It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the side dishes. A beautifully roasted turkey needs mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and warm rolls to complete the feast.
Holiday Side Dishes:
I’m firmly on team side dishes. I enjoy turkey, but the sides are what I actually look forward to all year. From scalloped potatoes and maple-glazed carrots to cranberry sauce and savory casseroles, the right sides turn a meal into a celebration.
Whether you’re planning a holiday spread or a special weeknight dinner, this collection of ideas offers a range of flavors—sweet, savory, creamy, and bright—to complement your centerpiece.
1. Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese
Cubed butternut squash roasted until tender, then finished with creamy goat cheese, toasted nuts, pomegranate seeds, and fresh rosemary. This dish balances sweet and savory and works well for holidays or a simple weeknight side.
2. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Silky sweet potato soufflé topped with a buttery pecan crumble and toasted marshmallows. Rich and irresistible, this casserole often disappears fast—so plan on making plenty.
3. Sriracha Honey Brussels Sprouts
Pan-fried Brussels sprouts caramelized to perfection and tossed in a sticky sriracha-honey glaze. Ready in under 30 minutes, you can easily adjust the spice level to suit your crowd.
4. Christmas Wreath Salad with Pomegranate and Pear
A simple, elegant salad that resembles a festive wreath—pear slices, pomegranate arils, greens, and cheese. Light vinaigrette brightens the flavors and makes this a refreshing contrast to richer sides.
5. Easy Scalloped Potatoes
Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy sauce with Monterey Jack (or your favorite melting cheese) create a comforting, cheesy side that feels decadent yet is straightforward to prepare.
6. Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Loaded baked potato flavors in casserole form—creamy, cheesy, and studded with bacon. This crowd-pleaser brings comfort and familiarity to any holiday table.
7. Maple Glazed Carrots
Sliced carrots simmered until tender in a sweet, sticky maple glaze. Quick to make—under 20 minutes—and a surefire way to win over picky eaters with their glossy, sweet finish.
8. Apple Cranberry Sauce
A twist on classic cranberry sauce: apples add natural sweetness and body. This version combines cranberries, apples, brown sugar, apple cider, orange, and cinnamon for a bright, well-balanced condiment.
9. Healthy Green Bean Casserole
Fresh green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce topped with crispy onions. This lighter take skips canned soup and is easy to adapt to gluten-free or vegan diets while still delivering classic flavors.
10. Candied Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes simmered in a warm, buttery syrup with spices and pecans. Simple to make on the stovetop and easy to prepare in advance for busy holiday cooking.
11. Sausage, Cranberry, and Apple Stuffing
This stuffing blends savory sausage, tart cranberries, and sweet apples for a flavorful, festive side. It’s a terrific balance of textures and tastes that pairs well with roasted poultry.
12. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
Rich, melty, and comforting. This southern-style baked mac and cheese features sharp cheddar, creamy mascarpone, and a hint of Cajun seasoning for depth. It’s a guaranteed hit when you want indulgence.
13. Garlic Bread Rolls
Pillowy soft rolls brushed with garlic butter—garlic flavor inside and out so they taste like garlic bread. Surprisingly easy to make and endlessly popular with guests.
14. Cranberry Salad
Reminiscent of ambrosia, this cranberry fluff mixes fresh cranberries, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and whipped cream for a sweet side that can double as a light dessert.
15. Waldorf Salad
Quick and reliable: crisp apples, grapes, walnuts, and a creamy dressing. This classic salad takes about 15 minutes to assemble and adds a refreshing fruity note to the table.
16. Corn Casserole with Cheese
Sweet corn combined with melty cheeses and a touch of seasoning, optionally topped with bacon. It’s easy to assemble ahead of time and bake just before serving.
17. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy mashed potatoes made effortlessly in an electric pressure cooker. With a handful of basic ingredients, you’ll have smooth, comforting potatoes with minimal hands-on time.
18. Pear Arugula Salad
Bright and peppery arugula paired with sweet pears, dried cranberries, and creamy goat cheese, all brought together with a pear vinaigrette. This salad offers a refreshing contrast to heavier dishes.
19. Candied Brussels Sprouts
Skillet-carameled Brussels sprouts finished with maple syrup, Dijon, and apple cider vinegar for a sweet-and-tangy glaze. Flavorful, quick, and satisfying.
If you try any of these holiday sides, share how they turned out in the comments—what worked, what you tweaked, and which dishes disappeared first!
More Holiday Recipes:
- 19 Festive Peppermint Dessert Recipes
- 13 Festive Eggnog Desserts To Try This Christmas
- Chocolate Dipped Ritz Cookies