve between three or four. This way, you can offer plenty of options to help make a balanced meal alongside the meat (or vegetarian alternative) main of turkey, ham, or beef. 

Try serving one side that is potato or starch based, two vegetable side dishes, and additional fun, quirky side that is a little unconventional. Think stuffing balls or pigs in blankets. If you want to add more choices, then go ahead! It’s your Christmas dinner!

What Is The Most Popular Christmas Vegetable? 

The answer to the most popular Christmas vegetable varies from country to country, table to table. A vast majority feature some kind of potato side dish, so you can argue that roast potatoes is the most popular Christmas vegetable side, with mashed potatoes as a close second. 

However, classic vegetables like carrots, peas, parsnips, and brussel sprouts are all top contenders too! 

What Should You Serve At A Christmas Buffet? 

Some people choose to serve multiple sides as a way to set a buffet, so you can serve up all kinds of side dishes from the list above. Your guests can then pile their plates with their favorite Christmas sides – so just take a look at the list above to find some inspiration for your Christmas buffet. 

33 Christmas Side Dishes To Try This Holiday Season

33 Christmas Side Dishes To Try This Holiday Season

Recipe by Jenna

One of the great things about Christmas dinner is that you can make it your own. Check out these 33 different side dishes to try this Christmas!

Course: Dinner
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