Christmas Vegetable Side Dishes for a Festive Dinner
Vegetable sides can bring color, freshness and contrast to a rich Christmas dinner. Rather than relying on several similar roasted dishes, choose a mixture of green vegetables, glazed roots and one more substantial bake. The selections below include simple classics and more distinctive holiday-worthy flavors.
A good mix of side dishes also helps balance the rest of the meal. If your main course and potatoes are rich, add something green or crisp alongside them; if the menu is simpler, a creamy gratin or roasted squash dish can make the table feel more festive.
Many of these recipes are easy to prep ahead, which is especially useful when oven space and stovetop burners are in high demand. Check each recipe for make-ahead notes so you can spread the work across Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
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You do not need a huge number of vegetable sides. Three or four well-chosen dishes with different colors, textures and flavors will usually give everyone plenty of choice without making the meal unnecessarily complicated.
Roasted Green Beans with Cranberries and Walnuts
TESTED & PERFECTED RECIPE - Cranberries and walnuts dress up these roasted green beans and make them a perfect side dish.
Roasted Delicata Squash with Burrata, Pomegranate and Pistachios
Roasted Delicata Squash with Burrata, Pomegranate and Pistachios has minimal ingredients and just one sheet pan – easy side dish!
Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pecans
Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pecans are an easy, classic Thanksgiving side dish that everyone will love.
Parmesan Herb Roasted Acorn Squash
A platter of this parmesan herb roasted acorn squash is simple, impressive, and oh-so-delicious. Perfect for a stunning holiday side dish!
Roasted Root Vegetables
Caramelized, tender, and crispy, you’ll love these easy roasted root vegetables. A colorful and delicious side dish!
Roasted Carrots with Honey and Garlic Yogurt Sauce
Deeply roasted rainbow carrots, swizzles of tangy garlicky yogurt sauce, a golden drizzle of honey, and festive pistachio crunches on top.
Creamed Spinach
Make this easy creamed spinach recipe in 25 minutes. Fresh or frozen spinach in a rich cream cheese sauce for a steakhouse-style side dish.
Roasted Cauliflower with Toasted Panko and Golden Raisins
This slightly sweet, perfectly crisp roasted cauliflower recipe with toasted panko and golden raisins is a perfect jazzed-up, healthy holiday side dish.
Colorful Roasted Root Vegetables
These roasted root vegetables are an easy, healthy side dish with sweet potatoes, carrots and onions roasted until golden and caramelized.
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
A flavorful fall salad with roasted butternut squash, farro, arugula, white cheddar, and a bright apple cider vinaigrette.
Roasted Balsamic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts.
Roasted Balsamic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts: Spicy, sweet + tangy together with nutty salty cheese, my favorite quick n easy holiday side dish!
Easy Oven Roasted Parsnips
A truly underrated root vegetable, these easy oven roasted parsnips are sweet, packed full of flavor, and make the perfect side dish for a holiday table.
Roasted Garlic Parmesan Baby Potatoes
Crispy roasted garlic Parmesan baby potatoes are golden, cheesy, and flavorful. An easy 40-minute side dish perfect for dinner or holidays.
Sautéed Green Beans with Pomegranates
These bright and fresh sautéed green beans with pomegranates are an easy Thanksgiving side dish.
Plan the Rest of Your Menu
For a full holiday menu and printable planning help, see Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas and Free Planner. You can also use my easy Christmas dinner menu as a starting point for the whole meal. For everyday dinner inspiration, explore Easy Weeknight Family Meals.
Hello, I’m Luci, founder of Mums Make Lists. The site is full of useful and fun ideas for life and seasonal celebrations. Plus a growing selection of instantly downloadable fun printables and party planners. Read more.