The sides are what make Christmas dinner feel like a feast.
Whether you're serving a pot roast, ham, or something new this year, these easy Christmas side dishes will round out your table. There are cozy classics like mashed potatoes and cornbread dressing, festive veggies like hot honey Brussels sprouts, and a few quick air fryer sides that keep your oven free.
Every recipe is simple, full of flavor, and made for sharing.
The 14 Christmas side dishes
Cozy classics
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Rich, fluffy and finished with ghee and fresh chives, made on the stovetop in about 30 minutes.
Cornbread Dressing
Golden cornbread mixed with savory sausage and fresh sage, baked until crisp on top.
Fluffy Skillet Cornbread
Tender inside with golden, crispy edges and a touch of honey. A 5-star reader favorite.
Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
Just 4 ingredients and 12 minutes, with orange and honey. Make it a few days ahead.
Creamed Spinach
Rich, garlicky and comforting, just like the steakhouse classic, ready in 20 minutes.
Festive roasted veggies
Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts
Crispy, caramelized and tossed in sweet, spicy hot honey. Always the first to disappear.
Honey Glazed Carrots and Asparagus
Elegant on a holiday platter, roasted with garlic and finished with honey.
Hot Honey Carrots and Cauliflower
Sweet, spicy and roasted on one sheet pan until golden.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans
Caramelized sweet potatoes and tender-crisp green beans with garlic and thyme, on one sheet pan in 30 minutes.
Crispy Harissa Roasted Cauliflower
Smoky, bold and crispy, made with just 5 ingredients.
Oven-free sides
Air Fryer Acorn Squash
Seasoned with thyme, rosemary, garlic and a pinch of nutmeg, then air fried until caramelized.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
Crispy outside, tender inside and ready in 20 minutes.
5-Minute Air Fryer Broccolini
Crispy edges, tender stalks and the easiest green side you'll ever make.
Sweet Potato Succotash
Sweet potatoes, corn and peppers in one skillet in 25 minutes. Colorful and cozy.
Tips for planning your Christmas sides
- Pick a mix: one or two roasted veggies, a potato dish, a bread or dressing, and something bright like cranberry sauce.
- Plan around your oven: use the stovetop and air fryer for some sides so the oven stays free for the main dish.
- Make ahead: cranberry sauce can be made days early, and cornbread can be baked the day before.
FAQs
For most gatherings, 4 to 6 sides is plenty.
Cranberry sauce, cornbread and the cornbread dressing can all be prepped ahead.
Mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, cranberry sauce and succotash cook on the stovetop, and the acorn squash, sweet potato wedges and broccolini are made in the air fryer.
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