20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (2024)

Christmas ham and turkey may be the centerpieces of a holiday spread, but let's be frank: Dinner is all about the Christmas side dishes this year (looking at you, mac and cheese). Think about it — a tiny portion of your plate is dedicated to the ham (or turkey), while the rest is piled high with potatoes and casseroles. Obviously, that means that serious thought must go into choosing your cozy Christmas dinner sides. Good news: we've done all the work for you. Pour yourself a co*cktail, and bookmark the following Christmas side dishes and recipes that will work wonderfully with your holiday menu.

Cheesy Gnocchi

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Think of this like mac and cheese's cousin. It's cheesy, it's warm, and it'll still give you those same comfort food feelings. (via Brit + Co)

Romanesco Christmas Trees With Parmesan Snow

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This six-ingredient dish takes advantage of Romanesco's tree-like shape, which looks adorable when dusted with cheesy "snow." This is a Christmas side dish that'll get even the pickiest eater to eat their broccoli. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Butter Board

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If you're like us and you have a big spread to much on all Christmas long, then brunch food is a totally acceptable side dish. We'll be adding plenty of berries and maple syrup. (via Brit + Co)

Cheesy Sweet Potato Gratin

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With Thanksgiving long gone, forgo a marshmallow topping in favor of savory sage, Gruyère cheese, and heavy cream on sliced, baked-until-bubbly sweet potatoes. You can save the marshmallows for your cocoa. (via Brit + Co)

Scallion and Greek Yogurt Slow-Cooker Mashed Potatoes

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If you want a healthier holiday feast but can't give up mashed potatoes, look no further than this more virtuous version, made creamy and protein-rich with Greek yogurt. (via Brit + Co)

Rachael Ray's Cheesy Crushed Potatoes

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The best side dishes are the cheesy, carby ones. These crushed potatoes are super easy to make — all you have to do is smash them down with the bottom of a glass and load 'em up with cheese. Done and done. (via Brit + Co)

Gluten-Free Frittata Christmas Side Dish

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Another great brunch option, this frittata features a variety of ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge, like onions, turkey, and cheese. (via Brit + Co)

Easy Stuffed Mushrooms

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These bites can be served hot or cold, and can be totally customized to fit your preferences. Nix the meat and cheese to make them vegan or take out the olives for less salt. (via Brit + Co)

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

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There would be anarchy if there weren’t traditional mashed potatoes at the Christmas dinner table. They’ll turn out just right by using a simple recipe that everyone will love. (via Cooking Classy)

Easy Creamed Corn

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Any dish with "easy" in the name is essential for a smooth and perfect Christmas dinner. Prep everything ahead of time, and pop the corn in the oven at the last minute to ensure it stays piping hot. (via Damn Delicious)

Creamy Parsnip and Carrot Bake

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Carrots pair well with parsnips, its earthier veggie cousin. In this recipe, they’re baked in a creamy, dairy-free sauce that coats every bite. (via Full of Plants)

Cornmeal Biscuits With Cheddar, Chives, and Jalapeños

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You need something to soak up all that butter and gravy, so you might as well make it these spicy, cheesy biscuits. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Butternut Squash and Spinach Casserole

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This feel-good dish comes together with layers of sliced butternut squash, cashew cream, and a spinach "cream" sauce with coconut milk, almond butter, and garlic. Vegans, rejoice! (via Nick Hopper/Farmacy Kitchen Cookbook)

Hedgehog Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

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You've heard of Hasselback potatoes, but these hedgehog roasted potatoes might have them beat for being both a tasty and adorable Christmas side dish recipe. They're tender inside but full of crispy bits and have plenty of nooks and crannies to fill with butter and gravy. (via Sprinkles and Sprouts)

Browned Butter Lemon-Garlic Green Beans

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Sometimes you need a lighter side dish to help balance out a heavy meal. With a rich butter sauce and lemon juice for balance, these green beans do just the trick. (via Host the Toast)

Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi Casserole Christmas Side Dish

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Gnocchi gets the royal treatment with sliced cremini mushrooms, fresh herbs, and three kinds of cheese. Best part? This casserole can be made ahead of time, frozen, and reheated. (via Brit + Co)

Roasted Beet, Avocado, and Citrus Salad

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This salad might look summery, but citrus shines in the winter. Avocado and beets add to the festive color scheme, and goat cheese provides creaminess. (via Chelsea's Messy Apron)

Garlic Roasted Mushrooms

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If there’s a dish to convert someone into a mushroom lover, this is it. The veggies act like sponges that soak up garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. What’s not to love? (via Savory Tooth)

Sausage Cranberry Brioche Stuffing

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Give your stuffing some extra flair with dried cranberries and chopped pear. Pillowy brioche soaks up all that sausage goodness. (via The Suburban Soapbox)

White Cheddar Truffle Mac and Cheese

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Mac and cheese is a staple on many holiday tables. Upgrade your favorite version with white cheddar cheese and a dash of truffle oil. (via The Girl on Bloor)

Follow us on Pinterest or join our newsletter for more easy holiday recipes and Christmas side dishes. Also, our B+C Cooking and Baking classes are worth exploring as well!

Additional reporting by Justina Huddleston,Sara Cagle, and Chloe Williams.

This post has been updated.

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20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (2024)

FAQs

What is a traditional Christmas dinner menu? ›

Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used. Pumpkin or apple pie, raisin pudding, Christmas pudding, or fruitcake are staples for dessert.

What is the most popular veg at Christmas? ›

Within this article we will outline the 5 most popular Christmas vegetables, and how to keep them fresh for the big day!
  • 1) Carrots.
  • 2) Broccoli.
  • 3) Potatoes.
  • 4) Cauliflower.
  • 5) Brussel sprouts.

What is the special dish during Christmas? ›

Candy Cane can be hung as edible decorations.
  • White Christmas, a sweet slice made of copha and mixed fruit.
  • Cold ham and cold turkey.
  • Seafood and salads.
  • Roast chicken, ham and turkey.
  • Stuffing.
  • Christmas cake or Christmas pudding.
  • Custard.
  • Gingerbread in Christmas shapes.

What are the top 10 Christmas foods? ›

10 Most Popular Christmas Dishes
  1. Roasted turkey. No Christmas dinner is complete without roast turkey. ...
  2. Ham. Be it baked, smoked, or glazed, ham is another popular dish for Christmas dinner. ...
  3. Roast beef. ...
  4. Stuffing. ...
  5. Poultry. ...
  6. Sweet potato casserole. ...
  7. Cranberry sauce. ...
  8. Plum pudding.
Dec 11, 2023

What should be on my Christmas food list? ›

Top 10 ingredients for your Christmas shopping list
  • Eggs – breakfasts and Boxing Day bubble and squeak taken care of. ...
  • Icing sugar – a sprinkle gives a festive frosting to any dessert. ...
  • Cheese and biscuits – the perfect snack when you're too full for a full-blown meal. ...
  • Chutney – for all the leftover cold meats.
Nov 30, 2023

What veg is best for Christmas dinner? ›

16 simple side dishes for Christmas dinner
  • Orange and port red cabbage. ...
  • Sugar and spice root veg. ...
  • Spiced Christmas red cabbage with apple. ...
  • Roasted garlic and clementine carrots. ...
  • Rich and cheesy broccoli. ...
  • Green Christmas stir-fry. ...
  • Mushrooms with shallots and sherry. ...
  • Cranberry and pomegranate sauce.

What vegetables to put on a Christmas dinner? ›

Discover the perfect amounts of potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sprouts, peas and red cabbage to serve with your roast turkey. Need help planning your Christmas dinner?

What are the seven dishes of Christmas? ›

Recipes for the “seven fishes” vary from region to region; this one uses crab, shrimp, calamari, clams, mussels, scallops and white fish.

Which five are traditional Christmas dishes? ›

Our Top 22 Traditional Christmas Dishes
  • 01 of 23. Chef John's Honey-Glazed Ham. ...
  • 02 of 23. Mom's Scalloped Potatoes. ...
  • 03 of 23. Best Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • 04 of 23. Chef John's Roast Turkey and Gravy. ...
  • 05 of 23. Holiday Mashed Potatoes. ...
  • 06 of 23. Christmas Prime Rib. ...
  • 07 of 23. Quick and Easy Yorkshire Pudding. ...
  • 08 of 23. Beef Wellington.
Dec 18, 2023

What is the 12 dish Christmas Eve? ›

A twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper is traditionally prepared to commemorate Jesus' twelve disciples in Central, Northern and Eastern European cultures, especially those that were formerly part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and neighbouring countries.

What can I serve for Christmas dinner besides ham and turkey? ›

Unique holiday dinner ideas
  1. Beef Wellington: The Showstopper.
  2. Christmas Roast Duck: The Twist on a Classic.
  3. Vegetarian Enchiladas: The Surprise Favorite.
  4. Roast Lamb: The Savory Star.
  5. Stuffed Acorn Squash: The Festive & Flavorful.
  6. Prime Rib Roast: The Hearty Hero.
Dec 12, 2022

What is the most popular Christmas meat dish? ›

1. Turkey. Let's admit it, a whole turkey is the best and most traditional meat for Christmas dinners. Originally gracing our plates in the 16th century, popular history tells of King Henry VIII being the first English monarch to have turkey for Christmas.

What is the most popular meat for Christmas dinner? ›

1. Turkey. Let's admit it, a whole turkey is the best and most traditional meat for Christmas dinners. Originally gracing our plates in the 16th century, popular history tells of King Henry VIII being the first English monarch to have turkey for Christmas.

What veg do you have with a Christmas dinner? ›

Discover the perfect amounts of potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sprouts, peas and red cabbage to serve with your roast turkey. Need help planning your Christmas dinner?

What time should Christmas dinner be served? ›

It's just supposed to be a middle-of-the-day meal, so the Queen's speech, at 3pm, adapted to it rather than the other way round. In other parts of Europe, people prefer their Christmas meal on Christmas Eve and eat leftovers the next day. In Britain, much of the way we do it comes from the Victorians.

Why is ham a traditional Christmas dinner? ›

Ham remained a star of the table with some historians suggesting that the pig was a symbol of good luck in pre-Christian European traditions. The love for Christmas ham dinner arrived in America with the pilgrims, becoming particularly popular in the Southern US, where pig farming flourished.

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