Christmas side dishes are special recipes that accompany the main meal during the holiday season. These dishes add variety and flavor to the Christmas table, making the meal more enjoyable. They can range from vegetables and salads to bread and casseroles.
Christmas Side Dishes Recipes
Each recipe adds its own unique taste, making the festive dinner even more memorable. Whether you prefer something traditional like mashed potatoes and gravy or want to try something new like a colorful beet salad, Christmas side dish recipes are there to complement your main course and complete your holiday feast.
Garlic & Feta Mashed Potatoes
Uses: Garlic & Feta Mashed Potatoes transform a cozy classic into a standout dish with a tangy twist. The creamy texture of mashed russet potatoes gets an upgrade with rich, melty feta and aromatic garlic, avoiding the predictability of typical mash. It's easy to whip up with an electric mixer and doesn't skimp on flavor—block feta and fresh herbs ensure every forkful is a savory celebration.
Ingredients:
- 4 lb. russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1" cubes
- Kosher salt
- ¾ c. whole milk
- ½ c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for topping
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed, peeled
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 7 oz. feta, crumbled (about 1 ¼ c.), divided
- 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole
Uses: A Thanksgiving staple, known for its comforting warmth and homely charm! Featuring soft, mashed sweet potatoes mixed with brown sugar and butter, then topped with crunchy pecans and gooey marshmallows, Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole is a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup finely chopped pecans, divided
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
Garlic-Butter Brussels Sprouts
Uses: Garlic-Butter Brussels Sprouts pack a punch with bold garlic softened by creamy butter and nutty Parmesan. In just 15 minutes, these greens turn tender-crisp, keeping their bright green cheer. Perfect alongside chicken or salmon, they're a quick, high-fiber, flavorful side that's easy for any cook to master.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons finely chopped garlic
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and thinly sliced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Winter White Bean and Radicchio Salad
Uses: Shake up your salad game with the Winter White Bean and Radicchio Salad, a zesty twist on greens that's perfect for chilly days. It combines bracing radicchio and crunchy endive with creamy white beans, all tossed in a honey-Dijon dressing that dances on your taste buds. Top it off with shavings of Parmesan cheese for a dish that's as beautiful as it is nutritious.
Ingredients:
- 3 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. honey
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
- ½ medium red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ c. olive oil
- 1 15-oz can white beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 small heads radicchio, torn
- 2 heads endive, sliced
- 2 c. flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 2 oz. Parmesan cheese, shaved, divided
Best Focaccia Bread
Uses: Whipping up the Best Focaccia Bread is a breeze—all you need are your hands, a bowl, and a baking pan. This recipe turns simple ingredients into a crisp, fluffy delight that's impossible to resist. Perfect for snacking or alongside your favorite meal, this focaccia comes out of the oven golden and ready to impress with just a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky salt.
Ingredients:
- 4 c. all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp. instant yeast
- 2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 2 ¼ cups lukewarm water (should feel slightly warm to the touch, not hot)
- ⅓ c. plus 2 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for fingertips
- 1 tsp. flaky salt
Broccoli-Cheese Casserole
Uses: Topped with buttery crackers for a delightful crunch, this dish is more than just a side; it's a heartwarming favorite that can stand proudly at church potlucks or shine as the star during dinner time. Its creamy sauce, made from whole milk and sharp Cheddar cheese, cradles tender broccoli florets, proving that simple ingredients can create mouthwatering magic
Ingredients:
- 2 (32-oz.) pkg. fresh broccoli florets
- ¼ cup water
- 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion (from 1 medium onion)
- 2 tsp. minced garlic (about 2 large garlic cloves)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 8 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
- 1 ½ cups crushed rectangular buttery crackers (about 40; such as Club Original Crackers)
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Savory Corn Pudding
Uses: This Southern delight blends fresh corn with aromatic onion and thyme, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and savory notes. Simple to make, it's a festive favorite at holiday gatherings and potlucks, easily pairing with almost any meal.
Ingredients:
- 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tsp. kosher salt
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup salted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 Tbsp. canola oil
- 6 cups fresh corn kernels (from 8 ears)
- ½ cup chopped sweet onion (from 1 onion)
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme, divided
Easy Creamed Spinach Recipe
Uses: This Easy Creamed Spinach recipe brings a classic touch to any holiday table, combining creamy goodness, a hint of spice, and the freshness of leafy greens. It’s a straightforward dish jazzed up with nutmeg and cayenne for a little warmth.
Ingredients:
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 lb. baby spinach
- 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- ½ yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1 c. whole milk
- 1 c. heavy cream
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
French Cheese Puffs
Uses: French Cheese Puffs, also known as Gougères, are delightful little pastries that whisk you straight to a quaint café in France. These small, golden-brown puffs are crisp on the outside and tender inside, bursting with the flavor of luxurious cheeses like Gruyère or Parmigiano-Reggiano. Ready in about an hour, they’re perfect as an elegant appetizer.
Ingredients:
- ½ c. whole milk
- ½ c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- ½ tsp. kosher salt
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 c. all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 5 large eggs, at room temperature
- 6 oz. Gruyère, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or Gouda, grated (about 1 ½ cups)
Sweet Potato Hash
Uses: It’s a hearty, easy-to-make dish where every ingredient gets a chance to shine, particularly the sweet potatoes, making family meals warm and inviting. Highlights include sweet potatoes mingling with smoky bacon, a dash of savory spices like cumin and paprika, all crisped up in a trusty cast-iron skillet. This hash has it all: a hint of char, heartiness, and simple steps, with the option to top it off with a fried egg or pair with a steak.
Ingredients:
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 6 scallions
- 2 lb. sweet potato, peeled and cut into ¾-inch pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped
- 1 ½ tsp. kosher salt
- 1 ½ tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. cumin
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
