Let’s be real: Christmas dinner is great, but the side dishes? That’s where the magic happens. The turkey gets all the glory, yet everyone fights over the last scoop of cheesy potatoes or that one perfect bite of honey-glazed carrots. These 15 Christmas dinner side dishes are the ones that disappear first, make your guests text you for the recipe, and honestly save you when Aunt Karen asks, “So… what else is there?” Ready to level up your holiday table? Let’s go.
1. Brown Butter Garlic Knots That Taste Like Pure Love
These little knots are dangerous. One minute they’re cooling on the counter, the next minute your cousin is hiding the basket.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought is totally fine, no judgment)
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ tsp sea salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Let the dough sit at room temp for 20 minutes.
- Roll dough into a rectangle, cut into 12 strips.
- Tie each strip into a knot, tucking ends underneath.
- Bake 12–15 minutes until golden.
- While they bake, brown the butter in a small pan (watch it—burnt butter is sad).
- Toss hot knots in brown butter, garlic, parsley, and salt. Serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love It
People lose their minds over these. They’re soft inside, crispy outside, and the garlic-brown-butter combo is basically holiday crack. Make a double batch. Trust me.
2. Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes (Because You Have Enough to Do)
Mashed potatoes you can make TWO DAYS early and they still taste like you just whipped them? Yes, please.
Ingredients
- 5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup butter
- 8 oz cream cheese
- Salt, pepper, and a splash of milk if needed
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Boil potatoes until fork-tender, about 15–18 minutes.
- Drain, then mash with butter and cream cheese.
- Stir in warmed cream. Season aggressively.
- Transfer to a buttered baking dish, cool, cover, and refrigerate.
- Christmas day: Bake at 350°F for 30–40 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Why You’ll Love It
Zero stress on the big day. They reheat like a dream and taste richer than any last-minute mash.
3. Honey Butter Roasted Carrots with Thyme
The side dish that makes kids eat carrots without bribery.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs carrots, peeled (rainbow carrots look fancy AF)
- 3 tbsp butter, melted
- 2 tbsp honey
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Salt + pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Toss carrots with melted butter, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Spread on a baking sheet with thyme sprigs.
- Roast at 425°F for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway.
Why You’ll Love It
Sweet, savory, and stupidly pretty. Also, zero dishes if you line the pan with foil—chef’s kiss.
4. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Balsamic (The Redemption Arc)
You either love Brussels or you’ve only had the sad boiled ones. This version fixes everything.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 6 slices bacon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook bacon until crispy, crumble, keep 2 tbsp fat.
- Toss sprouts in bacon fat + olive oil, roast at 400°F for 20 minutes.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze, top with bacon.
Why You’ll Love It
Crispy edges, salty bacon, tangy balsamic. Even sprout haters ask for seconds.
5. Cranberry Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf
Fancy looking, secretly easy, and the red + green screams Christmas.
Ingredients
- 1 cup wild rice blend
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup toasted pecans, chopped
- 2 tbsp butter
- Fresh parsley
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook rice according to package (usually 45 mins).
- Fluff with butter, fold in cranberries and pecans.
- Garnish with parsley.
Why You’ll Love It
Texture heaven and it tastes like fall and winter had a delicious baby.
6. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes (Because Duh)
If these don’t make an appearance, is it even Christmas?
Ingredients
- 3 lbs russet potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 cups sharp cheddar
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Thyme, salt, pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Layer potatoes in a buttered dish, seasoning each layer.
- Simmer cream with garlic and thyme, pour over potatoes.
- Top with cheese, bake covered 45 mins at 375°F, then uncovered 20 mins.
Why You’ll Love It
Creamy, cheesy, potato-y perfection. Accept no substitutes.
7. Pomegranate Jeweled Spinach Salad
The prettiest thing on the table and takes 5 minutes.
Ingredients
- 10 oz baby spinach
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
- ½ cup goat cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup candied pecans
- Balsamic vinaigrette
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Toss everything together. Done.
Why You’ll Love It
Bright, fresh, and balances all the heavy stuff. Also, Instagram gold.
8. Garlic Parmesan Green Beans with Almonds
Green bean casserole walked so these could run.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic
- ⅓ cup Parmesan
- ⅓ cup sliced almonds, toasted
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Blanch beans 3–4 minutes, shock in ice water.
- Sauté garlic in butter, toss with beans, top with Parm + almonds.
Why You’ll Love It
Crispy, garlicky, and way better than that canned soup version.
9. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel (No Marshmallows, Fight Me)
Marshmallows belong on hot chocolate, not sweet potatoes.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs sweet potatoes, roasted and mashed
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup butter
- Streusel: 1 cup pecans, ¾ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup flour, ⅓ cup butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix mashed sweets with sugar, eggs, butter. Spread in dish.
- Make streusel by combining ingredients, sprinkle on top.
- Bake 350°F for 35 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Actually tastes like sweet potatoes, not candy. The crunchy top is everything.
10. Truffled Mac & Cheese (Extra, But Worth It)
Christmas calories don’t count, right?
Ingredients
- 1 lb cavatappi pasta
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 cups Gruyère, 2 cups sharp cheddar
- 1 tsp truffle oil (or truffle salt)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make a roux, whisk in milk, melt in cheeses.
- Stir in cooked pasta and truffle oil.
- Optional: top with breadcrumbs and broil.
Why You’ll Love It
Luxurious, silky, and the truffle makes people think you’re fancy.
11. Rosemary Parmesan Dinner Rolls
Store-bought rolls are banned once you try these.
Ingredients
- Frozen dinner roll dough (Rhodes is my fave)
- ½ cup Parmesan
- Fresh rosemary
- Melted butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Let dough thaw and rise.
- Brush with butter, sprinkle with Parm + rosemary.
- Bake as directed.
Why You’ll Love It
5-minute effort, bakery-level results.
12. Balsamic Roasted Mushrooms
Meaty, juicy, and basically steak for vegetarians.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs mixed mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, etc.)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic
- Fresh thyme
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Toss everything, roast at 425°F for 20–25 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Umami bomb that pairs with literally everything.
13. Loaded Hasselback Potato Gratin
Potatoes got a glow-up.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Yukon Golds, thinly sliced (mandoline is your friend)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1.5 cups Gruyère
- Bacon bits (optional but recommended)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Stack slices in a baking dish like dominoes.
- Pour cream, top with cheese and bacon.
- Bake covered 40 mins, uncovered 20 mins.
Why You’ll Love It
Crispy edges, creamy center, and looks impressive with zero skill.
14. Citrus & Herb Couscous Salad
Your “I need something light” option that still feels festive.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Israeli couscous
- 1 orange, zested and segmented
- ¼ cup dried cherries
- Fresh mint + parsley
- Lemon vinaigrette
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Toast then cook couscous.
- Toss with everything else.
Why You’ll Love It
Bright, fluffy, and cuts through all the richness.
15. Maple Bourbon Glazed Acorn Squash
Dessert masquerading as a vegetable. You’re welcome.
Ingredients
- 2 acorn squash, sliced into rings
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp bourbon (or sub apple juice)
- 2 tbsp butter
- Cinnamon + salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Roast squash rings at 400°F for 20 minutes.
- Whisk glaze ingredients, brush on, roast 10 more minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Sweet, boozy, and the rings look gorgeous on a platter.
There you go—15 Christmas dinner side dishes that will make your table legendary. Pick three, pick ten, whatever. Just promise me you’ll make the brown butter garlic knots. Your guests (and your taste buds) will thank you. Happy holidays, and may your oven stay clean and your wine glass stay full! 🎄
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