Holiday sides can be more than just extras—they can steal the show. These recipes take classic dishes and turn them into bold, memorable stars of the table. Perfect for complementing the turkey or even outshining it, they’re packed with flavor and festive flair. These 15 sides remind us that a great holiday meal is about more than just the main course.
Spinach Colcannon Recipe
Spinach colcannon mixes creamy mashed potatoes with fresh spinach, creating a vibrant and satisfying dish that stands out on the holiday table. Its pop of green adds contrast to the richness of other sides, making it a fresh yet hearty contender. Quick to prepare, it brings a balance that enhances the entire meal. This colcannon is proof that even the simplest sides can outshine the turkey.
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Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping
Cheesy cabbage casserole transforms a simple vegetable into a bold, flavor-packed side dish that easily rivals the turkey. The creamy cheese sauce and crispy cracker topping make it impossible for this dish to fade into the background. Easy to prepare and endlessly satisfying, it’s a perfect addition to the holiday spread. This casserole proves that even humble ingredients can steal the holiday spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping
Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf
Butternut squash wild rice pilaf combines nutty wild rice with sweet squash for a hearty and festive side that could easily be the centerpiece of the meal. Its complex flavors and textures perfectly complement richer dishes, making the turkey work harder for its place at the table. Quick to make and visually stunning, it’s a side that refuses to be ignored. This pilaf proves that the best dishes aren’t always the main ones.
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Sweet Potato Casserole with Hazelnuts
Sweet potato casserole with hazelnuts takes creamy potatoes to the next level with a crunchy topping that dazzles at any holiday meal. Its mix of textures and flavors makes it impossible to ignore, no matter how much effort went into the turkey. Simple to make but packed with festive energy, it brings warmth and richness to the table. This casserole is the kind of dish that guests remember long after the meal.
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My Grandmother's Recipe for Carrot Casserole
This carrot casserole brings tender carrots together with warm spices, creating a sweet and comforting side that refuses to be overlooked. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it pairs beautifully with festive dishes, making the turkey work hard to share the spotlight. Easy to prepare, it offers nostalgia and charm that elevate the meal. This casserole proves that sides don’t need to be flashy to make the turkey feel less essential.
Get the Recipe: My Grandmother's Recipe for Carrot Casserole
Roasted Carrots with Hazelnuts
Roasted carrots with hazelnuts bring a simple vegetable to new heights with a nutty crunch and vibrant flavor. Their elegant presentation and seasonal herbs make them a bold contender for the holiday table’s standout dish. This side’s balance of sweet and savory flavors ensures it won’t be overshadowed by the turkey. These carrots show that simplicity can steal the show with every bite.
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Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate, and Balsamic
These crispy Brussels sprouts, drizzled with balsamic and sprinkled with pomegranate seeds and feta, bring a pop of color and flavor to your holiday table. Their vibrant look and bold taste make them a side that commands attention, even next to the main course. Ready quickly in the air fryer, they’re perfect for busy holiday kitchens. These Brussels sprouts prove that the sides are where the holiday excitement truly happens.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate, and Balsamic
Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli, and Peppers
Roasted lemon potatoes, broccoli, and peppers add bold colors and zesty flavors to your holiday menu. The tangy lemon pairs with earthy vegetables to create a fresh and bright side dish that demands attention. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s both practical and impressive for the festive season. This dish shows that vegetables can make even the turkey take a back seat.
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Oven Roasted Root Vegetables
Oven roasted root vegetables bring out the natural sweetness of carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes, creating a side that’s as comforting as it is delicious. Tossed in olive oil and herbs, they develop a caramelized finish that pairs beautifully with any main course. This colorful medley adds vibrancy and balance to the holiday table, ensuring it doesn’t get overshadowed. These vegetables remind us that the turkey isn’t the only thing worth carving.
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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta
Roasted Brussels sprouts with almonds and feta are anything but ordinary, combining tangy, nutty, and creamy flavors in one unforgettable dish. Their bold taste and satisfying crunch make them a side that holds its own, even next to the main course. Simple to prepare, they’re a perfect addition to your holiday table. These sprouts make a strong case for sides as the stars of the season.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta
Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots
Roasted honey glazed carrots bring sweet and herby flavors to the table, making them a side that easily competes for attention. Their caramelized edges and vibrant presentation add a festive touch that feels just right for the holidays. Ready quickly, they bring flavor and elegance without adding stress to your meal prep. These carrots prove that the turkey isn’t the only thing worth celebrating.
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Honey Miso Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Honey miso roasted Brussels sprouts combine a sweet-savory glaze with crispy, caramelized leaves to create a side that steals the spotlight. Their bold flavor profile ensures they won’t fade into the background, even next to the holiday turkey. Quick and easy to prepare, they add sophistication to the table with minimal effort. These sprouts are a reminder that sides can be the real stars of the feast.
Get the Recipe: Honey Miso Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices
Brown sugar baked sweet potato slices combine the warmth of cinnamon and ginger with a caramelized finish that feels just right for the holidays. This lighter take on candied yams holds its own with vibrant flavors that enhance the entire spread. Easy to prepare, they’re a side that doesn’t try to blend in but stands out with bold flavor. These sweet potatoes make it clear that sides can steal the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices
Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer
Air-fried sweet potatoes are fluffy and flavorful, making them a side that feels special without being complicated. Quick to prepare, they’re perfect for holiday meals where simplicity and taste matter. Their natural sweetness and creamy texture make them a favorite alongside other festive dishes. These sweet potatoes show that even the turkey has competition on the holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer
Almond, Cranberry, and Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole
Almond, cranberry, and sweet potato stuffing casserole blends tart cranberries, creamy sweet potatoes, and crunchy almonds into a dish that shines on the holiday table. Its dynamic mix of flavors and textures makes it impossible to ignore, no matter how elaborate the turkey may be. Easy to prepare, it’s a practical yet unforgettable addition to the meal. This casserole proves that holiday sides can be showstoppers in their own right.
Get the Recipe: Almond, Cranberry, and Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole
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