Christmas dinner is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration filled with warmth, laughter, and flavors that bring people together. While the main dish often takes center stage, the side dishes are what truly complete the feast. From creamy mashed potatoes and golden Yorkshire pudding to roasted vegetables and festive salads, each side adds color, texture, and comfort to the table. These 20 Christmas dinner side dishes are a mix of timeless classics and modern favorites, perfect for pairing with turkey, ham, or any holiday roast. Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering or a cozy dinner, these sides will make your holiday spread unforgettable.
List of 20 side dishes for Christmas dinner
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
- Classic Bread Stuffing
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans
- Green Bean Casserole
- Roasted Root Vegetables (carrots, parsnips, turnips)
- Creamed Spinach
- Cranberry Sauce
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Honey-Glazed Carrots
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Yorkshire Pudding
- Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Butter
- Cauliflower Cheese Bake
- Buttery Dinner Rolls
- Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Maple Syrup
- Wild Rice Pilaf with Cranberries and Almonds
- Garlic Butter Mushrooms
- Apple and Sage Stuffing
- Winter Kale Salad with Pomegranate and Feta
Traditional side dishes for Christmas dinner
1. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 6 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup milk or heavy cream
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Recipe
Boil the potatoes and garlic in salted water until tender, about 15–20 minutes. Drain well, then mash using a potato masher or ricer. In a saucepan, heat butter and milk together until warm, then pour into the mashed potatoes. Stir until creamy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper, and serve warm.
2. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Ingredients
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
Recipe
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then spread them on a baking sheet. Roast for 25–30 minutes until golden brown. In a small pan, simmer balsamic vinegar and honey until slightly thickened. Drizzle over roasted sprouts before serving.
3. Classic Bread Stuffing
Ingredients
- 10 cups cubed day-old bread
- 1 cup butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe
Melt butter in a skillet and sauté onion and celery until soft. Add sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Place bread cubes in a large bowl, pour the vegetable mixture over, and mix. Gradually add broth until bread is moist but not soggy. Bake covered at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake another 10 minutes for a crisp top.
4. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans
Ingredients
- 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup mini marshmallows or chopped pecans
Recipe
Boil sweet potatoes until tender, then mash with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Transfer to a baking dish and top with marshmallows or pecans. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbling.
5. Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb green beans, trimmed
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup crispy fried onions
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe
Blanch green beans in boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain. Mix soup, milk, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add green beans and half of the fried onions. Pour into a baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes. Top with remaining onions and bake for 5 more minutes.
6. Roasted Root Vegetables
Ingredients
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 parsnips, peeled and chopped
- 2 turnips, peeled and chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, pepper, and rosemary
Recipe
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss all vegetables with olive oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary. Spread on a baking tray and roast for 30–40 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until tender and caramelized.
7. Creamed Spinach
Ingredients
- 1 lb spinach, washed
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- Salt, pepper, and nutmeg
Recipe
Sauté spinach until wilted, then drain excess liquid. In a pan, melt butter, add flour, and stir for 1 minute. Gradually add milk and cream, whisking until thick. Add spinach and Parmesan, season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
8. Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 tsp orange zest
Recipe
Combine cranberries, sugar, and orange juice in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the berries burst. Stir in orange zest and cool before serving.
9. Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- Salt and pepper
Recipe
In a saucepan, melt butter, add flour, and stir to form a roux. Slowly add milk, whisking until smooth. Add cheese, salt, and pepper. Layer potatoes in a baking dish, pour sauce over them, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes until golden.
10. Honey-Glazed Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 lb carrots, sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp honey
- Salt and pepper
Recipe
Boil carrots until just tender, then drain. In a skillet, melt butter and stir in honey. Add carrots and toss until glazed and glossy. Season lightly.
11. Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper
Recipe
Cook macaroni and drain. Make a cheese sauce by melting butter, adding flour, and whisking in milk until thick. Stir in cheese, then combine with macaroni. Pour into a baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes.
12. Yorkshire Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup milk
- 3 eggs
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp oil or beef drippings
Recipe
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Whisk flour, milk, eggs, and salt until smooth. Heat oil in muffin tins until very hot, then pour in batter. Bake for 20–25 minutes until puffed and golden.
13. Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Butter
Ingredients
- 1 bunch asparagus
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
Recipe
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle with melted butter and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper, and roast for 10–12 minutes.
14. Cauliflower Cheese Bake
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper
Recipe
Boil cauliflower until tender. In a pan, make cheese sauce by melting butter, adding flour, and whisking in milk. Stir in cheese until melted. Pour over cauliflower in a baking dish and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.
15. Buttery Dinner Rolls
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 2 tsp yeast
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 3 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp salt
Recipe
Mix yeast with warm milk and sugar; let it foam. Add flour, salt, and butter, knead into soft dough. Let rise for 1 hour, shape into rolls, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes until golden.
16. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Maple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- Salt and pepper
Recipe
Cook bacon until crispy, remove, and set aside. Roast Brussels sprouts in bacon fat for 20 minutes, then drizzle with maple syrup and toss with the bacon before serving.
17. Wild Rice Pilaf with Cranberries and Almonds
Ingredients
- 1 cup wild rice
- 2 cups broth
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- 1 tbsp butter
Recipe
Cook rice in broth until tender. Stir in butter, cranberries, and toasted almonds. Fluff with a fork before serving.
18. Garlic Butter Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 1 lb mushrooms
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley
Recipe
Melt butter in a skillet, add garlic, and cook for 1 minute. Add mushrooms and sauté until browned and tender. Season and garnish with parsley.
19. Apple and Sage Stuffing
Ingredients
- 8 cups cubed bread
- 2 apples, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
Recipe
Sauté onion and apples in butter, then add sage. Combine with bread cubes and broth until moistened. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.
20. Winter Kale Salad with Pomegranate and Feta
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped kale
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- ¼ cup feta cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
Recipe
Massage kale with olive oil and lemon juice for 1–2 minutes to soften. Toss with pomegranate seeds, feta, salt, and pepper. Chill before serving for the best flavor.
Conclusion
A memorable Christmas dinner isn’t just about the main course—it’s the harmony of flavors from all the side dishes that makes it special. These 20 recipes bring together the best of comfort, tradition, and festive charm. From creamy casseroles to crisp vegetables and warm, buttery rolls, each dish adds something unique to your holiday table. Whether you try one or prepare a full spread, these sides will fill your home with inviting aromas and your guests with joy. This Christmas, serve love on every plate and make the season’s meal one to remember.