53 Christmas Dinner Side Dishes to Round Out Your Holiday Feast
In many households, the main dish is a given, or a choice between two or three standards. But your Christmas dinner sides have a little more flexibility. This year you could deck the family table with platters of mashed potatoes or Yorkshire puddings the way Grandma always made them—but also include a great-looking new salad, a spicy rice dressing, or a cheesy, crusty gratin. Offer around a basket of hot, steamy dinner rolls or flaky biscuits; trim your polenta with crispy fried sage leaves and your cauliflower with a crunchy Parmesan crumble. There are as many options as ornaments on the tree—scroll down for a few of our favorite Christmas dinner sides from the Epicurious archives.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell1/53Green Beans Amandine
For Christmas dinner sides that have a vintage vibe, consider this perennial crowd-pleaser made with blanched green beans, plus a relish tray full of pickled, crunchy bites. Add the twice-baked potatoes below if you know what’s good.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich2/53
Fennel-Orange Salad
Balance the richness of the holiday meal with a crisp salad that offers varied pops of sweet and briny flavor.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone3/53
Our Favorite Mashed Potatoes
A mountain of buttery mashed potatoes is a soft landing place for whatever you’re roasting as a Christmas dinner main dish. These Yukon golds are light and fluffy.
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne4/53
Make-Ahead Dinner Rolls
Friends don’t let friends serve room-temperature rolls. These are par-baked, then returned to the oven at the last minute for a crisp exterior and hot-and-fluffy interior.
- Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh5/53
Twice-Baked Potatoes With Cheddar and Garlic
- Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Sean Dooley6/53
Hasselback Potatoes
These potatoes are optimized for crispy edges and maximum texture. They’re tailor-made for fans of potato chips.
- Mary McCartney7/53
Yorkshire Puddings
This recipe makes individual puddings, baked in a muffin pan, but you can also bake one large pudding in a high-sided pan and then cut it into portions.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich8/53
Parmesan-Roasted Cauliflower
You’ll roast this cauliflower until it’s nearly tender before adding the Parmesan and getting everything beautifully caramelized.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi9/53
Simple Classic Stuffing
In many households, a roast turkey commands attention at the center of the Christmas dinner table every year. And can you really serve turkey without a big pan of savory dressing?
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka10/53
Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta and Garlic
A little pancetta and garlic goes a long way toward flavoring these roasted brussels sprouts, which readers have been making—and loving—since they first appeared in Gourmet in 2001.
- Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Mira Evnine11/53
Dauphinoise Potatoes
There are a million potato recipes battling for your attention, but starting those spuds off in a bath of thyme-scented cream is one of the best ways to go.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele12/53
Quick and Easy Collard Greens
This quick side dish recipe gets you tender, tangy greens in just 40 minutes total time.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini. Salad Bowl Courtesy of Heath Ceramics.13/53
Torn Potatoes of Many Colors With Chile-Lime Butter
Tearing potatoes gives them more surface area—which means more delightful crispy bits. This many-hued Christmas side adds more color to the table than any fussy flower arrangement.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini14/53
Cheesy Baked Butternut Squash Polenta
This make-ahead side dish has gooey pockets of Fontina throughout. It’s wonderful with a pork loin or a ham that has a brown sugar–mustard glaze.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich15/53
Parker House Rolls
These fluffy rolls are poised to sop up all your gravy—and if there are any remaining in the basket after the holiday meal is done, they’ll be the perfect vehicle for leftovers.
- Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich16/53
Green Bean Casserole With Crispy Fried Onions
You’ve gotten by with a canister of store-bought fried onions year after year. But for a truly memorable green bean casserole, you need these homemade crunchy onions spiced with paprika, cumin, and coriander.
- Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Mira Evnine17/53
Lyonnaise Potatoes
Too many Christmas sides give richness without balance. These potatoes get a splash of vinegar along with sweet caramelized onions, and believe us: they sing.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne18/53
Our Favorite Mac and Cheese
Be the relative who arrives on Christmas Eve with a big tray of mac and cheese, and you’ll be the favorite year after year.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell19/53
Creamy Potato and Leek Gratin
Silky leeks add sweet, fresh flavor to a baking dish full of russet potatoes simmered in herby cream. You can prep this gratin in advance, then reheat in a a 350° oven.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton20/53
Escarole, Pear, Parmesan, and Basil Leaf Salad
If your family is pretty tradition-bound at holiday dinners, at least the salad offers an opportunity for fresh flavors. Grab some bitter greens, fragrant basil, and ripe Comice or Anjou pears—this one is, as one reader writes, “a dazzler.”
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert21/53
Flaky, Buttery Biscuits
Folding and stacking the dough means talllllllllll, flaky biscuits for your holiday table.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi22/53
Sweet Potato Casserole With Easy Candied Pecans
Only 20 minutes of active prep time are needed for this cozy sweet potato recipe. The crackly crust will beat out any marshmallow-topped version you’ve made before.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell23/53
Porcini Popovers
Dried porcini mushrooms get blitzed in a coffee grinder to add deep, earthy flavor to these popovers from Gourmet.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Laura Rege24/53
Roasted Cauliflower With Parmesan-Panko Crumble
If your Christmas menu needs more crunch, this cauliflower recipe will deliver. Scatter on fresh parsley and lots of the golden panko, Parmesan, and cheddar crumble.
- Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Mira Evnine25/53
Twice-Baked-Potato Casserole
If you’ve always included twice-baked potatoes among your Christmas dinner side dishes, but you want to simplify things a bit this year, try this large-format version, which skips the stuffing process but adds crispy potato skins on top.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich26/53
Steamed Savoy Cabbage and Mustard Greens With Bacon
This crunchy, tender vegetable side dish gets drizzled with garlic butter and ribbons of crisp bacon.
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne27/53
Funeral Potatoes
The easy casserole, also called Texas potatoes, is beloved for its crunchy cornflake topping—and the creamy, cheesy potatoes within.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova28/53
Dinner Rolls Six Ways
You can take these rolls in a wide variety of directions. Add chopped shallots and shredded cheese or fresh thyme and mixed olives. Or get out every seed you’ve got for an everything-bagel-inspired version.
- David Cicconifood styling by Rhoda Boone29/53
Spicy Broccoli Rabe
This plate of bracing broccoli rabe with Parmesan and pine nuts is all you need alongside a Christmas lasagna dinner—or the full seven-fish feast.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell30/53
Cheesy Corn Spoon Bread
Get your trivets ready so you can serve this creamy and garlicky spoonbread piping hot out of the oven.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne31/53
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips With Honey
This simple sweet-and-tangy veggie dish can be made ahead and reheated while you carve your Christmas ham.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell32/53
Crispy Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes
Fresh thyme and grated nutmeg give these potatoes a holiday vibe, but we recommend gilding with the tangy horseradish sauce too.
- Photo by Michael Graydon and Nikole Herriott33/53
Winter Chicories With Date and Anchovy Dressing
Struggling to find winter salads that feel holiday-worthy? Start with the prettiest bitter greens you can find.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi34/53
Cheesy Potato and Kale Gratin
Spruce up the season of heavy cream with this potato and Gruyère casserole that’s trimmed with kale and toasty rye croutons.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert35/53
Garlicky Green Beans
Not all of your Christmas sides need to be elaborate. These quick, snappy green beans offer tons of flavor in just 15 minutes total time.
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne36/53
Creole Rice Dressing
It’s not the holidays in Louisiana without this savory, garlicky, spicy rice dressing. And as soon as you taste this version, you won’t be able to celebrate without it either.
- Photo by Andrew Purcell, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian37/53
Luxe French Potatoes
Is it just us, or do the piped potatoes here recall perfect snowflakes?
- 38/53
Winter Squash Wedges With Gorgonzola Butter and Hazelnuts
Smushing garlic and Gorgonzola or other blue cheese into butter gives you a luscious base for roasted squash and crushed hazelnuts.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Anna Surbatovich, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson39/53
Our Favorite Stuffing With Cornbread and Sausage
This stuffing is the best of both worlds, made with both crusty country bread and cornbread. There’s also savory breakfast sausage and plenty of parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton40/53
Kale Salad With Brussels Sprouts, Apples, and Hazelnuts
What makes a truly great holiday salad? Thinly sliced Tuscan kale and brussels sprouts, grated Mimolette cheese or aged Gouda, crisp apple matchsticks, and thinly sliced radishes, tossed in a dressing made with lemon juice, Dijon mustard, shallot, garlic, and extra-virgin olive oil.
- Photo by Johnny Miller41/53
Roasted Cauliflower With Lemon Zest, Parsley, Capers, and Jalapeño
Briny capers and thinly sliced jalapeño give this cauliflower dish some kick.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson42/53
Sheet-Pan Roasted Squash and Feta Salad
If you’ve never roasted cubes of feta before, get ready for your new favorite cooking move.
- Photo by Laura Dart and A.J. Meeker43/53
Bitter Greens Salad With Melted Cheese
Yes, this salad goes into the oven—but just for a minute. We promise it’s going to turn out amazing.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell44/53
Whipped Potatoes With Horseradish
Still not sure what to serve with your holiday roast? We can recommend quite a few potato recipes, but this one is a favorite.
- Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich45/53
Glazed Shallots With Chile and Thyme
These sweet and saucy alliums can be cooked two days before Christmas and rewarmed in the microwave without suffering a bit.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson46/53
Endive, Romaine, and Orange Salad for Two
Christmas Eve dinner for two? Make it cozy and share a plate of this stunning citrusy salad.
- Photo by Peden + Munk47/53
Golden Potato Cake
The only ingredients in this great-looking side dish: russet potatoes, salt, freshly ground pepper, and truly a lot of butter.
- Photo by Gentl & Hyers48/53
Collard Green Gratin
Two big bunches of collards cook down into this skillet-sized, crispy-crusted side dish.
- Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott49/53
Radicchio and Citrus Salad With Burrata
A lovely way to serve cheese and salad—and fruit!—at once. Serve this one alongside an elaborate salmon strudel or slowly roasted fennel-rubbed pork.
- Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Claire Saffitz50/53
Slow-Cooked Green Beans With Harissa and Cumin
Soft and caramelized vegetables don’t get enough love these days. These luscious tender green beans get a brightening splash of sherry vinegar when the cook time is done.
- Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich51/53
Wild Rice Dressing
You can call this rice dressing or stuffing—or just a holiday-appropriate grain salad with mushrooms and pecans.
- Photo by Alex Lau52/53
Fennel-Celery Salad With Blue Cheese and Walnuts
This snappy, refreshing side dish gives your palate a break between bites of richer dishes.
- 53/53
Cheesy Roasted Cabbage Wedges
These cabbage wedges could certainly be your main course, but they’re also one of those Christmas dinner sides that pleases vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
