Top Holiday Side Dishes

Here are ten delicious holiday side dish ideas that will complement any festive meal. Each recipe is designed to add flavor and variety, from classic comfort foods to fresh twists on old favorites. These dishes are sure to impress and make your holiday table memorable.

1. Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

  • Ingredients: Potatoes, garlic, butter, cream, grated Parmesan, salt, pepper.
  • Instructions: Boil potatoes until soft. Mash with garlic, butter, cream, and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Tip: For extra flavor, add roasted garlic and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like chives or parsley.

2. Honey-Glazed Carrots

  • Ingredients: Carrots, honey, butter, salt, pepper, thyme.
  • Instructions: Sauté carrots in butter, add honey, salt, pepper, and fresh thyme. Cook until tender and glazed.
  • Tip: Add a sprinkle of orange zest for a citrusy touch!

3. Classic Green Bean Casserole

  • Ingredients: Green beans, mushroom soup, milk, fried onions, salt, pepper.
  • Instructions: Combine green beans, soup, and milk, season to taste, top with fried onions, and bake.
  • Tip: Use fresh green beans for extra texture and flavor.

4. Stuffed Butternut Squash with Quinoa and Cranberries

  • Ingredients: Butternut squash, quinoa, dried cranberries, nuts (optional), fresh herbs.
  • Instructions: Roast halved squash until soft, scoop and mix with cooked quinoa, cranberries, and herbs, then return to squash.
  • Tip: Add feta cheese or nuts for added richness and texture.

5. Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

  • Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, maple syrup, bacon, salt, pepper.
  • Instructions: Roast Brussels sprouts with bacon, then toss with maple syrup before serving.
  • Tip: Drizzle with balsamic vinegar for a tangy finish.

6. Savory Bread Stuffing with Sage and Sausage

  • Ingredients: Bread cubes, sausage, onions, celery, chicken broth, sage, thyme, salt, pepper.
  • Instructions: Sauté sausage, onions, and celery. Mix with bread, herbs, and broth. Bake until golden.
  • Tip: Use cornbread or sourdough for a twist on traditional stuffing.

7. Cranberry Orange Relish

  • Ingredients: Fresh cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, sugar.
  • Instructions: Pulse cranberries and orange in a food processor. Sweeten with sugar and chill before serving.
  • Tip: Add a dash of cinnamon for warmth.

8. Creamed Spinach with Garlic and Nutmeg

  • Ingredients: Fresh spinach, cream, butter, garlic, nutmeg, salt, pepper.
  • Instructions: Sauté spinach in butter, add cream, garlic, and a pinch of nutmeg. Simmer until thickened.
  • Tip: For a lighter version, use milk and flour instead of heavy cream.

9. Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pecans and Marshmallows

  • Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, pecans, mini marshmallows.
  • Instructions: Roast sweet potatoes, then top with butter, sugar, pecans, and marshmallows. Broil until golden.
  • Tip: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth.

10. Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin

  • Ingredients: Cauliflower, cheddar cheese, cream, garlic, butter, salt, pepper, breadcrumbs.
  • Instructions: Layer cauliflower with cheese and cream mixture, top with breadcrumbs, and bake until bubbly.

Tip: Swap cheddar with Gruyère for a nutty flavor.