50+ Festive Holiday Sides Dishes
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No holiday meal is complete without a smorgasbord of tasty side dishes. This recipe round up has all the best delicious side dishes to savor your holiday gatherings. And don’t forget to plan your main dish and some holiday appetizers as well.
Holiday Salads
Persimmon Kale Salad
Persimmons are an interesting fruit, in fact they are a berry but they have such a unique taste and almost seem closer to a tomato. Take full advantage of this winter fruit to upgrade your holiday table spread with this delicious and hearty Kale Salad. Pair it with your celebratory protein of choice or serve it as a side for your holiday gathering.
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad With Apples & Cranberries
Brussels sprouts are a classic winter vegetable. In this Shaved Salad recipe, you can appreciate Brussels sprouts’ natural, crunchy texture and earthy taste, which is wonderful paired with the sweet apples and cranberries and tossed with some winter citrus and herbs. Nothing says "holiday" like cranberries. This is a perfect side to join your Holiday spread.
Beet and Grapefruit Salad
Beets are a winter staple evoking holiday flavor and color. This hearty Beet and Grapefruit Salad from my cookbook Wandering Palate is a perfect wintery side. The beets are earthy and sweet, while grapefruit segments add even more complexity of flavor with their tanginess. Try this with some crumbled goat cheese for some creaminess and salty kick. The lavender in this dressing gives it a nice light and delicate flavor and goes great over earthy beets or heartier salads.
Maple Roasted Fall Salad
Squash is a cornerstone vegetable of fall and winter. This Maple Roasted Fall Salad features squash and evokes a warm day during cold months. Well this salad has it all between a Maple Glazed Acorn Squash and fresh fall produce.
Fall Harvest Salad with Rosemary Mandarin Dressing
This Harvest Salad is the perfect healthy precursor to your turkey dinner. It comes together quickly with fresh kale, sliced apples, and pecans. Everything gets drizzled with this easy homemade Rosemary Mandarin Dressing made with Great Lakes Gelatin MCT Oil.
Winter Harvest Salad
My even heartier Winter Harvest Salad is a bright colored delicious accompaniment to your holiday protein of choice. Using butternut squash and carrots is key here for their contrasting appearance to the leafy greens and pink pomegranate jewels.
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad With Lemon Mint Dressing
Need more Shaved Brussel Sprout Salads for multiple holiday spreads? This recipe is paired with the mint-flecked lemony dressing. Find it in my cookbook, Wandering Palate.
Rosemary Chicken Salad
This new take on Chicken Salad includes staple salad ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocado, but with rosemary-seasoned chicken breast, as well as a delicious tangy, herbed dressing. Serve this for a light dinner or lunch, or pack in containers for a healthy work lunch.
Chicken Caesar Salad
Chicken Caesar is a favorite among so many in my cookbook, Wandering Palate. Here it gets a new treatment with the addition of caper berries and toasted tortillas instead or croutons.
Dairy Free Chicken Caprese Salad
This Chicken Caprese Salad has everything you would expect minus the cheese. It is vibrant and colorful with your choice of tangy, lemony dressing or a basil pesto drizzle. Serve this as easily for a crisp crunch to your holiday feast.
Grain Free Tabbouleh Salad
The secret to this Grain-Free Tabbouleh Salad is to use riced cauliflower instead of the usual bulgar. Otherwise, expect the herbal freshness of traditional tabbouleh with copious amounts of parsley and mint. Cherry tomatoes add some sweetness, color, and a fruity note to keep your menu merry and bright.
Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Herbs
Shaved Brussels Sprouts aren't just for salad, they get roasted, and tossed with fresh herbs, almonds, and Parmesan cheese making a perfect Paleo-friendly side dish to your holiday get together!
Bacon Brussels Sprout Leaves
Bacon is a part of many people's holiday breakfast, this year impress your family and friends by dividing the leaves and sautéing on top of the stove. Bacon Brussels Sprout Leaves will come across as a wilted green with an incredible earthy taste and may win more people over to enjoying this humble vegetable.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Air Fryers can make life so easy and whipping up this Brussels Sprout recipe will change your life. Fair warning, you may never want to eat Brussels Sprouts any other way after eating these. Pair these Brussels Sprouts with the Beets on this list for two scrumptious sides which will change diners minds moving forward.
Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Walnuts
Another simple variation is Sautéed Brussels Sprouts includes healthy, toasty walnuts for some crunch and healthy fat. If your loved ones will only enjoy sprouts with bacon, though, feel free to add some for some extra indulgence.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts
These gorgeous Roasted Brussels Sprouts have the additions of bacon and chestnuts, making this a tasty dish for even those who don’t enjoy green vegetables. Be sure to have this on your holiday menu as you can prepare most of it in advance of serving. Just complete the initial roasting step and reserve the pan-frying to just before you plan to eat.
Cauliflower & Friends
Roasted Cauliflower with Dill & Mint
This new take on Roasted Cauliflower is a show stopping number with crunchy pistachios and fragrant mint and dill. A creamy, lemony tahini sauce brings the whole dish together. Serve as the perfect companion to your holiday dinner.
Roasted Italian Cauliflower
Roasted Cauliflower is a staple side dish in my home and It pairs wonderfully with a variety of herbs to give it a unique flavor to pair with any dish. This Roasted Italian Cauliflower is no exception to the game with the fresh oregano and parsley as well as capers and truffle oil giving it a delicious Italian flavor.
Roasted Romanesco With Sage
Romanesco definitely wins as the most beautiful recipe in my opinion. The gorgeous and mesmerizing Fibonacci sequence might distract you while you prepare this dish but don’t worry, once it is in the oven it will roast to perfection. This Roasted Romanesco with Sage will bring beauty and traditional winter herbs to your holiday spread.
Cauliflower Rice 6 ways
Cauliflower Rice: Plain
In my book Wandering Palate I give you 6 Cauliflower Rice recipes because it is everything in the paleo world. It makes a perfect side to your main course of choice this holiday season.
Cauliflower Rice: Cilantro Rice
If you are wondering how to add freshness to your Cauliflower Rice following my Wandering Palate recipe by adding Cilantro offers a bright option.
Cauliflower Rice: Cinnamon Rice
If squash is appearing in your Holiday side menu, I recommend Cinnamon Cauliflower Rice from my book Wandering Palate. Cinnamon is the quintessential winter spice and brings a sweet contrast to the savory main dish.
Cauliflower Rice: Instant Pot Coconut Rice
This Wandering Palate take on Cauliflower Rice cooks in 2 minutes and is nice and creamy from the coconut milk. It is a perfect base for any Asian influenced dish and unique counterpoint to North American classics likely to appear on your holiday spread.
Cauliflower Rice: Lemon & Dill Rice
Adding Lemon and Dill to your Cauliflower Rice brings out complimentary flavors to any poultry you may be serving. Check out my cookbook, Wandering Palate for the full recipe.
Cauliflower Rice Pilaf with Currants
This Cauliflower Rice Pilaf is fragrantly spiced with sweet currants and crunchy almonds and pine nuts. The combination is so full-flavored and balanced which makes this pilaf great on its own for lunch. Don’t stop there, though, as it would also be excellent paired with roasted chicken or herbed lamb chops for any holiday dinner party.
Fries & Potatoes
Oven Baked Fries
Switch things up and make these Oven Baked Fries with winter staple, sweet potatoes, this December. My recipe in Wandering Palate works for both. They are much healthier than traditional fries because they are baked and not fried.
Oven Baked Yuca Truffle Fries
These healthy Baked Yuca Fries are bursting with flavor! After baking, the yuca (or cassava) fries are tossed in fresh parsley, parmesan cheese, and truffle oil. You want to boil your yuca fries first to help soften them a bit before baking them in the oven. Cassava, or yuca, can be toxic if eaten raw so it’s important to boil it first to remove any cyanide present in the plant.
Celery Root Truffle Fries
Celery Root is one of the most underrated vegetables and is so versatile. It is a great root veggie that can be used in place of potatoes with much fewer carbs. Sub in Celery Root Truffle Fries for French Fries this holiday and indulge in the truffle flavor that these fries offer.
Daikon Fries
Daikon is an Asian radish that is oblong, white and starchy, and a perfect replacement for potatoes if you can’t have them. These Daikon Fries crisp up like a dream using an air fryer and don’t require much fat. Consider using daikon as a low carb substitute to mashed potatoes this holiday season.
Potatoes Au Gratin
When winter is in full effect, we need comforting side dishes to fill us up! And these Potatoes Au Gratin are no exception! You want to peel and slice the potatoes then layer with a heavy cream mixture and lots of cheddar cheese!
Potato Latkes
Crispy Potato Latkes are the perfect pancake for savory lovers. They have been a holiday staple for years and pair well with whichever protein is going to be the star of your holiday spread. Find this recipe in my cookbook, Wandering Palate.
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes are a delicious side to any winter meal and are super easy to make when roasted in the oven. You can easily make this recipe with sweet potatoes instead if you are avoiding nightshades.
Carrots & Roots
Roasted Carrots with Pistachio Tahini Sauce
Roasting Carrots brings out their natural sweetness, but what really makes this dish is the contrast of colors and textures. The Tahini Sauce adds a creamy mouthfeel, while the pistachios offer crunch and orange or mixed carrots brighten up the whole platter. If you need an Instagram-worthy showstopper of a side dish for the holidays, this will be it.
Maple Glazed Roasted Carrots
Roasted Carrots are such an easy and flavorful side to any meat and fish. Pair these sweet maple glazed carrots with a traditional holiday turkey, ham, or more adventurous white fish. You'll find the sweetness of the carrots and glaze will satisfy any sweet tooth in a hearty and healthy way.
Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots
Your guests will either love or hate carrots, but there is rarely an in between. What if I told you I could turn you into a carrot lover with these Honey Glazed Carrots? The honey turns them to candy and will get anyone to eat their veggies and the added thyme gives it a savory and herby flavor in every bite. You can even use baby carrots for this recipe making it one of the easiest and tastiest sides you will ever make.
Oven Roasted Carrots
You can’t go wrong with Classic and simple Oven Roasted Carrots for a holiday side dish. You can find this recipe in my book, Wandering Palate as well as many other plates that are wonderful for the holiday season.
Roasted Cinnamon Winter Veggies
Winter and cinnamon go hand-and-hand. Adding humble Roasted Veggies highlights some bright orange year end staples like butternut squash and carrots with a delicious vanilla and spice coating. Roasting gives the veggies a lovely, sweet caramel flavor that is perfect alongside heartier cuts of meat like braised short ribs or roast chicken.
Greens
Croatian Chard Blitva
This comforting Croatian Blitva includes bright and earthy chard and creamy cubed potatoes for a perfect pairing to any kind of meat. If desired, you could also enjoy this for breakfast with a fried egg with a drippy yolk on top. It reminds me of my amazing travels to Croatia each time I take a bite and works as a great side year round.
Creamed Spinach
Creamed Spinach is a wonderful side dish to have with any roasted meat, such as chicken, beef or pork, but is usually made with dairy products like cream and milk. To make this dish friendly for dairy-free diets, though, coconut milk is an excellent choice because it has similar richness and creaminess to dairy ingredients. This creamy sauce could be used for any vegetables you would like to add richness too, such as kale, cauliflower or carrots.
Sautéed Collard Greens
Collard Greens are a nice hearty green that are rich in folate and calcium. It's why I had to feature them in my cookbook, Wandering Palate, where you can find this recipe. They are great sautéed as a side for any meat, but are especially good with pork chops or breakfast patties.
Sautéed Lemon Garlic Spinach
Spinach is one of those amazing superfoods that is extremely dense in nutrients, such as folic acid, iron and calcium. This Sautéed Lemon Garlic Spinach dish is an easy accompaniment to any meal involving poultry, fish, pork or steak, and can even be added to cauliflower rice bowls for a bright green topper. Keep some spinach in the fridge for any time you are tight on time as this side dish can be whipped up in a few minutes without any pre-planning - even amidst holiday chaos.
More Veggies
Hazelnut Green Beans
Green Beans are such a hearty and simple side to cook up. They are a fall and winter holiday classic in North America for a reason. These make a great pairing for any holiday feast or weeknight dinner and the lemon zest and hazelnuts jazz up the flavor and add some extra crunch.
Maple Roasted Acorn Squash
Acorn Squash is one of the first of the winter squashes to come into season and it can be so easy and flavorful to add to your seasonal menu. This Maple Roasted Acorn Squash recipe uses a delicious maple glaze with fresh rosemary to get your tastebuds ready for fall. Serve it as a side to any fall dish or top it on a salad like my Maple Fall Salad.
Garlic Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Herbs
Roasted Tomatoes are a very underrated side with so much potential. Surprise guests who are expecting nothing but potatoes at a holiday feast with these bright flavorThese work great as a side to a white fish or even better turn them into a delicious tomato soup!
Roasted Parmesan Zucchini Bites
Zucchini is such a hearty and delicious recipe that holds up to a variety of flavors. Roasted Parmesan Zucchini Bites double as a snack or side. Roasting it as a side with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese elevates this side as a perfect pairing to any baked fish or grilled meat.
Champoines Al Ajillo
I absolutely love all flavors from Spain and Champoines Al Ajillo is such a flavorful and easy side dish to make that pairs great with the protein star of your holiday table. If you are not much of a mushroom fan, these are sure to change that with the flavors of the dry wine, and parsley.
Sautéed Green Beans with Almonds
This simple and crunchy Sauteed Green Beans with Almonds from my cookbook, Wandering Palate, side dish pairs well with meat or fish. Search for slender, unblemished beans for tenderness and the sweetest taste.
Instant Pot Artichokes
Instant Pots can make this season merry and bright! If you have always been afraid to pick up fresh Artichokes because they might be difficult to work with, this will be an excellent first recipe to try with them. Check out my cookbook Wandering Palate for full details.
Instant Pot Beets
Also in Wandering Palate, I show you how cooking beets in the Instant Pot is quick and easy, and you can eat them as a winter side or salad.
Instant Pot Celery Root Mash
One more from the Instant Pot - Celery Root Mash! Celeriac or celery root is an underused vegetable with a delicate, celery-like flavor and texture similar to turnip. It can be used in a multitude of ways from roasting to pureeing for soup, but this celery root mash is particularly good as it can be a healthy replacement for mashed potatoes, especially in diets where potatoes are not tolerated. This side dish is especially wonderful paired with leaner proteins such as a traditional holiday turkey.
Simple, Amazing Corn
This Corn Recipe is so darn good it has turned into a siren call for any of our gatherings. Even the flakiest of friends and family can’t resist this dish once it’s been tasted. It’s a powerful dish, so use the power of it responsibly.
Steamed Asparagus
Steamed Asparagus is a simple side dish that whips up in just a few minutes. You can eat the asparagus on their own or use them in salads too.Find the full recipe in my cookbook, Wandering Palate.
Twice Fried Plantains
Twice Fried Plantains are served as a savory side dish in several parts of the world. In my cookbook, Wandering Palate, you can learn how to bring this unique new side to your holiday dinner.
