17 side dishes to impress your in-laws this Christmas

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Make this Christmas dinner unforgettable with side dishes that are as impressive as they are delicious. From creamy casseroles to perfectly roasted veggies, these recipes are sure to earn you a few compliments at the table. Whether you’re hosting or bringing a dish to share, these sides will show your in-laws you’ve got holiday cooking covered!

Chicken fried rice on a white plate with a green napkin.
Chicken Fried Rice. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Cowboy Caviar

A bowl of bean and corn salad with diced avocado, red onion, tomatoes, and cilantro surrounded by tortilla chips.
Cowboy Caviar. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Wow your in-laws this Christmas with Cowboy Caviar! This tasty mix of beans and veggies is great for scooping with chips, tossing in a salad, or just grabbing a spoon and digging in. Everyone’s gonna love it!
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Caviar

Surprise Potatoes

A casserole dish with shredded cheese and a wooden spoon.
Surprise Potatoes. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Want to impress the family this year? Grandma’s Surprise Potatoes are a total hit! Cheesy, creamy, and so tasty, they’ll have everyone going back for seconds. Always a winner, and super easy to make!
Get the Recipe: Surprise Potatoes

Layered Salad

A layered salad in a clear glass trifle bowl on a wooden board, with peas, lettuce, and red tomatoes, next to a floral patterned cloth.
Layered Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This layered salad is a holiday favorite! It’s loaded with crunchy lettuce, fresh veggies, and crispy bacon, all topped with a creamy dressing. It’s so tasty and filling, you could even call it a meal. Plus, it’s super easy to make and always the first thing gone at the holiday table!
Get the Recipe: Layered Salad

Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Green beans with bacon and almonds on a red plate.
Green Beans Almondine with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Need a quick and fancy dish? Check out our Green Beans Almondine! With crispy bacon, creamy almonds, and fresh green beans, it’s super tasty and easy, giving you that gourmet feel without any hassle!
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Grape Salad

Grape Salad in clear bowl with green grapes in background.
Grape Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Forget the fancy dishes—this creamy grape salad is all you need! It’s super easy, totally delicious, and perfect for Christmas. Once you try it, you’ll want it on the table every year. Plus, it’s a total hit with everyone!
Get the Recipe: Grape Salad

Cabbage Apple Salad

Red cabbage slaw in a wooden bowl with a spoon.
Cabbage Apple Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Skip the fancy salads this year! This Cabbage Apple Salad is always a hit. It’s super easy to make with crunchy cabbage, sweet apples, and a tangy dressing that really pops. A perfect crunchy side for your holiday meal!
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Apple Salad

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

A baking dish filled with creamy macaroni and cheese, topped with a golden breadcrumb crust, with a portion served out.
Creamy Macaroni and Cheese. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Whip up this creamy mac and cheese with cheddar, Gruyere, and a buttery panko-Parmesan topping for Christmas, and get ready to impress the in-laws! It’s cozy, cheesy, and so good you’ll probably see everyone going back for seconds (or thirds).
Get the Recipe: Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Carrot Raisin Salad

A bowl of coleslaw with shredded carrots and raisins on a wooden surface, next to a red and white checkered cloth.
Carrot Raisin Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This carrot raisin salad is super fresh and a breeze to whip up! It’s got shredded carrots and cabbage mixed with sweet raisins, all tossed in a tangy lemon-mayo dressing. Perfect as a quick and tasty side for any meal!
Get the Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad

Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken fried rice on a white plate with a green napkin.
Chicken Fried Rice. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This quick and easy dish is perfect for the holidays! With garlic, ginger, and tender chicken, it turns simple rice into a meal everyone will love. Plus, it’s all made in one pan, so cleanup is a breeze! Serve it up alongside your holiday favorites for a hassle-free, tasty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice

Sweet Potato Puffs

A plate with a bite out of a sweet potato puff.
Sweet Potato Puffs. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

These Sweet Potato Puffs are sure to be a hit this holiday season! Crispy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside—what’s not to love? They’re the perfect snack or side dish for any holiday meal. Plus, they’re super easy to make and disappear fast!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Puffs

Mexican Macaroni Salad

Mexican Macaroni Salad in a bowl.
Mexican Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Sick of the same old salads? Switch it up this Christmas with Grandma’s Mexican Macaroni Salad! It’s creamy, full of flavor, and a total breeze to make. Your family will be asking for seconds, guaranteed! Plus, it’s the perfect side dish for any holiday feast.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Macaroni Salad

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Three baked potatoes on a blue and white plate.
Stuffed Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This holiday, whip up some loaded baked potatoes for the coziest side dish! Creamy potatoes, melty cheese, and super easy to make—you’ll be chilling in no time. Perfect for pairing with all your holiday favorites!
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Orange Rice

Bowl of rice with chopped celery and orange slices on a wooden table.
Orange Rice. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Hey citrus lovers! This easy oven-baked orange rice is a total crowd-pleaser—perfect for Christmas dinner to impress the in-laws. It’s super tender, packed with bright orange flavor, and goes great with pretty much anything on the table. Everyone will be asking for the recipe!
Get the Recipe: Orange Rice

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Plate of butternut squash in front of an air fryer with a blue napkin in the background.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer butternut squash is the perfect savory side dish! The squash cubes get tossed in spices and air-fried to crispy perfection in just 20 minutes. It’s an easy and healthy way to mix things up! Plus, it’s a great addition to any meal, from weeknight dinners to holiday spreads.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli

Frozen broccoli florets roasted on an air fryer tray.
Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Frozen broccoli is a holiday lifesaver when you’re short on time, but no one wants it mushy! This air fryer recipe gives you crispy, seasoned florets that everyone will actually want to eat. So easy, it’ll definitely become a holiday go-to!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus on a Baking Tray.
Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This super easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus is a healthy and tasty side dish with a little sweetness, crispy edges, and tender bits. Drizzled with some olive oil, these roasted veggies go great with pretty much anything!
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus

Almond, cranberry and sweet potato stuffing casserole

A dish of granola with cranberries and sprigs of rosemary.
Almond, cranberry and sweet potato stuffing casserole. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This almond, cranberry, and sweet potato stuffing with a berry granola topping is the perfect mix of sweet and salty. It’s an awesome side dish that’ll totally stand out at your Christmas dinner. Plus, the crunchy granola adds the perfect finishing touch. Everyone will be asking for the recipe!
Get the Recipe: Almond, cranberry and sweet potato stuffing casserole

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