10 Holiday Side Dishes That Will Steal the Show
Side dishes are where the magic happens. You know, the stuff that makes people scrape their plates clean before dessert even shows up.
I’ve rounded up 10 holiday side dishes everyone will love, whether you’re feeding a crowd, dodging boring casseroles, or just want something that tastes as good as it looks on Instagram.
1. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Why It’s Awesome
Brussels sprouts? Yeah, they have a bad rap. But roasted with garlic and Parmesan? Mind = blown.
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and basically irresistible.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 20–25 minutes, tossing halfway.
- Sprinkle Parmesan over the hot sprouts and roast 2 more minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Nutty, garlicky, cheesy perfection. Even my Brussels-sprout-hating cousin went back for seconds.
2. Honey-Glazed Carrots
Why It’s Awesome
Sweet, buttery, and with just enough honey to feel festive. These carrots basically scream, “I belong at Thanksgiving!”
Ingredients
- 1 lb carrots, sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp honey
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Steam carrots until just tender, about 5–7 minutes.
- Melt butter in a skillet, stir in honey.
- Toss carrots in the honey-butter glaze.
- Season with salt, pepper, and parsley. Serve warm.
Why You’ll Love It
Sweet but not cloying. I once doubled the honey thinking it’d be “extra festive”—don’t do it.
3. Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Why It’s Awesome
Mashed potatoes are a must, but creamy, garlicky mashed potatoes? Next-level comfort.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup milk (or cream for extra richness)
- 1/4 cup butter
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Boil potatoes and garlic until tender, about 15 minutes.
- Drain and mash with butter and milk.
- Season generously with salt and pepper.
Why You’ll Love It
Fluffy, dreamy, and garlic-forward. Great for piling up your plate with gravy on top.
4. Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
Why It’s Awesome
A veggie dish that actually feels like indulgence. Cheesy, creamy, and baked until bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Steam broccoli until tender-crisp.
- Mix broccoli with cheddar and sour cream.
- Transfer to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, bake 15–20 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Cheese makes everything better, and this dish hides the fact that you’re eating broccoli. Win-win.
5. Cranberry Orange Relish
Why It’s Awesome
Fresh, zesty, and tangy—a nice contrast to all the rich, buttery sides. Plus, it looks gorgeous on the table.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 orange, zested and juiced
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor.
- Pulse until finely chopped but not pureed.
- Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s bright, fresh, and adds a pop of color (and flavor) to every plate. Perfect balance to heavier dishes.
6. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans
Why It’s Awesome
Because sweet potatoes deserve to be fancy too. This casserole is sweet, nutty, and a little crunchy—perfection.
Ingredients
- 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- Mini marshmallows (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix sweet potatoes with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Spread in a baking dish, top with pecans (and marshmallows if desired).
- Bake 25–30 minutes until golden.
Why You’ll Love It
Sweet, nutty, and comforting. Bonus: it doubles as dessert if you’re feeling cheeky.
7. Roasted Garlic Green Beans
Why It’s Awesome
Simple, elegant, and roasted garlic makes everything taste gourmet without the effort.
Ingredients
- 1 lb green beans, trimmed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Toss green beans with garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast for 15–20 minutes, shaking pan halfway through.
Why You’ll Love It
Tender-crisp with that roasted garlic aroma. Green beans will finally earn their spot on the holiday table.
8. Cornbread Muffins
Why It’s Awesome
Fluffy, slightly sweet, and perfect for mopping up gravy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 egg
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix dry ingredients, then whisk in wet ingredients.
- Pour into greased muffin tins, bake 15–20 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Soft, buttery, and just sweet enough. Pairs beautifully with savory dishes or just butter.
9. Maple-Glazed Roasted Butternut Squash
Why It’s Awesome
Sweet, caramelized, and roasted to perfection—this squash is pure autumn in a bite.
Ingredients
- 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss squash with olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
- Roast 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway.
Why You’ll Love It
Sweet meets savory in the most satisfying way. FYI, my dog may have tried stealing the pan while it cooled…not that I blame him.
10. Classic Stuffing with Herbs
Why It’s Awesome
Because stuffing = holiday essential. Soft, flavorful, and herb-packed, it’s comfort on a plate.
Ingredients
- 8 cups cubed bread
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 2 tsp sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- 2 cups vegetable broth
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Sauté onion and celery in butter until soft.
- Combine with bread cubes, herbs, and broth.
- Bake 25–30 minutes until golden on top.
Why You’ll Love It
Classic, cozy, and utterly satisfying. No frills, just flavors that scream “holiday dinner.”
