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Christmas ham gets the spotlight, but let’s be honest, the side dishes are doing all the heavy lifting. Buttery, cheesy, a little extra, these are the dishes that turn “just dinner” into an actual feast.
Whether you’re team classic mashed potatoes or ready to get a little adventurous this year, there’s a side that’s about to steal some serious plate real estate. Consider this your holiday table, officially sorted.
So here are Christmas side dishes so good, No One Will Stop at One Serving.
1. Beetroot & goat cheese salad
Roasted beets paired with creamy goat cheese, candied walnuts, and fresh greens in a bright balsamic dressing — a stunning, colorful salad that looks as impressive as it tastes on a Christmas table.
2. Roasted Brussels sprouts, delicata squash & cranberries
A beautiful holiday sheet pan side with caramelized Brussels sprouts, sweet delicata squash, and tart dried cranberries — naturally gluten-free, vegan, and endlessly easy to make. A stunning and healthy addition to any Christmas spread.
Pro Tip: Cut the delicata squash and Brussels sprouts to a similar size so everything roasts evenly — mismatched sizes mean some pieces burn before others are done.
3. Mixed vegetables Mornay
Frozen mixed vegetables smothered in a rich, creamy homemade Mornay cheese sauce — a super easy casserole-style Christmas side that comes together quickly with pantry staples. Comforting, crowd-pleasing, and a great make-ahead option.
4. Christmas pesto tree bread
Pull-apart bread shaped and decorated as a festive Christmas tree, filled with savory pesto — a showstopping centerpiece that doubles as a side dish and disappears from the table in minutes. Perfect for tearing and sharing at the Christmas table.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the egg wash before baking — it’s what gives the finished bread that gorgeous golden-brown color that makes it look bakery-worthy straight from the oven.
5. Whipped ricotta dip with balsamic & cranberries
Silky whipped ricotta topped with a jammy balsamic cranberry sauce and fresh herbs — a festive, elegant appetizer or side that’s ready in minutes and stunning on a holiday spread. Serve with toasted crostini or crackers for easy scooping.
6. Oven roasted carrots
Simple, perfectly seasoned carrots roasted until tender and caramelized — an easy, healthy, allergy-friendly Christmas side that pairs with virtually any main course. A reliable staple that always gets eaten first.
7. Creamy garlic mashed potatoes (vegan)
Ultra-fluffy, fully vegan mashed potatoes with a deep garlic flavor and a rich, creamy texture — no dairy needed and nobody would guess it. A crowd-pleasing holiday side that works for every dietary preference at the table.
Pro Tip: Roast the garlic before adding it rather than boiling it — roasting mellows the sharpness and brings out a sweet, nutty depth that raw or boiled garlic simply can’t match in mashed potatoes.
8. Creamed kale
Leafy kale wilted into a rich, cream cheese and Parmesan-enriched béchamel sauce — a hearty, indulgent twist on creamed spinach that holds its structure beautifully. A Scandinavian julbord classic and a luxurious Christmas dinner side.
9. Maple roasted sweet potatoes
Sweet potato cubes roasted until caramelized and glazed with real maple syrup — a simple, naturally sweetened Christmas side that pairs beautifully with both savory mains and festive holiday spreads. Vegan and gluten-free with no fuss.
10. Yorkshire pudding
Golden, airy, and deeply savory Yorkshire puddings made with beef drippings from the roast — the classic British accompaniment to Christmas prime rib or roast beef. Light on the inside, crispy on the outside, and absolutely irresistible straight from the oven.
Pro Tip: The pan and fat must be smoking hot before the batter goes in — cold fat kills the rise and gives you flat, dense puddings instead of the tall, dramatic puff that makes Yorkshire pudding so spectacular.
11. Orange & fennel salad
Thinly sliced fennel and juicy orange segments dressed in a bright citrus vinaigrette — a fresh, elegant Italian-inspired salad that brings a welcome burst of brightness to a rich Christmas dinner spread. Make ahead and dress right before serving.
12. Roasted Brussels sprouts & carrots
A simple sheet pan side of roasted Brussels sprouts and carrots with Italian-inspired seasonings — caramelized, tender, and packed with flavor. An easy, beautiful side dish that holds up well and can be prepped ahead.
13. Scalloped turnips au gratin
Thinly sliced turnips layered in a rich, cheesy cream sauce and baked until golden and bubbly — a low-carb alternative to classic scalloped potatoes that tastes every bit as indulgent. A keto-friendly holiday side that even turnip skeptics love.
Pro Tip: Use a mandoline to slice the turnips as thin and evenly as possible — uniform slices cook at the same rate, and thin slices absorb the cream sauce properly so you don’t end up with crunchy layers.
14. Sourdough dinner rolls with rosemary
Fluffy, pillowy sourdough rolls fragrant with fresh rosemary — a perfect Christmas bread basket addition that pairs beautifully with butter, gravy, and everything else on the holiday table. Make ahead and reheat just before serving.
15. Potatoes au gratin
Thinly sliced potatoes layered with a rich, garlicky cheese sauce and baked until bubbly and golden — a timeless, crowd-pleasing Christmas side that always draws a crowd around the serving dish. Make ahead and reheat to perfection.
Pro Tip: Slice the potatoes as thin and uniformly as possible — a mandoline makes this easy and ensures every layer cooks through evenly without some being underdone and others mushy.
16. Goat cheese & spinach strudel
Flaky puff pastry wrapped around a savory filling of wilted spinach, creamy goat cheese, and herbs — an elegant, show-stopping vegetarian Christmas side that looks far more impressive than the effort required. Great warm or at room temperature.
17. Soul food baked mac and cheese
A deeply indulgent, Southern-style baked mac and cheese with a multi-cheese sauce, a custardy egg layer, and a golden, bubbly top — pure comfort food at its finest and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any Christmas table.
Pro Tip: Cook the pasta to just under al dente before baking — it will continue cooking in the cheese sauce in the oven and absorb more flavor, so fully cooked pasta will end up overcooked and mushy by the time it’s done.
18. Winter holiday salad
A festive, colorful Christmas salad with seasonal winter ingredients, vibrant greens, and a bright holiday-inspired dressing — a fresh, make-ahead side that brings color and brightness to a table full of rich, cozy dishes.
19. Asian broccoli stir fry
Crispy-tender broccoli tossed in a savory Asian-inspired sauce with garlic, sesame, and a hint of heat — a quick, flavor-packed side that’s a welcome change from the usual Christmas vegetable dishes. Ready in under 15 minutes.
20. Vegan beetroot steak tartare
Diced roasted beets styled and seasoned to mimic the look and flavor profile of classic steak tartare — a stunning, plant-based appetizer or side that impresses every guest at the Christmas table. Elegant, creative, and completely dairy and meat free.
21. One-pot Gouda & cream cheese corn
Sweet corn cooked in a rich, melty sauce of smoked Gouda and cream cheese with a touch of seasoning — a deeply satisfying one-pot side that’s ready in minutes and hard to stop eating. A cozy, cheesy upgrade on classic creamed corn.
22. Creamy mashed peas with mint
Vibrant green peas blended into a silky, herby purée with fresh mint — a bright, colorful, and surprisingly elegant Christmas side that takes just minutes to make. A fresh-tasting alternative to heavier holiday greens.
23. Brussels sprout salad
A fresh, crunchy shaved Brussels sprout salad with a tangy, creamy dressing — a light and flavorful side that balances the heavier dishes on the Christmas table and holds up beautifully even after dressing.
24. Hot cheesy corn dip
A warm, bubbly, ultra-cheesy corn dip that’s ready in minutes and the first thing to disappear from the Christmas appetizer table — serve with tortilla chips, bread, or crackers for easy scooping. A crowd-pleasing addition to any holiday spread.
25. Crockpot garlic Parmesan chicken & potatoes
Tender chicken and creamy potatoes slow-cooked in a rich garlic Parmesan sauce — an easy, hands-off Christmas main or hearty side that comes together with minimal prep. Set it, forget it, and come back to a warm, satisfying meal.
26. roasted beets & turnips
Colorful beets and turnips roasted together until tender and caramelized — a simple, stunning, and naturally sweet holiday side that adds beautiful jewel tones to the Christmas dinner table. Vegan, gluten-free, and deeply flavorful.
27. Stuffed mushrooms with crab
Mushrooms filled with crab, cream cheese, fresh herbs, and toasted breadcrumbs — an elegant, crowd-pleasing Christmas appetizer or side that’s ready in under 30 minutes and always disappears first.
Pro Tip: Wipe mushrooms with a damp paper towel rather than rinsing them — mushrooms absorb water fast, and wet mushrooms steam instead of roast, turning soft and watery instead of golden.
28. Gluten-free stuffing
A classic herb stuffing made entirely gluten-free — savory, fragrant, and deeply comforting without compromising on the flavors that make stuffing the best part of any holiday meal. Make-ahead friendly and easy to reheat.
29. Mini Hasselback potatoes with rosemary
Individual mini potatoes sliced Hasselback-style, brushed with garlic butter and fresh rosemary, and roasted until crispy-edged and tender — an impressive, elegant Christmas side that looks restaurant-worthy with minimal effort.
Pro Tip: Place a wooden spoon or chopstick alongside the potato when slicing — it stops the knife from cutting all the way through, giving you perfectly fanned slices every time without accidentally splitting the potato.
30. Cranberry apple farro
Chewy farro tossed with tart cranberries, sweet apple, and walnuts — a wholesome whole-grain holiday side that looks impressive, holds up beautifully after cooking, and fits right into any Christmas spread. Easy to make ahead.
31. Crack green beans
Fresh green beans coated in a sticky, sweet-and-savory brown sugar and soy glaze with crispy bacon — so addictive they’re named “crack,” and even the green bean skeptics at the table always go back for seconds. A must-have Christmas holiday side.
Pro Tip: Use fresh green beans rather than canned — canned beans are pre-cooked and turn mushy in the sauce, while fresh beans hold their snap and soak up the glaze so much better.
32. Cheesy Christmas tree pull-apart bread
Soft, fluffy pull-apart rolls stuffed with melted cheese, shaped into a Christmas tree, and baked until golden — a showstopping, shareable Christmas table centerpiece that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Serve with marinara or your favorite dipping sauce.
33. Smothered cabbage
Tender cabbage slow-cooked in a savory, buttery sauce with garlic and onion until deeply flavored and melt-in-your-mouth soft — a budget-friendly, one-pot holiday side that requires minimal prep and pairs with virtually any Christmas main.
34. Roasted rutabaga
A delicious, healthy low-carb alternative to roasted potatoes — rutabaga cubes seasoned and roasted until golden and caramelized with a tender inside. An underrated Christmas side that pairs beautifully with any holiday roast.
35. Cranberry apple coleslaw
A crunchy, refreshing coleslaw loaded with fresh apples, dried cranberries, walnuts, and green onions — a bright, festive alternative to creamy coleslaw that’s perfect for cutting through rich Christmas mains. Make ahead and it only gets better.
36. Vegan stuffed butternut squash
Halved butternut squash roasted and filled with a hearty stuffing of quinoa, lentils, spinach, cranberries, and roasted almonds — a beautiful, protein-packed vegan centerpiece or side that looks stunning on any Christmas table.
Pro Tip: Score the flesh of the squash in a crosshatch pattern before roasting — this helps the squash cook evenly all the way through and gives the filling more surface area to nestle into.
37. Smoky vegan tofu ham
Tofu marinated in a smoky, slightly sweet glaze with liquid smoke, smoked paprika, and soy sauce, then baked until it develops crispy edges and a tender, deeply flavored interior — a savory, plant-based alternative to holiday ham with just 8 ingredients. Serves beautifully sliced alongside roasted potatoes and greens.
Pro Tip: Press the tofu for at least 30 minutes before marinating — removing as much moisture as possible allows the tofu to absorb the smoky marinade deeply rather than staying bland in the center.
38. Christmas salad
A vibrant, festive Christmas salad with seasonal greens, colorful fruits, crunchy nuts, and a light holiday dressing — a fresh, beautiful side that adds color and brightness to a table full of rich, indulgent Christmas dishes.
39. Christmas deviled eggs
Classic deviled eggs dressed up for Christmas with a red-and-green garnish of herbs, pimentos, and festive toppings — make extra because they’re always the first thing gone from the holiday spread. Includes an easy-peel trick for perfectly smooth eggs every time.
Pro Tip: Use eggs that are at least a week old — fresh eggs are notoriously hard to peel cleanly, while older eggs peel in smooth, satisfying pulls every single time.
40. Bacon, sage & onion stuffing
A classic stuffing elevated with smoky bacon, fresh sage, and caramelized onions — a savory, crowd-pleasing Christmas side that’s equally at home on a Thanksgiving or Christmas table. Rich, fragrant, and deeply comforting.
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