This post may contain paid and/or affiliate links. I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our Privacy Policy.
Christmas dinner is all about the sides. The main dish might get the spotlight, but it’s the creamy potatoes, glazed carrots and warm dinner rolls that everyone goes back for seconds of.
Whether you’re hosting a big family Christmas or a small holiday dinner at home, these side dishes are easy, festive and made to impress. Many of them can be made ahead, which means less time in the kitchen and more time with the people you love.
I’ve rounded up the best Christmas side dishes from some of my favorite food bloggers, from classic mashed potatoes to balsamic brussels sprouts with cranberries.
Christmas Side Dishes for Your Holiday Dinner
This article is all about Christmas side dishes.
1. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
No Christmas dinner is complete without a big bowl of fluffy mashed potatoes. This recipe uses russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, plenty of butter and warm milk, and the potatoes are mashed by hand so they stay light instead of gluey. Make a double batch, because these always disappear first.
2. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Thin slices of Yukon Gold potatoes are baked in a creamy sauce made with broth and whole milk, then finished with melted cheddar. The top gets golden and bubbly while the layers underneath turn tender. It’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing side that pairs with ham, turkey or prime rib.
3. Crispy Hasselback Potatoes
If you want a side that looks fancy but is easy to make, try these hasselback potatoes. The potatoes are sliced thinly almost all the way through, brushed with olive oil, garlic and rosemary, and basted as they roast so every edge turns crispy. They look stunning on a holiday table.
4. Honey Glazed Carrots
These carrots are roasted in a glaze of honey, butter, olive oil, garlic and a pinch of cinnamon and ginger, then broiled for a few minutes at the end to caramelize. They’re sweet, a little savory, and add a pop of color to your Christmas dinner plate.
5. Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries & Pecans
Even brussels sprout skeptics love this one. The sprouts roast flat side down until deeply caramelized, then get tossed with balsamic, dried cranberries and toasted pecans. The red and green colors make it one of the most festive side dishes you can serve.
6. Green Beans Almondine
This is a fresh, light side to balance out all the rich holiday dishes. Tender haricots verts are tossed with toasted almonds, shallot, garlic and a squeeze of lemon. You can blanch the green beans a day ahead, so it comes together in minutes on Christmas Day.
7. Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
Baked mac and cheese is a must for many families at Christmas. This version uses a creamy sharp cheddar and Parmesan sauce with a crunchy panko topping. The key is not to overbake it, so it stays extra creamy underneath that golden crust.
8. Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Skip the can this year. This cranberry sauce is made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, orange zest and sugar, and it takes about 15 minutes. It thickens as it cools, so it’s the perfect make-ahead side to cross off your list a few days early.
9. Soft Dinner Rolls
Warm, buttery homemade rolls make any holiday dinner feel special. These are made with just seven simple ingredients, including whole milk, instant yeast and butter, and they bake up pillowy soft. They’re perfect for mopping up gravy.
10. Sweet Potato Casserole
This lightened-up sweet potato casserole is still every bit as cozy as the classic. Creamy spiced sweet potatoes are topped with a crunchy pecan, oat and maple streusel. You can assemble it ahead of time and bake it right before dinner.
11. Roasted Root Vegetables
A colorful tray of beets, carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes and turnips roasted with fresh herbs. Spreading the vegetables across two sheet pans helps them caramelize instead of steam. It’s an easy, hands-off side that makes the table look beautiful.
12. Yorkshire Pudding
Serving prime rib or roast beef for Christmas? Yorkshire puddings are the classic partner. The batter is just eggs, milk, flour and a little fat. Let it rest, pour it into a very hot pan, and don’t open the oven door while they bake so they puff up tall and golden.
Tips for Planning Your Christmas Side Dishes
- Make ahead where you can. Cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole and blanched green beans can all be prepped a day or two early.
- Plan your oven time. Pair oven sides with stovetop sides like mashed potatoes and green beans so everything is ready at once.
- Balance rich and fresh. Serve something bright, like green beans almondine or roasted vegetables, alongside creamy potatoes and mac and cheese.
- Aim for 3 to 5 sides. A potato dish, a green vegetable, something sweet and bread will cover every taste at the table.
- Keep things warm. A slow cooker set to warm is perfect for holding mashed potatoes while the roast rests.
I hope these Christmas side dishes help you plan a delicious holiday dinner. Pin this post so you can find it again when it’s time to make your Christmas menu!
Leave a Reply