16 Festive Side Dishes For Your Holiday Table
Holiday meals bring families together, and the side dishes often steal the show from the main course.
Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering, having a variety of delicious sides makes everyone happy.
Creamy potatoes to roasted vegetables, these classic dishes will turn your holiday table into a feast worth remembering.
Disclaimer: This article offers general cooking inspiration and descriptive information for holiday meals. Preparation details, ingredient use, and serving methods may vary based on personal preference or dietary needs.
16. Green Bean Casserole
Crunchy fried onions crown this creamy classic that’s been showing up at holiday tables since the 1950s.
Green beans get coated in a rich mushroom sauce that makes vegetables taste like comfort food.
Just saying, even picky eaters who usually avoid veggies somehow find room on their plates for this one.
Pop it in the oven until golden and bubbly for maximum deliciousness.
15. Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy clouds of potato goodness await when you whip these spuds with butter and cream.
They’re like edible pillows that soak up gravy better than anything else on your plate.
Some families guard their secret mashed potato recipe like superheroes protect their identities.
Make them smooth or leave them chunky, either way, they disappear fast at any holiday gathering.
14. Cranberry Sauce
Tart and sweet collide in this ruby-red wonder that brightens up every plate.
Fresh cranberries transform into a glossy sauce that cuts through rich, savory flavors perfectly.
If you’ve only tried the canned version, homemade cranberry sauce will blow your mind like finding out your favorite cartoon character has superpowers.
Add orange zest for extra zing that’ll make taste buds dance.
13. Sweet Potato Casserole
Velvety sweet potatoes meet a topping that sparks friendly family debates: marshmallows or pecans?
This dish walks the line between side and dessert so perfectly that nobody complains.
Brown sugar and cinnamon make the potatoes taste like autumn wrapped in a warm hug.
However you top it, this casserole disappears faster than a viral meme on social media.
12. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Crispy edges and caramelized leaves turn these mini cabbages into addictive little flavor bombs.
Roasting transforms Brussels sprouts from something kids avoid into something everyone fights over.
Toss them with olive oil and salt, then watch the oven work its magic until they’re golden perfection.
Add balsamic glaze or bacon bits to make them even more irresistible at your holiday feast.
11. Glazed Carrots
Honey and butter coat tender carrots in a glossy finish that makes them shine like edible jewels.
Their natural sweetness gets amplified into something that tastes fancy but takes minimal effort.
Though they’re simple to make, glazed carrots look impressive enough for the fanciest holiday spread.
Kids actually request vegetables when they’re coated in this delicious, sticky-sweet glaze that sparkles under the lights.
10. Scalloped Potatoes
Thin potato slices swim in a creamy cheese sauce that bubbles into golden perfection.
Each layer melts together creating a dish so rich it could probably buy its own island.
Where mashed potatoes are casual, scalloped potatoes dress up like they’re attending a fancy gala.
If comfort food had a dress code, this elegant side would definitely make the VIP list every single time.
9. Macaroni And Cheese
Gooey cheese clings to every pasta elbow in this crowd-pleaser that needs no introduction.
Bake it until the top gets crispy and golden while staying creamy underneath, like a delicious contradiction.
Adults pretend they’re making it for the kids, but honestly, everyone loves mac and cheese at any age.
How could anyone resist those stretchy cheese pulls that look perfect in every holiday photo?
8. Thanksgiving Stuffing
Savory bread cubes soak up broth and herbs creating the ultimate holiday carb masterpiece.
Some call it stuffing, others say dressing, but everyone agrees it’s absolutely essential for any festive feast.
Celery, onions, and sage combine with toasted bread in a way that smells like childhood memories.
Though debates rage about cooking it inside the bird or separately, both versions vanish completely from serving bowls.
7. Skillet Cornbread
Golden crust meets tender crumb when cornbread bakes in a sizzling cast iron skillet.
Slightly sweet with a hint of corn flavor, it’s perfect for soaking up gravy or enjoying with butter.
Did you know cast iron skillets make the edges extra crispy, which is basically the best part of any baked good?
Serve it warm and watch it disappear faster than you can say “pass the butter, please!”
6. Dinner Rolls
Soft, pillowy rolls emerge from the oven smelling like pure happiness wrapped in carbs.
They’re basically edible sponges designed specifically for soaking up every drop of gravy on your plate.
Brush them with melted butter while they’re hot and they’ll practically glow like tiny bread treasures.
If your holiday table had a popularity contest, these fluffy rolls would win by a landslide every single year.
5. Roasted Butternut Squash
Caramelized edges and tender centers make butternut squash taste like autumn on a plate.
Its natural sweetness intensifies when roasted, creating flavors that practically sing holiday songs.
Cube it, toss with olive oil, and let the oven turn it into golden perfection with minimal effort required.
Though it looks fancy, this veggie side is actually super forgiving and nearly impossible to mess up completely.
4. Creamed Spinach
Velvety cream sauce transforms spinach into something so rich it tastes like a fancy steakhouse specialty.
Garlic and nutmeg add depth to the cream, making vegetables taste absolutely luxurious and indulgent.
If Popeye ate this version, he’d probably gain superpowers twice as fast as with regular spinach.
Make it ahead and reheat when needed, because holiday cooking should have at least one stress-free dish on the menu.
3. Roasted Root Vegetables
Carrots, parsnips, beets, and turnips roast together into a rainbow of caramelized sweetness.
Their earthy flavors concentrate in the oven, creating complexity that tastes way fancier than the simple preparation suggests.
Toss them with olive oil and herbs, then forget about them until they’re perfectly tender and golden.
Where else can you get so many colors and nutrients on one plate while still tasting absolutely delicious?
2. Waldorf Salad
Crisp apples, crunchy celery, and sweet grapes meet walnuts in a creamy dressing that’s been classy since 1896.
This salad brings refreshing lightness to heavy holiday meals like a cool breeze on a warm day.
Named after the famous Waldorf Hotel in New York, it’s basically eating a piece of culinary history.
Make it right before serving so the apples stay crunchy and fresh-tasting throughout your entire celebration.
1. Cheesy Bean And Corn Casserole
Melted cheese binds sweet corn and tender beans into a bubbly casserole that’s pure comfort.
It’s like someone took summer vegetables and gave them a cozy winter makeover for the holidays.
Though it sounds simple, the combination of textures and flavors creates something greater than the sum of its parts.
If you need a side dish that pleases both vegetable lovers and cheese enthusiasts, this one’s your hero.
