Christmas dinner has a lot riding on it, and honestly, the sides are where the magic happens. I’ve pulled together my favorite Christmas side dishes so you can build a menu that has something for everyone at your table.
This list covers the classics you can’t skip, like creamy mashed potatoes and buttery rolls. It also has a few make-ahead options, so you’re not stuck in the kitchen all day. Whether you’re feeding a big family crowd or a smaller gathering, you’ll find sides that pair perfectly with turkey, ham, or prime rib.
I’ve organized everything by category, so it’s easy to scan and pick what fits your menu. Bookmark this one. You’ll want to come back to it every holiday season.
35 Best Christmas Side Dishes for Your Holiday Table
Potatoes
1. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
These are the mashed potatoes I make when I need them done fast and done right. The Instant Pot gets you creamy, smooth potatoes in about 13 minutes, no draining a giant pot required. Yukon Golds are key here. Other varieties turn mushy, so don’t swap them out. Warming your milk and butter together before mixing in is the trick for that silky, lump-free texture.
This recipe scales up easily too. Just add a couple extra minutes if you’re doubling it for a big family gathering. It’s one less thing to stress about on Christmas Day. Get the recipe →
2. Potatoes au Gratin
If you want a side dish that feels a little fancier, this is it. Thin layers of potatoes bake in cream, garlic, and Gruyère until every bite is rich and tender with a golden, cheesy top. Simple ingredients do a lot of heavy lifting with this recipe.
The best part is you can make it ahead. Bake it, cool it, then finish it the day of. Just reserve some of the cream mixture to pour over before reheating, so it stays just as creamy as fresh. That make-ahead step alone makes it worth adding to your Christmas menu. Get the recipe →
3. Savory Sweet Potato Casserole with Sage Breadcrumbs
This one’s for anyone who wants sweet potatoes without the marshmallows. Creamy whipped sweet and Yukon Gold potatoes get topped with crispy, sage-infused breadcrumbs for a savory twist that still feels holiday-special. Mixing in regular potatoes isn’t just for flavor. It adds the starch needed to keep the texture from turning too soft.
A great option if your table already has enough sweet dishes and needs something a little more grown-up. Your guests who “don’t really like sweet potato casserole” might just change their minds. Get the recipe →
4. Instant Pot Bacon Cheddar Ranch Potato Salad
This side dish breaks from tradition, and that’s exactly why it works. It’s creamy, loaded with bacon, cheddar, and ranch, and just as good served either warm or chilled. That flexibility makes it perfect for a Christmas Eve buffet or a casual holiday get-together where oven space is already spoken for. The bacon cooks right in the Instant Pot, and the potatoes steam above it on a trivet. So you get all that smoky flavor without deep-frying anything.
The whole thing comes together in about four minutes of cook time. Get the recipe →
Vegetables
5. Brussels Sprouts Gratin with Bacon Breadcrumbs
This is the recipe to use to get Brussels sprouts skeptics to ask for seconds. Tender sprouts get smothered in a creamy Gruyère and Gouda cheese sauce, then topped with crispy bacon breadcrumbs. It turns a simple vegetable into something that feels like a holiday centerpiece. Cheese and bacon are a hard combo to say no to, even for picky eaters. The best part is how far ahead you can make it.
Assemble the whole casserole the day before, cover it, and pop it in the oven when you’re ready. That’s one less dish competing for oven space on Christmas Day. Get the recipe →
6. Classic Green Bean Casserole
Some side dishes just belong on the Christmas table, and this is one of them. Tender green beans sit in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with crispy fried onions for that satisfying crunch. It’s nostalgic, easy, and always a crowd favorite. You can make this up to 48 hours ahead, which is a lifesaver when you’re juggling multiple sides. Just keep the fried onions separate until baking. That keeps them crunchy instead of soggy.
Add about 10 extra minutes to the bake time if it’s coming straight from the fridge. Get the recipe →
7. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Parmesan
These sprouts are proof that simple ingredients can still feel special. Roasting gets them crispy on the outside and tender inside, while honey and parmesan balance sweet and savory in every bite. They’re nearly impossible to mess up, which makes them a safe bet even on a hectic cooking day. You can prep these a day ahead too. Toss the raw sprouts with oil and seasoning, then refrigerate until you’re ready to roast.
One less vegetable to chop on Christmas morning. Get the recipe →
Stuffing & Bread
8. Easy Zucchini Stuffing Casserole
This one’s a nice way to sneak in extra vegetables without anyone noticing. Fold zucchini, carrots, corn, and onion into seasoned stuffing mix with broth and butter for a hearty, comforting side. Since it combines your carb and veggie side into one dish, it frees up a spot on the table for something else. It’s also forgiving. If you’ve got other vegetables in the fridge that need using up, toss them in instead.
A flexible recipe that still feels like a proper holiday side. Get the recipe →
9. Easy Stuffing Recipe
Every Christmas table needs a classic stuffing, and this is the one to trust. Buttery, sage-seasoned bread bakes up with crisp edges and a moist center, thanks to celery, onion, and fresh herbs. It’s a tried-and-true recipe so you know it’ll turn out right. Dry your bread cubes properly before starting. That’s what lets them soak up the broth without turning mushy.
Assemble this up to 48 hours ahead and refrigerate, then bake fresh the day of. Get the recipe →
10. Soft Dinner Rolls
No Christmas table feels complete without a basket of warm rolls, and these are the ones to make. They’re soft and buttery, with a pillowy interior and a golden crust that pulls apart perfectly. They’re just as at home next to a formal Christmas dinner as they are at a casual holiday brunch. The best part for hosts is the make-ahead flexibility. Shape the rolls, refrigerate them for up to 15 hours, or freeze them for up to 3 months.
That means fresh, warm rolls on the table with zero last-minute stress. Get the recipe →
Cranberry & Salads
11. Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Once you make cranberry sauce from scratch, there’s no going back to the can. Fresh cranberries simmer with orange juice and zest until they’re bright, lightly tart, and perfectly spoonable. It’s simple, but it makes the whole table feel a little more special. The cranberries’ natural pectin thickens the sauce as it cools, so no cornstarch is needed.
This recipe freezes well for up to three months, which means you can make it weeks before Christmas and cross it off your list early. Get the recipe →
12. Roasted Sweet Potato and Brussels Sprout Salad
This salad gives your vegetarian guests something to actually look forward to. Charred sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts meet hearty grains and a tangy apple cider dressing that ties everything together. The grains add protein, so it doesn’t feel like a plate of sides standing in for a main.
Don’t toss the loose Brussels sprout leaves when you trim them. Roast them separately, and they turn extra crispy, adding another layer of texture to the dish. Just add the dressing right before serving to keep everything fresh. Get the recipe →
Vegetables (addition)
13. Oven Roasted Vegetables Medley
When you want color and variety without much fuss, this is the side to make. Carrots, peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes all roast together, each holding onto its own texture and flavor. It’s an easy way to please picky eaters, since everyone can pick their favorites off the tray. The trick is timing. Add the tomatoes about 15 minutes in, not at the start, so they turn soft and juicy instead of mushy.
It’s a simple side that still looks like you put in extra effort. Get the recipe →