Christmas Dinner Sides are the Star of the Show

When planning for a holiday gathering like Christmas dinner, I always think more about the side dishes than the “main”. Whether you do a traditional protein like ham or turkey or go all out with something like prime rib, what you serve on the side will make it feel like a Christmas dinner. Don’t forget the appetizers! Check out this listing of 15+ Easy Appetizers.

What Goes Well With Christmas Dinner?

You really can’t go wrong with anything on this list! All of these sides go well with any protein. You’ll find plenty of traditional sides like creamy mashed potatoes and savory stuffing, along with some unique ideas to round out your holiday meal like brown butter mushrooms and spicy honey carrots. Maybe you’ll find something new to try this year that you’ll be making for years to come! Don’t forget dessert! Here’s a listing of 50 Healthy Desserts to choose from.

How Many Side Dishes For Christmas Dinner?

Do you go all out or keep it simple? It’s really a matter of personal preference but we typically do 2-3 sides with our holiday dinner. It’s nice to have a mix of sides including some vegetables, a starch and any kind of “traditional” side you only make for the holidays. Just remember when planning your dinner that you’re doing a lot of cooking and prepping already. If possible, have your guests bring a favorite side dish to the gathering. Feel free to send them a link to this post for recipe inspiration! Need a drink? We have some Cheery Christmas Cocktails for you.

Enjoy These Healthier Christmas Sides

The Holidays can be a tough time to keep your food choices on the healthy side of things. That’s exactly why we created this listing! Whether you’re dairy-free, gluten-free, keto, whole30 or paleo, you’ll find delicious options in this listing. Even though these are on the healthier side, they still taste great and feel indulgent. They are the perfect mix of healthy and flavorful!

Christmas Vegetable Recipes

We love these recipes because they are a healthy twist for Christmas dinner, yet still feel like comforting side dishes. The loaded cauliflower mash has become a holiday dinner staple in our house!

Christmas Breads

A warm piece of bread is a great addition to any Christmas dinner. Of course rolls are great too, and they make the perfect mini sandwich for leftovers.

Traditional Christmas Side Dishes

When I think of traditional sides for Christmas, I think of sausage stuffing and mashed potatoes. However, if you think of sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce we have that covered too. Enjoy!

Christmas Salads

Christmas salads with colorful ingredients are a great way to add some healthy options to the holiday dinner table. Try one of these salads this year to brighten up the table! SHARE IT NOW OR PIN IT FOR LATER!

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