Let’s be honest—Christmas dinner isn’t just about the turkey (or the plant-based roast your weird cousin swears by). The real magic? The side dishes. Those little wonders that make people hover near the serving platter like it’s a Christmas miracle. If you want your guests raving, taking notes, or flat-out begging for seconds, you need a lineup that hits the sweet spot of festive, comforting, and “why didn’t I think of this?”.
So, here’s the deal: I’ve put together 9 side dishes for Christmas dinner your guests will actually request again. These aren’t your boring, limp veggie sides. Nope. Think crispy, creamy, cheesy, zesty, and yes—occasionally a little sneaky with flavor bombs. Let’s chat about them, shall we?
1. Roasted Garlic and Herb Mashed Potatoes
Who doesn’t love mashed potatoes? But plain ol’ mashed potatoes? Meh. Let’s give them some personality.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 6 cloves garlic, roasted (or raw if you’re impatient)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or milk for a lighter touch)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Boil the potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 15–20 minutes.
- Mash the roasted garlic cloves with butter until smooth.
- Combine potatoes, garlic butter, and cream. Mash until fluffy and creamy.
- Stir in parsley, salt, and pepper. Taste-test because yes, you’re allowed.
Why You’ll Love It
Mashed potatoes like these basically disappear off the table. Roasted garlic gives it a deep, sweet flavor that screams “I know what I’m doing in the kitchen.” Pro tip: don’t skip the parsley—it makes it look fancy without actually being fancy.
2. Honey-Glazed Carrots with Thyme
Carrots, but make them fancy. Sticky, sweet, and herby perfection.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots, peeled and sliced diagonally
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss carrots with olive oil, honey, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Let them caramelize a bit at the end—this is where the magic happens.
Why You’ll Love It
Sweet, savory, and so pretty on a plate. Honestly, these are the first veggies gone at my Christmas table. Fun twist: try a splash of balsamic vinegar at the end—it elevates them to chef status.
3. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pecans
Yes, I said Brussels sprouts. And yes, your guests will love them.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds Brussels sprouts, halved
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1/4 cup pecans, toasted
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 20 minutes, tossing halfway.
- Meanwhile, cook bacon until crispy. Stir bacon and toasted pecans into the sprouts. Serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love It
Brussels sprouts get a bad rep, but trust me, the bacon + pecans combo = crunchy, sweet, salty heaven. I even had a guest ask for a whole plate just for themselves once… and I didn’t judge.
4. Creamy Parmesan Spinach Gratin
Spinach goes from “meh” to “OMG yes” with a little cheesy love.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh spinach, washed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Sauté spinach in a bit of butter until wilted. Drain excess liquid.
- Mix spinach with cream, half the Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Pour into a baking dish, top with remaining Parmesan and breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
Why You’ll Love It
Cheesy, creamy, and a little crispy on top—classic comfort food vibes. IMO, the breadcrumb topping makes it Instagram-ready. And yes, people will pretend it’s healthy because… spinach.
5. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Topping
A Christmas staple, but let’s do it without the sugar crash guilt.
Ingredients
- 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix mashed sweet potatoes with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Transfer to a baking dish and top with marshmallows.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes or until marshmallows are golden and toasty.
Why You’ll Love It
Sweet, spiced, and slightly gooey on top. Warning: people may fight over the marshmallow layer. FYI, swapping regular sugar for maple syrup is a game-changer.
6. Cranberry and Pecan Wild Rice Salad
Because sometimes, your table needs something that looks fancy but is chill to make.
Ingredients
- 2 cups wild rice, cooked
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook wild rice according to package instructions; let cool slightly.
- Toss rice with cranberries, pecans, and green onions.
- Drizzle with olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve warm or at room temp—it’s versatile!
Why You’ll Love It
Nutty, tangy, slightly sweet, and packed with texture. I love this because it sits nicely on the table without needing constant attention. Bonus: you can make it a day ahead.
7. Cheesy Green Bean Almondine
Green beans get a glow-up here—no limp veggies allowed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar (optional, but yes please)
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Steam green beans until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Melt butter in a skillet, toss in almonds until lightly browned.
- Add green beans, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat.
- Sprinkle with cheddar if desired and melt slightly before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
Crunchy, cheesy, nutty—what’s not to love? Green beans suddenly become the side that people fight over first. Trust me, it happens.
8. Roasted Butternut Squash with Sage
Autumn called—it wants its squash back… but we’ll keep it for Christmas too.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss squash with olive oil, sage, salt, and pepper.
- Roast for 25–30 minutes until tender and caramelized.
Why You’ll Love It
Sweet, earthy, and just the right amount of cozy. Side note: if you try roasting with a drizzle of maple syrup, don’t say I didn’t warn you—it’s dangerously addictive.
9. Parmesan and Garlic Dinner Rolls
Because no Christmas plate is complete without carbs.
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated dinner rolls (or homemade if you’re feeling ambitious)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven according to roll instructions.
- Mix melted butter with garlic. Brush over rolls.
- Sprinkle Parmesan and parsley on top.
- Bake as directed. Enjoy warm.
Why You’ll Love It
Soft, garlicky, cheesy… and let’s be real, rolls are the reason people skip dessert sometimes. Serve with butter, serve with jam, serve with nothing—people won’t care.
Wrapping It Up
There you have it: 9 side dishes for Christmas dinner your guests will request again. From creamy mashed potatoes to crispy green beans, sweet roasted carrots, and cheesy dinner rolls, this list covers all the bases—taste, texture, and wow-factor.
Here’s the best part: these recipes are approachable, not intimidating. You can make them ahead, tweak ingredients to your liking, and still look like a holiday kitchen wizard. So, pick a few, serve them with confidence, and watch your guests go back for seconds (and maybe thirds 😉).
Christmas dinner just got a serious upgrade. Your guests? They’ll be talking about your table long after the last ornament comes down.
Printable Recipe Card
Want just the essential recipe details without scrolling through the article? Get our printable recipe card with just the ingredients and instructions.
