Sharing a delicious feast with the people you love is a holiday highlight for many of us. While we love the main entrees like turkey, ham, and roast beef, we often get more excited about the Christmas side dishes.
To help you make a meal that impresses your guests, we’ve collected our best Christmas dinner side dishes. They offer new ideas for potatoes and seasonal vegetables, as well as some suggestions for bread and muffins. They will make your celebration memorable!
Most of these Christmas side dishes are quick and easy to prepare, so they won’t take you away from spending time with your guests. All of them will delight your family and friends while keeping you on track with your weight loss plan.
1. Warm Winter Salad with Pears
Toss the ordinary salad for your holiday side dish this year and instead serve up this seasonal blend of vegetables and fresh fruit. It features fresh Brussels sprouts shaved into thin ribbons, diced sweet potatoes and juicy pear slices. Goat cheese adds a creamy texture and protein, while chopped pecans give each bite a bit of crunch.
The salad dressing is a simple blend of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and a touch of cinnamon for sweet heat. The following day, add leftover turkey or chicken to the remaining servings of this salad to make yourself a nutritious and satisfying lunch.
Get the Warm Winter Salad with Pears recipe.
2. Dutch Oven Honey Whole Wheat Bread
Baking bread may sound like it requires advanced-level kitchen skills, but anyone can succeed with this easy Christmas side recipe. You make it with whole wheat flour for nutty flavor, chewy texture and a serving of fiber. The key is using a Dutch oven so that it forms an even and appetizing shape as it bakes.
Prepare the dough early in the day of the party (or the day before), have it in the oven when guests arrive and your home will be filled with the tantalizing aroma of fresh bread. If there’s any left, you have the foundation for a healthy, day-after sandwich.
Get the Dutch Oven Honey Whole Wheat Bread recipe.
3. Warm Brussels Sprouts Cranberry Salad
Several seasonal favorites come together in this fresh take on a holiday side dish. Shaved Brussels sprouts are paired with savory shallots, chopped pecans, and fresh or dried cranberries. Coat it all with a sweet and savory homemade honey dressing and serve the dish while the sprouts are still warm.
Get the Warm Brussels Sprouts Cranberry Salad recipe.
4. Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
Here’s a delicious and appetizing alternative to high-calorie candied sweet potatoes. In this recipe, the super-nutritious orange tubers are sliced partially through into thin, even segments that result in a dramatic fan-like appearance once they’re baked. Before the sweet potatoes go into the oven, they’re flavored with an olive oil mixture infused with minced garlic and chopped rosemary. They cook slowly in the oven and come out crisp on the outside, yet tender and sweet on the inside.
For an even more appealing presentation, top the sweet potatoes with shredded cheddar, mozzarella or chunks of blue cheese and melt it before serving.
Get the Hasselback Sweet Potatoes recipe.
5. Dutch Oven Creamy Winter Vegetable Soup
A rich and creamy homemade soup is sure to warm up any get-together. With this recipe, it’s easy to prepare and packed with nutritious seasonal vegetables, such as carrots, turnips, leeks, onions, celery root, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash and kale. All you do is cook them until tender in a Dutch oven, season them with herbs like garlic, rosemary and thyme, and add vegetable broth.
After simmering for about 35 to 45 minutes, you blend it all together with an immersion blender (or an ordinary blender) and stir in nonfat milk for creamier texture. A swirl of pesto in each bowl is a colorful finishing touch.
Get the Dutch Oven Creamy Winter Vegetable Soup recipe.
6. Creamed Brussels Sprouts
The cheese lovers around your table will rejoice when you make this festive holiday recipe. You start by charring the Brussels sprouts to bring out their natural sweetness and to add a hint of smoky flavor. Then they’re bathed in a rich sauce made with nonfat milk, half and half, shredded light white cheddar cheese and grated parmesan cheese.
After baking the dish briefly, you broil it to give it a crusty brown top. This recipe is almost certain to become a new tradition for your seasonal celebrations.
Get the Creamed Brussels Sprouts recipe.
7. Whole Wheat Cranberry Orange Bread
Treat your guests (and yourself) to one of the sweetest Christmas side dishes that you can serve at dinner, breakfast or coffee break. This soft loaf has the bright taste of orange juice and zest and the tart flavor of dried cranberries.
The bread is rich and moist, thanks to real eggs, butter and applesauce, along with whole wheat flour. You can put any slices left into the freezer and toast them for yourself on a winter morning or afternoon.
Get the Whole Wheat Cranberry Orange Bread recipe.
8. Broccoli Cheese Casserole
When you serve this easy Christmas side, everyone will ooh and aah over the crusty topping made of cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs. Then they’ll rave about the perfectly tender broccoli and the zesty flavor, thanks to the Dijon mustard, garlic powder and black pepper. No one but you needs to know this dish is so healthy, it’s approved by the dietitians at Nutrisystem.
Get the Broccoli Cheese Casserole recipe.
9. Stuffed Acorn Squash
Winter squash are traditional Christmas side dishes for many families. This version is both delicious and nutritious.
Sweet acorn squash is baked until tender. The filling is a blend of quinoa, walnuts, herbs, and pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries. The dish is hearty enough to satisfy vegetarians at your holiday table and it makes a healthy lunch for you anytime.
Get the Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe.
10. Roasted Maple Pecan Sweet Potatoes
This holiday, bring an exciting new sweet potato dish to your table. To make it, slice the sweet potatoes and roast them until tender. Spice them with cinnamon and toss with maple syrup to enhance their natural sweetness.
Finally, top with crunchy, salty pecans and tart cranberries. This elegant yet simple dish is healthy comfort food for any day of the week.
Get the Roasted Maple Pecan Sweet Potatoes recipe.
11. 2-Step Herb Mashed Potatoes
You can turn ordinary mashed potatoes into one of the easiest Christmas side dishes in two quick steps. The potatoes are boiled with the skin on for an earthy flavor and a healthy portion of fiber. Then you mash them with nonfat milk and light butter for a creamy texture. Dial up the flavor with chopped fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme and oregano.
Get the 2-Step Herb Mashed Potatoes recipe.
12. Instant Pot Roasted Cauliflower
Break up the dull vegetable routine with one of our favorite Christmas side dishes. The cauliflower is flavored with lemon juice, garlic, thyme, cumin and smoked paprika, then cooked to tenderness in the Instant Pot for just three minutes. A few minutes under the broiler and the vegetable turns sweeter, crisp around the edges and browned. Sprinkle pine nuts and golden raisins on top before serving for an elegant touch.
Get the Instant Pot Roasted Cauliflower recipe.
13. Pomegranate Arugula Salad
The peppery flavor of arugula complements the tangy pomegranate seeds, sweet pears and creamy goat cheese in this easy holiday side dish. The salad also includes pistachios for a salty crunch, and it’s dressed with a sweet and savory homemade vinaigrette flavored by Dijon mustard, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar and pomegranate juice. Keep the salad fresh by adding the dressing just before serving.
Get the Pomegranate Arugula Salad recipe.
14. Cauliflower Risotto with Spinach and Mushrooms
Risotto is the creamy, cheesy rice dish that makes any meal special. This healthier version replaces the white rice with more nutritious riced cauliflower. You can buy it in many supermarkets or make it yourself in a few minutes with a food processor.
Sauté mushrooms and spinach for hearty flavor and add them to the cauliflower. Shredded cheese and nonfat milk give your risotto the perfect silky texture.
Get the Cauliflower Risotto recipe.
15. Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms with Honey Balsamic Drizzle
The same-old green bean casserole can’t compare to this sweet and savory holiday side dish. The string beans and meaty mushrooms are coated in a blend of honey, balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and seasoned with thyme, garlic powder and sea salt. Roasting in the oven blends and deepens all the flavors. Save this easy holiday recipe to make whenever you have fresh green beans and want a tasty and healthy way to prepare them.
Get the Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms recipe.
16. Seasonal Butternut Squash Pomegranate Couscous Salad
Couscous may look like a grain, but it’s actually tiny pasta pearls. They’re the foundation of this filling salad, featuring a medley of tastes and textures from butternut squash, pomegranate seeds and sliced almonds. You can serve it warm or cold, so it’s a handy option for workplace and neighborhood potluck parties.
Get the Seasonal Butternut Squash Pomegranate Couscous Salad recipe.
17. Skinny Mashed Sweet Potatoes
If you and your family like to keep things simple, make a batch of this easy holiday side dish. It combines sweet potatoes and mashed cauliflower for hearty texture and lots of nutrients. Blend in Greek yogurt and skim milk to make it creamy and top with toasted pecans, fresh herbs, a sprinkle of feta cheese, or nothing at all, if that’s your preference.
Get the Skinny Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe.
18. Roasted Balsamic Figs and Brussels Sprouts
Bring something new to the table with this festive holiday side dish. It features two seasonal specialties, fresh figs and Brussels sprouts.
The figs are sweet and juicy, a tasty complement to the earthy flavor of the vegetables. They’re drizzled with balsamic vinegar and then slow-roasted until the figs are soft and the sprouts get crisp around the edges. It’s sure to impress.
Get the Roasted Balsamic Fig and Brussels Sprouts recipe.
19. 3-Step Savory Herb Muffins
Your crowd will go wild when you bring out a basket of these warm and fragrant fresh-baked muffins. You’ll be quietly glad to know that they are made with healthy ingredients like pureed sweet potato, rolled oats, whole wheat flour and Greek yogurt. They’ll exclaim over the savory herbal flavor. You’ll be relaxed knowing the recipe is simple and healthy.
Get the 3-Step Savory Herb Muffins recipe.
20. Easy Instant Pot Herb Roasted Potatoes
Roasted potatoes are a classic Christmas side dish. Cooking them in the Instant Pot speeds up the process, frees up your oven and locks in rich flavor. Herbs such as oregano, rosemary and thyme perk up the taste, while a light coating of olive oil helps to crisp up the baby potatoes’ skin. They go well with classic turkey, roast beef or savory salmon.
Get the Easy Instant Pot Herb Roasted Potatoes recipe.
21. Fig Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
A salad can be a truly festive holiday side dish when you use delicious and fresh ingredients. In this recipe, the blend includes fresh figs, dark leafy greens like spinach or kale, red onions, tangy goat cheese and crunchy pumpkin seeds. The base is hearty quinoa, so the salad is nutritious and filling. The Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette gives it all a seasonal flavor that fits on your party table.
Get the Fig Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette recipe.
22. Sheet Pan Potatoes and Pears
Pears are an unexpectedly tasty companion to potatoes. Roasting softens the fruit and enhances its complex flavors, while the potatoes turn crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. Add red onions for a zesty note and fresh rosemary to keep it savory. Best of all, this easy holiday side dish leaves just a single pan for you to clean up when the meal is done.
Get the Sheet Pan Potatoes and Pears recipe.
23. Cinnamon Raisin Carrot Muffins
These muffins are a healthy Christmas side dish that tastes like dessert. That’s because carrots are the naturally sweet vegetable that actually give baked goods a delicious flavor and a rich texture.
Grated carrots are blended with apple sauce, yogurt, maple syrup and vanilla, so the muffins come out moist and crumbly. Sliced almonds, raisins and cinnamon add extra taste to every bite. The recipe makes six muffins but you may want to double or triple it so you have plenty left over to enjoy on the chilly days ahead.
Get the Cinnamon Raisin Carrot Muffins recipe.
24. Honey Balsamic Glazed Carrots
For an easy Christmas side dish that’s sure to please a crowd and keep you on track, try this tasty recipe. Baby carrots are bathed in a sweet coating of honey, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. They’re seasoned with salt, pepper and fresh parsley, then roasted in the oven to bring out even more of the carrots’ flavor. It’s so simple to make, it may become a go-to vegetable for your family all year long.
Get the Honey Balsamic Glazed Carrots recipe.
25. Savory Brussels Sprouts with Apple
Give your holiday feast a truly seasonal flair with a tasty pairing of these two fresh ingredients. The sprouts are cut in half, the apples are diced, and they’re both flavored with a simple combination of apple cider vinegar, fresh thyme, salt and pepper. It all roasts in the oven until the Brussels sprouts and apples become tender and fragrant. This Christmas side dish is so savory and sweet that it is sure to win over anyone around the table who is skeptical about Brussels sprouts.
Get the Savory Brussels Sprouts recipe.
26. Festive Christmas Salad with Pomegranate and Pear
When planning your Christmas dinner, salads might not be the first dish you think of—but this Festive Christmas Salad is here to change that. Packed with seasonal flavors and vibrant, colorful ingredients, it’s an irresistible addition to your holiday table. Its perfect balance of sweetness and crunch make it a must-have for any festive meal. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a dish that looks stunning and tastes even better.
Get the Festive Christmas Salad recipe.
27. Savory Butternut Squash and Kale Casserole with Parmesan
This butternut squash casserole is a flavorful, hearty dish that brings together the rich, earthy taste of roasted butternut squash with the freshness of herbs, the protein-packed goodness of chickpeas and the vibrant texture of kale. Perfect for the holiday season or any time you want to try something new, this recipe is a must for casserole enthusiasts and squash lovers alike.
Get the Savory Butternut Squash and Kale Casserole recipe.
28. Instant Pot Collard Greens
For a healthy and delicious side dish, try this Instant Pot collard greens recipe. Packed with vitamins and minerals, collard greens are a nutrient-rich superfood, and this simple recipe brings out their incredible flavor. Perfect for the holidays or any winter meal, it’s an easy way to add more veggies to your diet. Give this recipe a try and enjoy a wholesome, flavorful addition to your table!
Get the Instant Pot Collard Greens recipe.
29. Carbonara Mashed Potatoes
What if you could elevate your classic mashed potatoes into something extraordinary? Meet Carbonara Mashed Potatoes—a luxurious, flavor-packed twist inspired by the beloved Italian carbonara pasta. Blending the creamy richness of parmesan cheese, the savory touch of turkey bacon, and the velvety smoothness of whisked eggs, this recipe turns a humble side dish into a stunning centerpiece worthy of your Christmas dinner table.
Get the Carbonara Mashed Potatoes recipe.
30. Roasted Carrots with Whipped Ricotta and Honey Glaze
This roasted carrot and ricotta dish is everything you want in your Christmas side dishes: simple, stunning and bursting with flavor. Roasting elevates the natural sweetness of the carrots, creating a deep, caramelized richness, while the whipped ricotta provides a luxuriously creamy contrast. A drizzle of honey ties it all together, amplifying the carrots’ sweetness and adding a touch of indulgence.
Get the Roasted Carrots with Whipped Ricotta and Honey Glaze recipe.
The post 30 Best Christmas Side Dishes That Will Wow Your Guests appeared first on The Leaf.
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