Christmas side dishes are a big part of the holiday feast! Between all the potatoes, vegetables, casseroles, and traditional Christmas sides, there are so many recipes to choose from. Here are the best Christmas dinner side dishes to make the holiday easy and delicious!
Christmas Side Dishes
Christmas dinner isn’t complete without a plethora of Christmas side dishes! Side dishes are always my favorite part of a holiday feast, so I like having plenty of options.
I’m talking potatoes, veggies (covered in cheese), casseroles, maybe some salads, and all the traditional Christmas side dishes you can think of.
I don’t always want to have the exact same dishes that I served on Thanksgiving since the holidays are only a month apart. So a bit of inspiration is always needed to come up with new recipes to make for dinner.
If you’re in the same boat, in need of some fresh and fun side dishes for Christmas dinner, then this guide is for you!
I included the classics because you can’t go wrong with mashed potatoes or green bean casserole. But I also included some other easy sides that will spice up the holiday table and add something new.
These easy Christmas dinner sides are perfect for ham, but are just as good for beef, turkey, or any of your favorite Christmas mains.
Kitchen Tools
Make sure you have all the kitchen tools you need to make these easy Christmas side dishes.
- Casserole Dishes
- Baking Sheets & Pans
- Skillet
- Pots and Pans
- Cooking Utensils
- Serving Bowls
- Slow Cooker
- Cutting Board
- Kitchen Knives
Ingredients List
Before you start cooking your Christmas sides, make sure you stock up on all the necessary ingredients. This list is just some ideas of what you might need based on our recipes.
- Potatoes: I love red or golden for mashed potatoes, and having sweet potatoes is a must!
- Cheese: A little cheese makes everything better.
- Veggies: Fresh is great but frozen or canned can work in a pinch.
- Olive Oil
- Seasonings & Spices: Stock up on salt & pepper, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and all the savory herbs you’ll need.
- Heavy Cream
- Cream of Mushroom: This is a great ingredient to keep around during the holidays, and my homemade version works great.
- Bread Crumbs: A layer of breadcrumbs makes any casserole better.
Easy Holiday Side Dishes
Christmas can feel so busy when you’re hopping from opening presents around the tree, to cooking an entire feast for family, friends, and guests. So EASY side dishes are a must for Christmas.
I love making casseroles, make ahead recipes, and quick dishes. I especially love using my slow cooker, Air Fryer, and Instant Pot to help with the cooking!
All of the holiday side dishes I’m sharing here are delicious AND easy to make!
Whether serving beef, turkey, or ham, you’re going to need some sides to go with it. I like having different types of sides to go along with dinner: a vegetable side dish, a potato side, a casserole of some sort, and some bread.
I recommend you have at least 3-4 side dishes on Christmas. But I think having a little bit extra is always a good idea, especially if you are going to have more than 6-8 people to feed.
Yes, there are definitely some crockpot side dishes you can make for Christmas. Try these slow cooker mashed potatoes, and find more recipes below.
There are lots of recipes below that can be made ahead of time. In fact, I have an entire section dedicated to it so they’re easy to find!
If you’re going elsewhere for Christmas dinner this year, lots of these sides are easy to make and bring with you. I recommend one of the casserole recipes below, since those can typically be made at home, then baked when you arrive.
What should I serve for Christmas dinner?
I’m about to share all of the best Christmas side dishes with you, so you’ll have plenty to choose from. But if you’re looking for the perfect main dish to serve with those sides, I’ve got lots of ideas for that too.
All of these side dishes are great to serve with a Christmas ham. But if you prefer turkey, beef, or another pork option, there are still lots of recipes to choose from.
- Honey Baked Ham Recipe
- Pecan Bourbon Glazed Ham
- Garlic Butter Prime Rib
- Smoked Turkey Breast
- Air Fryer Cranberry Glazed Ham
- Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
- Prime Rib Roast
- Instant Pot Garlic Herb Turkey Breast
- Stuffed Pork Loin
And if you want the easiest dinner ever, combine your Christmas sides and main in one! Try this sheet pan christmas ham dinner or sheet pan beef tenderloin dinner.
101+ Best Christmas Dinner Sides
Here are all of the Christmas side dishes you could need! Whether you prefer more traditional sides or you want to try something new, there’s something delicious here for you. I’m sharing vegetable side dishes, cheesy sides, casseroles, and LOTS of potatoes. These sides are perfect for ham, turkey, or beef!
Traditional Christmas Side Dishes
These are some of the most traditional Christmas sides you might expect to see at the table every holiday. These are great recipes to add to the menu to keep tradition alive.
Christmas Vegetable Side Dishes
Having some delicious (and at least semi-healthy) vegetable side dishes on the Christmas table is a must. My favorites have lots of cheese, but vegetables are vegetables!
Make Ahead Christmas Sides
These sides dishes can easily be made ahead of time to free up time and cooking space on Christmas day!
Christmas Casserole Side Dishes
Casseroles are SO easy to make, and they make great side dishes for the holidays too. These cheesy, hearty, delicious recipes are perfect for the Christmas table!
Potato Sides for Christmas Dinner
I’m a big fan of potatoes, and it’s hard to imagine a holiday feast without plenty of them to go around. These are the best potato side dishes for Christmas dinner! There are lots of mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cheesy potatoes to go around.
Christmas Side Salad Ideas
These salads are creamy, flavorful, and filled with ingredients. They’re simple but pack a punch, making them a great fit on the holiday table.
Bread for Christmas Dinner
Don’t forget to add some bread to the Christmas table. These dinner rolls and bread recipes are just perfect!
More Christmas Side Dish Ideas
Still looking for more side dish ideas for the holiday? Don’t worry, there’s always more!
Instant Pot Side Dishes
Want to free up some time and space while cooking? These easy Christmas sides can be made in your pressure cooker!
Crock Pot Side Dishes
You can make these classic Christmas dinner sides in your slow cooker. That mean’s they’re hands-off and super easy!
Now that you’ve got your Christmas side dishes all figured out for dinner, let the preparation begin! These vegetables, casseroles, potatoes, make ahead dishes, and traditional Christmas sides will make your holiday dinner just perfect. Enjoy!
You can also start thinking about all the other recipes you’re going to want to make for the holidays. Check out our other guides for more recipes and ideas!
