20 Holiday Side Dishes Your Vegetarian Guests Will Love

Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

When it comes to any holiday meal, the side dishes make the real difference between a so-so affair and a true Southern feast. Our sides, whether baked in a casserole dish, tossed in a serving bowl, or sautéed in a cast iron skillet, must be tasty enough to head the holiday table at any moment. If you love your vegetable sides the best—maybe more than the Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas roast—or if you have vegetarians on the guest list, these delicious vegetable holiday recipes will serve your crowd easily and deliciously all season long.

From creamy casseroles to crispy skillets (and from hearty carbs to fresh fall produce), these sides cover the holiday hostess no matter what. We've included make ahead options, slow-cooker recipes, and side dishes that come together quickly so your holiday menu will not only be delicious, but will also come together easily.

01 of 20

Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

slow cooker green bean casserole in an oval dish with a gold spoon
Caitlin Bensel / Southern Living

Recipe: Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

Let your slow cooker take care of the green bean casserole while you work on the rest of the holiday meal.

02 of 20

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Recipe: Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

A higher cooking temperature combined with a longer cooking time helps these vegetables become brown and crispy.

03 of 20

Herbed Potato Stacks

Herbed Potato Stacks Recipe
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Herbed Potato Stacks

Transform your basic potato into an elegant holiday side dish with these pretty stacked potatoes. The exterior gets deliciously crispy, while the inside stays creamy and tender.

04 of 20

Savory Corn Pudding

Savory Corn Pudding
Emily Laurae / Southern Living

Recipe: Savory Corn Pudding

This savory corn pudding puts a welcome spin on the classic dish with the addition of chopped onion and fresh thyme for extra flavor. When the pudding is done baking, it should be golden brown around the edges and slightly jiggly in the center.

05 of 20

Classic Cornbread Dressing

Classic Cornbread Dressing
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Classic Cornbread Dressing

We think Southern-style cornbread dressing belongs on every holiday table, and this simple recipe packs a flavorful punch that can't be beat. You can switch out vegetable broth for chicken broth if needed.

06 of 20

Classic Cranberry Salad

classic cranberry salad
Emily Laurae/Southern Living

Recipe: Classic Cranberry Salad

This recipe has to chill at least four hours before serving, but can be made up to three days in advance so it's a great make-ahead option.

07 of 20

Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Everyone will love this twist on our Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese recipe, which includes tender spears of roasted broccoli for added texture and savory flavor.

08 of 20

Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping

Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping

This colorful mix of roasted root vegetables is almost too pretty to eat.

09 of 20

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Recipe: Oven-Roasted Asparagus

You can't beat this oven-roasted asparagus recipe for a delicious, simple, and quick side dish for the holidays. When you feel like you need more veggies on the menu, but don't feel like spending way more effort, this dish is a great go-to.

10 of 20

Pumpkin-and-Winter Squash Gratin

Pumpkin-and-Winter Squash Gratin
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Pumpkin-and-Winter Squash Gratin

This hearty side can serve as a great main dish option for vegetarian guests at your Thanksgiving dinner.

11 of 20

Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

garlic parmesan green beans
Photographer: Isaac Nunn, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Recipe: Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

These tender green beans are jazzed up with pearl onions that have been lightly caramelized with butter, garlic, tangy balsamic vinegar, and a touch of sugar. Guests won't believe they come together in 20 minutes.

12 of 20

Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes and Smashed Baby Red Potatoes
Southern Living

Recipe: Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe

This year, take your mashed potatoes over the top by adding creamy goat cheese, rich heavy cream, and chopped fresh chives. These special mashed potatoes will be ready for your holiday table in half an hour.

13 of 20

Cabbage Casserole

cabbage casserole in a white casserole dish with plates nearby
Will Dickey

Recipe: Cabbage Casserole

You'll find two pounds of cabbage on the ingredient list for this creamy casserole.

14 of 20

Candy Roaster Squash with Sorghum, Black Walnuts, and Cranberries

Candy Roaster Squash with Sorghum, Black Walnuts, and Cranberries
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Candy Roaster Squash with Sorghum, Black Walnuts, and Cranberries

If you can't find candy roaster squash in your area, you can substitute butternut squash instead.

15 of 20

Harvest Salad

Harvest Salad
GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING: CHELSEA ZIMMER; PROP STYLING: GINNY BRANCH

Recipe: Harvest Salad

To make pulling this hearty salad together on Thanksgiving easier, you can make the dressing ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.

16 of 20

Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

A parmesan and herb topping helps balance out the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes while pecans add a bit of crunch.

17 of 20

Broccoli Cheese Casserole

13x9 dishes, casseroles, easy meals
Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Both kids and adults will love eating their vegetables in this creamy, cheesy casserole.

18 of 20

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and Cheese
BETH DREILING HONTZAS

Recipe: Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This rich, creamy recipe may just be the best macaroni and cheese recipe you've ever eaten. It brings back nostalgic memories around Grandmama's table and we promise that it's much more satisfying than the boxed, powdery stuff.

19 of 20

Browned-Butter Farro

Browned-Butter Farro
Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Recipe: Browned-Butter Farro

Browned butter elevates farro into a holiday-worthy side dish.

20 of 20

Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Collard Greens

Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Collard Greens Recipe Image
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Collard Greens

The delicious balance of sweet, savory, and hot is great in this slow-cooker greens side dish, making the greens' liquid more flavorful than any other recipe (despite leaving out the ham hock or bacon!).

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