Christmas Holiday Side Dishes

Looking for exciting side dishes to add to your holiday menu? Forget about cooking another batch of plain vegetables. Instead, scroll through our Test Kitchen approved collection of Christmas side dishes. Nothing can round out your holiday meal better than one (or more!) of our spectacular holiday sides. Paired with a staple main dish, these festive and unique Christmas side dishes bring delicious variety that your holiday guests will truly appreciate. From our hearty Two-Cheese Gnocchi Mac and Cheese, to our light, flavorful Christmas salad, you’ll find crowd-pleasing Christmas side dishes to suit all occasions. Fluffy Fontina-Chive Yorkshire Puddings impress a worldly crowd, while Creamy Parmesan Grits bring the heart-warming comfort that only Southern soul food can. If a plate of creamy mashed potatoes is the Christmas side dish you desire, upgrade the beloved classic with smooth buttermilk, flavorful brown butter, or rich cream cheese. So pick one – or five – and serve them up. Only thing is, you might need bigger plates.

1 of 58 Photo: Alison Miksch

Dirty Rice Risotto

Recipe: Dirty Rice Risotto

Adding hot broth slowly to the mixture helps release the starch from the rice, giving the risotto its characteristic creamy texture.

2 of 58 Photo: Alison Miksch

Gnocchi Mac and Cheese

Recipe: Gnocchi Mac and Cheese

Turn this kid-friendly side into an entrée by serving with a salad and warm, crusty bread.

3 of 58 Photo: Alison Miksch

Roasted Garlic Duchess Potatoes

Recipe: Roasted Garlic Duchess Potatoes

Want to make a fancy presentation and don't have a pastry bag? A 1-gallon zip-top plastic freezer bag will do the trick. Simply snip a small hole in one corner of the bag, and pipe.

4 of 58 Photo: Alison Miksch

Charred Ambrosia with Toasted Coconut and Marshmallow Crème

Recipe: Charred Ambrosia with Toasted Coconut and Marshmallow Crème

Because the marshmallow-egg white mixture isn't cooked, it's necessary to use pasteurized egg whites.

5 of 58 Photo: Alison Miksch

Christmas Salad

Recipe: Christmas Salad

A warm vinaigrette will soften these sturdy greens, but their structure will hold up for up to an hour or two on a holiday buffet. Prep all the ingredients ahead of time, and store in individual zip-top plastic freezer bags in your refrigerator until ready to toss with warm vinaigrette. We love Chiogia beets, with their candy-striped interiors, for this recipe.

6 of 58 Photo: Alison Miksch

Fontina-Chive Yorkshire Puddings

Recipe: Fontina-Chive Yorkshire Puddings

Don't skip the first step: For the fluffiest, puffiest puddings, make sure the muffin pan is super hot. You can also make these in popover pans.

7 of 58 Photo: Alison Miksch

Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan Cream

Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan Cream

For the most tender Brussels sprouts, look in your produce section for sprouts sold on the stalk. Then cut off the sprouts, and store in a zip-top plastic freezer bag in the crisper drawer of your fridge.

8 of 58 Photo: Alison Miksch

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Recipe: Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

With only four ingredients, you can whip these mashed potatoes up in a flash. These potatoes can be as chunky or smooth as you would like. Smash them until they reach desired consistency.

9 of 58 PHoto: Alison Miksch

Herbed Couscous

Recipe: Herbed Couscous

This light side is full of fresh flavor that will perfectly complement whatever is on the menu. Use your favorite fresh herbs for a custom dish.

10 of 58 Photo: Alison Miksch

Browned-Butter Farro

Recipe: Browned-Butter Farro

Farro is an ancient form of wheat that has seen a resurgence in recent years. Here we toast cooked farro in a bit of browned butter for a surprisingly delicious side.

11 of 58 Photo: Alison Miksch

Creamy Parmesan Grits

Recipe: Creamy Parmesan Grits

Look for Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, which adds nutty flavor and an earthy depth to the grits.

12 of 58 Photo: Hector Sanchez

Orange-Ginger-Chile-Glazed Carrots

Recipe: Orange-Ginger-Chile-Glazed Carrots

Roasting whole carrots in a hot oven and then giving them a final toss in a sweet glaze yields an unforgettable side dish. Look for multicolored carrots for a stunning presentation. If you can't find them at the supermarket, try a local farmers' market. We use a little chile pepper to add just a whiff of heat. Feel free to increase the pepper or omit it, if you prefer. Also, you can sub chopped fresh thyme or mild flat-leaf parsley for the rosemary.

13 of 58 Photo: Hector Sanchez

Braised Cabbage with Apple and Bacon

Recipe: Braised Cabbage with Apple and Bacon

Humble cabbage is an affordable and easy holiday side. Make it more elegant by braising red cabbage with apple slices. Adding bacon makes it delicious.

14 of 58 Photo: Hector Sanchez

Harvest Salad with Roasted Citrus Vinaigrette and Spiced Pecans

Recipe: Harvest Salad with Roasted Citrus Vinaigrette and Spiced Pecans

Grainy Creole mustard adds texture and a delightful kick to the dressing, and roasting the lemons and oranges heightens both the sweet and sour flavors, creating a wonderfully nuanced balance. If you can find satsuma oranges, definitely use them to add a bright sunshiny tang. You can make the vinaigrette and pecans several days ahead.

15 of 58 Photo: Jennifer Davick

Fennel-and-Potato Gratin

Recipe: Fennel-and-Potato Gratin

This cheesy potato gratin gets a punch of flavor from nutmeg and fennel. It's impressive enough for a holiday party, but easy enough to put together on a busy weeknight.

16 of 58 Photo: Beau Gustafson

Spinach-Apple Salad With Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

Recipe: Spinach-Apple Salad With Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

This deluxe version of spinach salad features a tangy sweet maple syrup vinaigrette, sliced apple, onion and and goat cheese and is topped with sweet curried pecans.

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Green Beans With Mushrooms and Bacon

Recipe: Green Beans With Mushrooms and Bacon

We loved the dash of dried crushed red pepper—it made the flavor lively, not hot.

18 of 58 Photo: Oxmoor House

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Recipe: Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Everyone loves the simplicity of mashed potatoes, so make it a tradition to always have some on your Thanksgiving table. Crafting delicious mashed mashed potatoes is not easy, but this recipe shows you how it’s done. It also brings the rich flavor of browned butter—those nutty taste you simply can’t get any other way—into the bowl. You’ll love the rich buttermilk, which adds fluff and creaminess to the mashed Yukon gold potatoes. Once you’ve whipped your potatoes to the perfect texture, you can garnish them with parsley, rosemary, or thyme. Once you sample the flavor of these potatoes, you’ll want them on the table every night of the week.

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Golden Macaroni and Cheese

Recipe: Golden Macaroni and Cheese

This homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe beats the boxed kind any day of the week. For a divine main dish, stir in chopped cooked ham before baking, and then sprinkle top with chopped cooked bacon before serving.

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Au Gratin Potato Casserole

Recipe: Au Gratin Potato Casserole

Make a cheesy, creamy potato casserole for your next family gathering or holiday meal. Make it easy with frozen hash browns, cream of mushroom soup, and cornflakes cereal. You can also make it ahead and refrigerate until you are ready to bake.

21 of 58 Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Recipe: Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

This mouthwatering sweet potato casserole will satisfy lovers of crunchy pecans and cornflakes as well as marshmallows.

Cooking Video: Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

22 of 58 Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Mushroom, Apple, and Goat Cheese Salad

Recipe: Mushroom, Apple, and Goat Cheese Salad

If you receive candied or spiced nuts as a holiday gift, try them on this salad for a special touch. To splurge, use a variety of mushrooms such as shiitake, portobello, oyster, or enoki. Often grocers carry a gourmet mushroom mix. Standard white mushrooms will yield tasty results too.

23 of 58 Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Recipe: Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a pure delight, and having them on the Thanksgiving table should always be a family tradition. But making perfect mashed potatoes is not as easy as it sounds, so this recipe is designed to get you spuds from whole to whipped in a jiffy, and to get your family from skeptical to enjoying scrumptious mashed potatoes. The secret here is the cream cheese: it gives your potatoes extra richness and flavor, and mixes well with the butter and half-and-half. Yukon gold potatoes are the perfect potato choice because they yield a texture that's just right for holding a pool of flavorful turkey gravy or melted butter.

24 of 58 Photo: William Dickey

Home-Style Butterbeans

Recipe: Home-Style Butterbeans

Bacon, onion, and brown sugar pack these beans with holiday flavor.

25 of 58 Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Green Bean-and-Red Bell Pepper Toss

Recipe: Green Bean-and-Red Bell Pepper Toss

Combine French green beans and red bell pepper strips with shallots and garlic for a delicious side dish that's far from boring.

26 of 58 Photo: Beau Gustafson

Hurry-Up Homemade Crescent Rolls

Recipe: Hurry-Up Homemade Crescent Rolls

This from-scratch recipe is suited for any level of cook—even first timers. Tip: Brush unbaked rolls with lightly beaten egg white and sprinkle with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and fennel seeds. Or, brush unbaked rolls with melted butter; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, coarsely ground pepper, and dried Italian seasoning.

27 of 58 Photo: Jennifer Davick

Two-Cheese Squash Casserole

Recipe: Two-Cheese Squash Casserole

Cheddar and Parmesan combine forces with yellow squash in this creamy casserole. For a tasty and colorful twist, substitute sliced zucchini for half of the yellow squash.

28 of 58 Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Baked Onions

Recipe: Baked Onions

Sweet, caramelized pearl onions make an elegant side dish. This version is flavored with butter, white wine, and brown sugar and then baked for less than an hour.

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Sautéed Brussels Sprouts With Apples

Recipe: Sautéed Brussels Sprouts With Apples

The presence of apple elevates this often overlooked veggie to new and delicious heights.

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Broccoli-and-Cauliflower Gratin

Recipe: Broccoli-and-Cauliflower Gratin

A quick and creamy Dijon-mustard sauce laced with Parmesan and Cheddar cheese turns a simple dish of broccoli and cauliflower into company fare.

31 of 58 Photo: Jennifer Davick

Smoked Salmon-Avocado Salad

Recipe: Smoked Salmon-Avocado Salad

Roll salmon into spirals if you have extra time when making Smoked Salmon-Avocado Salad.

32 of 58 Photo: Jennifer Davick

Latkes

Recipe: Golden Potato Latkes Recipe: Golden Potato-Parsnip Latkes Recipe: Golden Carrot-Zucchini Latkes

These potato pancakes are a classic Hanukkah dish. Make a variety of flavors and add distinctive garnishes to clue guests in on the different flavors. All three are superb with Horseradish-Sour Cream Sauce and Spiced-Thyme Applesauce.

33 of 58 Photo: Oxmoor House

Warm Frisee Salad With Crispy Kosher Salami

Recipe: Warm Frisee Salad With Crispy Kosher Salami

Frisée is a member of the chicory family often used in mesclun salad mixes. Buy bunches with crisp leaves and no signs of wilting. Use all of the leaves except the core.

34 of 58 Photo: Jennifer Davick

Citrus-Walnut Salad

Recipe: Citrus-Walnut Salad

Grapefruit adds sweet-tart flair to this salad of Belgian endive. Flavorful Cumin-Dijon Vinaigrette finishes off the fruity, nutty salad.

35 of 58 Photo: Jim Franco; Styling: Leslie Siegel

Green Beans with Garlic

Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic

Sauté fresh garlic to jazz up this simple yet delicious side dish.

36 of 58 Photo: Jim Franco

Mashed Potatoes en Croûte

Recipe: Mashed Potatoes en Croûte

Recipe developer Victoria Amory recommends mashing Yukon gold potatoes by hand. "Don't even think about using a blender or food processor. Giving in to such temptation will result in a dense, inedible paste.

37 of 58 Photo: Jim Franco; Styling: Leslie Siegel

Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

For this delicious dish you oven-roast Brussels sprouts in the oven and crisp slices of pancetta in a pan on the stovetop. Once the sprouts are lightly browned, they will be covered in the crumbled Pancetta and dusted with Parmesan cheese, adding a touch of saltiness to the roasted richness of the sprouts. If you prefer—and to make the dish more classically Southern, of course—you can substitute bacon for the pancetta. However you enjoy it, you will delight in the crisp Brussels sprouts, the crunchy bacon, and the salty bite of the Parmesan cheese.

38 of 58 Photo: Jim Franco

Leafy Greens Salad with Pears

Recipe: Leafy Greens Salad with Pears

Sliced pears and roasted glazed pecans add a sweet, crisp flair to this super simple salad.

39 of 58 Photo: Jennifer Davick

Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

Recipe: Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

This gratin is awesome with prime rib or beef tenderloin. Rosemary is a bossy herb that can take over a dish, so use it sparingly. We call for only 1 Tbsp. to season the entire gratin.

Step-by-Step: Fresh Rosemary Crust How-To

40 of 58 Photo: Jim Franco

Easy Asiago-Olive Rolls

Recipe: Easy Asiago-Olive Rolls

Salty tapenade pairs with Asiago cheese, which is sweeter than Parmesan or Romano, in these elegant rolls. Starting with refrigerated pizza dough keeps the prep simple.

41 of 58 Photo: Jennifer Davick

Roasted Root Vegetable Salad

Recipe: Roasted Root Vegetable Salad

Packed with nutrients and hearty flavors, this salad is both pretty on the plate and perfect for winter. It tastes equally delicious with other roasted vegetables, such as butternut squash, onions, carrots, and potatoes.

42 of 58 Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Roasted Asparagus

Recipe: Roasted Asparagus

This simple yet delicious green side is prepared with the drippings from our Fennel-Crusted Rib Roast.

43 of 58 Photo: Jim Franco

Arugula-Pear-Blue Cheese Salad

Recipe: Arugula-Pear-Blue Cheese Salad

For a more pungent flavor in this classic salad, use gorgonzola cheese.

44 of 58 Photo: Jim Franco

Cranberry Roasted Winter Vegetables

Recipe: Cranberry Roasted Winter Vegetables

A medley of roasted vegetables including carrots and turnips combine with Brussels sprouts, cranberries, and a drizzle of molasses in one delicious side dish.

45 of 58 Photo: Jim Franco

Wild Rice with Bacon and Fennel

Recipe: Wild Rice with Bacon and Fennel

For this earthy salad, make sure to use wild rice, not a blend, to get a nice chewy texture.

46 of 58 Photo: Jim Franco

Sweet Potato Soup

Recipe: Sweet Potato Soup

Make the soup through Step 2 the day before. Reheat, and stir in the lime juice before serving.

47 of 58 Photo: Jim Franco

Crispy Goat Cheese-Topped Arugula Salad

Recipe: Crispy Goat Cheese-Topped Arugula Salad

The Panko-coated goat cheese slices lend a nice and crisp bite to this salad, which we've topped with a fruity pomegranate vinaigrette.

48 of 58 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Green Beans with Hollandaise Sauce

Recipe: Green Beans with Hollandaise Sauce

Tie green beans in small bundles of five or six with chives that have been boiled for 5 seconds.

49 of 58 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Potatoes Patio

Recipe: Potatoes Patio

A mixture of Gruyère and Parmesan cheese makes this luxurious baked dish all the more delicious.

50 of 58 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Tomato Bisque

Recipe: Tomato Bisque

Recipe developer Alex Hitz learned this creamy soup from his former business partner Mary Boyle Hataway. Strong coffee gives it superior depth.

51 of 58 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Citrus Salad with Spiced Honey

Recipe: Citrus Salad with Spiced Honey

Use any combination of citrus on hand to compose this vibrant, fresh salad, and present it however you like. No matter how you serve it, sweet and sunny citrus complements any roast or fish.

52 of 58 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Roasted Squash with Farro and Almonds

Recipe: Roasted Squash with Farro and Almonds

Look for farro, a grain gaining in popularity, in your supermarket, or substitute wild rice. High in fiber, farro's firm texture and nutty flavor pair well with tender, sweet roasted squash and creamy crumbles of cheese.

53 of 58 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Carrot-Cauliflower Salad

Recipe: Carrot-Cauliflower Salad

We created this crunchy, sweet side as an update of the classic mayonnaise-laden carrot-and-raisin salad. Save time and make it ahead—it eats even better the next day. Try it with our zesty Orange Vinaigrette.

54 of 58 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Glazed Turnips and Parsnips

Recipe: Glazed Turnips and Parsnips

To make ahead, prepare recipe through Step 1. Then, spread vegetables in a single layer in a jelly-roll pan, and cool. Cover and let stand up to 4 hours. Proceed as directed.

55 of 58 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Savory Bacon-and-Leek Bread Pudding

Recipe: Savory Bacon-and-Leek Bread Pudding

We love how buttery Gouda and nutty Parmesan lend richness and depth of flavor to this dish. Bake it as directed or divide among 6 to 8 ovenproof dishes, reducing the bake time to 30 minutes.

56 of 58 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Sweet Potato Soldiers

Recipe: Sweet Potato Soldiers

This new take on glazed sweet potatoes looks as good as it tastes. We used the slender 'Garnet' variety commonly grown in North Carolina. If you can't find them, any petite sweet potato will work well in its place.

57 of 58 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Collard Greens Gratin

Recipe: Collard Greens Gratin

Move over, creamed spinach—there's a new steak house side in town. Give the packaged collards an extra chop with a sharp knife to get them to bite-size pieces.

58 of 58 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Sweet Potato Spoonbread

Recipe: Sweet Potato Spoonbread

Cornmeal is a key ingredient in this soufflé-like side from Durham, NC, chef Sara Foster. It provides structure so the spoonbread won't fall in the center, even after you scoop out a serving.