20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (2024)

Christmas ham and turkey may be the centerpieces of a holiday spread, but let's be frank: Dinner is all about the Christmas side dishes this year (looking at you, mac and cheese). Think about it — a tiny portion of your plate is dedicated to the ham (or turkey), while the rest is piled high with potatoes and casseroles. Obviously, that means that serious thought must go into choosing your cozy Christmas dinner sides. Good news: we've done all the work for you. Pour yourself a co*cktail, and bookmark the following Christmas side dishes and recipes that will work wonderfully with your holiday menu.

Cheesy Gnocchi

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (1)

Think of this like mac and cheese's cousin. It's cheesy, it's warm, and it'll still give you those same comfort food feelings. (via Brit + Co)

Romanesco Christmas Trees With Parmesan Snow

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (2)

This six-ingredient dish takes advantage of Romanesco's tree-like shape, which looks adorable when dusted with cheesy "snow." This is a Christmas side dish that'll get even the pickiest eater to eat their broccoli. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Butter Board

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (3)

If you're like us and you have a big spread to much on all Christmas long, then brunch food is a totally acceptable side dish. We'll be adding plenty of berries and maple syrup. (via Brit + Co)

Cheesy Sweet Potato Gratin

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (4)

With Thanksgiving long gone, forgo a marshmallow topping in favor of savory sage, Gruyère cheese, and heavy cream on sliced, baked-until-bubbly sweet potatoes. You can save the marshmallows for your cocoa. (via Brit + Co)

Scallion and Greek Yogurt Slow-Cooker Mashed Potatoes

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (5)

If you want a healthier holiday feast but can't give up mashed potatoes, look no further than this more virtuous version, made creamy and protein-rich with Greek yogurt. (via Brit + Co)

Rachael Ray's Cheesy Crushed Potatoes

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (6)

The best side dishes are the cheesy, carby ones. These crushed potatoes are super easy to make — all you have to do is smash them down with the bottom of a glass and load 'em up with cheese. Done and done. (via Brit + Co)

Gluten-Free Frittata Christmas Side Dish

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (7)

Another great brunch option, this frittata features a variety of ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge, like onions, turkey, and cheese. (via Brit + Co)

Easy Stuffed Mushrooms

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (8)

These bites can be served hot or cold, and can be totally customized to fit your preferences. Nix the meat and cheese to make them vegan or take out the olives for less salt. (via Brit + Co)

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (9)

There would be anarchy if there weren’t traditional mashed potatoes at the Christmas dinner table. They’ll turn out just right by using a simple recipe that everyone will love. (via Cooking Classy)

Easy Creamed Corn

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (10)

Any dish with "easy" in the name is essential for a smooth and perfect Christmas dinner. Prep everything ahead of time, and pop the corn in the oven at the last minute to ensure it stays piping hot. (via Damn Delicious)

Creamy Parsnip and Carrot Bake

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (11)

Carrots pair well with parsnips, its earthier veggie cousin. In this recipe, they’re baked in a creamy, dairy-free sauce that coats every bite. (via Full of Plants)

Cornmeal Biscuits With Cheddar, Chives, and Jalapeños

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (12)

You need something to soak up all that butter and gravy, so you might as well make it these spicy, cheesy biscuits. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Butternut Squash and Spinach Casserole

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (13)

This feel-good dish comes together with layers of sliced butternut squash, cashew cream, and a spinach "cream" sauce with coconut milk, almond butter, and garlic. Vegans, rejoice! (via Nick Hopper/Farmacy Kitchen Cookbook)

Hedgehog Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (14)

You've heard of Hasselback potatoes, but these hedgehog roasted potatoes might have them beat for being both a tasty and adorable Christmas side dish recipe. They're tender inside but full of crispy bits and have plenty of nooks and crannies to fill with butter and gravy. (via Sprinkles and Sprouts)

Browned Butter Lemon-Garlic Green Beans

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (15)

Sometimes you need a lighter side dish to help balance out a heavy meal. With a rich butter sauce and lemon juice for balance, these green beans do just the trick. (via Host the Toast)

Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi Casserole Christmas Side Dish

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (16)

Gnocchi gets the royal treatment with sliced cremini mushrooms, fresh herbs, and three kinds of cheese. Best part? This casserole can be made ahead of time, frozen, and reheated. (via Brit + Co)

Roasted Beet, Avocado, and Citrus Salad

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (17)

This salad might look summery, but citrus shines in the winter. Avocado and beets add to the festive color scheme, and goat cheese provides creaminess. (via Chelsea's Messy Apron)

Garlic Roasted Mushrooms

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (18)

If there’s a dish to convert someone into a mushroom lover, this is it. The veggies act like sponges that soak up garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. What’s not to love? (via Savory Tooth)

Sausage Cranberry Brioche Stuffing

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (19)

Give your stuffing some extra flair with dried cranberries and chopped pear. Pillowy brioche soaks up all that sausage goodness. (via The Suburban Soapbox)

White Cheddar Truffle Mac and Cheese

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (20)

Mac and cheese is a staple on many holiday tables. Upgrade your favorite version with white cheddar cheese and a dash of truffle oil. (via The Girl on Bloor)

Follow us on Pinterest or join our newsletter for more easy holiday recipes and Christmas side dishes. Also, our B+C Cooking and Baking classes are worth exploring as well!

Additional reporting by Justina Huddleston,Sara Cagle, and Chloe Williams.

This post has been updated.

From Your Site Articles

  • 15 Easy Christmas Side Dish Recipe Ideas That Pair With Any Main ... ›
  • 17 Recipes for the Ultimate Paleo Thanksgiving Meal (You're ... ›
  • Cute Christmas Side Dish Recipe Alert! Romanesco Holiday Trees ... ›
  • 21 Christmas Dinner Recipe Ideas from Appetizers to Desserts - Brit + Co ›
  • 15 Leftover Ham Recipes — Brit + Co - Brit + Co ›
  • 19 Five-Ingredient Sides for Busy Weeknights - Brit + Co ›

Related Articles Around the Web

Paige Johnson

Paige is a blogger, food writer and culinary master from Louisville, Ky. She's a newlywed who's obsessed with dogs and renovating her 117 year old home. When she's not working on her blog — My Modern Cookery — you can find her binge watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S with a triple shot latte in-hand.

20 Christmas Side Dishes & Recipes To Pair With Any Main (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 10 Christmas dinner foods? ›

10 Most Popular Christmas Dishes
  1. Roasted turkey. No Christmas dinner is complete without roast turkey. ...
  2. Ham. Be it baked, smoked, or glazed, ham is another popular dish for Christmas dinner. ...
  3. Roast beef. ...
  4. Stuffing. ...
  5. Poultry. ...
  6. Sweet potato casserole. ...
  7. Cranberry sauce. ...
  8. Plum pudding.
Dec 11, 2023

What is a good Christmas day menu? ›

Easy Christmas Dinner
  • 1 / 12. Instant Pot Roast Beef. ...
  • 2 / 12. Instant Pot Brisket. ...
  • 3 / 12. Juicy & Tender Roasted Pork Loin. ...
  • 4 / 12. Honey-Glazed Ham in the Slow Cooker. ...
  • 5 / 12. Slow Cooker Smoky BBQ Turkey. ...
  • 6 / 12. Sweet & Tangy Slow Cooker Brisket. ...
  • 7 / 12. Salt-Roasted Beef Tenderloin. ...
  • 8 / 12. Tender and Juicy Instant Pot Pork Chops.

What should a guest bring to a Christmas dinner? ›

Bring A Gift Regardless

Don't show up empty-handed. It's a demonstration of appreciation to the host to bring a gift, be it wine, or chocolates. Or even better, bring something they can enjoy for themselves after the party's over, like a scented candle.

What do people traditionally eat on Christmas Eve? ›

On Christmas Eve (Noche Buena), the extended family join for a dinner of roast turkey and white rice seasoned with garlic. Roast potatoes and cooked sweetened apple puree are often served as well. The main dessert is panettone. It is usually accompanied by a cup of thick hot chocolate.

What are 3 food items that are popular for Christmas dinner? ›

They cover the savory side of Christmas dinner, from prime rib, baked ham, and roast turkey to scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce.

What is a typical American Christmas dinner? ›

Christmas dinner: Many families celebrate Christmas with a large dinner on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Traditional dishes often include roast turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and various vegetables like green beans or Brussels sprouts.

What is the most popular Christmas dinner item? ›

Overall the traditional Christmas dinner classic, the turkey, is far and away the winner for most popular festive food.

What is a traditional Christmas dinner menu? ›

Traditional Christmas foods are very similar to Thanksgiving and consists of roast turkey, turkey stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce and pies such as apple or pumpkin. Other non-traditional main dish favorites are ham, roast beef or lasagna.

What do you bring to a dinner party when told not to take anything? ›

"Some of my personal favorites are paper co*cktail napkins, a tin of Louis Sherry chocolates, or a unique candle," recommends Strait. "It is fun to bring something the host might not pick up for themselves! A gift for a host does not have to break the bank, it just shows you appreciate them for hosting."

What do you get an unexpected guest for Christmas? ›

Here are 17 gifts to keep on hand for surprise guests:
  • A travel hot sauce gift set, for those who like things spicy. Uncommon Goods. ...
  • A beautiful mug. Anthropologie. ...
  • A planner for the new year. ban.do. ...
  • A really stylish wine stopper. ...
  • A set of beautiful coasters. ...
  • A set of luxury lotions. ...
  • A candle gift set. ...
  • A portable charger.
Nov 9, 2017

What can I have for Christmas dinner instead of ham? ›

Unique holiday dinner ideas
  • Beef Wellington: The Showstopper.
  • Christmas Roast Duck: The Twist on a Classic.
  • Vegetarian Enchiladas: The Surprise Favorite.
  • Roast Lamb: The Savory Star.
  • Stuffed Acorn Squash: The Festive & Flavorful.
  • Prime Rib Roast: The Hearty Hero.
Dec 12, 2022

What can I eat on Christmas without cooking? ›

No cook Christmas recipes: Sandwiches and wraps
  • Chicken and avocado.
  • Chicken Caesar.
  • Cheese and salad.
  • Bacon, Lettuce and tomato (BLT)
  • Egg salad.
  • Tuna salad.
  • Smoked salmon and cream cheese.
  • Roast beef and mustard.
Dec 17, 2019

What is the most common Christmas dinner? ›

And just like every other American, I have my favorites. According to a 2020 survey, turkey's the main event for 73% of Americans, with prime rib (69%), roast beef (66%), steak (65%), chicken (64%), roast pork (64%) and ham (62%) also coming in as popular contenders.

What is the most popular food eaten on Christmas Day? ›

Every family in every part of the world serves their own traditional Christmas foods, but in the U.S., some are enjoyed nationwide:
  • Turkey.
  • Prime Rib.
  • Baked Ham.
  • Mashed Potatoes & Gravy.
  • Stuffing.
  • Green Bean Casserole.
  • Candied Sweet Potatoes.
  • Roasted Vegetables.
Dec 21, 2023

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rob Wisoky

Last Updated:

Views: 6426

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rob Wisoky

Birthday: 1994-09-30

Address: 5789 Michel Vista, West Domenic, OR 80464-9452

Phone: +97313824072371

Job: Education Orchestrator

Hobby: Lockpicking, Crocheting, Baton twirling, Video gaming, Jogging, Whittling, Model building

Introduction: My name is Rob Wisoky, I am a smiling, helpful, encouraging, zealous, energetic, faithful, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.