27 Side Dishes to Try While You Dust Off the Holiday Cookbooks
Holiday menus often need sides that can be prepped ahead, shared at a potluck, or added to the table without much fuss. This group ranges from fresh salads and vegetable sides to rice, potatoes, breads, and casseroles, with quick options alongside make-ahead dishes. Use the mix to build a balanced spread around the roast, or choose one familiar dish to bring to a gathering.
Honeycrisp Salad
Crisp, sweet-tart bites make Honeycrisp Salad a fresh counterpoint to a rich holiday plate. Four servings take about 15 minutes, with no cooking: apples, frisée, arugula, candied walnuts, and blue cheese meet in a cider vinaigrette seasoned with cinnamon and cumin. Toss it just before serving so the greens stay lively. It also works as a light lunch when leftovers from a big meal are still in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Honeycrisp Salad
Funeral Potatoes
At a potluck, Funeral Potatoes bring a creamy, crisp-topped casserole that can be set beside ham or roast chicken. The four-serving recipe takes 25 minutes and combines frozen diced potatoes, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and cheddar under a buttered panko topping. It uses convenient freezer and fridge staples, and the small batch can be scaled up for a larger table. Serve it while the top is still crunchy.
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Broccoli Salad
The night-before prep makes Broccoli Salad useful when the oven is already busy. Fresh broccoli, red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon are tossed with a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, cider vinegar, and sugar. The card lists about 1 hour 15 minutes, including chilling, for four servings. Keep it cold until the meal, then set it out as a crisp, tangy side beside heavier casseroles and roasts.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad
Mashed Potato Casserole
Fluffy mashed potatoes with a browned topping give Mashed Potato Casserole a place on a holiday spread. It serves 10 and takes 1 hour 15 minutes, using russet potatoes, cheddar, milk, sour cream, butter, and green onions, with crispy fried onions and breadcrumbs on top. Prepare the casserole while other dishes cook, then serve it with turkey or ham. The large pan makes it easy to portion for a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Casserole
Southern Cornbread
Golden edges and a soft crumb make Southern Cornbread easy to pair with greens, soup, or a roast dinner. The 12-serving recipe takes 35 minutes and combines yellow cornmeal with flour, buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and leavening for a tender bake. Set out slices in a bread basket, or serve a piece warm with butter and honey. It is a straightforward side to add when the holiday menu needs another shareable option.
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Tater Tots
Crispy edges and a pile of toppings turn Tater Tots into a casual side for a laid-back holiday gathering. Six servings take 40 minutes, starting with frozen tots and finishing with bacon, queso, ranch dressing, and scallions. Bake the tots in a single layer, then add the warm toppings near serving so they keep their crunch. Put them out for game day or alongside sandwiches when the gathering calls for something easy to share.
Get the Recipe: Tater Tots
Caramelized Sweet Potato Cubes
Caramelized corners give Caramelized Sweet Potato Cubes color and texture without a complicated prep. Four servings take 40 minutes, with cubed sweet potatoes tossed in olive oil, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper before roasting. Scatter chopped parsley over the pan before bringing it to the table. These cubes pair well with roasted meat or can be added to a vegetable-heavy holiday plate for a naturally sweet side.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Sweet Potato Cubes
Pizza Casserole
The familiar flavors in Pizza Casserole make it a hearty addition when the holiday table needs a kid-friendly option. It serves eight and takes 55 minutes, combining ground beef, marinara, penne, pepperoni, bell pepper, and mozzarella with Italian seasoning. The casserole can be assembled ahead and baked later, so it can share oven time with other dishes. Offer it for a casual gathering or set it out as a filling side for a buffet.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Casserole
Dinner Rolls
Soft, pull-apart bread gives Dinner Rolls a place beside nearly any holiday main. The recipe makes 12 and takes 2 hours 45 minutes, including rising, with warm milk, yeast, sugar, egg, butter, and flour forming the dough. Brush the tops with melted butter and honey after baking for a lightly sweet finish. Start the dough before the busiest cooking stretch, then bring the warm rolls to the table in a cloth-lined basket.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Rolls
French Dauphinoise Potatoes
Thin layers bake into a creamy, browned side in French Dauphinoise Potatoes. The eight-serving dish takes 1 hour 5 minutes and uses sliced potatoes, cream, milk, garlic, Dijon mustard, thyme, and cheddar. Assemble it ahead if the holiday schedule is tight, then bake until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden. Bring the casserole to the table with roast meat or vegetables, where its rich texture can anchor the plate.
Get the Recipe: French Dauphinoise Potatoes
Golden Shallots
Crisp, savory bits add texture to soups, salads, and casseroles, and Golden Shallots take just 10 minutes to make 12 portions. Thinly sliced shallots are cooked in olive oil and finished with a pinch of salt, making a small batch from only a few ingredients. Scatter them over mashed potatoes or green vegetables right before serving so they stay crisp. This is a handy extra when an older holiday recipe could use a crunchy finish.
Get the Recipe: Golden Shallots
Fried Cabbage
Smoky bacon and tender cabbage make Fried Cabbage a savory side with simple ingredients. The six-serving recipe takes 55 minutes, cooking green cabbage with bacon, onion, olive oil, and a little cayenne for gentle heat. Serve it next to roast pork, chicken, or potatoes, or bring it to a potluck in a covered dish. The cabbage cooks down, so a generous amount turns into a shareable pan without requiring a long shopping list.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage
Colcannon
Buttery greens folded through mashed potatoes give Colcannon its sturdy, old-fashioned character. Six servings take 40 minutes, using russet potatoes, spinach, green onions, butter, and heavy cream. Spoon it alongside roast meat, or make it one of several vegetable sides on a holiday table. The potatoes and greens share one dish, which helps simplify serving and gives guests a filling option without adding another casserole to the menu.
Get the Recipe: Colcannon
Red Cabbage Coleslaw
Bright color and a tangy dressing help Red Cabbage Coleslaw cut through richer holiday dishes. Eight servings take about 10 minutes, with shredded red cabbage, carrots, red onion, cilantro, and dill tossed in an oil-and-vinegar dressing. The slaw can be made ahead and chilled, giving the flavors time to blend while freeing up the stove. Serve it beside roast meat, sandwiches, or a casserole when the plate needs a crisp contrast.
Get the Recipe: Red Cabbage Coleslaw
Spanish Rice
On a menu with Mexican-inspired dishes, Spanish Rice brings a familiar side to the holiday spread. Four servings take 1 hour 5 minutes, using long-grain rice, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and chicken broth. Let the rice cook until tender, then finish with parsley. Serve it with casseroles, roasted vegetables, or a main with bold seasoning. The straightforward ingredients make it a useful choice when the menu needs a filling side from pantry staples.
Get the Recipe: Spanish Rice
Corn Casserole
Soft and moist in the center, Corn Casserole sits between cornbread and corn pudding. Eight servings take 1 hour, with creamed corn, whole kernel corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, and butter stirred together before baking. It can be made ahead or frozen, which helps when the oven schedule gets crowded. Bring it to a holiday potluck or serve it with roast meat for a mild, slightly sweet side that many guests recognize.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole
Pineapple Fried Rice
Sweet pineapple and savory soy sauce give Pineapple Fried Rice a bright change from the usual holiday sides. Six servings take 25 minutes, using cooked basmati rice, eggs, green onions, garlic, ginger, bell pepper, carrots, peas, chicken, and cashews. It is a practical use for chilled leftover rice and can serve as a side for grilled or roasted mains. Keep it in mind for a casual gathering when the menu welcomes a less traditional dish.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Fried Rice
Broccoli Casserole
Under its crisp cracker topping, Broccoli Casserole has a creamy center, making it easy to serve beside a holiday main. The six-serving dish takes 55 minutes and combines fresh broccoli, cheddar, condensed mushroom soup, mayonnaise, eggs, onion, and crushed cheese crackers. Steam the broccoli before mixing so it keeps its texture in the oven. Assemble it ahead, then bake when needed for a vegetable side that can travel to a potluck.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Mexican Rice
Fluffy grains seasoned with tomatoes and garlic make Mexican Rice a flexible side for a holiday menu with Tex-Mex dishes. Eight servings take 35 minutes, with long-grain rice, Roma tomatoes, onion, red bell pepper, cumin, and chicken broth. Add cilantro before serving, then set it beside tacos, enchiladas, or roasted chicken. A larger batch can stretch across several plates, and leftovers work well in burrito bowls the next day.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Rice
Asian Cucumber Salad Jar
Cool, tangy contrast comes from Asian Cucumber Salad Jar, can be made ahead. Two servings take 2 hours 10 minutes, mostly for chilling, with thin cucumber and red onion slices dressed in rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Add sesame seeds and green onion before serving. It fits a smaller gathering or adds a crisp option alongside heavier casseroles and roasted dishes.
Get the Recipe: Asian Cucumber Salad Jar
Million Dollar Casserole
Creamy pasta with a crisp cracker topping makes Million Dollar Casserole a substantial dish for a holiday gathering. The eight-serving recipe takes 30 minutes, combining cooked chicken and farfalle with cream cheese, mozzarella, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup beneath buttery Ritz crackers. Set it out for guests who want a hearty scoop or use it as a casual side on a buffet. It can be assembled ahead and baked when the meal is close.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Casserole
Buttery Garlic Bread
Crisp edges and a soft center make Buttery Garlic Bread an easy companion for pasta, casseroles, or soup. Six servings take 25 minutes, using a French loaf, butter, fresh garlic, garlic powder, parsley, and salt. Spread the garlic butter over the bread and bake until the edges turn golden. Slice it just before serving so guests can take pieces while they are warm, or prep the loaf earlier and bake it with the rest of dinner.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Garlic Bread
Egg Casserole
Savory eggs and vegetables make Egg Casserole a useful addition to a brunch-style holiday spread. Six servings take 59 minutes, with eggs, sour cream, milk, cheddar, green onions, bell peppers, red onion, and broccoli baked together. Prepare the mixture ahead and bake it when the rest of the menu is nearly ready. Cut it into portions for a buffet, or serve smaller squares beside rolls and salad for a lighter side.
Get the Recipe: Egg Casserole
Honey Glazed Carrots
Glossy slices give Honey Glazed Carrots a colorful place among the vegetable sides. Six servings take 20 minutes, with carrots cooked in butter, honey, brown sugar, and salt until tender and coated. The quick timing helps when longer-baking casseroles have occupied the oven. Serve the carrots with roast turkey, ham, or chicken, and spoon any remaining glaze over the top before bringing the pan to the table.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots
Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Pillowy bites give Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi a more hands-on place on the holiday menu. The eight-serving recipe takes 1 hour 30 minutes, making dough from sweet potatoes, ricotta, Parmesan, egg, and flour, then finishing the gnocchi with butter and thyme. Prepare it when there is time to work ahead, or serve it as a substantial side for a smaller gathering. Extra portions can be reheated for another meal.
Get the Recipe: Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Egg Roll
Golden wrappers make Egg Roll easy to pass around as a starter or party side. Twelve rolls take 30 minutes, with ground pork, coleslaw mix, green onions, ginger, garlic powder, and soy sauce tucked inside. Seal the wrappers with a flour-and-water paste, then fry until crisp and serve while warm. They fit a casual holiday appetizer spread or can sit beside rice and other Asian-inspired dishes for a fuller plate.
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Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Layered potatoes and ham turn Scalloped Potatoes and Ham into a filling bake for a holiday buffet. Eight servings take 2 hours 10 minutes, combining thinly sliced potatoes and leftover ham with onion, garlic, milk, cream, cheddar, and Gruyère. The longer oven time makes it a good candidate to plan around while quicker sides are prepared. Serve it with a green vegetable or salad for a substantial plate that uses leftover ham.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
