Holiday Side Dishes:
Let’s be honest, the sides are the real stars of Thanksgiving. A perfectly roasted turkey looks awfully sad without mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and freshly baked rolls.
This list is for those of us who live for the holiday side dishes, from scalloped potatoes and maple glazed carrots to cranberry sauce.
Every single one of these 19 sides is completely drool worthy, and honestly, they’re so good you might find yourself making sweet potato casserole in July.
1. Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese
This roasted butternut squash is a little bit sweet and a little bit savory, and it’s so easy. Cubed squash gets baked in the oven until tender, then tossed with toasted nuts, juicy pomegranate, and fresh rosemary. The creamy goat cheese on top makes it feel extra special.
It’s perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but honestly, it’s easy enough for a weeknight meal. The mix of textures and flavors is a total win. Get the recipe!
2. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
This sweet potato casserole is pure heaven. It’s a lusciously smooth sweet potato souffle topped with a buttery pecan crumble and toasted marshmallows. It’s rich, sweet, and totally decadent.
This was the first thing to go at our last Thanksgiving, and I bet it will be at yours too. It’s the kind of dish everyone fights over.
3. Sriracha Honey Brussels Sprouts
These Brussels sprouts are pan fried until perfectly caramelized, then coated in a sweet and sticky sriracha sauce. The result is a sweet and spicy kick that’s totally addictive. They’re ready in less than 30 minutes, which is a huge bonus on a busy holiday.
You can easily customize the heat level to suit your crowd. They’re great for the holidays, but easy enough for a Tuesday night. Get the recipe
4. Christmas Wreath Salad with Pomegranate and Pear
This salad is simple yet stunning. It’s arranged to look like a festive Christmas wreath, with pops of red and green from the pomegranate and herbs. It’s light and healthy, which is a welcome contrast to all the rich and decadent sides.
If you swap the homemade vinaigrette for a store bought one, this comes together in just 5 minutes. It’s a beautiful and easy addition to the table. Get the recipe!
5. Easy Scalloped Potatoes
These scalloped potatoes are an iconic, cheesy, savory side dish. Thinly sliced potatoes are baked in a cream sauce with Monterey jack cheese until bubbly and golden. It’s pure comfort in a dish.
And it’s super simple to make, so you can have a decadent, comforting side without a ton of fuss. Your guests will think you spent all afternoon on them! Get the recipe!
6. Twice Baked Potato Casserole
This is a creamy, cheesy twice baked potato casserole that’s perfect for the holidays or any get together. It’s a loaded potato casserole with bacon and cheese, so you know it’s going to be a hit. All the flavor of twice baked potatoes without the fuss of stuffing individual skins.
It’s rich, satisfying, and the kind of side that disappears fast. Get the recipe!
7. Maple Glazed Carrots
These maple glazed carrots are sliced and cooked until fork tender in a sweet and sticky maple glaze. They’re so good, they might just convert picky kids into carrot lovers. The best part? They take less than 20 minutes to make.
It’s a quick, easy, and delicious way to get a vegetable on the table. Get the recipe!
8. Apple Cranberry Sauce
This is a sweet spin on classic cranberry sauce. The apples counteract the sourness of the cranberries and also act as a thickener, so you get a perfect texture. It’s made with cranberries, apples, brown sugar, apple cider, oranges, and cinnamon.
The flavors are warm and festive, and it’s so much better than the canned stuff. Get the recipe!
9. Healthy Green Bean Casserole
This is a fresher, lightened up take on the classic green bean casserole. It uses fresh green beans, a creamy mushroom sauce, and a crispy, crunchy onion topping. No canned mushroom soup required!
It’s easy to make gluten free and vegan, so it’s a great option for guests with dietary needs. It’s still creamy and comforting, just a little brighter. Get the recipe!
10. Candied Sweet Potatoes
This is a classic holiday sweet potato side that’s simple and sweet. It’s made with warm spices, a buttery syrup, and crunchy pecans. The best part is that it can be made ahead, which is a lifesaver on Thanksgiving day.
It’s cooked on the stovetop, so it frees up valuable oven space. Get the recipe!
11. Sausage, Cranberry, and Apple Stuffing
This stuffing is full of holiday flavors. It combines juicy sausage, tart cranberries, and sweet apples for the perfect blend of sweet and savory. It’s festive, hearty, and everything you want in a stuffing.
It’s a great twist on the classic that everyone will love. Get the recipe!
12. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
This Southern baked mac and cheese is a show stopper. It’s rich, melty, and cheesy comfort food in a casserole dish. It features extra sharp cheddar cheese, mascarpone, and Cajun seasoning for a unique and delicious flavor.
It’s a must try for Thanksgiving, and it’s sure to steal the show. Get the recipe!
13. Garlic Bread Rolls
These fresh baked garlic bread rolls are pillowy soft with lots of garlic flavor. The garlic is in both the rolls and the garlic butter, so they taste just like garlic bread. They’re surprisingly simple to make.
They’re the perfect thing to soak up all the gravy and sauces on your plate. Get the recipe!
14. Cranberry Salad
If you love ambrosia, this cranberry salad is for you. It’s packed with fresh cranberries, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and whipped cream. It’s a delicious dessert that doubles as a side dish.
It’s sweet, creamy, and a fun, retro addition to the holiday table. Get the recipe!
15. Waldorf Salad
This Waldorf salad is impossible to mess up. It takes all of 15 minutes to throw together, and it’s a refreshing break from all the heavy dishes. It features juicy fruit covered in vanilla yogurt.
It’s light, simple, and a great make ahead option. Get the recipe!
16. Corn Casserole with Cheese
This corn casserole is simple but crave able. It’s made with sweet corn, rich cheeses, a touch of seasoning, and bacon. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory.
You can assemble it up to 3 days in advance and keep it in the fridge, making it a great make ahead side for a crowd. Get the recipe!
17. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
These Instant Pot mashed potatoes are an essential holiday side. All you need are 5 basic ingredients and an Instant Pot. The holiday table is incomplete without a large bowl of homemade mashed potatoes.
This method is so easy and frees up your stovetop for other things. It’s comfort food at its best. Get the recipe!
18. Pear Arugula Salad
This arugula pear salad is light and fresh, with sweet cranberries, creamy goat cheese, and a pear vinaigrette. It provides a bright contrast to the decadent dishes served around the holidays.
It’s a beautiful and elegant salad that adds a pop of color to the table. Get the recipe!
19. Candied Brussels Sprouts
These Brussels sprouts caramelize in a hot skillet, then finish with maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. They’re full of flavor and a cinch to make. The sweet and tangy glaze is amazing.
This is a great option if you want something a little different from the sriracha honey version. Get the recipe!
Source: caramelandcashews.com
