11 Sweet and Savory Holiday Side Dishes You Must Try
Alright, friends—holidays are coming, and if your side dish game is weak, your main course is basically crying for backup.
But fear not! I’ve rounded up 11 sweet and savory holiday side dishes that are guaranteed to wow your guests, earn those “can I get the recipe?” compliments, and maybe even make you look like a culinary rockstar without breaking a sweat.
Whether you’re team sweet potato, classic green bean, or love a little unexpected twist, there’s something here to make your holiday table unforgettable.
So grab your apron, your best holiday playlist, and maybe a sneaky glass of something cozy (hot cocoa counts), because we’re about to elevate your holiday side game.
1. Honey-Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Why It’s Awesome
Sweet potatoes are basically holiday royalty, but toss them with a sticky honey glaze and a hint of cinnamon, and suddenly they’re the crowned jewel of your table.
Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss sweet potato cubes with honey, olive oil, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
- Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Serve warm and enjoy the sweet-savory magic!
Why You’ll Love It
Crispy edges, soft centers, and a honey finish that’ll have everyone sneaking second helpings. Bonus: it smells like heaven while roasting.
2. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Why It’s Awesome
Brussels sprouts are often the underdog of holiday veggies—but roasting them with garlic and Parmesan transforms them from bitter to bliss.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Roast 20–25 minutes until crispy.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan just before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
Nutty, garlicky, and slightly crunchy—these sprouts will disappear faster than your holiday cookies.
3. Cranberry Pecan Quinoa Salad
Why It’s Awesome
Who says holiday sides can’t be a little fancy and healthy? Sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans, and fluffy quinoa are a flavor trifecta.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, cooked
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
- Toss warm quinoa with cranberries, pecans, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Chill for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
Light, refreshing, and perfect for balancing out all those rich holiday mains. Plus, it doubles as a great leftover lunch!
4. Maple-Glazed Carrots
Why It’s Awesome
Simple, colorful, and a little bit sweet—maple-glazed carrots are like a hug for your taste buds.
Ingredients
- 1 lb carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss carrots with olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
- Roast for 20–25 minutes until tender and caramelized.
Why You’ll Love It
The natural sweetness of carrots is enhanced perfectly, and caramelized edges? Chef’s kiss.
5. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Why It’s Awesome
No holiday table is complete without scalloped potatoes. Creamy, cheesy, and comforting—this dish is pure nostalgia in every bite.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Layer potatoes, cheese, and seasoning in a greased baking dish.
- Pour milk over the layers.
- Bake 45–50 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Why You’ll Love It
Rich, cheesy, and incredibly indulgent—this one might even outshine your main course.
6. Roasted Butternut Squash with Sage
Why It’s Awesome
Butternut squash feels like fall in a bite. Add sage and olive oil, and you’ve got autumn on your holiday table.
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried sage
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss squash with olive oil, sage, salt, and pepper.
- Roast for 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway.
Why You’ll Love It
Sweet, earthy, and slightly crispy edges—it’s a sophisticated twist that’s still super easy.
7. Green Bean Almondine
Why It’s Awesome
Green beans get a major upgrade with toasted almonds and butter. Crunchy, buttery, and totally addictive.
Ingredients
- 1 lb green beans, trimmed
- 2 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Steam green beans until just tender.
- Toss with butter, toasted almonds, salt, and pepper.
- Serve warm.
Why You’ll Love It
Textural perfection—crispy almonds, tender beans, and buttery goodness. Classic holiday vibes without the fuss.
8. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Why It’s Awesome
Yes, marshmallows belong on sweet potatoes this time of year. Sweet, gooey, and nostalgic—a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar, butter, and vanilla.
- Spread in a greased baking dish, top with marshmallows.
- Bake 15–20 minutes until marshmallows are golden.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s sweet, fluffy, and cozy—like a holiday hug in a dish.
9. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Why It’s Awesome
Mashed potatoes are life. Add roasted garlic and butter, and suddenly they’re unforgettable.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 cloves garlic, roasted
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Boil potatoes until tender.
- Mash with roasted garlic, butter, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Serve immediately for maximum creamy impact.
Why You’ll Love It
Rich, garlicky, and comforting—every holiday plate needs a helping of this.
10. Balsamic-Glazed Roasted Vegetables
Why It’s Awesome
Colorful, tangy, and slightly sweet—these roasted veggies make your table look like a food magazine spread.
Ingredients
- 1 lb mixed veggies (carrots, bell peppers, zucchini)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Toss veggies with olive oil, balsamic, salt, and pepper.
- Roast 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway.
Why You’ll Love It
Tangy, sweet, and perfectly roasted—this dish makes veggies look and taste like magic.
11. Maple Pecan Roasted Butternut Squash
Why It’s Awesome
Maple syrup + pecans + squash = sweet-savory perfection. It’s like dessert snuck into your side dish lineup.
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash, cubed
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- ¼ cup pecans, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and 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 minutes, sprinkle pecans halfway through.
Why You’ll Love It
Sweet, nutty, and irresistibly cozy—a side dish that doubles as a conversation starter.
Wrapping It Up
So there you have it—11 sweet and savory holiday side dishes to try that will seriously elevate your table.
From creamy mashed potatoes to caramelized carrots, these recipes cover every flavor spectrum and will make your guests swoon.
The best part? Most are easy to prep, let your oven do the heavy lifting, and still deliver those wow-factor flavors.
Next time you’re stressing about your holiday menu, just remember: it’s the sides that steal the show, and with this lineup, you’re basically guaranteed a round of applause at the dinner table.
