20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (2024)

Christmas ham and turkey may be the centerpieces of a holiday spread, but let's be frank: Dinner is all about the Christmas side dishes this year (looking at you, mac and cheese). Think about it — a tiny portion of your plate is dedicated to the ham (or turkey), while the rest is piled high with potatoes and casseroles. Obviously, that means that serious thought must go into choosing your cozy Christmas dinner sides. Good news: we've done all the work for you. Pour yourself a co*cktail, and bookmark the following Christmas side dishes and recipes that will work wonderfully with your holiday menu.

Cheesy Gnocchi

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Think of this like mac and cheese's cousin. It's cheesy, it's warm, and it'll still give you those same comfort food feelings. (via Brit + Co)

Romanesco Christmas Trees With Parmesan Snow

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This six-ingredient dish takes advantage of Romanesco's tree-like shape, which looks adorable when dusted with cheesy "snow." This is a Christmas side dish that'll get even the pickiest eater to eat their broccoli. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Butter Board

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If you're like us and you have a big spread to much on all Christmas long, then brunch food is a totally acceptable side dish. We'll be adding plenty of berries and maple syrup. (via Brit + Co)

Cheesy Sweet Potato Gratin

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With Thanksgiving long gone, forgo a marshmallow topping in favor of savory sage, Gruyère cheese, and heavy cream on sliced, baked-until-bubbly sweet potatoes. You can save the marshmallows for your cocoa. (via Brit + Co)

Scallion and Greek Yogurt Slow-Cooker Mashed Potatoes

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If you want a healthier holiday feast but can't give up mashed potatoes, look no further than this more virtuous version, made creamy and protein-rich with Greek yogurt. (via Brit + Co)

Rachael Ray's Cheesy Crushed Potatoes

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The best side dishes are the cheesy, carby ones. These crushed potatoes are super easy to make — all you have to do is smash them down with the bottom of a glass and load 'em up with cheese. Done and done. (via Brit + Co)

Gluten-Free Frittata Christmas Side Dish

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Another great brunch option, this frittata features a variety of ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge, like onions, turkey, and cheese. (via Brit + Co)

Easy Stuffed Mushrooms

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These bites can be served hot or cold, and can be totally customized to fit your preferences. Nix the meat and cheese to make them vegan or take out the olives for less salt. (via Brit + Co)

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

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There would be anarchy if there weren’t traditional mashed potatoes at the Christmas dinner table. They’ll turn out just right by using a simple recipe that everyone will love. (via Cooking Classy)

Easy Creamed Corn

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Any dish with "easy" in the name is essential for a smooth and perfect Christmas dinner. Prep everything ahead of time, and pop the corn in the oven at the last minute to ensure it stays piping hot. (via Damn Delicious)

Creamy Parsnip and Carrot Bake

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Carrots pair well with parsnips, its earthier veggie cousin. In this recipe, they’re baked in a creamy, dairy-free sauce that coats every bite. (via Full of Plants)

Cornmeal Biscuits With Cheddar, Chives, and Jalapeños

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You need something to soak up all that butter and gravy, so you might as well make it these spicy, cheesy biscuits. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Butternut Squash and Spinach Casserole

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This feel-good dish comes together with layers of sliced butternut squash, cashew cream, and a spinach "cream" sauce with coconut milk, almond butter, and garlic. Vegans, rejoice! (via Nick Hopper/Farmacy Kitchen Cookbook)

Hedgehog Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

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You've heard of Hasselback potatoes, but these hedgehog roasted potatoes might have them beat for being both a tasty and adorable Christmas side dish recipe. They're tender inside but full of crispy bits and have plenty of nooks and crannies to fill with butter and gravy. (via Sprinkles and Sprouts)

Browned Butter Lemon-Garlic Green Beans

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Sometimes you need a lighter side dish to help balance out a heavy meal. With a rich butter sauce and lemon juice for balance, these green beans do just the trick. (via Host the Toast)

Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi Casserole Christmas Side Dish

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Gnocchi gets the royal treatment with sliced cremini mushrooms, fresh herbs, and three kinds of cheese. Best part? This casserole can be made ahead of time, frozen, and reheated. (via Brit + Co)

Roasted Beet, Avocado, and Citrus Salad

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This salad might look summery, but citrus shines in the winter. Avocado and beets add to the festive color scheme, and goat cheese provides creaminess. (via Chelsea's Messy Apron)

Garlic Roasted Mushrooms

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If there’s a dish to convert someone into a mushroom lover, this is it. The veggies act like sponges that soak up garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. What’s not to love? (via Savory Tooth)

Sausage Cranberry Brioche Stuffing

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Give your stuffing some extra flair with dried cranberries and chopped pear. Pillowy brioche soaks up all that sausage goodness. (via The Suburban Soapbox)

White Cheddar Truffle Mac and Cheese

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Mac and cheese is a staple on many holiday tables. Upgrade your favorite version with white cheddar cheese and a dash of truffle oil. (via The Girl on Bloor)

Follow us on Pinterest or join our newsletter for more easy holiday recipes and Christmas side dishes. Also, our B+C Cooking and Baking classes are worth exploring as well!

Additional reporting by Justina Huddleston,Sara Cagle, and Chloe Williams.

This post has been updated.

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Paige Johnson

Paige is a blogger, food writer and culinary master from Louisville, Ky. She's a newlywed who's obsessed with dogs and renovating her 117 year old home. When she's not working on her blog — My Modern Cookery — you can find her binge watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S with a triple shot latte in-hand.

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 10 Christmas dinner foods? ›

Top 10 most popular Christmas recipes
  • Nut roast.
  • Ultimate roast potatoes. ...
  • Mary's Berry Christmas chutney. ...
  • Sausage, sage & onion stuffing. ...
  • Cola ham with maple & mustard glaze. ...
  • Sticky spiced red cabbage. ...
  • Christmas pudding with citrus and spice. ...
  • Yule log. ...

What are the side dishes that go with the main dishes? ›

30 best side dishes
  • Classic potato salad. Elevate your barbecue or picnic with our timeless potato salad recipe. ...
  • Cauliflower cheese. ...
  • Epic summer salad. ...
  • Quick kimchi. ...
  • Roasted carrots. ...
  • Easy pilau rice. ...
  • Ultimate roast potatoes. ...
  • Giant couscous & tomato salad with zhoug-style dressing.

How many sides do I need for Christmas dinner? ›

Pork Roast

Speaking of sides—you'll want to pick recipes that complement your main course. When choosing the number of sides, plan for about 1–2 appetizers and about 2–3 side dishes.

What are some classic Christmas dishes? ›

Every family in every part of the world serves their own traditional Christmas foods, but in the U.S., some are enjoyed nationwide:
  • Turkey.
  • Prime Rib.
  • Baked Ham.
  • Mashed Potatoes & Gravy.
  • Stuffing.
  • Green Bean Casserole.
  • Candied Sweet Potatoes.
  • Roasted Vegetables.
Dec 19, 2022

What do people traditionally eat on Christmas Eve? ›

On Christmas Eve (Noche Buena), the extended family join for a dinner of roast turkey and white rice seasoned with garlic. Roast potatoes and cooked sweetened apple puree are often served as well. The main dessert is panettone. It is usually accompanied by a cup of thick hot chocolate.

What is the most common side dish? ›

Side dishes such as salad, potatoes and bread are commonly used with main courses throughout many countries of the western world. Rice and couscous have grown to be quite popular throughout Europe, especially at formal occasions (with couscous appearing more commonly at dinner parties with Middle Eastern dishes).

What is a good side dish instead of potatoes? ›

Use a whole grain such as quinoa, bulgur, couscous or brown rice in place of your potato. You can also add a whole grain roll where your potato would normally be. Whole grains contain fiber, which can help you feel full, lower blood sugar levels and may help lower cholesterol.

What sides go with anything? ›

Every great meal has to have delicious sides to complement it! This is a list of amazing side dishes to make at your next family dinner.
  • Fresh green beans.
  • Sautéed zucchini and squash.
  • Fruit salad.
  • roasted veggies.
  • Garden salad.
  • Mashed potatoes.
  • White rice.
  • Mexican corn off the cob.
Sep 14, 2020

What are 3 food items that are popular for Christmas dinner? ›

They cover the savory side of Christmas dinner, from prime rib, baked ham, and roast turkey to scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce.

What to bring to a Christmas dinner as a guest? ›

Bring A Gift Regardless

Don't show up empty-handed. It's a demonstration of appreciation to the host to bring a gift, be it wine, or chocolates. Or even better, bring something they can enjoy for themselves after the party's over, like a scented candle.

What is the must have food for Christmas Day? ›

Serve a traditional Christmas dinner menu filled with classic dishes, including smoked salmon starters, roast turkey with all the trimmings and Christmas pudding. We're all for breaking with convention and trying something new on special occasions, but sometimes only classic dishes will do on Christmas Day.

What is the most eaten meat on Christmas? ›

Top 5 Traditional Meats For Christmas Dinner
  1. Turkey. Let's admit it, a whole turkey is the best and most traditional meat for Christmas dinners. ...
  2. Beef. Beef often comes to mind when choosing Christmas meats and for good reason. ...
  3. Ham and Gammon. What's Christmas without a joint of ham? ...
  4. Pork. ...
  5. Lamb.

What makes the best Christmas dinner? ›

Christmas dinner ideas
  • Easy Christmas roast duck with crispy potatoes and port gravy.
  • Gorgeous dinner of porchetta stuffed with wild mushrooms, celeriac mash and gravy.
  • Marinated & grilled salmon.
  • Wood-fired shellfish.
  • Pot roast pork.
  • Fabulous fish stew.
  • Sea bass in puff pastry.

What is the 12 course Christmas dinner? ›

The bread is broken by the head of the household and begins the meal, which consists of 12 courses including sauerkraut with gravy, pierogi, halupki made with mushrooms and rice, fish, dry fruit, beans , peas, honey and other dishes.

What do Americans have for Christmas dinner? ›

Roast turkey and ham are popular for Christmas dinner throughout the country, but depending on the region, so are tamales, roast goose with red cabbage, crawfish jambalaya, roast pork or “seven fishes” seafood salad.

What is the top choice for Christmas dinner? ›

Our Top 22 Traditional Christmas Dishes
  • 01 of 23. Chef John's Honey-Glazed Ham. ...
  • 02 of 23. Mom's Scalloped Potatoes. ...
  • 03 of 23. Best Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • 04 of 23. Chef John's Roast Turkey and Gravy. ...
  • 05 of 23. Holiday Mashed Potatoes. ...
  • 06 of 23. Christmas Prime Rib. ...
  • 07 of 23. Quick and Easy Yorkshire Pudding. ...
  • 08 of 23. Beef Wellington.
Dec 18, 2023

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