Lets mix thing up and cook something new with these 26 most favorite holiday side dishes. From a good old classic to a new contemporary twist, these recipes are all you need at this year holiday dinner table.
Besides a big center piece turkey, or an undeniably awesome dessert, side dishes are also what people get excited about at any Thanksgiving or Christmas gathering. There is nothing can be more comforting than a big feast of food at holiday dinner. Or if you decide to skip the turkey, then these side dishes are definitely a big must. This year is so special that we all deserve a food coma after all, don’t we? Lets get the excitement started. Here are our top picks for the most favorite holiday side dishes.
1. Vegetarian Brussels Sprout
This classic side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas needs no introduction. It is appealing, tender, moist, and super easy to make. Bonus: it also includes a tip for cooking every size of brussels sprout evenly.
2. No Cream Savory Butternut Squash Soup
A perfect add-on for any dinner, not limited to holiday only. It is also suitable for people who having lactose intolerance condition. Butternut squash is cut into cube then cooked in a savory soup until tender. Since there is cream included, you can make it ahead of time without worrying it’s getting spoiled easily.
3. Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
One of the things you will love about this salad is that it is low maintenance. You will roast the squash for a few hours, and go about your day. Once it is removed from the oven, you put a bit of dressing on it, and let it cool. A few hours later, put it together. All in all, super easy, and delectable!
4. Spice-Brandied Cranberry Sauce
The classic option that must be included in this favorite holiday side dishes. Bursting with warm spices, lively orange and rich dark brown sugar, this boozy brandied cranberry sauce makes for one show-stopping holiday side dish and adds an elegant touch to your holiday table. You’ll never need another cranberry sauce recipe again.
5. Chicken Cobb “Christmas Tree” Holiday Salad
This Holiday Salad is surprisingly simple to make, and can even be made ahead! Wow your guests with a fun new recipe this year – make this absolutely delicious, crowd-pleasing showstopper for your holiday table!
6. Colorful Christmas Slaw
From the famous Hurry The Food Up blog, this Christmas slaw is a perfect contemporary mix of veggies and fruits in one bowl. Ready in 20 mins. Easy to make and brightens up any Christmas table. Better yet? It’s 100% vegan.
7. Vegan Potatoes and Mushrooms
Another vegan side dish option for any non-meat eater out there. The best vegan potatoes and mushrooms recipe with crispy sage, wild chanterelles and caramelized onions. Pure comfort!
8. Easy cauliflower rice pilaf
This easy cauliflower rice pilaf recipe is a delicious and versatile side dish. It’s keto friendly, gluten free, and vegan too.
9. Christmas Caprese Salad
Another amazing and gorgeous must make an appearance in this most favorite holiday side dishes. This Christmas Caprese Salad consists of tomatoes, bocconcini and fresh basil arranged in the shape of a candy cane. A delicious, simple salad that will add a fun, festive touch to your holiday table!
10. Antipasto Christmas Wreath
If you’re looking for an amazing appetizer to make this holiday season this Antipasto Christmas Wreath is perfect! It has bites size cheeses, Italian meats, olive, and takes minutes to put together!
11. Baked Parmesan Sprouts with Bacon
Another amazing option in this most favorite holiday side dishes list. The do say everything tastes better with bacon! And these Baked Parmesan Sprouts with Bacon hit the spot perfectly!
12. Butternut Squash Risotto
This creamy, dreamy Butternut Squash Risotto is LIFE CHANGING! It’s the perfect fall meal, or a delicious side dish for a holiday dinner.
13. Crock Pot Stuffing
This stuffing is truly amazing. It uses big chunks of torn bread that provides tons of extra texture. And since it’s cooked on high, it develops the most amazing browned crispy edges that your family will be fighting over, while the center is still soft and moist!
14. Honey Dinner Rolls
There is nothing can be associated with holiday dinners more than a buttery, honey white dinner rolls. These rolls aren’t just fluffy, moist, and pleasantly delicious; they are significantly less sweet than many store bought dinner rolls.
15. Cheesy Spaghetti Squash with Spinach
A creamy, cheesy, alfredo-like sauce is mixed with spaghetti squash and baby spinach leaves, then topped with melted cheese to make a hearty and delicious main or side. In short, tasty comfort food for fall!
16. Incredibly Easy Baked Camembert
This camembert is super fast to make and definitely can satisfy the most pick palate on earth. If you want such contemporary side dish for your holiday dinner, don’t skip this.
17. Slow cooker mashed potatoes
The best creamy slow cooker mashed potatoes infused with garlic and herbs. This recipe comes together seamlessly in the slow cooker. This simple Thanksgiving side dish is an all-time guest favorite!
18. Parmentier Potatoes
As quick and easy side dishes, few things can compete with parmentier potatoes. A super-speedy version of the classic roast potatoes, these little crispy cubes of joy are so simple to make and deliver on all fronts.
19. Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Your whole family will love this super cozy and easy to prepare Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes!!! It is a great comfort food side dish for everyday family dinners, fall gatherings, Thanksgiving, Christmas and even breakfast.
20. Caprese Christmas Wreath
This Caprese Christmas Wreath is an ideal addition to your festive table. Not only is it a delicious and popular salad, it makes an attractive table center piece (Turkey’s thunder about to be stolen)! No wonder why it has to be included in this most favorite holiday side dishes.
21. Christmas Bread Wreath
A pull apart Christmas Bread Wreath filled with oozing cheese and pesto will make a great center piece for your holiday table. Perfectly special for that potluck Christmas Dinner, or if you are having friends over for pre-Christmas drinks or a nibble during gift giving on Christmas Day, this Christmas Bread Wreath filled with Cheese and Pesto covers all occasions.
22. Baked Brussels Sprout
This perfectly baked brussels sprouts recipe is hands down the best healthy brussels sprouts recipe you will ever need. These yummies are vegan, meaning dairy-free and meat-free! You do not need cheese or bacon to make tasty brussels sprouts; this recipe is a testament to that.
23. Green Beans and Mushroom
This super easy Green Beans with Mushrooms recipe, with buttery garlic and onion flavors, is a traditional holiday side dish for my family. It’s healthy, quick and adds a burst of color to your dinner plate!
24. Tuna Avocado Salad with Ginger Creamy Dressing
Add a little bit of color and protein to your holiday dinner table. This is the best composed salad which includes super food avocado, the finest fish tuna, and the creamiest Asian style ginger dressing.
25. Grilled Cajun Chicken Salad – Another favorite holiday side dishes
Want another contemporary side dish? This non-tradition Grilled Cajun Chicken salad is not made of any kind of leafy mix. Instead, it is a combination of white onion and Asian herbs.
26. Vegan Cream of Spinach Soup with White Cream
Another wonderful soup makes the list. This hearty cream of spinach soup happens to be high protein & vegan, kudos to the white beans! The best part is, everything is ready under 30 mins. A perfect pick if time is not your best friend while prepping for holiday dinner.
All these holiday sides look so so fabulous! I am bookmarking this post and sharing it with all my friends as well.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Kechi, thank you for your wonderful recipe. And yes, please share this if you can :). All of these look amazing.