Christmas Sides

editorial team

Side dishes are as important as the main dishes and you want everything perfect on the big day. We are so occupied with Christmas decorations, gifts, desserts, and main course that we hardly get time to think about the sides. Let me make things easy for you. These are the best Christmas sides for dinner and will win you praise.

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Best Christmas Sides For Dinner

Spinach Artichoke Dip

This creamy dip is one of the best Christmas sides. it is a perfect appetizer for parties and get-togethers. To make the dip creamy I add cream cheese and sour cream.

The best thing about this recipe is it can be a perfect make-ahead recipe. After making it let it cool at room temperature and then refrigerate it. You can reheat it in an oven or stovetop.

It requires 5 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cooking time. The ingredients include artichoke hearts, spinach, cream cheese, sour cream and garlic. It is best served with tortilla chips.

German Potato Salad

The recipe is perfect for potlucks and special occasions. I prefer waxy potatoes for this recipe as they hold up well.

It requires 15 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes of cooking time. The ingredients include potatoes, salt, black pepper, bacon and parsley.

The recipe is best served with macaroni salad or squash casserole. Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for 5 days. It freezes well for 3 months.

Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad

The recipe is on our rotation menu and I make it every Christmas as the guests love it. You can either use cilantro or fresh dill for this salad recipe.

It takes 15 minutes to make the salad. The ingredients include avocados, Roma tomatoes, cucumber, black pepper, extra virgin olive oil, cilantro lemon juice, and red onion.

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

It is one of the most popular Christmas sides. It turns out so good when I make it with an instant pot. I get a lot of praise every time I make it.

It requires 10 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cooking time. The ingredients include potatoes, garlic powder, milk, butter, pepper, salt and sour cream.

Pumpkin Mac And Cheese

It is a one-pot recipe. The recipe requires 15 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of cooking time. It is a delicious recipe for fall and winter, perfect for cold nights.

The ingredients include garlic, shortcut pasta, pumpkin puree, butter, creamy gouda cheese, pumpkin puree, sage, nutmeg, and onion powder.

Crock-Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup

This is rich and creamy comfort food. It is one of the best dinner recipes for busy weeknights. You require a 6 quart crock pot for this recipe.

You can either use a fresh broccoli or a frozen one. The recipe requires 16 minutes of prep time and 6 hours and 30 minutes of cooking time. To thicken the soup use cornstarch.

The ingredients include broccoli, cornstarch, salt, onion, garlic, cheddar cheese, and heavy whipping cream. It is best served with crusty bread. You can use evaporated milk instead of heavy whipping cream.

Keep the leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge and it will be good for 5 days. It also freezes well for 3 months.

Kale Salad With Lemon Dressing

Packed with veggies this is one of the healthiest Christmas sides. You can use the cheese of your choice for this salad recipe.

It takes 20 minutes to make the salad. The ingredients include kale, salt, olive oil, carrots, dried cranberries, broccoli, sunflower seeds, cheddar cheese, red onion, almonds and lemon dressing.

For lemon dressing, you require a mix of honey, red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, Dijon mustard, oregano and garlic.

Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip

It is a perfect appetizer for a game day. It is creamy, rich and extremely delicious.

The recipe requires 15 minutes of prep time and 2 hours of cooking time. The ingredients include spinach, artichoke hearts, yellow onion, mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise.

It is best served with tortilla chips or crackers. You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for 4 days.

Scalloped Potatoes

It is one of the most highly rated recipes online. You can make it ahead of time. You need a mandoline, casserole dish and a saucepan.

The recipe requires 25 minutes of prep time and 1 hour and 20 minutes of cooking time. It requires 15 minutes of resting time too.

The ingredients include butter, potatoes, all-purpose flour, garlic, chicken broth, black pepper, and milk. You can use Yukon Gold or red potatoes.

Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for 4 days.

Seven Layer Salad

This salad has got rave reviews online. It is a make-ahead recipe and is best served chilled. The longer you let it sit, the better it will taste.

It requires 15 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of cooking time. Mayonnaise is one of the most important ingredients and it makes the salad creamier and tastier.

The ingredients include lettuce, mayo nn aise, bacon, red onion, cheddar cheese, celery ribs, and frozen peas. I love to add red onion, but you can use a white one too.

Spinach Dip Bites

These cheesy and buttery bites are perfect appetizers. It is one of the most versatile appetizers too. You can add bacon, mushrooms, and herbs too.

Preheat the oven to 375°F and bake for 15 minutes. The recipe requires 5 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of cooking time.

The ingredients include frozen spinach, garlic, mozzarella cheese, crescent dough, cream cheese and artichoke hearts. It is best served with tortilla chips.

Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge; it freezes well too.

Roasted Vegetables

This colorful recipe can be made ahead of time too. It is best served with baked salmon or baked chicken breasts.

Preheat the oven to 475°F. It requires 25 minutes of prep time and 35 minutes of cooking time.

The ingredients include Yukon Gold potatoes, butternut squash, olive oil, rosemary, red onion, balsamic vinegar, and sweet potato. It works great as a topping for pizza or a sandwich too.

Cocktail Meatballs

It is one of the most popular side dishes for Christmas parties. It disappears as soon as I serve it. You need a nonstick baking sheet.

Preheat the oven to 375°F and bake for 25 minutes. The recipe requires 20 minutes of prep time and 1 hour and 20 minutes.

The ingredients include lean ground beef, chili sauce, cranberry sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, onion and bread crumbs.

Au Gratin Potatoes

This is one of the most popular French recipes and best served with beef tenderloin or roast pork loin.

It requires 30 minutes of prep time and 1 hour 30 minutes of cooking time. The ingredients include shredded cheddar cheese, russet potatoes, all purpose flour, butter and onion.

You can use Yukon Gold potatoes too. These look similar to scalloped potatoes but are thinner. I love to serve this as a side dish on holidays.

Brussels Sprouts

It is a great holiday side dish. It is soft inside and crispy on the edges. This simple side dish is made with only four ingredients. These are fiber-rich and have fewer calories. It can be a make ahead recipe too.

Preheat the oven at 400°F and roast for 20 minutes. The recipe requires 5 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cooking time.

The ingredients include Brussels sprouts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, olive oil and black pepper. Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it wll be good for 3 days.

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Shrimp

This is one of the easiest appetizers to make. Preheat the oven to 400°F and bake for 8 minutes. It takes 5 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cook time.

The ingredients include shrimp, parsley, garlic, black pepper, basil, olive oil, oregano and lemon.

Garlic Parmesan Pasta

This one pot recipe is easy to make and tastes awesome. It is best served with steak or chicken. To get the best out of this recipe, buy top-quality Parmesan cheese.

It requires 10 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cooking time. The ingredients include Parmesan cheese, chicken broth, angel hair pasta, garlic, milk and butter.

Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for 3 days. It freezes well for 3 months.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

It is a perfect side dish for Christmas. I make it for other holidays too. These are cheesy and creamy and taste amazing.

For the best taste, use full-fat cream. Make sure you cut thin slices of potatoes; this will make them crispier. You need a baking dish and a mandolin.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. It requires 10 minutes of prep time and 1 hour 30 minutes of cooking time. The ingredients include mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, potatoes, and milk.

Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for 5 days.

Slow Cooker Spinach And Artichoke Dip

I like dump-and-go recipes, and it is one of those recipes. It is one of the most versatile dip recipes. You can serve these warm or cold. You need a 6-quart slow cooker.

The dip is perfect for holidays and potlucks. It is best served with crackers or tortilla chips. To get the creamy texture, use brick cream cheese.

The recipe requires 10 minutes of prep time and 2 hours 25 minutes of cooking time. The ingredients include artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, sour cream, garlic, onion, feta cheese, mayonnaise, and frozen spinach.

Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for 4 days.