side dishes are the backbone of any holiday meal. Sure, the turkey or ham gets all the attention, but it’s the sides that keep people coming back for seconds (and thirds). They’re where the real magic happens—cheesy, crispy, buttery, and sometimes even a little unexpected. This list has everything your holiday spread needs to steal the show, from crispy potatoes to creamy casseroles and even a few surprises you didn’t know you wanted.
Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
These hasselback potatoes are crispy on the outside, buttery on the inside, and full of garlic-herb goodness. They’re quick, easy, and make your holiday table look like you spent way more time in the kitchen than you did.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Maple-glazed and wrapped in crispy bacon, these Brussels sprouts are here to prove that veggies don’t have to be boring. They’re the perfect mix of salty and sweet, and they’ll disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Broccoli Cauliflower Gratin
Cheese and breadcrumbs team up to make broccoli and cauliflower the side dish everyone actually wants to eat. This dish is creamy, crispy, and everything a holiday spread needs.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cauliflower Gratin
Cauliflower Bacon Gratin
Cauliflower and bacon baked in a creamy cheese sauce? Yes, please. This dish is hearty, rich, and exactly what you want next to that roast or turkey.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Bacon Gratin
Creamy Mashed Yuca
Mashed yuca is like mashed potatoes’ cooler cousin. Smooth and buttery with just the right texture, it’s a great choice when you want to mix things up without losing the comfort factor.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Yuca
Garlic Balsamic Roasted Asparagus & Potatoes
Roasted asparagus and potatoes, seasoned with garlic and balsamic, come together on one pan for an easy holiday side. Perfectly crispy and packed with flavor, it’s a no-brainer addition to any feast.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Balsamic Roasted Asparagus & Potatoes
Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes
These purple sweet potatoes don’t just look great on the table—they taste amazing too. Creamy and buttery with a touch of herb flavor, they’re a fresh take on a classic side.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes
Parmesan Herb Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Air-fried sweet potatoes are crispy, tender, and coated with parmesan and herbs. They cook in just 15 minutes, making them perfect for those last-minute side dish needs.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Herb Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Purple Sweet Potatoes
Smashed and roasted until golden and crispy, these purple sweet potatoes are buttery, herby, and impossible to pass up. They look great, taste even better, and bring something special to the table.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Purple Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Radishes with Rosemary and Honey
Sweet, earthy, and just a little caramelized, these rosemary and honey roasted radishes are an easy way to upgrade your veggie game. They mellow out the radish’s bite and add a touch of sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Radishes with Rosemary and Honey
Roasted Turnips with Chive Butter Sauce
Roasted turnips get crispy and golden in the oven, then topped with a buttery chive sauce that takes them to the next level. They’re simple, flavorful, and a great swap for potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Turnips with Chive Butter Sauce
Rosemary Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
These hasselback sweet potatoes are crispy, soft, and topped with a tangy rosemary mustard vinaigrette. Perfect for anyone who loves a potato side dish with a little extra flair.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Buttercup Squash
Sweet, caramelized, and oh-so-tender, roasted buttercup squash is the perfect no-fuss side dish. It’s simple enough to let the squash shine but flavorful enough to steal some attention.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Buttercup Squash
Stuffing Muffins
These stuffing muffins pack all the flavors of classic stuffing into perfectly portioned bites. With sausage, apples, and cranberries, they’re festive, fun, and great for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Stuffing Muffins
Green Beans with Cranberries, Bacon & Goat Cheese
Green beans get a holiday upgrade with crispy bacon, tart cranberries, and creamy goat cheese. They’re colorful, flavorful, and the perfect addition to any holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Cranberries, Bacon & Goat Cheese
Sweet and Spicy Broccoli Rabe
A quick sauté with a sweet and spicy kick makes broccoli rabe the star of the vegetable side dishes. It’s bold, flavorful, and far from ordinary.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Broccoli Rabe
Parsnip Puree
This rich and creamy parsnip puree, with roasted garlic and fresh rosemary, is smooth, buttery, and a great swap for mashed potatoes when you want something just as comforting but a little different.
Get the Recipe: Parsnip Puree
Mashed Rutabaga with Garlic Herb Butter
Mashed rutabaga brings creamy texture and hearty flavor to the table, paired with a garlic herb butter that keeps things simple but delicious. It’s an easy side for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Rutabaga with Garlic Herb Butter
Roasted Brussels Sprouts on the Stalk
Whole Brussels sprouts roasted on the stalk, drizzled with a maple balsamic glaze, make for a show-stopping side dish. You can serve them as-is for a table centerpiece or slice them off for easy sharing.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts on the Stalk