21 Best Christmas Side Dishes 2026

By Joan

 

These Christmas side dishes will go perfectly with your family’s meal as the holiday is just around the corner.

We compiled a list of the best Christmas side dishes so that you may serve your family on December 25 because we understand how difficult it can be to arrange the ideal Christmas menu.

Here, you may pick from a variety of sides, from cheesy casseroles and easy cranberry sauce to creamy mashed potatoes and candied sweet potatoes.

Therefore, you can devote more time to creating the best Christmas crafts and Christmas presents this year, and less time to planning.

Side Dishes for Christmas Dinner

Make some dishes from the recipes below instead of worrying about organizing the ideal meal.

With any of these recipes, you cannot go wrong!

There is a dish on this list for everyone, regardless of whether your family sticks to traditional classics or you want to try some more current flavors.

Discover a new Christmas favorite or check out some updated favorites. There are countless options with so many recipes!

With the help of these Christmas side dishes, chefs of all levels can prepare a five-star dinner!

 

PIN THIS FOR LATER!We compiled a list of the best Christmas side dishes so that you may serve your family on December 25 because we understand how difficult it can be to arrange the ideal Christmas menu. Check them out!(This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my privacy disclosures.)

 


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Traditional Christmas Side Dishes Recipes

 

1. Easy Cranberry Sauce

We compiled a list of the best Christmas side dishes so that you may serve your family on December 25 because we understand how difficult it can be to arrange the ideal Christmas menu. Check them out!Photo Credit: spendwithpennies.com

With only 4 ingredients, homemade cranberry sauce is surprisingly simple to create and has a far superior flavor to canned or jarred versions.

Never again consume anything that emerges from a can. Make your cranberry sauce and look forward to it.

This mixture is both aesthetically pleasing and delicious. Use this cranberry sauce recipe to continue the custom.

Did you know that cranberry sauce can be prepared and frozen a few months in advance? On the big day, just defrost and serve!

Get the recipe: Spend with Pennies

 

2. Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Cranberries (Christmas side dishes)

We compiled a list of the best Christmas side dishes so that you may serve your family on December 25 because we understand how difficult it can be to arrange the ideal Christmas menu. Check them out!Photo Credit: thepioneerwoman.com

This festive recipe uses cranberries and a balsamic reduction to sweeten some Brussels sprouts.

For earthy Brussels, the sweet sauce makes the ideal glaze. This combination is delicious.

Because cranberry is the Christmas flavor, this meal is overflowing with festive spirit.

The combination of hues creates a dish as lovely to look at as it is to eat.

Get the recipe: The Pioneer Woman

 

3. Candied Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows

We compiled a list of the best Christmas side dishes so that you may serve your family on December 25 because we understand how difficult it can be to arrange the ideal Christmas menu. Check them out!Photo Credit: dinnerthendessert.com

Who said you have to wait till after dinner for dessert? With this Christmas side, serve it immediately next to the main course!

Butter (or margarine), brown sugar, cinnamon, and marshmallows are common ingredients in candied sweet potatoes, which are a traditional side dish for occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas. In reality, it’s sweet potato pie.

This festive version of a holiday favorite is guaranteed to please! Who, after all, could refuse all that sugar?

Get the recipe: Dinner then Dessert

 

4. Garlic and Bacon Green Beans (Christmas side dishes)

We compiled a list of the best Christmas side dishes so that you may serve your family on December 25 because we understand how difficult it can be to arrange the ideal Christmas menu. Check them out!Photo Credit: juliasalbum.com

Green beans may appear dull, but not after you add garlicky bacon and minced garlic to them. This is an effortless and delectable way to prepare green beans for the holiday menu.

The beans have a crispy, crunchy texture making them an excellent side dish for the fall and winter.

Who has ever heard of vegetables being the main attraction? With this dish, they will win.

Get the recipe: Julia’s Album

 

5. Stuffing Recipe

We compiled a list of the best Christmas side dishes so that you may serve your family on December 25 because we understand how difficult it can be to arrange the ideal Christmas menu. Check them out!Photo Credit: the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

If I didn’t include stuffing on the list of Christmas sides, it wouldn’t be a list at all! It has long been a practice to serve this dish during holiday meals.

Onion, thyme, and rosemary are combined in this flavorful dish. With so many spices, what could be disliked?

This elegant recipe is the ideal fusion of bread, spices, and some seasonal vegetables.

Combine them to create a side dish that might even surpass the main course in quality.

Get the recipe: The Girl Who Ate Everything

 

6. Light & Buttery Classic Popovers(Christmas side dishes)

We compiled a list of the best Christmas side dishes so that you may serve your family on December 25 because we understand how difficult it can be to arrange the ideal Christmas menu. Check them out!Photo Credit: bellyfull.net

The tastiest popovers, which are fluffy, buttery, and delicious, may be made using this traditional recipe.

They rise high, with crispy skin and hollow interiors, much like Yorkshire Pudding.

Nothing compares to these as a simple roll to serve for breakfast, supper, or as a side dish!

Get the recipe: Bellyfull

 

7. Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Creamy Mashed Potatoes RecipePhoto Credit: natashaskitchen.com

This dish for creamy mashed potatoes is surprisingly delicious! It is worthy of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

These whipped potatoes will make everyone at your Christmas table fall head over heels!

Making them ahead of time is great because it means you have one less thing to prepare right before dinner.

You can keep them warm in a slow cooker until you’re ready to serve.

Get the recipe: Natashas Kitchen

 

8. Baked Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges (Christmas side dishes)

Baked Garlic Parmesan Potato WedgesPhoto Credit: lecremedelacrumb.com

You’ll be amazed by how simple and flavorful this baked garlic parmesan potato wedges recipe is, not to mention how amazing the garlic, Italian herbs, and parmesan flavors are!

They are excellent as an appetizer or side dish for gatherings.

Get the recipe: Creme de la Crumb

 

9. Smashed Potatoes

Smashed PotatoesPhoto Credit: cookingclassy.com

Potatoes mashed to perfection! Red potatoes are cooked, then mashed and baked on a baking sheet until the outsides are crispy and the interiors are soft and delicate.

It’s a tasty side dish made from straightforward, ordinary ingredients that will swiftly emerge as the star of any meal!

Get the recipe: Cooking Classy

 

10. Broccoli Cheese Casserole(Christmas side dishes)

Broccoli Cheese CasserolePhoto Credit: seededatthetable.com

A simple cheesy side dish for Sunday dinner or the holidays is broccoli cheese casserole! The finest cheese sauce and buttery Ritz crackers on top.

Every main meal needs a reliable recipe for a side dish. A traditional green bean casserole is a popular choice for the holidays. This broccoli cheese casserole, though, is my favorite. One of my favorite Easter side dish recipes is also suitable for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This cheesy broccoli can be served any day of the week. Everybody needs a quick side dish for a weeknight, and this one is perfect!

Get the recipe: Seeded at the Table

 


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11. Crispy Parmesan Asparagus with Garlic Butter

Crispy Parmesan Asparagus with Garlic ButterPhoto Credit: cafedelites.com

There is so much flavor in the garlic butter asparagus with crispy parmesan! The ideal side dish or snack, being both crispy and crunchy!

Even the pickiest of eaters will adore this recipe for asparagus spears covered with a buttery Panko crumb combination with parmesan cheese and garlic, then roasted and broiled (or grilled) until wonderfully crispy with so much flavor!

Making this dish only takes a few minutes. You will adore my adaptation of this Crispy Parmesan-crusted zucchini!

Get the recipe: Cafe Delites

 

12. Mushroom Risotto (side dishes for Christmas dinner)

Mushroom RisottoPhoto Credit: simplyrecipes.com

Brandy, Parmesan cheese, risotto rice, and mushrooms are used to make this dish of rich and creamy mushroom risotto.

With our simple risotto recipe, you can easily cook the ideal comfort food dish.

Get the recipe: Simply Recipes

 

13. Easy Oven Roasted Potatoes

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/643100021810155758/

Photo Credit: spendwithpennies.com

Roasted potatoes are a simple side dish that fits with just about any dinner. They are crisp on the top and fluffy on the inside.

You can enjoy a tasty side dish with little effort if you cook these oven-roasted potatoes!

If you have fresh herbs on hand, by all means, use them instead of dried ones!

Depending on the spices you have in your spice cabinet or the herbs you have growing in your garden, add your preferred seasonings!

Get the recipe: Spend with Pennies

 

14. Baked Sweet Potato (side dishes for Christmas dinner)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/643100021810155995/

Photo Credit: loveandlemons.com

Sweet potatoes are a whole superfood that is high in fiber and vitamin C, making them a simple and delectable option to eat well during the holidays.

They may be used for a variety of different toppings and are adaptable, but roasting them whole in the oven is probably the simplest way to cook them.

Check out this easy recipe to learn how to bake sweet potatoes! You can stuff them to make a meal on their own or serve them as a side dish.

Get the recipe: Love and Lemons

 

15. Roasted Carrots

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/643100021810156198/

Photo Credit: foodnetwork.com

This recipe is endlessly adaptable and ensures that you will always have carrots that are crisp and soft.

It is elegant enough for a holiday feast while still being simple enough for a weeknight.

Get the recipe: Food Network

 

16. Easy Kale Salad with Fresh Lemon Dressing (Christmas side dishes)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/643100021810157325/

Photo Credit: spendwithpennies.com

This quick kale salad is ideal as a nutritious side dish because it is loaded with fresh vegetables and has a homemade lemon dressing that is incredibly easy to make.

The perfect holiday salad combines broccoli and kale with cranberries, almonds, feta, and lemon dressing.

Get the recipe: Spend with Pennies

 

17. Autumn Pear Salad with Candied Walnuts and Balsamic Vinaigrette

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/643100021810156801/

Photo Credit: cookingclassy.com

This savory pear salad will quickly become a go-to winter dish!

Tender spring greens, sweet, juicy pears, crisp candied walnuts, salty, rich parmesan, and a tart balsamic vinaigrette are all stacked on top of it.

The best part of any feast!

Get the recipe: Cooking Classy

 

18. Corn Casserole (Christmas side dishes)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/643100021810157840/

Photo Credit: tastesoflizzyt.com

This recipe for a five-ingredient, no-fail jiffy corn casserole is flexible and bakes up into a flavorful side dish that goes well with any dinner.

Get the recipe: Tastes of Lizzy T

 

19. Roasted Kabocha Squash

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/643100021810157954/

Photo Credit: loveandlemons.com

A tasty side dish for the fall is this quick recipe for roasted kabocha squash!

The sweet squash is topped with sesame seeds, scallions, and a nutty sesame ginger dressing.

Get the recipe: Love and Lemons

 

20. How To Cook A Perfect Risotto (Christmas side dishes)

Source / Share on Youtube

Risotto is one of those foods that intimidates you until you cook it and it turns out delicious.

Once you’ve “mastered” it, you can make any type of risotto, including primavera, shrimp and asparagus, wild mushroom and pea, and vanilla, rum, and orange zest for a sweet dessert.

 

21. Corn Muffins (Kenny Rogers-Style Corn Muffins Recipe)

Source / Share on Youtube (YUMMY PH)

There is a cult following for Kenny Rogers’ little corn muffins. Each miniature golden cake is delicate, sweet, and velvety.

 

21 Best Christmas Side Dishes

We compiled a list of the best Christmas side dishes so that you may serve your family on December 25 because we understand how difficult it can be to arrange the ideal Christmas menu. Check them out!
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: best christmas side dishes, christmas dinner side dishes, christmas side dish, christmas side dish ideas, christmas side dishes, christmas vegetable side dishes, easy christmas side dishes, side dishes for christmas, side dishes for christmas dinner, vegetable side dishes for christmas

Ingredients

  • Easy Cranberry Sauce
  • Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Cranberries
  • Candied Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
  • Stuffing Recipe
  • Light & Buttery Classic Popovers
  • Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
  • Baked Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges
  • Smashed Potatoes
  • Broccoli Cheese Casserole
  • Crispy Parmesan Asparagus with Garlic Butter
  • Mushroom Risotto

Instructions

  • Select your choice of Christmas side dishes from the article.
  • Click on the link to get the full recipes and instructions.
  • Get ready to prep, cook, and enjoy!

Video

 

I love all of these Christmas side dishes! Which ones are you going to try first? Write down your comments below!

 

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We compiled a list of the best Christmas side dishes so that you may serve your family on December 25 because we understand how difficult it can be to arrange the ideal Christmas menu. Check them out!

 


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