22 Flavorful Christmas Side Dish Recipes for Every Table

Christmas is just around the corner, and you know what that means—lots of family, friends, and of course, food! Whether you're getting ready to host a big Christmas dinner or just bringing a dish to a festive potluck, side dishes play a crucial role in making the meal memorable.

From the classics to some unique twists, I've compiled 22 flavorful Christmas side dish recipes for every table. Trust me, these crowd-pleasers will have everyone asking for seconds. Let’s dive in!

1. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Tender, creamy, and delicious, these garlic mashed potatoes are always a hit.

Ingredients:

• 5 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil the potatoes until tender. Drain and return to the pot.
2. Add minced garlic, heavy cream, and butter.
3. Mash until smooth and creamy.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Green Bean Almondine

A classic, simple side dish that’s both nutritious and tasty.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Blanch green beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes and drain.
2. In a skillet, melt butter and add sliced almonds. Toast until fragrant.
3. Add green beans and lemon juice, tossing to combine.
4. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Cranberry Sauce

Bright, tangy, and slightly sweet, this cranberry sauce is a must-have.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup orange juice
• Zest of 1 orange

Instructions:

1. Combine cranberries, sugar, and orange juice in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10-15 minutes until cranberries burst.
3. Stir in orange zest and let cool before serving.

4. Sweet Potato Casserole

A creamy, sweet dish topped with crunchy pecans.

Ingredients:

• 4 large sweet potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Combine mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, melted butter, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.
3. Spread into a baking dish and top with chopped pecans.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

5. Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

These brussels sprouts are crispy and smoky, thanks to the bacon.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 4 strips bacon, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Toss brussels sprouts with olive oil and chopped bacon.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Herb Stuffing

This herb stuffing is moist on the inside with a crispy top.

Ingredients:

• 10 cups cubed bread
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Sauté onion, celery, and garlic in butter until soft.
3. Add herbs and cook for 1 minute.
4. In a large bowl, combine bread cubes and sautéed vegetables.
5. Stir in chicken broth and mix well.
6. Spread mixture in a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes.

7. Maple Glazed Carrots

Sweet and delectable, these carrots are a perfect holiday side.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound baby carrots
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Cook carrots in boiling water until tender, then drain.
2. In a skillet, melt butter and add maple syrup.
3. Toss in the carrots and cook until glazed.
4. Season with salt.

8. Creamed Spinach

Rich, creamy, and utterly comforting, this dish is always a favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté spinach in butter until wilted.
2. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Stir in heavy cream and let simmer until thickened.
4. Mix in Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.

9. Cornbread

Golden, slightly sweet, and perfect for sopping up gravy.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. In a bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk together milk, oil, and egg.
4. Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined.
5. Pour batter into a greased baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes.

10. Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly comforting.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni according to package instructions and drain.
2. In a pot, melt butter and stir in flour to form a roux.
3. Gradually whisk in milk and cook until thickened.
4. Stir in cheese until melted and smooth.
5. Combine cheese sauce with cooked macaroni and stir well.
6. Season with salt and pepper.

11. Roasted Butternut Squash

Sweet, savory, and a bit crispy on the edges.

Ingredients:

• 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Toss butternut squash cubes with olive oil, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes until tender and caramelized.

12. Balsamic Glazed Pearl Onions

Sweet and tangy, these onions add a special touch to any meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pearl onions, peeled
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté onions in olive oil until they begin to caramelize.
2. Add balsamic vinegar and sugar, cooking until the liquid reduces and forms a glaze.
3. Season with salt and pepper.

13. Roasted Asparagus

Light, crispy, and full of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound asparagus, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Toss asparagus with olive oil and lemon juice.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper.

14. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Layers of potatoes, cheese, and a creamy sauce.

Ingredients:

• 4 large russet potatoes, thinly sliced
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 3 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a pot, melt butter and stir in flour to make a roux.
3. Gradually whisk in milk, cooking until thickened.
4. Layer half the potatoes in a baking dish, then half the cheese.
5. Pour half the sauce over the top.
6. Repeat with remaining potatoes, cheese, and sauce.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes.

15. Caesar Salad

Crispy romaine with a zesty dressing and crunchy croutons.

Ingredients:

• 2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1/2 cup croutons
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup Caesar dressing

Instructions:

1. Toss romaine lettuce with croutons and Parmesan cheese.
2. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss to coat.

16. Honey Glazed Ham

Sweet, savory, and perfect for Christmas.

Ingredients:

• 1 spiral-sliced ham
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Mix honey, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar in a bowl.
3. Brush over the ham.
4. Bake according to package instructions, basting periodically.

17. Broccoli Casserole

Cheesy, creamy, and topped with crunchy breadcrumbs.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2/3 cup condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cook broccoli until tender and drain.
3. Mix broccoli with cheese, soup, and mayonnaise.
4. Transfer to a baking dish and top with breadcrumbs.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

18. Spinach Artichoke Dip

Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with spinach and artichokes.

Ingredients:

• 1 (10 oz) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
3. Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes.

19. Yorkshire Pudding

Light and airy, these British classics are a great side.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pan drippings or vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
2. Whisk together flour, milk, eggs, and salt until smooth.
3. Pour a small amount of pan drippings or oil into each compartment of a muffin tin.
4. Heat in the oven until smoking hot.
5. Quickly pour batter into the tin and bake for 20-25 minutes.

20. Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

Earthy beets, creamy goat cheese, and a light vinaigrette.

Ingredients:

• 4 medium beets, roasted and sliced
• 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Toss sliced beets with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Top with crumbled goat cheese before serving.

21. Zucchini Fritters

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchinis, grated
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg, beaten
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Squeeze excess moisture from grated zucchini.
2. Combine zucchini, flour, Parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
4. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the skillet and flatten slightly.
5. Fry until golden brown on both sides.

22. Fresh Fruit Salad

A refreshing and colorful side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup diced pineapple
• 1 cup halved grapes
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, and grapes.
2. Drizzle with orange juice and honey.
3. Toss gently to coat and serve chilled.

Conclusion

There you have it! These 22 flavorful Christmas side dish recipes for every table are sure to make your holiday meal unforgettable. Whether you stick to the classics or try something new, each dish is packed with flavor and festivity. Happy cooking and Merry Christmas!