30 Best Christmas Side Dishes You’ll Make Every Year
What’s Christmas dinner without a ridiculous amount of side dishes fighting for space on the table?
The roast might technically be the main event, but I’m convinced Christmas dinner would be pretty disappointing without all the crispy potatoes, creamy casseroles, buttery vegetables and cheesy things surrounding it.
I’m very much a “little bit of everything” person at Christmas.
Give me roast potatoes with crunchy edges, something creamy, something green, plenty of gravy and at least one side dish I absolutely did not need to put on my plate but somehow found room for anyway.
And because Christmas dinner already involves enough juggling, none of these sides needs to make life unnecessarily difficult.
Some are classic, some are a little different, and quite a few can be prepared ahead so you’re not trying to cook seventeen things at exactly the same time.
Whether you’re serving turkey, ham, beef, chicken or a vegetarian Christmas main, these Christmas side dishes are made for piling onto a very full festive plate.
Fair warning: you may end up caring about the sides more than the roast.
1. Honey Bacon Roasted Potatoes
Crispy potatoes plus bacon was already a strong start, but adding honey takes them somewhere much more interesting.
The potatoes roast until deeply golden while the honey catches around the edges and becomes slightly sticky.
Then you get salty, smoky little pieces of bacon mixed through everything.
They’d be brilliant alongside Christmas turkey or glazed ham, especially if you want something a little different from ordinary roast potatoes.
2. Caprese Salad
Caprese salad is a smart Christmas side when the rest of the table is packed with rich, comforting food.
The fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and basil bring a lighter bite that keeps the meal from feeling too heavy.
It also happens to look naturally festive thanks to the red, white, and green colors.
A drizzle of balsamic glaze gives it just enough sweetness and acidity to wake everything up.
Serve it on a large platter and it instantly adds some freshness to the Christmas spread.
3. Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Smoked Gouda and Rosemary
These are definitely not the sweet potatoes that quietly sit untouched at the edge of the Christmas table.
Thin slices of sweet potato are baked in a creamy sauce with smoked Gouda, Colby Jack and Asiago, so you get something properly rich and savoury rather than overly sweet.
Fresh rosemary, sage, smoked paprika and a little nutmeg give the whole dish that warm, cosy Christmas-dinner flavour.
The top bakes up golden and cheesy while the sweet potatoes underneath become soft and creamy.
I’d put this beside roast turkey, ham or beef and expect the dish to come back suspiciously empty.
4. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasted sweet potatoes bring that cozy, caramelized sweetness that works ridiculously well with Christmas dinner.
The edges get beautifully browned while the centers stay soft and fluffy.
They pair easily with turkey, ham, roast beef, or pretty much any festive main you put beside them.
You can keep them simple with herbs and seasoning or add maple, pecans, or a little cinnamon for a sweeter version.
They are also one of those sides that disappear fast because both kids and adults usually go for them.
5. Cajun Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob might not be the first thing that comes to mind for Christmas dinner, but give it a buttery Cajun coating and suddenly it earns its place.
The corn stays sweet and juicy while the seasoning brings a smoky, savoury kick that cuts through all the richer dishes on the table.
It’s especially good if your Christmas menu leans a little less traditional or you’re serving roast chicken, ham or something spicy.
And unlike some Christmas sides, it doesn’t require half your kitchen equipment to make.
Very useful when every saucepan you own is already occupied.
6. Soul Food Baked Mac and Cheese
Soul food baked mac and cheese is the side dish that makes the whole Christmas plate feel extra indulgent.
It is rich, creamy, cheesy, and baked until the top has that irresistible golden finish.
The texture is much heartier than stovetop mac and cheese, which makes it perfect for a big holiday meal.
It works especially well next to glazed ham, turkey, greens, and other classic comfort-food sides.
If you want one dish on the table that almost everyone will go back for, this is a very strong contender.
7. Easy Lemon Rice (Yellow Rice)
A bright, fluffy rice side is a nice break from the mountain of potatoes that usually appears at Christmas — although I’m certainly not suggesting we get rid of the potatoes.
Lemon gives the rice a fresh, subtle tang, while turmeric can be added for that warm yellow colour.
8. Stuffed Butternut Squash
Stuffed butternut squash brings some much-needed colour to a Christmas table that can otherwise become very beige very quickly.
The squash turns wonderfully soft and sweet in the oven, while the savoury filling makes it substantial enough to stand beside all the richer sides.
I also like this one when you have vegetarian guests because it doesn’t feel like an afterthought.
Put the whole stuffed squash on a serving platter and it looks gorgeous with barely any effort.
9. Whipped Feta Roasted Potatoes
Roast potatoes rarely need improving, but sitting them on creamy whipped feta is a pretty convincing argument.
The hot crispy potatoes against that cool, salty, tangy feta are ridiculously good together.
Fresh herbs stop everything from becoming too rich and give the plate a bit of freshness.
This is one I’d bring out when you want your Christmas potatoes to feel slightly more special without doing anything complicated.
10. Easy Pumpkin Risotto
A creamy bowl of pumpkin risotto is such a good addition if your Christmas menu could use something warm and comforting that isn’t another potato dish.
The pumpkin gives the rice a lovely golden colour and subtle sweetness, while Parmesan keeps everything savoury and rich.
Serve smaller portions as a side rather than giant bowls.
It works especially well with roast chicken or turkey.
11. Mashed Potato Casserole
Mashed potatoes are already dangerous around me, so baking them under a golden topping certainly doesn’t help matters.
This casserole has that soft, buttery middle everyone wants, but with an extra baked layer across the top.
More importantly for Christmas Day, you can prepare it earlier and bake it when you need it.
Anything that removes one saucepan from the last-minute Christmas dinner chaos gets my vote.
12. Mashed Butternut Squash
This is a lovely change when you already have roast potatoes elsewhere on the table.
Butternut squash becomes naturally silky when mashed, with a gentle sweetness that works beautifully beside savoury Christmas meats and gravy.
A little butter and seasoning are really all it needs.
That bright orange colour also looks gorgeous amongst all the greens, browns and golds of a traditional Christmas dinner.
13. Honey Mustard Potatoes
These potatoes hit that sweet-sharp-savoury combination that goes ridiculously well with roast meats.
Honey caramelises around the edges while mustard keeps the flavour from becoming overly sweet.
The outside gets golden and sticky while the centres stay soft.
They’re especially good with Christmas ham, although I certainly wouldn’t turn them down beside turkey either.
14. Butternut Squash Salad
Christmas dinner can get very rich very quickly, which is exactly why I like having at least one proper salad on the table.
Roasted butternut squash gives this one enough warmth and substance to feel festive rather than summery.
Add crisp greens and plenty of seasonal toppings and suddenly the salad bowl isn’t sitting untouched in the corner.
It brings some welcome freshness between all the potatoes, gravy and cheese.
15. Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Garlic and Parmesan
Sweet potatoes don’t always have to go down the cinnamon-and-marshmallow route.
Garlic and Parmesan turn them firmly savoury here, with crisp little edges and soft centres.
The salty cheese works particularly well against the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
They’re easy, colourful and very good at disappearing from the serving dish.
16. Maple Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes
These are for the sweeter side of the Christmas table.
Maple syrup and cinnamon give the sweet potatoes a warm festive flavour without turning them into dessert.
They caramelise beautifully as they roast, especially around those browned edges.
Serve them with roast turkey or ham and that sweet-savoury combination just works.
17. Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes
Sometimes Christmas dinner needs proper roast potatoes without any funny business.
Garlic, herbs, plenty of seasoning and enough heat to get those edges properly crisp — that’s really all I want.
The middles stay fluffy while the outsides turn golden and crunchy.
Make more than you think you need because nobody ever takes just two roast potatoes at Christmas.
18. Roasted Acorn Squash
Acorn squash has that naturally pretty shape that makes even a very simple side look festive.
Once roasted, the flesh becomes soft and buttery with caramelised edges.
You can keep the seasoning simple and let the squash do most of the work.
It’s particularly lovely next to beef, ham or roast chicken.
19. Balsamic Baby Potatoes With Asparagus
If you want something a little brighter beside all the richer Christmas dishes, this is a good one.
Baby potatoes roast until crisp while asparagus keeps the whole thing feeling fresh.
The balsamic adds just enough sharpness and sweetness without drowning everything in sauce.
And because it cooks together on one tray, there’s considerably less washing up — always appreciated on Christmas Day.
20. Cranberry Bacon Green Beans
Now these look like they belong on a Christmas table.
Bright green beans, ruby cranberries and crisp bacon bring festive colour before you even get to the flavour.
The cranberries add little sweet bursts against the salty bacon.
It’s also an easy way to turn plain green beans into something people actually reach for twice.
21. Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots
Carrots can absolutely hold their own beside the fancier Christmas sides when you roast them properly.
Honey helps them caramelise while balsamic adds enough tang to keep everything balanced.
The edges become dark and slightly sticky while the centres stay tender.
Scatter over some fresh herbs before serving and they’ll look far more impressive than the effort involved.
22. Cornbread Stuffing
A Christmas dinner without stuffing would cause complaints in my house.
This cornbread version has soft, savoury pieces underneath with a lovely crisp golden top.
Herbs, butter and stock soak into the bread as it bakes, so there’s plenty of flavour in every spoonful.
It’s exactly the sort of side that ends up getting mixed with gravy on the plate — which is honestly where stuffing belongs.
23. Holiday Roasted Vegetables
A big tray of roasted vegetables is useful when your table needs colour but you don’t want to make three different vegetable sides.
Use a mixture so you get different textures, sweetness and caramelised edges throughout the tray.
They can roast away mostly unattended while you deal with everything else.
Serve them straight from a large platter and they make Christmas dinner instantly look more abundant.
24. Garlic Butter Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
If regular roast potatoes seem slightly too sensible for Christmas, add garlic butter and Parmesan.
The cheese forms crisp savoury bits around the potatoes while the butter helps everything turn beautifully golden.
They’re rich, salty and dangerously easy to keep picking at before dinner reaches the table.
I would definitely make a generous tray.
25. Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole has the exact sort of creamy-crispy situation Christmas dinner does very well.
Tender beans sit underneath a rich mushroom sauce, then everything gets covered with crunchy fried onions.
That crispy topping is important — don’t be shy with it.
It’s especially handy when you want a vegetable side that feels properly comforting rather than virtuous.
26. Sweet Potato Lentil Salad
This is a nice option for anyone staring at their Christmas menu and realising everything on it contains cream, cheese or potatoes.
Okay, it still has sweet potato — but the lentils and fresh dressing make it considerably lighter.
It’s hearty enough for winter and colourful enough for a Christmas spread.
I’d serve it at room temperature, which conveniently frees up some much-needed oven space too.
27. Creamy Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Brussels sprouts at Christmas are non-negotiable for some people and deeply suspicious to everyone else.
Put them in a cheesy gratin, though, and suddenly opinions start changing.
The sprouts become tender in the creamy sauce while the top bubbles and browns.
It’s rich, comforting and exactly the sort of vegetable dish that makes people forget they’re technically eating vegetables.
28. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
You really can’t go wrong here.
Proper mashed potatoes should be smooth, buttery and soft enough to catch every last drop of gravy on the plate.
They work with turkey, beef, chicken, ham — basically whatever you’ve decided is Christmas dinner this year.
Keep them warm until serving and put an irresponsibly large spoon beside the bowl.
29. Creamed Brussels Sprouts
If a full gratin feels like too much, creamed Brussels sprouts give you the same cosy idea without another casserole dish taking over the oven.
The sprouts cook in a rich creamy sauce until tender but still have a little bite.
A savoury cheesy finish makes them much more exciting than plain boiled sprouts.
Even the Brussels-sprout sceptics might quietly take some.
30. Potatoes Au Gratin
Ending with potatoes covered in cream and cheese feels entirely appropriate for Christmas.
Thin slices bake together until tender while the cream thickens around them and the top turns beautifully golden.
Those browned cheesy edges around the dish are, obviously, the pieces everyone wants.
It’s indulgent, comforting and excellent beside almost any Christmas roast.
