Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food
  • Holidays & Entertaining
  • Home & Garden
  • Style & Culture
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021

      The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Read More Next
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More Next
    • The Right Way to Heat a Pre-Cooked Ham

      It's so easy, trust us. Read More Next
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food

    Lost Cakes of the South

    These simple and spectacular Southern cakes deserve a comeback
    • All Food
    • All Recipes
    • Holidays & Occasions
    • Quick Fix Suppers
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Casseroles
    • Healthy Recipes
  • Holidays & Entertaining

    Holidays & Entertaining

    See All Holidays & Entertaining

    70 Wedding Vow Examples That Will Melt Your Heart

    Fight writer's block and find ways to express your love with these romantic, funny, and short wedding vow examples.
    • Christmas
    • Entertaining
    • Thanksgiving
    • Southern Weddings
    • Easter
    • Kentucky Derby
    • Valentine's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Mother's Day
  • Home & Garden

    Home & Garden

    See All Home & Garden

    7 Paint Colors We’re Loving for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020

    ‘Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Before & After
    • Inspired Communities
    • Curb Appeal
    • House Plans & Builders
    • The Grumpy Gardener
    • Plant Names A-Z
  • Style & Culture

    Style & Culture

    See All Style & Culture

    50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime

    Curl up with a classic!
    • Southern Culture
    • Hair
    • Travel
    • Beauty
    • Pets
    • Southern Fashion
    • Healthy Living
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. food
  3. Holiday and Occasion Food
  4. Perfectly Paired Holiday Side Dishes for Christmas

Perfectly Paired Holiday Side Dishes for Christmas

September 08, 2010
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet
Credit: Jennifer Davick
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.
Start Slideshow

1 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots

We can't get enough of this classic combo.

1 of 59

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Dirty Rice Risotto

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

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 59

3 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Gnocchi Mac and Cheese

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Gnocchi Mac and Cheese

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

3 of 59

Advertisement

4 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Roasted Garlic Duchess Potatoes

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

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 59

5 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Charred Ambrosia with Toasted Coconut and Marshmallow Crème

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

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 59

6 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Christmas Salad

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

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 59

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Fontina-Chive Yorkshire Puddings

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

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 59

8 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan Cream

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

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 59

9 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

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 59

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Herbed Couscous

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

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 59

11 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Browned-Butter Farro

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

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 59

12 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Creamy Parmesan Grits

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Creamy Parmesan Grits

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

12 of 59

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Orange-Ginger-Chile-Glazed Carrots

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

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 59

14 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Braised Cabbage with Apple and Bacon

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

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 59

15 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Harvest Salad with Roasted Citrus Vinaigrette and Spiced Pecans

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

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 59

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Fennel-and-Potato Gratin

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

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 59

17 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Spinach-Apple Salad With Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

Credit: Photo: Beau Gustafson

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.

17 of 59

18 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

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 59

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House

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.

19 of 59

20 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Golden Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Southern Living

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.

20 of 59

21 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

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 59

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

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 59

23 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Mushroom, Apple, and Goat Cheese Salad

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

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 59

24 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

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 59

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Home-Style Butterbeans

Credit: Photo: William Dickey

Recipe: Home-Style Butterbeans

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

25 of 59

26 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Green Bean-and-Red Bell Pepper Toss

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

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 59

27 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Hurry-Up Homemade Crescent Rolls

Credit: Photo: Beau Gustafson

Recipe: Hurry-Up Homemade Crescent RollsThis 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 59

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Two-Cheese Squash Casserole

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

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 59

29 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Baked Onions

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

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.

29 of 59

30 of 59

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

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.

30 of 59

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 59

Save FB Tweet