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The Best Holiday Side Dishes to Serve This Season

A curated list of easy, beautiful holiday side dishes. From cozy potatoes to fresh salads and vibrant veggies, these recipes complete any festive meal.

A festive graphic with text 25 of the Best Christmas Side Dish Recipes and photos of various colorful dishes, including Hasselback potatoes, a cheesy casserole, roasted carrots, and bacon-wrapped asparagus.

Holiday meals have a way of bringing everyone together, and the side dishes often become the quiet stars of the table.

These are the recipes that round out a festive menu, add color and texture, and make everything feel abundant and special. Whether the goal is a cozy family dinner or a full holiday gathering, the right mix of sides can make the entire meal feel effortless and memorable.

These holiday side dish recipes pair beautifully with roasted turkey, glazed ham, beef tenderloin, or any other holiday main. Each recipe is simple to prepare, easy to enjoy, and has the kind of appeal that keeps guests returning for seconds.

1. Crispy Smashed Potatoes

A plate featuring a burger with creamy dressing, crispy smashed potatoes, and a bright green pickle on the side.

Crispy edges and soft centers make these potatoes a reliable favorite for any holiday table.

2. Crispy Garlic Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes

Close-up of two baked Hasselback potatoes on a white dish, topped with melted cheese, herbs, and parsley. A green and white striped cloth lies in the background.

This elegant-looking potato side delivers buttery layers, crisp Parmesan, and a beautiful presentation.

3. Million Dollar Potato Casserole

A wooden spoon rests in a large baking dish filled with a creamy, cheesy potato casserole topped with crispy bacon, golden crumbled ritz crackers and green onions.

Creamy and comforting, this casserole works perfectly for gatherings where a warm, familiar side is appreciated.

4. Best Cheesy Potatoes for a Crowd

A serving of cheesy party potatoes with a golden cornflake topping on a white plate with a black fork, next to a white baking dish filled with the casserole.

A dependable choice when serving a larger group—cheesy, satisfying, and always well received.

5. 3-Ingredient Roasted Onion Potatoes

3 ingredient roasted onion potatoes on a white plate

Simple, crisp, and flavorful, these potatoes fit effortlessly into any menu.

6. Quick & Easy Crispy Roasted Potatoes

crispy roasted potatoes in a white bowl with rosemary

A versatile, golden-roasted option that works well with both traditional and modern holiday mains.

7. Asparagus Bacon Bundles

Close-up of crispy bacon-wrapped asparagus bundles with visible texture and golden edges, served with lemon slices on a white platter.

These neat, savory bundles feel special without requiring extra prep, making them ideal for brunch or dinner.

8. Crispy, Cheesy Zucchini Tots

Overhead image of golden zucchini tots arranged in a circular pattern on a white plate, styled on a wooden table with a striped towel.

A lighter vegetable option with a crisp exterior and tender, cheesy center.

9. Sesame Snow Peas

A white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant green sautéed snow peas, garnished with sesame seeds and bits of caramelized garlic, set on a light woodgrain background.

Fresh, bright, and quick to prepare, snow peas add a clean contrast to richer holiday dishes.

10. Roasted Carrots with Hot Honey and Whipped Ricotta

In a long checkered dish sits some roasted carrots topped with chopped pistachios on a smear of whipped ricotta.

Sweet heat, creamy ricotta, and caramelized edges make this carrot dish a standout.

11. Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

close up of cauliflower broccoli salad

Crunchy, colorful, and perfect for buffet-style meals, this salad offers a mix of fresh and savory flavors.

12. Bacon Pea Salad

wooden spoon in a bowl of bacon pea salad

A classic chilled side with savory-sweet notes that holds up beautifully when made ahead.

13. Refreshing Farro Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette

A white plate on a wooden table, featuring grilled chicken breast, a colorful bell pepper salad, and farro salad with olives and diced vegetables.

Hearty farro and a bright vinaigrette create a festive, fresh option for any menu.

14. Mediterranean Mini Bell Pepper Salad

close-up of Mediterranean mini bell pepper salad

Vibrant, crisp, and full of Mediterranean flavors, this salad brings refreshing balance to the table.

15. The Easiest Ever Thai Cucumber Salad

Sliced, halved cucumbers with dressing, jalapeno pepper slices, and chopped cashews in a shallow bowl.

Light and cool with a hint of brightness—ideal for balancing richer dishes.

16. Greek Village Salad (Horiatiki)

A wooden bowl filled with a fresh, colorful salad containing chopped green peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and chunks of feta cheese.

A rustic, flavorful mix of fresh vegetables and simple seasonings that pairs easily with almost any main.

17. Everyone’s Favorite Ramen Noodle Broccoli Slaw

Overhead view of Ramen Noodle Broccoli Slaw Salad in a large white serving bowl, surrounded by a soft green and white striped kitchen towel.

A crunchy, colorful salad that often becomes a crowd favorite at potlucks and gatherings.

18. Healthier Classic Napa Cabbage Salad

A top-down view of napa cabbage salad in a bowl, showing napa cabbage, crunchy wonton strips, and red onion on a wooden background.

Crisp, clean, and easy to pair with a variety of holiday mains.

19. Spicy Cucumber Salad

close up on spicy cucumber salad on a teal plate

Fresh, crisp cucumbers with a gentle kick make this a welcome addition to richer plates.

20. Endive Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

two bowls of endive salad with hot bacon dressing

Warm, savory dressing and crisp endive create a satisfying, festive combination.

21. Mediterranean Rice

overhead view of white bowl filled with yellow basmati mediterranean rice with dishes in the background

Lightly seasoned and aromatic, this rice pairs easily with ham, turkey, or roasted meats.

22. Classic Italian Pasta and Broccoli

a bowl of Italian broccoli pasta in front of a window with two glass canisters of pasta

A cozy, simple side featuring tender pasta, broccoli, olive oil, and classic seasonings.

23. Everything Bagel Roasted Potatoes

a pan lined with parchment paper and filled with roasted everything bagel potatoes

A fun, flavorful twist on classic roasted potatoes with a crisp exterior and that signature everything bagel seasoning.

24. Za’atar Rice with Roasted Veggies

White bowl filled with za'tar rice and roasted red peppers and onions with a black serving spoon

Fragrant, colorful, and full of warm spice, this rice dish brings a Mediterranean-inspired brightness to the holiday table.

25. Pepper Jack Potato Casserole

A casserole dish filled with a golden, cracker-topped baked potato casserole, with a serving spoon lifting out a portion. A plate with a serving of the casserole sits nearby on a gray surface next to a striped cloth.

A memorable holiday meal is often a mix of familiar favorites and a few fresh ideas, and every dish on this list supports that balance. These recipes offer a variety of textures and flavors, from warm and comforting potato casseroles to vibrant salads and crisp roasted vegetables. They are simple to prepare, easy to serve, and thoughtful complements to any festive occasion.

Whether your menu leans traditional or takes a more modern direction, these side dishes help create a table that feels generous, welcoming, and beautifully complete.

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