The Ultimate Collection of Holiday Side Dish Recipes

Transform your holiday menu with an array of spectacular side dishes! Move beyond the usual and discover exciting new recipes that will delight your family and guests. This comprehensive guide features the best Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving sides, ensuring every festive meal is a memorable culinary experience.

Why Holiday Side Dishes Are Essential

The holiday season is a unique time of year when indulgence isn’t just accepted, it’s celebrated! Think about Thanksgiving, for instance – what other day brings such an abundance of delectable carbohydrates to the table? From savory stuffing and creamy mashed potatoes to comforting corn casseroles, freshly baked dinner rolls, and an irresistible assortment of desserts, side dishes are truly the unsung heroes of any festive spread.

These aren’t just accompaniments; they’re integral to the holiday experience, offering diverse flavors, textures, and aromas that complement the main course and satisfy every palate. Side dishes provide an opportunity to explore traditional family recipes, experiment with new culinary creations, and cater to a wide range of tastes. They add depth, color, and variety, transforming a simple meal into a lavish feast.

This holiday season, seize the perfect opportunity to try new recipes! We’ve gathered an extraordinary collection of the best holiday side dish recipes, carefully curated from our blog and some of our favorite blogger friends. Whether you’re planning for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any special gathering, these tried-and-true recipes promise to impress. Furthermore, don’t miss our fantastic Thanksgiving dessert recipes, which are versatile enough to grace any holiday table.

Our Featured Holiday Side Dishes

Prepare to be inspired by this hand-picked selection of top-tier holiday side dishes, spanning delightful fruit salads, crisp green salads, comforting hot dishes, and classic breads and potatoes. These recipes are perfect for any holiday celebration, promising to add flair and flavor to your festive meals.

Apple, Cherry and Walnut Salad

When you’re searching for a refreshing and vibrant salad, this Apple, Cherry, and Walnut Salad with Maple Dressing is an exquisite choice. Its blend of crisp apples, sweet cherries, crunchy walnuts, and a delicate maple dressing offers a delightful contrast to richer holiday fare, making it a perfect addition to your festive menu.

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Holiday Fruit Salad

This traditional Holiday Fruit Salad is more than just a dish; it’s a cherished family tradition that has been lovingly prepared for four generations. Bursting with fresh, seasonal fruits, it provides a light and sweet counterpoint to heavy holiday meals, bringing a taste of heritage to your table.

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Holiday Lettuce Salad

Discover a lettuce salad that is not only elegant enough for your most special occasions but also incredibly easy to prepare for everyday enjoyment. This Holiday Lettuce Salad combines simple ingredients to create a sophisticated yet approachable dish that adds freshness and crunch to any holiday meal.

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Cranberry Fluff Salad

Indulge in this dreamy Cranberry Fluff Salad, a truly perfect addition to your Thanksgiving feast. Its light, airy texture and sweet-tart cranberry flavor make it an irresistible side dish that beautifully complements rich holiday meats and savory preparations.

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Layered Jello Rainbow Salad

This vibrant Layered Jello Rainbow Salad is a showstopper that promises to impress guests of all ages. With its stunning colors and playful layers, it’s a fun, fruity, and refreshing side dish that adds a joyful touch to any holiday gathering, creating a memorable culinary experience.

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Spinach Souffle

Relive cherished childhood memories with this updated and incredibly easy Spinach Souffle recipe. Light, fluffy, and bursting with flavor, this elegant side dish is perfectly suited for holiday meals, adding a touch of sophisticated comfort to your festive spread without the fuss.

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Pumpkin Challah

Elevate your holiday bread basket with this fabulous six-strand Pumpkin Challah loaf. Infused with the warm, comforting sweetness of pumpkin, this beautifully braided bread is not just a treat for the eyes but a delightful complement to any fall or holiday dinner, offering a rich and tender crumb.

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Moomie’s Buns {Yeast Roll Knots}

Discover the ultimate crowd-pleaser with Moomie’s Buns, also known as irresistible Yeast Roll Knots. These soft, buttery, and incredibly flavorful rolls are a must-have for any holiday table, perfect for soaking up gravies or simply enjoying on their own. They’re a beloved classic that will disappear quickly!

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Best Ambrosia Salad {No Cool Whip}

Experience the classic fruit salad reimagined with this Best Ambrosia Salad recipe, made entirely without Cool Whip. This version emphasizes fresh ingredients and rich, natural flavors, offering a delightful and vibrant dessert-like side that’s perfect for any festive gathering, highlighting the true essence of ambrosia.

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Photo Credit: www.thatskinnychickcanbake.com

Praline Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

This Praline Topped Sweet Potato Casserole is a guaranteed family favorite that will undoubtedly win over everyone at your holiday table. A quick-to-prepare Thanksgiving side dish, its crunchy, sweet praline topping offers a sophisticated and irresistible alternative to the traditional marshmallow version, making it a truly exceptional dish.

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More Holiday Side Dish Inspiration

Looking for even more incredible ideas to complete your holiday feast? Explore these additional fabulous Thanksgiving and Christmas side dishes, sourced from talented chefs and food bloggers. And if you’re considering a new approach to your main course, be sure to check out How to Brine a Turkey for a remarkably flavorful alternative to traditional roasting, ensuring your turkey is as impressive as your sides!

Perfectly Prepared Potatoes

Potatoes are a staple of holiday meals, offering comfort and versatility. From creamy mashes to sweet casseroles, these potato dishes are sure to please:

• Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe from A Spicy Perspective: Achieve the perfect creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes every time with this expert recipe.
• Perfect Mashed Potatoes from A Family Feast: A reliable recipe for classic, smooth mashed potatoes that are rich and deeply satisfying.
• Loaded Twice Baked Potato Casserole from Dinners, Dishes & Desserts: All the flavors of a loaded baked potato in a convenient and delicious casserole form.
• Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole from Chelsea’s Messy Apron: Free up oven space with this incredibly easy and flavorful sweet potato casserole, made effortlessly in your slow cooker.
• Quick and Easy Sweet Potato Biscuits from Bless This Mess: Delightful, tender biscuits with a hint of sweet potato, perfect for serving warm with butter.
• Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Honey Whiskey Pecans from Well Plated: Elevate your sweet potato game with a luxurious glaze and crunchy, boozy pecans.

Vibrant Vegetable Creations

Bring color and nutrition to your holiday table with these delicious vegetable side dishes. From traditional casseroles to fresh, roasted greens, these recipes highlight the best of seasonal produce:

• Green Bean Casserole Recipe (with No Canned Soup) from Rachel Cooks: A homemade take on a holiday classic, offering fresh flavors without canned ingredients.
• Fresh Green Beans with Bacon and Sliced Almonds from Boulder Locavore: Simple yet elegant, these green beans are elevated with crispy bacon and nutty almonds.
• Old-Fashioned Creamed Corn Casserole from Wishes and Dishes: A comforting and rich casserole that embodies classic holiday flavors.
• Creamed Corn with Peppers and Bacon from Barefeet in the Kitchen: A savory and slightly spicy twist on creamed corn, enhanced with bell peppers and smoky bacon.
• Shredded Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Pistachios, Cranberries & Parmesan from Cookin’ Canuck: A festive and flavorful Brussels sprout dish, combining sweet, savory, and nutty elements.
• Guaranteed Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries from Foodie with Family: Achieve perfectly crispy sweet potato fries every time, a fun and healthier alternative to traditional fries.
• Holiday Roasted Asparagus with Red Pepper and Gorgonzola from Kalyn’s Kitchen: A vibrant and elegant roasted asparagus dish, featuring colorful peppers and tangy gorgonzola.
• Bourbon Maple Glazed Carrots: Sweet and savory carrots with a hint of bourbon, a truly indulgent and sophisticated side.
• Haricot Verts with Grape Tomatoes: Delicate French green beans sautéed with burst grape tomatoes for a light and flavorful side.
• Sauteed Cabbage Recipe: A surprisingly simple and delicious sautéed cabbage dish, perfect for adding a hearty green vegetable to your meal.

Refreshing and Robust Salads

Salads offer a refreshing break from richer holiday dishes. From fruity and light to hearty and savory, these salads add balance and zest to your feast:

• Best Fresh Cranberry Grape Walnut Salad from Reluctant Entertainer: A beautifully balanced salad with sweet grapes, tart cranberries, and crunchy walnuts.
• Fall Harvest Salad from A Beautiful Plate: Capture the essence of autumn with this salad, packed with seasonal produce and delightful textures.
• Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries and Nuts from The View from Great Island: A hearty and flavorful salad, perfect for a festive table, featuring earthy wild rice, sweet cranberries, and crunchy nuts.
• Cheesecake Apple Salad from Crazy for Crust: A unique and decadent apple salad that tastes like dessert, combining crisp apples with a creamy cheesecake dressing.
• Warm Brussels Sprout Salad with Crispy Goat Cheese from Fifteen Spatulas: A sophisticated warm salad featuring tender Brussels sprouts and delightful crispy goat cheese.
• Apple Cherry Walnut Salad with Maple Dressing: A refreshing and flavorful salad highlighted by crisp apples, sweet cherries, and a delightful maple dressing.

Savory Stuffings and Irresistible Breads

No holiday meal is complete without flavorful stuffings and warm, homemade breads. These recipes are sure to bring comfort and joy to your dining experience:

• Wild Rice Stuffing from TidyMom: An elegant and flavorful stuffing featuring nutty wild rice, perfect for adding sophistication to your holiday bird.
• Crock Pot Stuffing from Spend with Pennies: Save oven space with this convenient and delicious stuffing recipe, cooked to perfection in a slow cooker.
• Best Sausage Stuffing Recipe with Cranberries from It’s Yummi: A savory and slightly sweet stuffing, combining robust sausage with tart cranberries for a classic holiday flavor profile.
• How to Make Perfect Mashed Potatoes from A Mind “Full” Mom: A step-by-step guide to achieving consistently creamy and fluffy mashed potatoes every time.
• Gouda Bacon Macaroni and Cheese from Shugary Sweets: A rich and indulgent macaroni and cheese, featuring smoky bacon and creamy Gouda for an unforgettable side dish.
• The Perfect Dinner Rolls from Your Home Based Mom: Master the art of homemade dinner rolls with this reliable recipe, yielding soft and fluffy results.
• Favorite Dinner Rolls from Barbara Bakes: A beloved recipe for tender, buttery dinner rolls that are sure to become a family tradition.
• Easy 90-Minute Rolls from Saving Room for Desserts: Quick and convenient, these rolls are perfect when you need fresh bread in a hurry without compromising on flavor or texture.

Cranberries and Other Festive Accents

These delightful additions bring vibrant flavors and colors to your holiday table, from classic cranberry sauces to a collection of festive favorites:

• Best Ever Cranberry Sauce from Mom on Timeout: A homemade cranberry sauce that surpasses store-bought versions, offering the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
• Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce from Two Peas and Their Pod: A bright and zesty cranberry sauce, infused with fresh orange flavor, perfect for complementing rich holiday meats.
• Thanksgiving Favorites From Valerie’s Kitchen: Explore a collection of cherished Thanksgiving recipes, offering even more inspiration for your holiday feast.