Complete your holiday meal with side dishes everyone will remember. Featuring festive, wintry ingredients like broccoli, beets and sweet potatoes, these delicious sides pair perfectly with any main dish. Try our Roasted Garlic Melting Sweet Potatoes or our Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette for a flavorful, healthy and seasonal addition to your holiday dinner table.
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Broccoli-Apple Crunch Salad
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
Broccoli florets get tossed in a tangy apple-cider vinaigrette, brightened with Dijon and honey. Just before serving, thin slices of Honeycrisp apple, shredded sharp Cheddar and crunchy sunflower seeds join the mix for a sweet-salty-crunchy finish.
Roasted Garlic Melting Sweet Potatoes
Photographer: Ali Redmond.
This sweet potato dish is deeply savory and aromatic. The secret is a whole head of garlic roasted alongside the potatoes until soft and caramelized, then whisked into broth that coats the potatoes and infuses flavor into every tender bite.
Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.
Cauliflower and sweet butternut squash roast together until caramelized and tender, then get tossed with peppery arugula, tangy goat cheese and crunchy pecans in this salad. Serve it warm or at room temperature for a satisfying side.
Melting Leeks with Garlic & Thyme
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley.
This simple recipe transforms leeks into an elegant side dish. Slowly browned in olive oil, then gently braised with garlic, thyme and broth, the leeks turn silky and deeply flavorful, with a buttery finish. A splash of white wine adds aromatic depth.
Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.
This garlic-Parmesan roasted broccoli is a flavorful side dish that’s easy enough for weeknights but tasty enough for special meals. The broccoli roasts until tender and crisp, while garlic powder and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan bring savory, cheesy goodness to every bite. This dish pairs well with everything from pasta to grilled chicken or fish.
Cheesy Sautéed Cabbage
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
This cheesy cabbage is a comforting side dish that turns shredded green cabbage into something special. Creamy havarti cheese melts onto the warm cabbage, creating a rich, velvety texture. A layer of crispy panko breadcrumbs adds just the right amount of crunch.
Melting Beets with Maple Butter
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
This sweet-and-savory side transforms humble beets into a showstopping dish. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness, while the maple–sherry vinegar glaze adds depth and a subtle tang, perfectly balanced with butter.
Roasted Garlic-Butter Butternut Squash
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
This roasted butternut squash is a simple yet flavorful side dish. Roasting the garlic alongside the squash brings out its flavor, then it’s blended with butter to create a delicious coating for every piece. Each bite is creamy, savory and comforting—a perfect way to showcase seasonal produce.
Melting Curry-Spiced Cabbage
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist Josh Hoggle.
This savory side dish turns humble green cabbage into something absolutely delicious. Wedges of cabbage are charred, then bathed in a curry-spiced sauce that infuses every layer with flavor. A final drizzle of yogurt and lime juice balance the flavors.
Maple-Mustard Roasted Vegetables
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser
These maple-Dijon roasted vegetables combine sweet, tangy and savory flavors in one easy sheet-pan side dish. A mix of veggies are tossed in a maple syrup and Dijon mustard glaze before roasting. The high heat caramelizes the edges, bringing out natural sweetness, while the mustard adds a zesty punch.
Melting Beets with Feta & Pistachios
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jasmine Smith, Prop Stylist: Abbie Armstrong
Roasting beets, then adding liquid, adds flavor to the outside and creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Crumbled feta cheese and pistachios top these sweet and savory beets for a delicious and easy side dish.
Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Garlic-Yogurt Sauce
Ali Redmond
A creamy garlic-yogurt sauce pairs well with the sweetness of these crispy roasted sweet potatoes. To achieve the signature hasselback appearance, position two wooden spoons alongside the potatoes as you cut. The spoons will prevent you from cutting through the sweet potatoes entirely and won’t cause damage to the knife blade.
Green Bean Caesar Salad
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Hostein, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee
This green bean Caesar salad is a crisp and flavorful twist on the classic Caesar. Blanched green beans replace the traditional romaine, adding a fresh snap and vibrant color to the dish. Crispy panko and shaved Parmesan add flavor and texture.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
These mashed potatoes are rich and savory, since they are flavored with poached garlic, thinned with chicken stock and enriched with a small amount of sour cream. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you’re cooking for a crowd.
Crispy Garlic-Parmesan Smashed Brussels Sprouts
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
These crispy garlic-Parmesan smashed Brussels sprouts balance tender, sweet Brussels sprouts with a crispy Parmesan crust reminiscent of frico (the lacy, crisp cheese snack).
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Citrus-Maple Glaze
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
These roasted sweet potatoes with citrus-maple glaze are a vibrant and flavorful addition to any meal. The natural sweetness of roasted potatoes is complemented by a tangy citrus-maple glaze, creating the ideal balance of flavors.
Roasted Beets with Mustard Vinaigrette
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Clarie Spollen
Packed with flavor, this is a delicious side dish that brings out the natural sweetness of beets with a tangy, zesty kick. For a more substantial meal, add grilled or roasted chicken, or turn it into a vibrant salad and serve it over a bed of peppery arugula.
Roasted Romesco Vegetables
photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
Romesco, a classic Spanish sauce featuring roasted red peppers, tomatoes, nuts and garlic, pairs beautifully with the caramelized sweetness of roasted broccoli and cauliflower in this quick and flavorful side dish.
Arugula, Beet & Feta Salad
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling
Peppery arugula and tender, sweet beets are balanced by a simple vinaigrette and briny bits of feta cheese in this arugula, beet and feta salad. Using cooked, peeled beets helps make prep a breeze.
Melting Broccoli
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
This broccoli recipe is the simple, flavorful side dish you’ve been waiting for! It’s all about slow-roasting broccoli until it’s tender and caramelized, then adding a flavorful liquid to the pan and cooking it a little longer for that melt-in-your-mouth texture. This savory, satisfying side pairs well with just about any meal.
Roasted Cabbage Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
Ali Redmond
This roasted cabbage salad combines the sweetness of roasted cabbage with the bright, zesty flavors of lime, orange and cumin. This versatile side dish works well alongside roasted chicken or steak. Or make it a vegetarian main dish by mixing it with brown rice and black beans.
Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini-Yogurt Sauce
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
This roasted cauliflower with tahini-yogurt sauce takes simple roasted cauliflower to new heights with bold, Middle Eastern and North African–inspired flavors. Harissa sauce adds spice and complexity to the yogurt sauce. If you can’t find harissa sauce, you can use harissa paste in its place. However, since the paste is more concentrated, use only half the amount specified in the recipe.
Lemon-Parmesan Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Sylist: Kelsey Moylan, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
Smashing parboiled potatoes creates more surface area and craggy edges that get crisp when roasted in a hot oven. We top the crispy potatoes with lemon zest and Parmesan cheese for a bright, cheesy bite, but you can easily mix up the toppings. Try fresh rosemary or parsley or opt for a different cheese, like Pecorino Romano. Serve these potatoes as part of a holiday meal or for a weeknight dinner.
Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole
Diana Chistruga
Thanksgiving isn’t complete without a homemade sweet potato casserole. We like to sprinkle chopped pecans on top along with the marshmallows for a bit of texture.
Melting Garlic-Butter Cauliflower
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Garlic butter and Parmesan cheese coat tender cauliflower florets in this melt-in-your-mouth side dish. This dish works wonderfully alongside any protein, or make it a meatless main dish tossed with white beans and served with whole-wheat pasta.
Crispy English Roasted Potatoes
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Sylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
If you’ve ever had an English roast potato, then you must already know that they are very special. They are golden and crispy on the outside and incredibly tender on the inside, thanks to a few simple tricks.
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
These baked sweet potatoes with marshmallows strike the perfect balance between savory and sweet, making them a crowd-pleasing favorite. This no-fuss recipe nods to classic sweet potato casserole and adds a festive touch to any holiday spread.
Roasted Carrots with Sage Brown Butter
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Sylist: Kelsey Moylan, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
When you need an easy vegetable side, make these carrots. A brown butter and sage sauce takes these carrots to another level, perfect for a holiday meal. They only take 15 minutes to roast, so pop them in the oven while you make the sauce.
Spiced Butternut Squash & Apple Casserole
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
This spiced butternut squash and apple casserole is a warm, cozy dish that captures the essence of fall. This easy dish combines the natural sweetness of roasted butternut squash with the tartness of fresh apples, finished with savory goat cheese and sweet maple-glazed walnuts. We love the tart flavor that Granny Smith apples provide, but feel free to swap in a sweeter baking apple like Honeycrisp if you prefer.
Roasted Broccoli Salad
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
The vibrant colors and flavors in this crowd-pleasing roasted broccoli salad make it a must-have side dish for the holidays. For a twist, you can easily swap out the dried cranberries for raisins, chopped dried apricots or even pomegranate seeds to suit your taste or the season.
