It’s not a Thanksgiving table without the sides. A perfectly roasted turkey needs mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and fresh rolls to complete the meal.
Holiday Side Dishes:
If you’re team side dishes like I am, you’ll live for these recipes. The turkey is great, but the sides are what everyone reaches for again and again. From scalloped potatoes to maple-glazed carrots and tangy cranberry sauces, these dishes deliver comfort, flavor, and crowd-pleasing appeal.
Many of these recipes are simple enough for weeknights but impressive enough for holiday feasts. Mix and match a few to round out your menu and please every palate at the table.
1. Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese
Cubed butternut squash roasted until tender, then tossed with creamy goat cheese, toasted nuts, pomegranate seeds, and fresh rosemary. The result balances sweet and savory in an easy side that works for holidays or a weeknight supper.
2. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
This sweet potato casserole features a silky sweet potato base topped with a buttery pecan crumble and toasted marshmallows. Rich and irresistible, it’s often the first dish to disappear from the table.
3. Sriracha Honey Brussels Sprouts
Pan-fried Brussels sprouts caramelized to perfection and coated in a sweet, sticky sriracha-honey glaze. Quick to prepare and easy to adjust for spice level, they work beautifully for holidays or a weeknight side.
4. Christmas Wreath Salad with Pomegranate and Pear
A festive spinach salad arranged like a wreath with pears, pomegranate seeds, and feta. Light and colorful, it provides a refreshing contrast to richer holiday dishes. Use a simple vinaigrette or a store-bought dressing for a five-minute assembly.
5. Easy Scalloped Potatoes
Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy sauce with Monterey Jack (or your favorite melting cheese) create a decadent, comforting casserole. It looks like effort but is surprisingly simple to prepare.
6. Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Loaded with cheese, bacon, and creamy mashed potato filling, this twice-baked potato casserole is a crowd favorite. It’s indulgent, comforting, and perfectly suitable for any gathering.
7. Maple Glazed Carrots
Sliced carrots cooked until tender in a sweet maple glaze. These glossy carrots are quick to make—about 20 minutes—and often convert even picky eaters into carrot lovers.
8. Apple Cranberry Sauce
A bright twist on traditional cranberry sauce that includes apples to balance tartness and act as a natural thickener. With brown sugar, apple cider, orange, and cinnamon, this sauce adds depth and sweetness to the plate.
9. Healthy Green Bean Casserole
A lighter take on the classic: fresh green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce topped with crispy onions. This version skips canned mushroom soup and can be adapted to be gluten-free or vegan.
10. Candied Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes simmered in a buttery, spiced syrup and finished with crunchy pecans. This stovetop recipe can be made ahead and reheats well for holiday convenience.
11. Sausage, Cranberry, and Apple Stuffing
A savory-sweet stuffing that combines juicy sausage, tart cranberries, and sweet apples. It’s full of holiday flavor and pairs beautifully with roasted poultry.
12. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
Rich, melty baked mac and cheese made with sharp cheddar, mascarpone, and a touch of Cajun seasoning. This soul-warming casserole is always a hit at holiday dinners.
13. Garlic Bread Rolls
Pillowy soft rolls brushed with garlic butter—flavor is in the dough and on the outside so they taste like garlic bread. Simple to prepare and always appreciated by guests.
14. Cranberry Salad
Also known as cranberry fluff, this dessert-like salad blends fresh cranberries, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and whipped cream. It’s a sweet side that doubles as a treat.
15. Waldorf Salad
A reliable, quick side with apples, grapes, walnuts, and a creamy dressing. It comes together in about 15 minutes and offers a crisp, fruity counterpoint to richer dishes.
16. Corn Casserole with Cheese
Sweet corn combined with cheeses and a touch of seasoning, often finished with bacon for extra richness. This casserole can be assembled up to three days ahead for easy holiday prep.
17. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy, homemade mashed potatoes made effortlessly in an Instant Pot using just a handful of ingredients. They’re classic comfort food and a must-have on the holiday table.
18. Pear Arugula Salad
Fresh arugula tossed with pears, cranberries, and creamy goat cheese, finished with a pear vinaigrette. This bright salad cuts through heavy dishes with a refreshing bite.
19. Candied Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts caramelized and finished with maple syrup, Dijon, and apple cider vinegar for a sweet-tangy glaze. Full of flavor and easy to prepare.
If you try any of these holiday sides, share which ones were a hit in the comments.
More Holiday Recipes:
- 19 Festive Peppermint Dessert Recipes
- 13 Festive Eggnog Desserts To Try This Christmas
- Chocolate Dipped Ritz Cookies