24 Best Side Dishes for Winter: Delicious Recipes You Need

Winter is the perfect time to gather with family and friends, cozy up to a warm fireplace, and enjoy hearty, comforting meals. The main course might be the star of the show, but it’s often the side dishes that steal the spotlight. In "24 Best Side Dishes for Winter: Delicious Recipes You Need," I’ve compiled an inspiring collection of recipes that will make your winter dining experience extra special.

From savory and creamy to sweet and tangy, these sides are sure to complement any main dish and warm your heart on those chilly winter nights. Let’s dive in and explore these mouthwatering recipes that can transform any meal into a festive feast.

1. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Nothing says comfort like a bowl of garlic mashed potatoes.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender.
2. Drain and mash them together with garlic, milk, and butter.
3. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

2. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Elevate your Brussels sprouts game with a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast for 20-25 minutes.
4. In a small saucepan, heat balsamic vinegar and honey until reduced by half.
5. Drizzle over the roasted Brussels sprouts and serve.

3. Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

This creamy, cheesy casserole is a family favorite.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Steam broccoli until tender.
3. Combine soup, cheese, and mayonnaise.
4. Mix with broccoli and pour into a baking dish.
5. Sprinkle crushed crackers on top.
6. Bake for 25 minutes.

4. Maple-Glazed Carrots

These sweet and savory carrots are perfect for any winter meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound baby carrots
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil carrots until tender.
2. Drain and return to the pan.
3. Add butter and maple syrup.
4. Cook until glazed and season with salt and pepper.

5. Cranberry-Pecan Wild Rice

A festive, flavorful rice dish that pairs wonderfully with roasted meats.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup wild rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 shallot, finely chopped

Instructions:

1. Cook wild rice in chicken broth according to package instructions.
2. Sauté shallot in a small amount of butter until translucent.
3. Stir in cranberries and pecans.
4. Mix into the cooked rice and serve warm.

6. Creamed Spinach

Rich and velvety, this side dish is a classic.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté spinach in butter until wilted.
2. Stir in heavy cream and simmer until thickened.
3. Mix in Parmesan cheese.
4. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

7. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

A holiday favorite that's as sweet as dessert.

Ingredients:

• 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup mini marshmallows

Instructions:

1. Boil sweet potatoes until tender.
2. Mash with brown sugar, butter, and vanilla.
3. Spread in a baking dish and top with marshmallows.
4. Bake at 350°F until marshmallows are golden.

8. Herbed Quinoa Salad

A hearty, healthy grain dish with fresh herbs.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse quinoa and cook in water until tender.
2. Fluff with a fork and mix in herbs.
3. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm or cold.

9. Butternut Squash Soup

A warm, velvety soup that’s perfect for a cold winter day.

Ingredients:

• 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup coconut milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion in a large pot until translucent.
2. Add squash and broth, bring to a boil, then simmer until squash is tender.
3. Puree the mixture and stir in coconut milk.
4. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

10. Spicy Roasted Cauliflower

Add a kick to your cauliflower with this spicy roast.

Ingredients:

• 1 cauliflower head, cut into florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Toss cauliflower with olive oil and spices.
3. Roast for 25-30 minutes until tender and browned.

11. Apple and Walnut Spinach Salad

A fresh, crisp salad with a sweet and tangy dressing.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups baby spinach
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette

Instructions:

1. Toss spinach, apple, walnuts, and feta in a large bowl.
2. Drizzle with vinaigrette and serve immediately.

12. Gruyère Scalloped Potatoes

A rich, cheesy side that’s irresistible.

Ingredients:

• 3 large potatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Layer potatoes in a baking dish.
3. Mix cream, cheese, and garlic, and pour over potatoes.
4. Bake for 45 minutes until golden and bubbly.

13. Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

These Brussels sprouts are a sweet and savory delight.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, halved
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook bacon in a large skillet until crispy.
2. Remove bacon and add Brussels sprouts to the skillet.
3. Cook until tender, then stir in maple syrup and bacon bits.
4. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

14. Chorizo and Corn Stuffing

A savory, spicy stuffing perfect for winter.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound chorizo, crumbled
• 2 cups corn kernels
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 4 cups cubed bread

Instructions:

1. Cook chorizo in a large skillet.
2. Add onion and corn, sauté until tender.
3. Stir in bread cubes and chicken broth.
4. Transfer to a baking dish and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.

15. Baked Mac and Cheese

Creamy, cheesy, and perfectly baked.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
2. Mix cheese, milk, and butter in a saucepan until smooth.
3. Combine with macaroni and transfer to a baking dish.
4. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until bubbly.

16. Honey Glazed Parsnips

Sweet, sticky, and utterly delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound parsnips, peeled and sliced
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil parsnips until tender.
2. Drain and toss with honey and butter.
3. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.

17. Sautéed Green Beans with Almonds

A simple yet elegant side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Steam green beans until crisp-tender.
2. Sauté almonds in butter until golden.
3. Toss green beans with almonds and season with salt and pepper.

18. Parmesan Crusted Asparagus

A crunchy, cheesy way to enjoy asparagus.

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Toss asparagus with olive oil and Parmesan.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes.

19. Caramelized Onion and Bacon Tart

A rich and savory tart that’s a real crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 1 pie crust
• 3 onions, thinly sliced
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Sauté onions until caramelized.
3. Whisk eggs and cream together.
4. Spread onions and bacon in the pie crust.
5. Pour egg mixture over and top with cheese.
6. Bake for 30 minutes until set.

20. Stuffed Acorn Squash

A festive and filling side dish.

Ingredients:

• 2 acorn squash, halved and seeded
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Brush squash with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Roast for 40 minutes until tender.
4. Mix quinoa, cranberries, and pecans.
5. Stuff the squash and serve warm.

21. Lemon Garlic Roasted Potatoes

Crispy and flavorful, these roasted potatoes are a hit.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds baby potatoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Toss potatoes with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes.
4. Sprinkle with lemon zest and serve.

22. Bacon and Cheddar Cornbread

A savory, cheesy twist on classic cornbread.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
3. Add buttermilk, butter, and egg, stirring until combined.
4. Fold in cheese and bacon.
5. Pour into a greased baking dish and bake for 20 minutes.

23. Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Beets

Earthy beets roasted with aromatic rosemary and garlic.

Ingredients:

• 4 large beets, peeled and cubed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Toss beets with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 30-35 minutes.

24. Balsamic Glazed Pearl Onions

Sweet pearl onions with a tangy balsamic glaze.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pearl onions, peeled
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Blanch onions in boiling water for 2 minutes and drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté onions until golden.
3. Add balsamic vinegar and honey, cooking until glazed.
4. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.

Conclusion

These side dishes not only complement your winter meals but also bring joy and warmth to your dining table. Try out these recipes and let the flavors of winter shine in your home.