20 Easy Christmas Vegetable Sides Everyone Will Love

The holiday season is here. It’s time to make a special Christmas dinner. Vegetable side dishes are key, adding flavor and health to the feast.

This Website contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.

Choosing the right holiday side dishes can be hard. This guide will show you 20 festive vegetable recipes. They are tasty and easy to make. You’ll find something for everyone, from roasted to sautéed.

Key Takeaways

• Discover 20 delicious and easy-to-make Christmas vegetable side dishes.
• Explore a variety of cooking methods and flavor profiles.
• Find recipes that cater to different dietary needs and preferences.
• Get step-by-step instructions and make-ahead tips for efficient meal preparation.
• Impress your guests with crowd-pleasing vegetable sides.

Why Vegetable Sides Complete Your Christmas Feast

A Christmas feast isn’t complete without delicious vegetable sides. They add color, texture, and flavor. These dishes are key to a balanced Christmas dinner for everyone.

Vegetable sides are good for your holiday meal. They give essential nutrients that go well with main dishes. A mix of veggies means more vitamins and minerals. Plus, they make the meal look festive and inviting.

• They fit different diets, making the meal fun for everyone
• They add variety in texture and taste
• They offer nutritious Christmas sides that match the main dish
• They help feed more people and give leftovers for later

By mixing roasted, sautéed, and steamed veggies, you get a great menu. This smart way of holiday meal planning makes your Christmas dinner unforgettable.

Next, we’ll look at some tasty vegetable side dishes. You’ll find recipes for roasted, green, potato, and root vegetable sides, and more.

Roasted Vegetable Sides for Christmas

Christmas is coming, and we’re thinking about our holiday meal. Roasted vegetable sides are a big part of it. They bring out the sweetness in veggies, matching the rich tastes of Christmas dinner.

1. Honey-Glazed Roasted Carrots

Honey-glazed roasted carrots are a great choice for Christmas. Roasting makes carrots sweet. Then, a honey glaze makes them even sweeter.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Multicolored carrots for visual appeal
• High-quality honey
• Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary
• Complementary spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to the right temperature for roasting.
2. Toss the carrots with olive oil, salt, and your choice of herbs and spices.
3. Roast in the oven until the carrots are tender and caramelized.
4. Drizzle with honey glaze during the last few minutes of roasting.

Make-Ahead Tips

Get the carrots and honey glaze ready ahead of time. Keep them in the fridge until you roast. Reheat the carrots in the oven to keep them good.

2. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Make Brussels sprouts a hit with garlic and Parmesan. Roasting makes them crispy and sweet.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Fresh, firm Brussels sprouts
• Quality Parmesan cheese
• Fresh garlic
• Olive oil for roasting

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Halve the Brussels sprouts to ensure even cooking.
2. Toss with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and Parmesan cheese.
3. Roast in the oven at the right temperature until caramelized.

Make-Ahead Tips

Get the Brussels sprouts ready a day early. Keep them in the fridge and roast just before eating. For reheating, use the oven to stay crispy.

3. Herb-Roasted Root Vegetables

An herb-roasted root vegetable medley is a colorful and tasty side dish. It celebrates winter veggies.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Assorted root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and turnips
• Fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and sage
• Quality olive oil
• Seasonings to taste

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Cut the root vegetables into evenly sized pieces.
2. Toss with olive oil, chopped fresh herbs, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast in the oven until the vegetables are tender and caramelized.

Make-Ahead Tips

Prepare the veggies and herbs ahead of time. Store them separately and mix before roasting. Reheat in the oven.

4. Balsamic Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese

This beet dish is sweet and tangy. It’s perfect for Christmas.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Different varieties of beets for visual impact
• High-quality goat cheese
• Balsamic vinegar
• Nuts or fresh herbs for garnish

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Roast the beets until tender.
2. Prepare a balsamic reduction.
3. Crumble goat cheese and assemble the dish just before serving.

Make-Ahead Tips

Roast the beets and make the balsamic reduction ahead of time. Store them separately and put the dish together just before serving.

Green Vegetable Sides for a Festive Table

Green veggies are the stars of Christmas, adding color and flavor. They make the holiday table fresh and lively. Let’s look at some tasty green sides that will make your holiday better.

Creamed Spinach with Nutmeg

Creamed spinach is a classic, both cozy and fancy. Nutmeg adds a special warm taste perfect for Christmas.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Sauté the garlic in butter until fragrant.
2. Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
3. Reduce the cream by half, then stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.
4. Add the spinach, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Cook until heated through.

Make-Ahead Tips

You can make the creamed spinach ahead and chill or freeze it. Reheat it gently, adding cream if it’s too thick.

Green Beans Almondine

Green beans almondine is a French dish. It mixes green beans’ sweetness with toasted almonds’ crunch.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Blanch the green beans in boiling salted water until tender but crisp.
2. Shock the beans in an ice bath to stop cooking.
3. Sauté the garlic and almonds in butter until the almonds are golden.
4. Add the green beans to the skillet and toss with the almond mixture, seasoning with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

Make-Ahead Tips

Blanch and shock the green beans ahead. Store them in the fridge until you sauté them with the almond mix.

Broccoli Gratin with Crispy Breadcrumbs

This broccoli gratin is rich and cheesy. It’s a great side that’s both healthy and indulgent.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Blanch the broccoli in boiling salted water until tender.
2. Make a cheese sauce by melting butter, then whisking in flour and gradually adding milk, stirring until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheese.
3. Combine the broccoli and cheese sauce in a baking dish.
4. Top with breadcrumbs and dot with butter.
5. Bake until golden and bubbly.

Make-Ahead Tips

Blanch the broccoli and make the cheese sauce ahead. Assemble the gratin just before baking.

Sautéed Kale with Cranberries and Pecans

This kale dish is healthy and tasty. It’s sweet from cranberries and crunchy from pecans.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 bunch kale, stems removed and discarded, leaves chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Sauté the garlic and pecans in olive oil until fragrant.
2. Add the kale and cook until wilted.
3. Stir in cranberries and season with salt and pepper.

Make-Ahead Tips

You can prep the kale ahead and reheat it gently. Add lemon juice before serving to brighten the flavors.

Potato and Root Vegetable Sides

These recipes will make your Christmas feast unforgettable. Potatoes and root vegetables are great for side dishes. They are delicious and comforting, perfect for the holiday.

9. Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Chives

Add roasted garlic and fresh chives to mashed potatoes. This makes a rich and luxurious dish. It’s perfect for the holidays.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 3-4 large potatoes
• 2 heads of garlic
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Boil the potatoes until tender, then drain and dry.
2. Roast the garlic until soft and mashed.
3. Mash the potatoes with butter, cream, roasted garlic, and chives.

Make-Ahead Tips

Make the mashed potatoes a day ahead. Reheat with more cream if needed.

10. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping

This dish is both a side and a dessert. Sweet potatoes and a crunchy pecan topping make it special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 large sweet potatoes
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup marshmallows
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Bake the sweet potatoes until tender, then mash with sugar and spices.
2. Top with marshmallows and pecans.
3. Bake until the topping is golden brown.

Make-Ahead Tips

Make the sweet potato mix and pecan topping a day ahead. Then assemble and bake before serving.

11. Hasselback Potatoes with Herbs and Butter

The Hasselback potato technique is stunning. It makes a flavorful dish perfect for impressing guests.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 4 large potatoes
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Slice the potatoes thinly, being careful not to cut all the way through.
2. Brush with herb butter and season with salt and pepper.
3. Bake until crispy and golden.

Make-Ahead Tips

Slice the potatoes a day ahead. Brush with herb butter just before baking.

12. Maple-Glazed Turnips and Parsnips

A sweet maple glaze makes these vegetables special. It’s a great way to introduce new veggies to the holiday table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 large turnips
• 2 large parsnips
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Peel and slice the turnips and parsnips.
2. Toss with maple syrup, butter, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast until tender and caramelized.

Make-Ahead Tips

Prepare the vegetables a day ahead. Glaze and roast just before serving.

Vegetable Casseroles and Gratins

Vegetable casseroles and gratins are both comforting and fancy. They make your Christmas dinner special. You can try classic recipes or new ones to add fun to your holiday.

Classic Green Bean Casserole

The green bean casserole is a holiday favorite. It’s simple yet rich, with green beans, mushroom soup, and crispy onions.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 pound fresh or frozen green beans
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 cup cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/3 cups French-fried onions

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Steam green beans until tender, then set aside.
3. Combine cream of mushroom soup, milk, and black pepper in a mixing bowl.
4. In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer green beans and soup mixture.
5. Top with French-fried onions and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Make-Ahead Tips

Make the casserole a day ahead. Put all parts together except the onions. Add the onions before baking.

Cauliflower and Cheese Gratin

This cauliflower gratin is fancy. It turns a simple veggie into a rich side dish. The cheese sauce and golden top are perfect for Christmas.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Blanch cauliflower florets until tender.
2. Create a cheese sauce by melting butter, adding flour, and gradually incorporating cream and cheese.
3. In a greased baking dish, layer cauliflower and cheese sauce.
4. Top with additional cheese and breadcrumbs, then bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes.

Make-Ahead Tips

Make the cheese sauce and blanch cauliflower a day ahead. Assemble the gratin before baking, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Butternut Squash and Sage Casserole

This butternut squash casserole is perfect for the season. It’s sweet and has a nice sage flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 medium butternut squash
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Roast butternut squash until tender.
2. Sauté garlic and sage in butter until fragrant.
3. Combine roasted squash, garlic-sage mixture, and brown sugar.
4. Transfer to a baking dish and top with a crunchy streusel topping.

Make-Ahead Tips

Roast the squash and make the garlic-sage mix a day ahead. Assemble the casserole before baking, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Corn Pudding with Fresh Herbs

This corn pudding is creamy and sweet. It’s made even better with fresh herbs like chives or parsley.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 cups corn kernels
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Combine corn kernels, heavy cream, whole milk, and melted butter in a mixing bowl.
2. Stir in chopped fresh herbs.
3. Pour into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
4. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35-40 minutes or until set.

Make-Ahead Tips

Make the corn mix a day ahead and refrigerate. Bake just before serving, or reheat gently.

20 Easy Christmas Vegetable Sides Everyone Will Love: Quick Options

Make your Christmas menu better with these four easy vegetable sides. They’re quick to make and look fancy. They’re perfect when you’re short on oven space or need something fast for your holiday table.

Glazed Baby Carrots with Dill

A sweet and tangy glaze with fresh dill makes these baby carrots special. Cook them just until they’re tender. This keeps them colorful and crunchy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 pound baby carrots
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add baby carrots and cook until they start to soften.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
4. Pour the glaze over the carrots and continue cooking until they’re tender and glazed.
5. Stir in chopped fresh dill just before serving.

Make-Ahead Tips

Make the glaze ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to a day. Reheat the carrots and toss with the glaze before serving.

Sautéed Mushrooms with Garlic and Thyme

This classic mix brings out the mushrooms’ rich flavors. It’s a great side for your Christmas feast.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 cup mixed mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and start browning.
4. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Serve hot.

Make-Ahead Tips

Clean and slice the mushrooms ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to cook.

Braised Red Cabbage with Apples

This hearty side is great to make ahead for Christmas. Slow cooking tenderizes the cabbage and apples. It creates a sweet and tangy flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 head red cabbage, shredded
• 1 large apple, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. In a large Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and cook until softened.
3. Add shredded cabbage, chopped apple, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar.
4. Season with salt and pepper, then cover and braise until the cabbage is tender.

Make-Ahead Tips

This dish can be made up to 2 days in advance. Reheat it gently before serving, adjusting the seasoning as needed.

“The secret to a great Christmas dinner is in the details, and these vegetable sides are sure to impress your guests.”

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon and Parmesan

For a lighter side, try roasted asparagus with lemon and Parmesan. It’s quick, easy, and full of flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet.
3. Roast until tender, about 12-15 minutes.
4. Sprinkle with lemon zest, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese before serving.

Make-Ahead Tips

You can trim the asparagus ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Roast it just before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Time-Saving Tips for Christmas Vegetable Sides

Christmas meal prep is now easier with these holiday cooking tips for vegetable sides. To manage many dishes, plan ahead. Make a timeline for oven and stovetop use.

Find things to do ahead of time, like washing and chopping veggies. Store prepped ingredients in airtight containers. This keeps them fresh. Try partial cooking for dishes like roasted veggies or mashed potatoes.

Use your stovetop and slow cooker wisely. This makes cooking faster. Ask for help to make cooking more fun.

These efficient holiday cooking tips help you make tasty sides easily. You’ll enjoy the meal and your guests more.

Conclusion: Bringing Your Christmas Vegetable Sides Together

Creating a memorable Christmas feast is more than picking recipes. It’s about making a meal that wows your guests. You can now plan a balanced Christmas menu with a variety of vegetable sides. This mix of flavors, textures, and colors will impress everyone.

Start by picking dishes that are both rich and light. This is important for holiday meal coordination. It makes sure everyone finds something they like.

Think about how you’ll cook each dish. Try to mix roasted, sautéed, casseroles, and gratins. This makes cooking easier and faster.

For festive meal presentation, think about colors and textures. Use bright veggies like glazed carrots and roasted beets. Add earthy Brussels sprouts and creamy mashed potatoes for contrast.

When planning your balanced vegetable sides, think about how they look. Choose serving dishes that match your table. Add fresh herbs or pomegranate seeds for color.

The way you arrange your table can make the meal feel more special. It makes the feast more inviting and fun.

The main goal is to have fun with your loved ones. By carefully choosing and presenting your vegetable sides, you’ll make a Christmas feast to remember. It lets you enjoy the holiday fully.