30 Festive Christmas Sides

Prepare to be amazed by Annabel Crabb’s renowned Glass Potatoes. These culinary gems are a true masterpiece, boasting an irresistibly crunchy exterior that gives way to a wonderfully soft and fluffy interior. Their distinctive ‘glass-like’ translucent bottom shatters like delicate toffee, offering a unique texture experience. This recipe transforms humble potatoes into a show-stopping side, promising the crispiest, most flavorful smashed potatoes you’ll ever encounter – a guaranteed hit for your festive spread.

No Christmas feast is complete without the timeless appeal of Classic Crispy Roast Potatoes with Rosemary. These oven-roasted beauties are a testament to simple perfection, achieving a golden-brown, satisfyingly crunchy crust while remaining incredibly soft and fluffy within. Infused with aromatic rosemary, they offer a fragrant and comforting addition that perfectly complements any main course, embodying the warmth and tradition of the holiday season.

Elevate your holiday table with this Easy Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake from Recipe Tin Eats, a dish so essential it’s practically a Christmas tradition in many homes. Layers of thinly sliced potatoes are lovingly baked in a rich, velvety cream sauce and generously topped with melted cheese, creating an indulgent and utterly irresistible gratin. This hearty and comforting side is guaranteed to disappear quickly, leaving everyone craving more of its cheesy goodness.

While everyone loves classic glazed carrots, why not take them to a new level of sophistication this Christmas? This recipe for Bourbon Glazed Carrots and Pumpkin with Brown Sugar introduces a delightful depth of flavor and tender sweetness. The subtle hint of bourbon perfectly complements the natural sugars of the carrots and pumpkin, creating a caramelized glaze that’s both comforting and elegant. It’s an ideal side to add a touch of gourmet flair to your holiday spread.

For those celebrating Christmas in the cooler months, this hearty Sweet Potato and Cranberry Quinoa Salad is an absolutely perfect choice. It combines the earthy sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with the tartness of cranberries and the wholesome texture of quinoa, creating a satisfying and festive dish. It’s not only incredibly flavorful but also packed with nutrients, offering a lighter yet filling alternative or complement to richer holiday fare.

Can one ever have too many potatoes on Christmas? The resounding answer is no! Play it safe and indulge in at least three delicious potato variations, making sure these Buttery Garlic Potatoes with Crispy Prosciutto are among them. Tender potatoes are bathed in fragrant garlic butter and then topped with savory, crispy prosciutto, creating a dish that is both elegant and incredibly comforting. It’s a rich, flavorful addition that will undoubtedly become a holiday favorite.

Achieving restaurant-quality elegance with minimal effort is possible with this Roasted Lemon Garlic Asparagus. All you need are seven everyday ingredients, a single baking tray, and just 15 minutes to create this vibrant and flavorful side. The tender asparagus, infused with zesty lemon and savory garlic, makes for a light yet sophisticated addition to your Christmas feast. It’s a perfect way to add fresh greens to your holiday table without compromising on taste or precious prep time.

Think parsnips are plain and boring? Think again! These Dreamy Creamy Puréed Parsnips with Rosemary Oil will completely change your perception. Offering a subtly sweet, earthy flavor and a luxuriously smooth texture, this dish can easily be served in place of traditional mashed potatoes or as an irresistible accompaniment. The aromatic rosemary oil adds an extra layer of sophistication, making this an unexpectedly delightful and comforting side for your Christmas dinner.

Are you looking for a beautifully presented, vegan-friendly, or gluten-free side dish to accommodate friends and family with specific dietary preferences or restrictions? Look no further than these charming Spaghetti Squash Nests. Delicately prepared, these nests offer a light and flavorful alternative to heavier sides. They are not only visually appealing but also delicious enough to keep everyone happy, including the most ardent meat-eaters at your Christmas table.

The oven certainly gets a rigorous workout on Christmas Day, so why not opt for a delicious side that can be effortlessly prepared on the stovetop? These Spicy Green Beans offer a fantastic solution. With a vibrant kick and fresh flavor, they make a perfect lighter side dish option that the entire family will adore. Plus, being Whole30, Paleo, and Vegan-friendly, they’re an inclusive choice for any holiday spread.

Introducing the holiday side dish you absolutely need on your Christmas table: Greek Lemon Potatoes. These extraordinary potatoes boast a perfect balance – wonderfully crispy on the outside, yet unbelievably fluffy on the inside, and bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavor. You’ll be delighted by how effortlessly these come together, transforming simple ingredients into a bright, zesty, and utterly addictive dish that perfectly complements any festive meal. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Are you searching for a classic Sweet Potato Casserole to grace your Christmas table this year? Look no further! This Southern Sweet Potato Casserole offers a rich, comforting, and irresistibly sweet dish that perfectly embodies holiday indulgence. Its creamy texture and warm, spiced flavors make it a beloved staple, ensuring a touch of traditional Southern charm for your festive spread. It’s the answer to your holiday side dish prayers!

Inject some vibrant color and delightful sweetness into your mashed potato repertoire this Christmas with these luxurious Whipped Sweet Potatoes. This brilliant twist on a classic side offers a beautiful hue and an incredibly smooth, airy texture that is simply divine. With their naturally delicious flavor, these whipped sweet potatoes are a true act of perfection, guaranteed to impress your guests and add a refreshing element to your holiday plate.

Transform even the most skeptical sprout-eaters into fans with these incredibly easy and delicious Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon. Requiring just five simple ingredients and a single pan, this recipe delivers sprouts that are wonderfully crispy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside. The addition of savory bacon adds an irresistible depth of flavor, making this a truly satisfying and festive side dish that’s perfect for any holiday spread.

Add a stunning visual appeal and a burst of flavor to your Christmas table with these Garlic Roasted Rainbow Carrots. This vibrant and healthy side dish is not only incredibly beautiful but also naturally Paleo and Vegan, making it a crowd-pleaser for everyone. The sweet, earthy carrots are perfectly caramelized and infused with aromatic garlic, creating a delightful harmony of tastes and textures. It’s a simple yet elegant way to brighten up your holiday feast.

Give your traditional sweet potatoes an enchanting twist this Christmas by preparing these irresistible Roasted Maple Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes. The natural sweetness of the potatoes is wonderfully enhanced by the warm notes of cinnamon and the rich, comforting depth of maple syrup, creating a side dish that is truly moreish. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of sweet and spice, making this an unforgettable addition to your holiday menu that guests will rave about.

Just look at how absolutely gorgeous this Hasselback Butternut Squash appears! Beyond its stunning visual appeal, this dish delivers incredible flavor and texture. The thin, fanned slices become beautifully caramelized and tender, making it an effortlessly impressive and undeniably delicious centerpiece for your Christmas table. It’s a sophisticated twist on roasted squash that will certainly capture attention and delight every palate.

Create an impressively elegant side dish with minimal effort using this recipe for Roasted Dutch Carrots with Feta. Whole baby Dutch carrots are oven-roasted until they reach fork-tender perfection, then artfully arranged on a serving plate. A generous sprinkle of salty feta cheese and aromatic dukkah adds layers of flavor and texture, transforming simple carrots into a sophisticated and vibrant addition to your Christmas spread. It’s a dish that looks as good as it tastes!

Here’s another brilliant side dish idea that smartly bypasses the busy Christmas oven! Create these wonderfully creamy and fluffy Instant Pot Cauliflower Mash Potatoes with incredible ease. This healthier alternative to traditional mashed potatoes is just as satisfying and flavorful, offering a lighter option that doesn’t compromise on comfort. It’s an efficient and delicious way to ensure you have plenty of stove-free sides for your festive meal.

Embrace the true spirit of the season with this stunning Smoked Salmon Wreath! This visually impressive dish is almost too pretty to eat – almost. But trust us, you’ll definitely want to dive into its delightful flavors. Perfect as an elegant appetizer or a lighter side, the rich, smoky salmon arranged in a festive wreath shape will add a sophisticated touch to your Christmas spread, making it a guaranteed conversation starter.

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas amidst summer sunshine or winter coziness, this Roasted Sweet Potato, Avocado & Feta Salad is destined to be a beloved addition to your festive table. The delightful combination of sweet roasted potatoes, creamy avocado, and tangy feta creates a vibrant and satisfying salad that offers a refreshing counterpoint to richer holiday dishes. It’s a versatile and flavorful choice that will be well-loved by all your guests.

Why settle for ordinary mashed potatoes when you can elevate your holiday spread with these incredible Next Level Mashed Potatoes? This indulgent recipe transforms a classic into something extraordinary, brimming with rich cheese, tangy sour cream, and fragrant rosemary. The result is a creamy, deeply flavorful dish that is utterly addictive and wonderfully comforting. Prepare for these mashed potatoes to be the first to disappear from your Christmas table!

There’s something truly special about a festively colored side dish during the holidays, and this vibrant Christmas Rice perfectly fits the bill. This flavorful rice dish, brimming with cheerful colors, makes a wonderful addition to any holiday spread. An added bonus is that it’s entirely vegan-friendly, ensuring that everyone at your table can enjoy its deliciousness. It’s a beautiful and hearty option that’s sure to bring joy to your Christmas meal.

It’s incredibly difficult to resist a cheesy, baked side dish, and this indulgent Cauliflower Au Gratin is certainly no exception! Tender cauliflower florets are enveloped in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, then baked to golden-brown perfection. This comforting and utterly delicious gratin is so irresistible, there won’t be a single bite left after your Christmas lunch. It’s a guaranteed hit for cheese lovers and vegetable enthusiasts alike.

This Roast Pumpkin, Spinach, and Feta Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing is a truly bright and fresh antidote to bland and boring salads. It’s the go-to dish that many bring to every Christmas gathering, and without fail, there’s never any left to take home! The sweet roasted pumpkin, vibrant spinach, and salty feta, all tied together with a tangy honey balsamic dressing, create a refreshing and irresistible side that beautifully balances richer holiday flavors.

We absolutely need some delicious greens on the Christmas table, so why not indulge in this luxurious Creamed Spinach this year? This recipe is a fantastic recreation of Lawry’s famous restaurant specialty, delivering a rich, velvety, and incredibly flavorful side dish. The tender spinach, enveloped in a decadent cream sauce, offers a comforting and sophisticated contrast to your holiday roasts. It’s a guaranteed way to get everyone to eat their greens – and enjoy every single spoonful!

While Green Bean Casserole might not be a traditional staple everywhere, it absolutely should be! What’s not to love about crisp green beans, savory crispy onions, and a rich, homemade cream of mushroom soup? This healthier version of the beloved classic would be an outstanding and comforting addition to your Christmas table this year. It offers all the cherished flavors of the original while being mindful of wellness, making it a perfect festive choice.

For a side dish that promises incredible texture and flavor with minimal fuss, look no further than this Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe. Potatoes are boiled until tender, then gently smashed and roasted until they achieve a gloriously golden, crispy exterior and a wonderfully fluffy interior. Simple seasonings bring out their natural deliciousness, making them an irresistible accompaniment to any Christmas main. These are the kind of potatoes that disappear fast!

While roasted pumpkin is a cherished classic, this Maple Roasted Pumpkin effortlessly elevates it to a whole new level for an impressively easy Christmas side. The natural sweetness of the pumpkin is beautifully caramelized by the maple syrup, creating a tender, flavorful dish with a hint of festive warmth. It’s a simple yet sophisticated way to present a familiar vegetable, ensuring it stands out on your holiday table and delights all who try it.

This Cabbage and Crunchy Noodle Salad with Oriental Style Dressing is a much-loved Aussie dish and an absolute staple on Christmas tables Down Under. It’s wonderfully light, incredibly easy to prepare, and pairs perfectly with any main course. The crisp cabbage, crunchy noodles, and savory dressing create a refreshing and addictive texture and flavor combination, offering a delightful contrast to heavier holiday dishes. It’s a festive must-have!