During the holidays, while the prime rib roast or spiral-cut ham may take center stage at the table, it’s often the Christmas side dishes that leave a lasting memory when gathered with loved ones. Planning and preparing a holiday meal can be overwhelming, but many of these dishes can be made ahead of time, allowing you to fully enjoy your time with family and friends.
As you reunite with your loved ones this year, let’s focus on making your time in the kitchen easier with flavorful dishes that everyone will enjoy. Here are some recipes to consider:
1. Crispy Parmesan Potatoes
2. Salted Honey Dinner Rolls
3. Cranberry Sauce
4. Grandma’s Corn Pudding
5. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
6. Homemade Gravy
7. Popovers
8. Green Bean Casserole
9. Sausage, Sage, and Cornbread Stuffing
These recipes offer a variety of flavors and can be prepared ahead of time to make your holiday cooking experience more manageable and enjoyable.
Resisting the urge to eat before the big day may be challenging. For a more ambitious approach, consider making your own Italian sausage or swapping it with traditional breakfast sausage.
10. Cider Vinaigrette Roasted Root Vegetables
Prepare this dish by turning on the oven, cutting the vegetables, seasoning them, and spreading them on a pan. Despite the simple steps, the flavors will make it seem like you put in much more effort.
11. Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes
For a unique alternative to traditional mashed potatoes, try this recipe featuring bourbon, brown sugar, and vanilla. These ingredients blend together beautifully, offering a savory and slightly sweet taste. Stick with bourbon for the best flavor profile, and consider using any leftovers to make a delicious Old Fashioned cocktail.
12. Broccoli Rabe with Caramelized Onions
Blanching the broccoli rabe can help reduce its bitterness. Founder Elise Bauer suggests this step, but feel free to skip it if you prefer a bit of a bite.
13. Too-Much-Garlic Mashed Potatoes
These mashed potatoes are perfect for garlic lovers. Adjust the amount of garlic according to your taste preferences, as you can omit some of the garlic preparations and still enjoy flavorful mashed potatoes.
14. Creamed Spinach
Creamy and irresistible, this dish brings back memories of home-cooked meals. Enhance the flavors with a hint of nutmeg and mustard, and feel free to use fresh or frozen spinach for convenience.
15. Lion House Rolls
Enjoy light, buttery rolls that are easy to make and perfect for any occasion. Let the dough rise while you prepare other dishes, and surprise your guests with these delicious rolls at the holiday table.
16. Maple Glazed Roasted Delicata Squash and Brussels Sprouts
Roasted squash and Brussels sprouts come together in a delightful dish. Add sweetness with pomegranate seeds, balance it out with maple syrup and apple cider vinegar, and customize with your choice of squash and herbs like rosemary or sage.
17. Sweet and Sour German Red Cabbage
Founder Elise Bauer recommends using half a head of thinly sliced red cabbage for this recipe. Follow the preparation steps for a delicious sweet and sour cabbage dish that will complement your holiday spread.
“Down to the Core.” 18. Potatoes Au Gratin Sally Vargas Get Recipe: Potatoes Au Gratin A traditional go-to dish, there is so much simple pleasure in this offering. However, for those looking to switch things up, consider swapping out the gruyere for a sharp cheddar or smoky gouda. Adding a touch of rosemary alongside the thyme will enhance the herbal flavors. By blanching the potatoes in the cream, you streamline the sauce preparation process, bringing you closer to a completed dish. 19. Green Beans with Almonds and Thyme Elise Bauer Get Recipe: Green Beans With Almonds and Thyme A reliable dish with various textures, green beans’ earthy flavor pairs wonderfully with accompaniments like bacon and sautéed shallots. Feel free to exchange the almonds with walnuts or pecans for a twist. 20. Vegan Mushroom Stuffing Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe Get Recipe: Vegan Mushroom Stuffing Contributor Devan Grimsrud suggests using a mix of mushrooms in the recipe, combining your favorites such as button, cremini, portobello, chanterelle, oyster, maitake, beech, or shiitake. If you prefer a single type, button or cremini are recommended. 21. Crispy Hasselback Potatoes Sally Vargas Get Recipe: Crispy Hasselback Potatoes Whether you choose Yukon Golds, Russet, or sweet potatoes, these spuds will all develop a delightful crispiness around the edges! Their buttery, creamy interiors provide the perfect contrast in textures that your guests will savor. 22. Cheesy Baked Cauliflower Coco Morante Get Recipe: Cheesy Baked Cauliflower Casseroles are always a hit with guests, and one that is as easy to prepare as this will be a hit with you as well. Simply seasoned with cheeses and spices, this dish offers layers of flavor. It can be adapted to include different vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts, as well as a variety of melting cheeses—though grating the cheese yourself is recommended. 23. Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan Elise Bauer Get Recipe: Roasted Broccoli With Parmesan The charred tips of broccoli florets are complemented by the zing of lemon juice, while the parmesan adds the perfect amount of saltiness to enhance all the flavors in this uncomplicated dish. Following the holiday roast, this is a quick and easy side to prepare while the rest of the meal comes together. 24. Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla Elise Bauer Get Recipe: Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla Infused with floral notes of thyme and vanilla, this dish offers contrasting textures between the walnuts and squash, along with a subtle warmth from grated ginger. It is a unique addition that complements other holiday table offerings.
