Easy and Delicious Christmas Side Dishes

Christmas is incomplete without delicious food! With all the chaos that accompanies the holiday season, decorating the house, buying gifts for family and friends, and spending time with them, it becomes stressful to even think of an elaborate dinner menu. However, that’s the most important task of the day. You are always certain about the main dishes. But your prime rib or juicy ham still needs spectacular sides! Luckily, unlike Thanksgiving, Christmas doesn’t have a traditional menu which means you have the freedom to create. To uplift your family dinner, we have picked a few simple side dishes recipes to go along with your mains. These easy-to-cook Christmas dinner sides will not only lower your stress levels but will also leave your family helping themselves for seconds.

Best Christmas Side Dishes Everyone Will Love

Sides are often the best part of the meal, regardless of what you’re serving as the main course! Are you looking for the ideal Christmas sides to add to your holiday menu? These fabulous recipes, including everything from traditional Christmas side dishes such as fluffy mashed potatoes to maple bacon carrots to cheesy rice recipes and Christmas ham sides, are sure to get your family asking for repeats.

1. Maple Bacon Carrots

Ingredients

• Medium carrots (peeled) – 12
• Bacon strips -12
• Maple syrup – ¼ cup
• Black pepper(freshly grounded) – as per taste

Total time – 35 minutes

Servings – 12

Method

•  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrap one strip of bacon around each carrot and put bacon ends down on a wide baking sheet—season with black pepper and a light coating of maple syrup.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and sprinkle with the rest of the maple syrup. Bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the carrots are tender and the bacon is crisp. Serve the food.

2. Mashed potatoes

Ingredients 

• Potatoes (mixed such as Yukon Golds and russets)- 3 lb
• Butter– 1 stick (for cooking) and 2 tablespoons (garnish)
• Sour cream- ½ cup
• Milk – ½ cup
• Salt- to taste
• Black pepper (freshly grounded)- as per taste

Total time – 35 minutes

Servings – 12

Method

• Place potatoes in a big pot with enough water to cover them and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for 16 to 18 minutes, or until fully tender.
• Send the potatoes to the pot after draining the water.
• Mash potatoes with a potato masher until smooth.
• Meanwhile, warm the butter and milk in a shallow saucepan.
• Pour the warm milk-butter mixture over the potatoes and stir until it is smooth and creamy.
• Stir in the sour cream until it is well mixed.
• Season mashed potatoes with salt and pepper to taste.
• Place the potatoes in a serving bowl and finish with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
• Add more pepper when serving to enhance the flavor.

3. Candied Sweet potatoes

Ingredients

• Sweet potatoes (medium size)- 5
• Dark Brown sugar- ½ cup
• Orange Juice- ½ cup
• Butter- 4 tablespoons
• Cinnamon stick- 1
• Nutmeg– 1 pinch
• Salt- to taste

Total time – 35 minutes

Servings – 12

Method

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Using butter, grease a medium baking dish.
• Combine honey, orange juice, butter, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
• Stir to mix and bring to a boil, reduce to low heat and cook for 10 minutes, or slightly thickened.
• Remove and discard the cinnamon stick until the liquid has been reduced.
• Meanwhile, prepare the potatoes as follows: Potatoes should be peeled and sliced into 1/2″ rounds and layered in a baking dish.
• Bake 30 minutes, then cut foil and continue baking for another 50 minutes to an hour, basting with sauce every 15 minutes.
• Cool the candied potatoes for some time before serving.

4.  Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

Ingredients

• Red potatoes (medium)- 8 (thinly sliced)
• Cooked ham (chopped)- 2 cups
• Unsalted butter – ¼ cup
• Garlic (minced)- 1 teaspoon
• Italian seasonings- 1 teaspoon
• Salt- 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper- 1/8 teaspoon
• Milk (2%)- ½ cup
• All-purpose flour – ¼ cup
• Heavy cream- 1 cup
• Mozzarella cheese (shredded)- 2 cups

Total time – 35 minutes

Servings – 12

Method 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farhenite and layer potatoes and ham in a thinly greased 9×13″ baking dish.
• Boil the butter in a medium saucepan.
• Cook and stir for 1 minute after adding garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Mix in the flour until creamy, then add the milk and cream gradually.
• Cook and stir over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, or until thickened. 1 cup of cheese, stirred in
• Drizzle the sauce over the potatoes and ham. Bake for 60-65 minutes, until potatoes are soft, covered in foil.
• Remove the cover and bake for 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened, bubbled, and the cheese has gently browned.
• Allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

5. Brussels Sprouts with parmesan salad

Ingredients 

• Brussels sprouts (halved & thinly sliced)- 2 lb
• Toasted almonds(chopped)- ½ cup
• Pomegranate seeds– ½ cup
• Extra-virgin olive oil- 5 tablespoons
• Lemon juice– 5 tablespoons
• Fresh parsley (chopped)- ¼ cup
• Shaved parmesan- as per choice
• Black pepper(grounded)- as per taste
• Salt- as per taste

Total time – 35 minutes

Servings – 12

Method 

• Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a medium mixing bowl.
• Toss in the Brussels sprouts until they are fully coated.
• Allow it to sit for at least 20 minutes and up to 4 hours before serving. Keep tossing regularly.
• Before eating, add in the almonds and pomegranate seeds and top with shaved Parmesan.

6. Cheesy Rice

Ingredients

• Red bell pepper (chopped)- 1
• Onions(medium)- 2
• Olive oil- 3 tablespoons
• Garlic cloves (chopped)-2
• Long-grain white rice(parboiled)- 2 cup
• Velveeta cheese (cut in cubes)- ½ lb
• Chicken stock- 4 cup
• Fresh chive (chopped)
• Black pepper(grounded)- as per taste
• Salt- as per taste

Total time – 35 minutes

Servings – 12

Method

• In a big pan, heat the oil over medium heat.
• Combine the onions, pepper, and garlic into the pan. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook, stirring regularly, for 10 to 12 minutes, or until tender.
• Add the rice and simmer, constantly stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until fragrant.
• Add cheese, stirring constantly; cook until the cheese melts.
• Add chicken stock and let the rice simmer until the liquid thickens and tender around 18 to 20 minutes.
• Garnish with salt and pepper
• Serve with chives on top.

7. Cheesy Baked Asparagus

Ingredients 

• Asparagus (stalks trimmed)- 2 lb
• Heavy cream- ¾ cup
• Garlic cloves(minced)- 3
• Black pepper(grounded)- as per taste
• Salt- as per taste
• Parmesan (grated)- 1 cup
• Mozzarella(shredded)- 1 cup
• Red pepper flakes- for garnishing (optional)

Total time – 35 minutes

Servings – 12

Method 

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Pour heavy cream over asparagus in a 9″ x 13″ baking dish and sprinkle the garlic.
• Season with salt and pepper, top with mozzarella, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes (if using).
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until cheese has melted and is golden and asparagus is soft.
• Serve warm.

8. Bacon Butternut Squash with Cheese

Ingredients 

• Butternut Squash (peeled and cut in 1” small pieces)- 2 lb
• Olive Oil- 2 tablespoons
• Garlic cloves(minced)-2
• Thyme (chopped)- 2 tablespoons
• Bacon (chopped)- ½  lb
• Mozzarella (shredded)- 1 ½ cup
• Parmesan (grated)- ½ cup
• Fresh parsley (chopped)
• Black pepper(grounded)- as per taste
• Salt- as per taste

Total time – 35 minutes

Servings – 12

Method 

• Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• Toss butternut squash with olive oil, garlic, and thyme in a deep ovenproof skillet (or a large baking dish). Season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle bacon on top.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the squash is tender and the bacon is cooked through.
• Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
• Bake for 5–10 minutes more, or until the cheese melts.
• Garnished with parsley.
• Serve warm.

9. Roasted Red Potatoes

Ingredients 

• Baby Red Potatoes(halved)- 4 lb
• Canola oil- 2 tablespoons
• Garlic cloves(crushed)- 12 large
• Fresh Thyme (chopped)- 1 tablespoon
• Black pepper(grounded)- ¾ tablespoon
• Salt- 2 tablespoons

Total time – 35 minutes

Servings – 12

Method

• Preheat oven to 450°F and place racks in upper and lower thirds of it.
• In a big mixing bowl, toss potatoes with oil, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper until they are completely coated.
• Place potatoes with the cut side down on the two rimmed baking sheets in an even layer.
• Roast potatoes until crisp and golden brown on the bottom, for about 25 to 30 minutes.

10. Waldorf salad

Ingredients 

• Romain’s hearts packet(leaves separated)- 5 ounce
• Red leaf Lettuce (small head)- ½  leaves torn
• Celery stalks (thinly sliced)- 3
• Apple (thinly sliced)-2
• Purple grapes(seedless and halved)- 1 cup
• Toasted walnuts (chopped)- ½ cup
• Pomegranate seeds- ¼ cup
• Sour Cream- ¼ cup
• Mayonnaise- 2 tablespoons
• White Wine Vinegar- 2 tablespoons
• Dijon mustard – 1 tablespoon
• Honey- 1 ½ teaspoon
• Black pepper(grounded)- as per taste
• Salt- as per taste

Total time – 35 minutes

Servings – 12

Method 

• In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, and honey. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Toss part of the dressing with the lettuces, reserving the rest.
• Arrange lettuce on a platter.
• Top the platter with celery, apples, almonds, walnuts, and pomegranate seeds.
• Drizzle the remaining dressing on the salad.

11. Honey Butter with Skillet Cornbread

Ingredients 

For Honey Butter:

• Unsalted Butter- ½ cup (at room temperature), 1 tablespoon more for pan
• Honey- 2 tablespoons
• Salt- to taste

For Cornbread:

• Fine Cornmeal-  1 cup
• All-purpose flour – 1 cup
• Sugar- ¼ cup
• Baking powder- 1 tablespoon
• Salt- 1 teaspoon
• Whole milk- 1 cup
• Eggs (large)- 2
• Unsalted butter(melted)- 6 tablespoons

Total time – 35 minutes

Servings – 12

Method

• To make honey butter- Mash and whisk butter, water, and salt in a mixing bowl with a fork until well mixed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes after covering.
• To make Cornbread- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Grease an 8-inch square baking dish or a 10-inch cast-iron skillet.
• In a bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
• Whisk together milk, eggs, and butter in a separate dish.
• Combine the wet and dry ingredients and stir till mixed completely.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, or until the top is gently golden and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
• Allow the cornbread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
• Serve the cornbread warm with honey butter on the side.

12.  Shallots with green beans

Ingredients 

• Shallots – 1 lb
• Green beans- 3 lb
• Butter or margarine- 2 tablespoons
• Dijon mustard(with seeds)- 3 tablespoons
• Black pepper(grounded)- as per taste
• Salt- as per taste

Total time – 35 minutes

Servings – 12

Method 

• Bring 3 quarts of water and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil in a sealed 5- to 6-quart saucepot on high flame.
• Add green beans to it. Cook, uncovered, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until green beans are tender-crisp.
• Drain the water. Cool the beans quickly by placing them in a big bowl filled with ice water. Drain thoroughly. Keep aside.
• Melt the margarine in the same saucepot on medium-low flame.
• Add shallots to it and cook, stirring regularly, for 17 to 20 minutes, or until shallots are tender and golden.
• To the pan, add green beans, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper to the saucepot mixture.
• Raise heat to medium-high, and cook for another 5 minutes or until beans are cooked through, tossing periodically with tongs.
• Add the mustard and mix well.
• Serve warm.

When it comes to Christmas, we jingle all the way! We hope that these recipes will bring cheer and warmth into your home.

Also Read:

Best Recipes of Christmas Cake
Easy and Delicious Side Dish Recipes
Christmas Cake Decorating Ideas