40 Best Christmas Side Dishes

Classic roast potatoes with a golden, crunchy exterior and fluffy center, finished with flaky sea salt or a simple seasoning blend. They are a natural match for any main dish on the Christmas table.

Thin potato slices stand upright in a skillet ring with onions, garlic and rosemary tucked between them, then bake with butter, white cheddar and Parmesan. It looks stunning on a Christmas buffet and feeds a crowd.

Piped into elegant swirls and baked until crispy on the outside, these Duchess Potatoes use just potatoes, butter, and milk. They are a beautiful and surprisingly simple way to dress up the holiday table.

Thin slices of red potato and onion are stacked on their sides, covered in a cheddar and Gruyère sauce and baked until bubbly and golden. Serve it next to roast turkey, chicken or beef.

These garlic mashed potatoes are buttery, garlicky, and smooth, making them one of the most reliable sides on any holiday table. Simple to prepare and guaranteed to be a crowd favorite.

Stovetop candied yams bring sweetness and warmth to the Christmas table. This simple recipe is quick to pull together and makes a crowd-pleasing side for any holiday spread.

A handful of simple ingredients is all it takes to get Brussels sprouts perfectly crispy, tender, and caramelized in the oven. They are a reliable green side that pairs with just about any main.

Coated in a glaze of honey, brown sugar, and orange juice, these carrots come together in under 20 minutes and bring a touch of natural sweetness to the holiday table.

This Swedish braised red cabbage is a simple, colorful side that holds its own next to roast meats. It is a great way to bring something a little different to the Christmas spread.

A high-heat roast transforms whatever root vegetables are on hand, like carrots, fennel, and delicata squash, into something sweet, caramelized, and crisp-edged with just olive oil and fresh herbs.

Sweet, sticky parsnips roasted in a honey and soy glaze make for an unexpected and completely satisfying Christmas side. Parsnips are an underrated vegetable that shine with this kind of treatment.

Cheesy, vegetarian, and quick to make, this creamed spinach works as both a holiday side and a steakhouse-style weeknight option. It pairs well with everything from turkey to prime rib.

Cremini mushrooms filled with cream cheese, Parmesan, and herbs, then topped with crispy panko, make a low-carb vegetarian side that doubles as an elegant party appetizer. They are also make-ahead friendly.

A whole head of cauliflower roasted in a garlic butter sauce until golden and crispy on the outside and tender in the middle makes for a dramatic and simple centerpiece side dish.

No peeling required for this easy roasted butternut squash, which works as a simple side dish or as the starting point for salads, soup, and pasta sauce.

Green beans cooked until tender-crisp in butter with caramelized shallots and sautéed garlic make a simple but elevated side that fits right in on a holiday table.

Ready in just 15 minutes, this roasted asparagus is seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. It is a light and elegant green side for the holiday spread.

Sweet, tender turnips with a honey glaze, finished with butter and salt, make for a simple and satisfying side dish worth adding to the Christmas table.

This from-scratch green bean casserole skips the condensed soup in favor of a homemade sauce and works with fresh, frozen, or canned green beans for a more flavorful result.

Broccoli florets bake in a creamy mix of mushroom soup, mayo, eggs and sharp cheddar under a crunchy panko topping. It's an old-school potluck favorite made with pantry staples.

Pureed fresh corn gives this from-scratch casserole a soft, spoonable middle, while whole kernels add pops of sweetness. There's a Jiffy mix shortcut in the recipe notes too.

Three cheeses and a homemade cheese sauce go into this ultra-creamy baked mac and cheese, finished with a crunchy Panko-Parmesan topping. It is a crowd-pleaser for every age at the table.

Simple ingredients and minimal prep make this classic stuffing easy enough for any cook. It is a cozy, familiar side that pairs well with turkey or roast chicken at Christmas.

This old-fashioned stuffing is made with cracker crumbs, garlic, butter, chestnuts, and plenty of bread. The chestnuts add a distinctive richness that sets it apart from standard herb stuffing.

Three types of mushrooms go into this stuffing alongside onion, celery, fresh herbs, and French bread. It is a hearty, earthy take on a holiday classic.

Built on a base of skillet cornbread and homemade chicken stock, this Southern dressing includes celery, onion, chicken pieces, and plenty of seasoning for a deeply savory result.

This colorful pilaf combines wild rice with butternut squash, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans for a festive holiday side that brings both color and texture to the table.

Made with just 6 ingredients in 25 minutes, this cranberry sauce gets its bright flavor from orange juice and balances sweet and tart in a way that makes it a must-make for the holiday spread.

Light, fluffy, and easy to make from scratch, these homemade dinner rolls are the kind of bread that completes a holiday meal. They are a crowd-favorite at any Christmas gathering.

These buttery Parker House rolls are easy to make from scratch and deliver soft, pillowy results that earn a spot on the Christmas dinner table alongside any main.

Light, flaky, and soft, these homemade crescent rolls are made with just a few simple ingredients and bring a bakery-quality touch to any holiday dinner.

Shaped into a festive wreath and loaded with Parmesan, garlic, and fresh herbs, this pull-apart bread is a stunning centerpiece that is easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for Christmas.

Golden, tall, and crispy, these Yorkshire puddings come from a foolproof recipe and are a natural addition to any Christmas roast dinner. They bring a beloved British classic to the holiday table.

Soft, fluffy, and loaded with buttery garlic flavor, this pull-apart loaf skips the slicing and lets everyone tear off a piece. A simple and satisfying addition to any Christmas dinner.

Sweet, moist, and studded with fresh corn, this homemade cornbread comes together in 30 minutes without a mixer. It is a simple, satisfying bread that works alongside almost any Christmas side.

Loaded with juicy oranges, pomegranate, candied nuts, and feta over fresh spring greens with a honey mustard dressing, this Christmas salad is bright, colorful, and built for the holiday table.

Sliced pears, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, red onion, and blue cheese over fresh greens make this a beautiful and flavorful salad for any holiday meal.

Sturdy kale holds up well in the fridge, making this cranberry and pumpkin seed salad a great make-ahead option for Christmas Day. Customize it with your favorite mix-ins.

Honeycrisp apple, dried cranberries, feta and candied pecans go over baby spinach with a maple Dijon vinaigrette. It takes minutes to toss together and brings a pop of red and green to the table.

Crisp apples, juicy grapes, and crunchy celery folded into a smooth, creamy dressing make this classic Waldorf Salad easy to prep ahead and a crowd-friendly option for holiday entertaining.