Yule fuel: 17 delicious side dishes for Christmas dinner

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Step into the festive culinary wonderland with our collection of Christmas dinner side dish recipes. From clever twists on traditional favorites to unexpected delights, these dishes promise to add a dash of joy and a heap of flavor to your holiday feast.

A wooden cutting board with a Caprese Christmas tree salad on it.
Caprese Christmas tree salad. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting.

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

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

Crafted with care, these stuffed baked potatoes are a comforting and cheesy delight, destined to be a timeless addition to your Christmas dinner spread.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Sweet Potato Puffs

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

Celebrate the festive season with these charming sweet potato puffs, enhanced by a crispy Corn Flake coating that reveals a creamy, sweet interior. This playful and unique twist on a timeless favorite, thanks to the addition of cereal, makes them a perfect addition to your Christmas dinner spread.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Puffs

Mexican Macaroni Salad

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

Indulge in the flavors of Mexico with this tasty Macaroni Salad, complete with chopped vegetables and a zesty taco seasoning dressing. A sure crowd-pleaser, it makes a delightful addition to your Christmas dinner.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Macaroni Salad

Grape Salad

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

Get ready to impress your Christmas dinner guests with this refreshing Grape Salad recipe, set to be a delightful side that steals the spotlight. Anticipate compliments as your guests savor its sweetness, leaving them eagerly asking for seconds!
Get the Recipe: Grape Salad

Cornbread Stuffing

A dish of stuffing on a cutting board.
Cornbread Stuffing. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This Homemade Cornbread Stuffing (Dressing) is destined to be a holiday favorite for your Christmas dinner! Embrace this classic 1970s recipe featuring bacon, onions, and celery, delivering just the right flavor and crunch that everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Stuffing

Surprise Potatoes

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

Pairing frozen hashbrowns with cheese and other delightful ingredients, Surprise Potatoes are a simple yet impressive addition to your Christmas dinner.
Get the Recipe: Surprise Potatoes

Cabbage Apple Salad

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

Enhance your Christmas dinner with Cabbage Apple Salad, blending red cabbage and Golden Delicious apples with a zesty dressing. This versatile dish is great for any season!
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Apple 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.

Green Beans Almondine with Bacon is a savory side dish boasting a buttery and lemony finish, making it the perfect accompaniment for your Christmas dinner or any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Small baking dish with scalloped potatoes.
Easy Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This easy scalloped potatoes recipe is ideal for a cozy Christmas dinner for two. A simple and delicious side dish that always garners praise.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese in front of a slow cooker.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Delight in our slow cooker mac and cheese recipe, a comforting classic effortlessly made for your Christmas dinner. Bid farewell to stovetop stirring and say hello to cheesy perfection.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Candied Maple Brussels-gf/v

glass bowl with roasted brussels sprouts and more sprouts on a baking tray behind it.
Candied Maple Brussels-gf/v. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Candied Brussels sprouts require only 5 ingredients! These maple roasted Brussels, made without bacon, are crispy and an easy win with kids, making them a great addition to your Christmas dinner.
Get the Recipe: Candied Maple Brussels-gf/v

Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower

air fryer broccoli and cauliflower on a white plate with a pink linen and thyme.
Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

If you enjoy crisp and tender roasted broccoli and cauliflower but lack the time to preheat the oven, consider this Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower—a convenient and delicious alternative for your Christmas dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower

Caprese Christmas Tree Salad

A wooden cutting board with a Caprese Christmas tree salad on it.
Caprese Christmas Tree Salad. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting.

This vibrant and festive dish presents a charming twist on the classic Caprese, artfully arranging juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil into a dazzling Christmas tree. Sprinkle with joy and drizzle with balsamic glaze for a salad that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious, perfect for your Christmas dinner.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Christmas Tree Salad

Pistachio Fluff Salad

Pistachio salad topped with nuts and cherries.
Pistachio Fluff Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Pistachio fluff salad, with just 5 ingredients, is effortless to make and ideal for your Christmas dinner. Also known as Watergate salad, it’s a perfect make-ahead holiday dish.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Fluff Salad

Fruit Salad with Pecans and Honey Dressing

A closeup is shown of Thanksgiving Fruit Salad with apples, grapes, pears, oranges, and pecans.
Fruit Salad with Pecans and Honey Dressing. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This simple and delicious fruit salad showcases apples, pears, grapes, oranges, and pecans tossed in a light honey and spice dressing, making it a perfect addition to your Christmas dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Salad with Pecans and Honey Dressing

Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon

Sauerkraut in a serving dish with a spoon.
Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Apples and sauerkraut form a perfect combination for your Christmas dinner! This dish is sweet, tangy, smoky, and absolutely delicious.
Get the Recipe: Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon

Sautéed Butternut Squash

Sauteed butternut squash in a stainless steel pan.
Sautéed Butternut Squash. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

TThis creamy, sweet, and tender sautéed butternut squash is an easy, quick, and versatile addition to enhance your Christmas dinner or any meal!
Get the Recipe: Sautéed Butternut Squash

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