18 Easy Christmas Side Dishes For Your Holiday Dinner

Your holiday dinner will feel extra special when the table is filled with simple, colorful Christmas side dishes.

This collection of recipes includes everything from roasted potatoes and glazed carrots to slow cooker corn casserole, sautéed green beans, and honey-roasted Brussels sprouts.

You’ll also find crisp winter salads and fresh cranberry dishes that pair perfectly with any holiday main course.

Many of these dishes can be made ahead or cooked alongside your roast, making Christmas dinner both easy and festive.

This post is part of my Christmas Recipe collection. You can find all my Holiday & Seasonal Recipes here, or head to the Kid-Friendly Recipes resource hub for everything in one place.

Christmas Side Dishes With Vegetables

You can’t have Christmas side dishes without a few good veggie dishes. From corn to green beans and Brussels sprouts, these recipes are simple to make and always a hit at the holiday table.

Sautéed Green Beans With Shallots 

Sautéed Green Beans with Shallots make for a fuss-free, tasty addition to Christmas dinner. The beans stay bright and just cooked, while the shallots bring gentle depth. It’s the kind of side dish you’ll reach for again and again.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Honey-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic and Lemon make a simple and tasty addition to any holiday meal. The honey helps them caramelize beautifully while the lemon keeps things bright. A no-fuss side that fits right in with the rest of your Christmas dinner.

Crock Pot Corn Casserole

Crock Pot Corn Casserole adds a cozy Southern touch to your holiday meal. With its sweet corn and cornbread mix, it’s an easy, make-ahead side that always pleases a crowd. A warm, familiar dish you’ll look forward to serving every Christmas.

Roasted Green Beans And Potatoes

Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes bring easy comfort to the holiday table. Fresh green beans and potatoes roast together with herbs for a warm and tasty side dish. A fuss-free dish that complements pretty much any Christmas main.

Green Bean Casserole 

Green Bean Casserole features a creamy, homemade mushroom sauce and crisp, homemade French-fried onions. It’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing side that tastes like the holidays. Make it ahead and enjoy more time around the Christmas table.

Pan-Fried Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon make a great addition to any Christmas dinner. The bacon adds just the right amount of richness to balance the sprouts. A quick, tasty side that everyone will enjoy.

Christmas Side Dishes With Root Vegetables

When it comes to Christmas side dishes, root vegetables are always a favorite. Their deep color and sweet, roasted flavor make any meal feel cozy and festive. Here are a few easy recipes that bring extra warmth to the table.

We have lots more family recipes to make life easier. You can find them here.

Slow Cooker Herbed Baby Potatoes 

Slow Cooker Herbed Baby Potatoes bring cozy, herby goodness to your Christmas feast. Each bite is soft, buttery, and rich in flavor, with almost no effort required. Just put it on and leave it alone to cook. It will help keep your holiday cooking stress-free.

Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecan Streusel

Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecan Streusel brings warmth and texture to your festive spread. A smooth, sweet potato base meets a buttery pecan crumble for the perfect mix of soft and crunchy. It’s a perfect addition for your Christmas table.

Miso Glazed Carrots Recipe

Miso Glazed Carrots Recipe brings a pop of color and rich flavor to your Christmas table. A buttery maple-miso glaze turns ordinary carrots into something truly special. An easy side dish that feels festive and tastes unforgettable.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

The perfect side for Christmas? Creamy Mashed Potatoes fits the bill. It is Creamy, buttery, and simple to make, it’s the kind of dish that disappears fast. A timeless favorite that belongs on every holiday table.

Sautéed Carrots and Parsnips with Honey 

Sautéed Carrots and Parsnips with Honey brings elegance to your Christmas table with its golden glaze and savory notes. The rich brown butter aroma mingles with sweet honey and thyme for a festive burst of flavor. A vegetable side that’s both comforting and slightly unexpected.

Root Vegetable Mash

Root Vegetable Mash adds warmth and color to the holiday table. A blend of potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and turnips creates a smooth mash with earthy, festive flavor. A feel-good side dish that makes Christmas dinner just a little more special.

Roasted Potatoes With Peppers, Onions, and Parmesan

Roasted Potatoes with Peppers, Onions, and Parmesan bring color and comfort to your holiday table. Each bite is crisp, cheesy, and full of festive flavor. It’s the kind of side dish that makes Christmas dinner feel extra special.

Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

Savory Sweet Potato Casserole gives holiday potatoes a savory makeover with crisp, herby topping and no marshmallows in sight. Using canned yams keeps things simple, while garlic, thyme, and Parmesan layer on cozy flavor. A festive side dish that is effortless and a little unexpected.

Christmas Salads

Fresh, crisp salads make perfect Christmas side dishes. Made with seasonal ingredients, they bring a splash of color and a bit of brightness to winter meals.

Winter Pear Salad

Winter pear salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a bright and cheerful side dish for the holiday season. The sweet and tangy flavors make a nice contrast to rich Christmas dishes. A quick, elegant salad that looks beautiful on the table.

Apple Walnut Salad

Apple Walnut Salad adds a lighter touch to your holiday spread with apples, candied walnuts, cranberries, and tangy feta on a bed of greens. The apple cider vinaigrette ties everything together with a zesty finish. A simple, pretty salad that adds color and balance to your Christmas dinner.

Christmas Side Dishes: Cranberry Relish

If you love cranberry sauce but want something a bit more special, you’re in the right place. These easy Christmas side dishes feature cranberry and bold flavors, adding a bright, homemade touch to your holiday meal.

Cranberry Orange Walnut Relish

Cranberry Orange Walnut Relish offers a fresh, tangy contrast to rich holiday favorites. The mix of cranberries, orange, and walnuts brings texture and brightness. A quick side that wakes up the Christmas plate.

Cranberry Compote

Cranberry Compote made with fresh cranberries, oranges, ginger, and rosemary. Vibrant red in color and easy to make, it adds a bright touch to the Christmas table. This simple cranberry and orange compote comes together in just minutes.

Christmas side dishes bring color and cheer to the table. From roasted vegetables to fresh salads, each dish adds a little extra magic to your holiday meal. Try a few of these recipes this year—and be sure to pin this post so it’s handy when you start planning.

Pick a few to try this year, and be sure to pin this post so you’ll have it handy when you start planning your Christmas feast.