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December 16, 2021

15 Fantastic Christmas Dinner Side Dishes

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Potatoes, salads, and sprouts, oh my! From beloved classics like Sweet Potato Casserole and Green Beans, to recipes your family may not have tried like Succotash or Brussels Sprouts Slaw, this list of Christmas Dinner Side Dishes has it all!

If there is one thing in this world I can’t get enough of, it’s side dishes! I like to think of sides as the glue that holds a meal together, complimenting the flavors of everything else on my plate. Whether you’re making turkey, ham, or a roast for Christmas Dinner, these sides are sure to be a delicious, flavorful hit!

On Christmas, more so than other Holidays, I don’t like to spend a lot of time cooking because the day is meant to be enjoyed with your loved ones. That’s why, I focused on recipes that don’t take away from family time!

I divided the recipes into two main categories; either they’re make-ahead recipes that you can prepare before Christmas Day, or they require less than 30 minutes of hands-on cooking. These fantastic side dish recipes are all easy to follow and they highlight seasonal ingredients such as carrots, brussels sprouts, green beans and potatoes.

Make-Ahead Side Dishes

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping

Sweet Potato Casserole is taken to a whole new level with a buttery pecan coconut topping! This easy-to-make recipe is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday celebration.

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Green Bean Casserole with Bacon – Yellow Bliss Road

Green Bean Casserole with Bacon is a salty, smoky update on the classic Thanksgiving side dish. Made with fresh green beans or canned.

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Orange Maple Cranberry Sauce – Feasting At Home

Orange Maple Cranberry Sauce with fresh apple is a bright and healthy addition to your holiday feast! Easy, fast, and can be made ahead. Maple-sweetened, and free of refined sugar, vegan and gluten-free!

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Brussels Sprouts Slaw – A Southern Soul

Brussels Sprouts Slaw with honey crisp apples, feta cheese, toasted pecans, and tart pomegranate seeds is not only beautiful, but it’s also out of this world delicious! Loaded with crunch, this light fresh salad is perfect to serve for the holidays and easy enough to make for a weeknight meal.

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5 Ingredient Corn Casserole – The Recipe Critic

5 Ingredient Corn Casserole is in the oven in less than five minutes. It’s the perfect side dish for the holidays with almost no effort at all!

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Southern Zucchini Squash Casserole – Southern Discourse

Enjoy a delicious veggie side dish with this Southern Zucchini Squash Casserole! Tasty zucchini and yellow squash bake up savory and crisp tender in an easy cream sauce made from mayo, chicken broth, garlic and spices. Topped with the crunch of panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese, this baked casserole has what it takes to grace any table from holidays to cookouts!

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Wooden spoon with Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Whether you’re feeding a crowd on game day, hosting a family get-together, or heading to a potluck, Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is the recipe to serve! Loaded with tender chicken, smokey bacon, gooey cheese and seasoned with ranch dressing flavor, this dish is always a crowd-pleaser.

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PRO TIP: I would recommend preparing your Make-Ahead side dishes on the 21st or 22nd, and then save the recipes that take less than 30 minutes for you to prepare for the day of Christmas.

Side Dishes Prepared in 30 Minutes Or Less

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese – Southern Bite

While every family has their take on particular recipes, one of my favorite recipes is this Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese from Southern Living. Of course, I put my own spin on it by using red rind hoop cheese, but it’s great with a sharp cheddar, too.

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Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts – Spicy Southern Kitchen

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts are a salty-sweet side that’s perfect for Thanksgiving. The brussels sprouts get wonderfully caramelized from the roasting process. They are like candy!

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Air Fryer Asparagus – Ahead Of Thyme

If I knew that you could make 6-minute air fryer asparagus when air fryers first hit the market, I would have ran to the nearest store to get my hands on this machine. You guys, 6 minutes. It’s mind blowing.

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Crock Pot Maple Bacon Green Beans – A Southern Soul

Green beans are a classic side dish now made even easier thanks to the Crock Pot. Tender green beans, with a hint of sweetness from maple syrup, and a bit of smokiness from bacon, are so good that this recipe is sure to become a favorite for years to come.

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Autumn Harvest Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad – Half Baked Harvest

This colorful Autumn Harvest Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad combines all the best produce that fall has to offer into the season’s best salad. Spicy baby arugula, Honeycrisp apples, juicy pomegranates, candied nuts, and crispy prosciutto. All tossed with an apple cider vinaigrette. It’s a fall staple around here…healthy, simple, and so delicious.

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Healthy Roasted Carrots with Brown Sugar – Food Meanderings

These Healthy Roasted Carrots with Brown Sugar are easy to make, lighter than the regular recipe, WW friendly and a great addition to your holiday meal (or any meal!) If you love a colorful and healthy side dish on your plate, especially for a festive holiday meal, this side dish is for you!

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Scalloped Potatoes – A Southern Soul

Beautiful, perfectly cooked Scalloped Potatoes are a classic that you’ll fall in love with after just one bite! Tender, thinly sliced potatoes are baked in a rich, creamy sauce for a side dish that’s excellent to serve alongside any main course and is a must-make for the holidays.

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Succotash Recipe – Dinner at the Zoo

This succotash recipe is a combination of bacon, corn, tomatoes and lima beans, all cooked together to make a colorful and delicious side dish. Succotash pairs perfectly with grilled meats and seafood, and can even be served as a lighter main course option.

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