19 Best Christmas Dinner Side Dishes

19 Best Christmas Dinner Side Dishes literally saved my holiday meal last year when I realized at 2 PM on Christmas Eve that I had planned the turkey but completely forgot about sides. I’m not even kidding – I was googling “emergency Christmas sides” in a panic. That disaster actually led me to compile these amazing Christmas dinner side dishes that are now my go-to list every single year.

Look, planning Christmas dinner is stressful enough without trying to figure out what to serve alongside the main course. These 19 best Christmas dinner side dishes cover everything from classic favorites to new twists that’ll impress your in-laws. And the best part? Most of these Christmas dinner side dishes can be made ahead, which means less stress and more time to enjoy the holiday.

Here’s the thing about Christmas dinner side dishes – they need to be special enough to feel festive but not so complicated that you’re crying in the kitchen while everyone else opens presents. These recipes hit that perfect sweet spot. My aunt Carol, who’s been cooking Christmas dinner for 40 years, asked for half of these Christmas dinner side dishes recipes last year. That’s when I knew I’d nailed it.

also check : 10 Quick Christmas Party Appetizers

Why These Christmas Dinner Side Dishes Actually Work

The secret to great Christmas dinner side dishes is variety and balance. You need something creamy, something crunchy, something sweet, and something savory. These 19 best Christmas dinner side dishes give you all of that plus options for different dietary needs.

Another reason these Christmas dinner side dishes work so well is timing. Most can be prepped ahead or cooked while the turkey rests, which is crucial when you’re juggling multiple dishes. Nobody wants to be frantically cooking sides at 6 PM when dinner should be on the table.

The variety in these Christmas dinner side dishes means everyone at your table will find something they love. Picky cousin who only eats beige foods? Covered. Health-conscious sister-in-law? Got her too. Traditional grandma who wants classic recipes? These Christmas dinner side dishes include those beloved standards.

The Complete List of 19 Best Christmas Dinner Side Dishes

1. Classic Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients: 2 lbs fresh green beans trimmed, 2 cans cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup milk, 1 tsp soy sauce, black pepper, 2 cups French fried onions, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. Blanch green beans in boiling salted water for 5 minutes until bright green but still crisp.
3. Drain beans and immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Drain again thoroughly.
4. In large bowl, mix cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, and black pepper until smooth.
5. Add blanched green beans to soup mixture and toss to coat completely.
6. Pour half the bean mixture into prepared baking dish.
7. Sprinkle half the shredded cheese over beans, then add half the fried onions.
8. Add remaining bean mixture on top, followed by remaining cheese.
9. Bake covered with foil for 25 minutes.
10. Remove foil, top with remaining fried onions, and bake uncovered 10 more minutes until bubbly and onions are golden. This is always on my list of essential Christmas dinner side dishes.

2. Honey Glazed Carrots

Ingredients: 2 lbs carrots peeled and cut into sticks, 3 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, salt and pepper, fresh thyme

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut carrots into uniform sticks about 3 inches long and 1/2 inch thick for even cooking.
2. Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add carrots and cook for 5-7 minutes until just tender but not mushy.
3. Drain carrots completely and set aside.
4. In large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
5. Add honey and brown sugar to melted butter, stirring until sugar dissolves completely.
6. Add vanilla extract and stir to combine.
7. Add cooked carrots to skillet and toss to coat in honey butter mixture.
8. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until carrots are glazed and slightly caramelized.
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves before serving. Sweet and simple Christmas dinner side dishes like this are always crowd-pleasers.

3. Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients: 5 lbs russet potatoes peeled and cubed, 1 cup heavy cream warmed, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup sour cream, salt and white pepper, chives for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Peel potatoes and cut into evenly sized chunks about 2 inches.
2. Place potatoes in large pot and cover with cold salted water by 1 inch.
3. Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer. Cook 15-20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
4. While potatoes cook, warm heavy cream and butter together in small saucepan over low heat until butter melts.
5. Drain potatoes thoroughly and return to hot pot for 1 minute to evaporate excess moisture.
6. Mash potatoes using potato masher or ricer until smooth with no lumps.
7. Add warm cream mixture gradually while stirring, adjusting amount for desired consistency.
8. Stir in sour cream until fully incorporated.
9. Season generously with salt and white pepper to taste.
10. Transfer to serving bowl and garnish with chopped chives. The foundation of great Christmas dinner side dishes starts with perfect mashed potatoes.

4. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Ingredients: 2 lbs Brussels sprouts trimmed and halved, 6 strips bacon chopped, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 cloves garlic minced, balsamic glaze, salt and pepper, parmesan cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Trim Brussels sprouts ends and cut in half lengthwise through the stem.
3. Cook chopped bacon in skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
4. In large bowl, toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
5. Spread Brussels sprouts cut-side down on prepared baking sheet in single layer.
6. Roast for 20-25 minutes until deeply browned and crispy on edges, flipping halfway through.
7. Remove from oven and transfer to serving dish.
8. Toss roasted Brussels sprouts with crispy bacon pieces.
9. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.
10. Serve immediately while hot and crispy. Even Brussels sprouts haters love these Christmas dinner side dishes.

5. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Ingredients: 4 lbs sweet potatoes, 1/2 cup butter melted, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup milk, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon, 3 cups mini marshmallows, 1/2 cup pecans chopped

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease 9×13 baking dish.
2. Peel sweet potatoes and cut into 2-inch chunks. Boil in salted water for 15-20 minutes until very tender.
3. Drain sweet potatoes and mash until smooth in large bowl.
4. Add melted butter, brown sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon to mashed sweet potatoes.
5. Beat with electric mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
6. Spread sweet potato mixture evenly in prepared baking dish.
7. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until heated through.
8. Remove from oven and top with mini marshmallows and chopped pecans.
9. Return to oven for 10-15 minutes until marshmallows are golden and puffy.
10. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. This is one of those Christmas dinner side dishes that kids and adults fight over.

6. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

Ingredients: 2 heads broccoli cut into florets, 4 cloves garlic minced, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, lemon zest, salt and pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment.
2. Cut broccoli into evenly sized florets, leaving some stem attached.
3. In large bowl, toss broccoli with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
4. Spread broccoli in single layer on prepared baking sheet.
5. Roast for 18-22 minutes until edges are crispy and browned, shaking pan halfway through.
6. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese while hot.
7. Add fresh lemon zest over top.
8. Toss gently to coat broccoli with melted parmesan.
9. Adjust seasoning if needed.
10. Serve warm. Healthy Christmas dinner side dishes don’t have to be boring.

7. Cranberry Sauce with Orange

Ingredients: 12 oz fresh cranberries, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup orange juice, zest of 1 orange, 1 cinnamon stick, pinch of salt

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Rinse cranberries and pick out any soft or damaged ones.
2. In medium saucepan, combine sugar and orange juice. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
3. Add cranberries, orange zest, cinnamon stick, and pinch of salt to sugar mixture.
4. Bring to boil over medium-high heat.
5. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Cranberries will pop and mixture will thicken as it cooks.
7. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Sauce will continue to thicken.
8. Remove cinnamon stick before serving.
9. Transfer to serving bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
10. Can be made up to 3 days ahead. Essential Christmas dinner side dishes include homemade cranberry sauce.

8. Creamed Corn

Ingredients: 6 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen), 4 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup flour, 2 cups heavy cream, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, chives

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. If using fresh corn, cut kernels from 8-10 ears of corn.
2. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add flour to melted butter and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to create roux.
4. Gradually pour in heavy cream while whisking to prevent lumps.
5. Add corn kernels, sugar, salt, and pepper to cream mixture.
6. Bring to gentle simmer, stirring frequently.
7. Cook for 10-12 minutes until corn is tender and sauce has thickened.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
9. Remove from heat and stir in chopped chives.
10. Serve hot in warmed serving dish. Comforting Christmas dinner side dishes like this never go out of style.

9. Herb Stuffing

Ingredients: 1 loaf French bread cubed, 1/2 cup butter, 2 onions diced, 4 celery stalks diced, 3 cups chicken broth, 2 eggs, 2 tbsp fresh sage, 2 tbsp fresh thyme, salt and pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Day before or morning of, cut bread into 3/4 inch cubes and spread on baking sheets to dry out for several hours.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9×13 baking dish.
3. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat.
4. Add diced onions and celery, cook 8-10 minutes until softened.
5. Add fresh sage and thyme to vegetables, cook 1 minute until fragrant.
6. In large bowl, combine dried bread cubes with vegetable mixture.
7. Whisk together chicken broth and eggs, then pour over bread mixture.
8. Toss gently until bread is evenly moistened. Season with salt and pepper.
9. Transfer to prepared baking dish and cover with foil.
10. Bake 30 minutes covered, then 15 minutes uncovered until top is golden and crispy. No Christmas dinner side dishes list is complete without classic stuffing.

10. Roasted Root Vegetables

Ingredients: 3 carrots, 3 parsnips, 2 sweet potatoes, 1 butternut squash, 1 red onion, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp maple syrup, fresh rosemary, salt and pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Peel all vegetables and cut into similar-sized chunks, about 1-1.5 inches.
3. In large bowl, toss vegetables with olive oil, maple syrup, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper.
4. Spread vegetables in single layer across both baking sheets, not overcrowding.
5. Roast for 35-40 minutes, stirring halfway through, until vegetables are tender and caramelized.
6. Check for doneness by piercing with fork – should be tender but not mushy.
7. If some vegetables cook faster, remove them and continue cooking others.
8. Transfer to serving platter and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs.
9. Drizzle with extra maple syrup if desired.
10. Serve hot or at room temperature. Colorful Christmas dinner side dishes make your table look festive.

11. Mac and Cheese

Ingredients: 1 lb elbow macaroni, 4 tbsp butter, 4 tbsp flour, 3 cups whole milk, 3 cups sharp cheddar shredded, 1 cup gruyere shredded, 1 tsp mustard powder, salt and pepper, breadcrumbs

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease 9×13 baking dish.
2. Cook macaroni in salted boiling water until 2 minutes shy of package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. In large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
4. Add flour to butter and whisk constantly for 2 minutes to cook roux.
5. Gradually add milk while whisking to prevent lumps, creating smooth sauce.
6. Add mustard powder, salt, and pepper to sauce.
7. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and gruyere until melted and smooth.
8. Add cooked macaroni to cheese sauce and stir to coat completely.
9. Pour into prepared baking dish and top with breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter.
10. Bake 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Kids’ favorite Christmas dinner side dishes always include mac and cheese.

12. Sautéed Green Beans with Almonds

Ingredients: 2 lbs green beans trimmed, 3 tbsp butter, 1/2 cup sliced almonds, 2 cloves garlic minced, lemon juice, salt and pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Trim ends off green beans and cut into 2-inch pieces if desired.
2. Bring large pot of salted water to boil.
3. Blanch green beans for 3-4 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender.
4. Drain and immediately transfer to ice bath to stop cooking. Drain again thoroughly.
5. Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Add sliced almonds and toast for 2-3 minutes until golden, stirring constantly.
7. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
8. Add blanched green beans to skillet and toss to coat with butter and almonds.
9. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until heated through and slightly charred in spots.
10. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice before serving. Elegant Christmas dinner side dishes don’t get easier than this.

13. Scalloped Potatoes

Ingredients: 4 lbs russet potatoes thinly sliced, 3 cups heavy cream, 3 cloves garlic minced, 2 cups gruyere cheese shredded, 1/2 cup parmesan, nutmeg, salt and pepper, butter

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 9×13 baking dish generously.
2. Slice potatoes very thin (1/8 inch) using mandoline or sharp knife. Keep uniform thickness.
3. In saucepan, heat cream with minced garlic, pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper until warm.
4. Layer 1/3 of potato slices overlapping in bottom of prepared dish.
5. Pour 1/3 of warm cream mixture over potatoes, then sprinkle with 1/3 of cheeses.
6. Repeat layers two more times, ending with cheese on top.
7. Cover tightly with foil and bake 45 minutes.
8. Remove foil and bake additional 30 minutes until potatoes are tender and top is golden brown.
9. Let rest 10 minutes before serving to set up layers.
10. Cut into squares to serve. Indulgent Christmas dinner side dishes like these are worth the calories.

14. Honey Butter Dinner Rolls

Ingredients: 4 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 packet instant yeast, 1 tsp salt, 1 cup warm milk, 1/4 cup butter melted, 1 egg, honey butter for topping

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. In large bowl, mix flour, sugar, yeast, and salt together.
2. In separate bowl, combine warm milk, melted butter, and egg.
3. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix until shaggy dough forms.
4. Knead dough on floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
6. Punch down dough and divide into 16 equal pieces. Shape each into smooth ball.
7. Place rolls in greased 9×13 pan, cover, and let rise 30 minutes until puffy.
8. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush rolls with melted butter.
9. Bake 18-22 minutes until golden brown on top.
10. Brush with honey butter immediately after baking. Warm, fluffy Christmas dinner side dishes make everyone happy.

15. Creamed Spinach

Ingredients: 2 lbs fresh spinach, 3 tbsp butter, 3 cloves garlic minced, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup cream cheese, 1/2 cup parmesan, nutmeg, salt and pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Wash spinach thoroughly and remove tough stems.
2. In large pot, wilt spinach in batches over medium-high heat until collapsed, about 2 minutes per batch.
3. Transfer wilted spinach to colander and press to remove excess liquid. Chop roughly.
4. In same pot, melt butter over medium heat.
5. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
6. Pour in heavy cream and bring to gentle simmer.
7. Add cream cheese in pieces, stirring until melted and smooth.
8. Stir in parmesan cheese until incorporated.
9. Add chopped spinach to cream mixture and stir to combine. Cook 3-4 minutes.
10. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Serve hot. Classic steakhouse-style Christmas dinner side dishes for your holiday table.

16. Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan

Ingredients: 2 heads cauliflower cut into florets, 1/4 cup olive oil, 4 cloves garlic minced, 1 cup parmesan shredded, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, lemon juice, salt and pepper, parsley

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut cauliflower into similar-sized florets for even roasting.
3. In large bowl, toss cauliflower with olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Spread cauliflower in single layer on prepared baking sheet.
5. Roast for 25-30 minutes until golden and tender, stirring once halfway.
6. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with shredded parmesan while hot.
7. Return to oven for 3-5 minutes until cheese melts and gets slightly crispy.
8. Remove from oven and squeeze fresh lemon juice over cauliflower.
9. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
10. Serve immediately while hot and crispy. Low-carb Christmas dinner side dishes that taste indulgent.

17. Baked Acorn Squash

Ingredients: 3 acorn squash halved and seeded, 1/4 cup butter melted, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, salt, pecans

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut acorn squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds and strings.
3. Score flesh in crosshatch pattern with sharp knife, cutting about 1/2 inch deep.
4. In small bowl, mix melted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
5. Brush mixture generously over cut surfaces of squash.
6. Place squash cut-side up on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt.
7. Bake for 45-55 minutes until flesh is tender and caramelized.
8. During last 10 minutes, sprinkle chopped pecans in cavities.
9. Remove from oven when fork easily pierces flesh.
10. Serve hot in halves or scoop out flesh. Beautiful Christmas dinner side dishes that look impressive.

18. Cornbread Dressing

Ingredients: 8 cups cornbread crumbled, 4 cups white bread cubed, 1/2 cup butter, 2 onions diced, 4 celery stalks diced, 4 cups chicken broth, 3 eggs, 2 tbsp sage, salt and pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 9×13 baking dish.
2. Crumble cornbread and cube white bread. Spread on baking sheets to dry for 2 hours or overnight.
3. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat.
4. Add diced onions and celery. Cook 8-10 minutes until softened.
5. Add sage to vegetables and cook 1 minute.
6. In very large bowl, combine dried cornbread and white bread.
7. Add vegetable mixture to bread and toss.
8. Whisk together chicken broth and eggs. Pour over bread mixture gradually, tossing.
9. Transfer to prepared dish. Cover with foil.
10. Bake 30 minutes covered, then 20 minutes uncovered until golden. Southern-style Christmas dinner side dishes are always welcome.

19. Glazed Turnips

Ingredients: 3 lbs turnips peeled and cubed, 4 tbsp butter, 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp thyme, salt and pepper, fresh parsley

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Peel turnips and cut into 3/4 inch cubes for even cooking.
2. Bring large pot of salted water to boil.
3. Add turnip cubes and cook 8-10 minutes until just tender but not mushy.
4. Drain turnips thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
5. In large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat.
6. Add honey and apple cider vinegar to butter, stirring to combine.
7. Add cooked turnips to skillet and toss to coat in glaze.
8. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until turnips are caramelized.
9. Add fresh thyme leaves, salt, and pepper.
10. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Underrated Christmas dinner side dishes deserve more love.

Make-Ahead Christmas Dinner Side Dishes

The key to stress-free Christmas cooking is making as many of these Christmas dinner side dishes ahead as possible. The sweet potato casserole, mac and cheese, and scalloped potatoes can all be assembled a day ahead and just baked on Christmas day.

The cranberry sauce actually tastes better when made 2-3 days ahead because the flavors develop. Same with the stuffing mixture – you can prep everything and refrigerate, then just bake when needed. These Christmas dinner side dishes save you so much time and stress.

Even vegetables for roasting can be prepped and stored in bags. Just toss with oil and seasonings right before roasting. Blanching green beans ahead means you just need a quick sauté before serving these Christmas dinner side dishes.

Serving Tips for Christmas Dinner Side Dishes

When planning your menu, aim for 4-6 Christmas dinner side dishes for a group of 8-10 people. Include variety in colors, textures, and temperatures. Not everything needs to be piping hot, which makes timing easier.

Use your slow cooker for keeping Christmas dinner side dishes warm during dinner. Mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and mac and cheese all hold beautifully in a slow cooker on warm setting. This frees up oven space for last-minute cooking.

Label dishes if you’re having a large gathering. Little tent cards with names help guests identify these Christmas dinner side dishes, especially if anyone has dietary restrictions or allergies.

The Perfect Christmas Dinner Side Dishes Spread

These 19 best Christmas dinner side dishes give you everything you need for an amazing holiday feast. Mix and match based on your family’s preferences, dietary needs, and cooking skill level. The beauty of having so many options is you can create the perfect menu every year.

Don’t feel pressured to make all 19 of these Christmas dinner side dishes. Choose 5-6 that sound good to you, make a few ahead, and enjoy the holiday instead of spending all day stressed in the kitchen. That’s what these recipes are designed for – making your life easier.

Christmas dinner should be about enjoying time with family, not being a slave to the stove. These Christmas dinner side dishes let you do both – serve amazing food while actually getting to sit down and enjoy it 🙂