During this time of year, I find myself thinking more about food and cooking as the weather cools down, and it becomes enjoyable once again. With the upcoming holidays, it's the perfect opportunity to start planning and gathering ideas for holiday menus. Today, I wanted to share some delicious holiday side dish recipes that would complement any meat dish you choose to prepare. Amazing bloggers curate these recipes —make sure to check them out!
Planning Those Holiday Meals
Once the weather starts cooling down, I actually start enjoying the idea of cooking again. During the summer, the last thing I want to do is stand over a hot stove or have the oven heating up the whole house, but fall rolls around and suddenly I'm thinking about comfort food, holiday meals, and all the things we only seem to make this time of year.
Of course, the holidays also bring the question we seem to ask every single year: What are we going to make?
Most of us already have a pretty good idea of what the main meat will be. Depending on your family and the holiday, that might mean turkey, ham, roast beef, chicken, pork, or even more than one. In our family, though, the meat is only part of the meal. It's all those SIDE DISHES surrounding it that can turn a regular dinner into a holiday feast.
And that's where I tend to get carried away.
There are the traditional dishes everybody expects to see because apparently removing ONE favorite from the menu is enough to start a family uprising. 😂 Then there are the recipes you've been saving all year that you finally have an excuse to try. Before you know it, you're trying to figure out how many vegetables, casseroles, breads, appetizers, and desserts can reasonably fit on one table.
That's why I wanted to pull together some delicious holiday side dish recipes that could work alongside whatever meat you decide to serve this year. These recipes come from some amazing bloggers, so when you find one that sounds good, make sure you click through, check out their recipe, and show them some love too!
Breads
Cranberry Orange Muffins by Southern Living
Potato Rolls by Bunny's Warm Oven
Caramel Apple Bread by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
You can also take advantage of this FREE holiday bread wrap printable from Fleece Fun.
Breads needs butter! This my favorite butter from Walmart, by clicking on the image to the left you can buy it from Walmart. Don't forget Walmart+ makes shopping easier by having the groceries delivered to you.
Vegetable Sides
Butter Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes by Housewives of Fredrick County
Honey Maple Roasted Carrots by The Cafe Sucre Farine
Homemade Cranberry Sauce by My Turn For Us
CRANBERRY APPLE WALNUT STUFFING by Cincy Shopper
Homemade Broccoli Cheese Casserole by Craft Create Cook
SPAGHETTI SQUASH ALFREDO RECIPE by Pickled Plum
Candied Brussels Sprouts (No Bacon) by Shelby Stover
Grandma’s Old Fashioned Stuffing Recipe: A Homemade Classic by Sarita Harbour
MAPLE SAGE SMASHED YAMS WITH MARSHMALLOW BUTTER by Mom On Time Out
CINNAMON PECAN ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH by Damn Delicious
DIJON MAPLE GREEN BEANS WITH CARAMELIZED PECANS, BACON & FETA by Carlsbad Cravings whipped bourbon bacon sweet potatoes.
Whipped Bourbon Bacon Sweet Potatoes by How Sweet It Is
Copycat City BBQ Crock Pot Corn Pudding by The Frugal Foodie Mama
Loaded Potato Bombs by Julie's Eats and Treats
Scalloped Maple Sage Sweet Potatoes by Chicken Scratch NY
Don't Forget to Actually PLAN the Menu
One thing I've learned is that finding recipes is the FUN part. Remembering everything you decided to make, what ingredients you need, who's bringing what, and whether you've somehow planned six potato dishes is another story. 😂
That's also why I created my Holiday Menu Planner. It's a simple one-page printable where you can keep your entire holiday meal in one place, including your main meat, sides and vegetables, appetizers, breads, drinks, desserts, and those little notes and reminders that are so easy to forget.
If you sign up for our newsletter, you'll get a cute Holiday Menu Planner along with access to even MORE freebies, including Christmas coupons you can give to the people you love!
Which Holiday Side Dishes Will Make Your Menu?
I hope you found at least a few recipes worth adding to your holiday meals this year. My problem is narrowing down the list because holiday dinners are one of the few times when having a ridiculous number of choices sitting in front of you somehow feels completely acceptable.
And maybe that's part of what makes these meals so special. It's not just about the turkey, ham, or whatever happens to be sitting in the middle of the table. It's everybody bringing their favorites, making recipes that have become family traditions, trying something new, and sitting down together to enjoy all of it.
Now the hard part is deciding which ones actually make the menu!
Talk to me in the comments, please:
What is the ONE side dish your family would absolutely notice if you didn't make it this year?
Holiday Side Dishes Plus FREE Menu Planner Printable
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I LOVE this list of side dishes!!!!! That Spaghetti Squash Alfredo is calling my name!!!
Thank you for sharing!!
His,
Mrs. U
Very nice dishes!! Will definitely take some inspo from these. #tacticaltuesday
I meant to type #twinklytuesday, sorry so many Tuesday linkies!
Thanks for sharing! Lots of yummy recipes!
very interesting side dishes, Loved the list.
Thanks for sharing with Bloggers Pit Stop
What a fab list. So many ideas! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday and sorry for the late commenting
This is quite the list! They all sound so good! Thank you for compiling all of these great recipes! The Whipped Pumpkin Honey Butter and Homemade Broccoli Cheese Casserole sound good!
Thanks for sharing this with us at Booknificent Thursday at Mommynificent.com!
Tina
Yum… fab list of lovely sides to try out. I’m not sure we ever really put much effort into sides during the week, so it was nice to see some quick and easy ones on there too. #DreamTeam
Everything sounds delish but the Caramel Apple Bread really caught my eye! Pinning and sharing. Thank you for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party! Hope to ‘see’ you again this week!
Those maple sweet potatoes look delicious!
They do, don’t they! I am a fan of both maple and sweet potatoes!
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These sound like great side dishes. Thanks for the printable.
Glad you found some that you may like. I hope that you get to enjoy them.
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Great dish ideas, and I love the printable.
I’m glad you liked some of the ideas.
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This is an awesome printable.
I’m glad that you like it. I hope you’ll benefit from having it.
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Awesome thank you
You are welcome!
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These are quite lovely definitely inspiring recipes and helpful for planning
I’m glad that you got some inspiration from this post.
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This is wonderful. Thank you!
You’re welcome. I hope you found something worth adding to your holiday dinner.
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I would love to try the Homemade Broccoli Cheese Casserole!
That is a great choice for sure!
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I love this! So cute and easy for the holidays.
Thank you so much! I was going for that! I’m a simple kind of woman.
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So many yummy dishes just wish this year was my year to host so I could make a lot of these. Oh well maybe next year.
Maybe you can take some to wherever you’re going. Your host may appreciate the extra additions and help. You don’t know until you ask. 🙂 (I was reminded today by a wise woman that we may be robbing someone else the joy of answering our requests by not asking!)
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I see several recipes here I can’t wait to try. Thanks for sharing!!
You’re welcome! I hope that you find some new favorites off this list.
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I’m excited to try several of these recipes! Yum!
Glad I could give you some inspiration.
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I am totally sharing some of these side dishes with my mom for our Thanksgiving!
Glad to hear it may help your family. Thank you for sharing this with your mom.
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Awesome list! The cranberry apple walnut stuffing sounds yummy
That is a good choice.
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wow love this! This will be very helpful
I’m glad that you found this helpful.
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i have actually been looking for something like this! thank you!
Glad I could help you out.
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Yum! What a great selection of recipes!
Glad you found some worth considering.
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I am always looking for some different holiday recipes.
I hope you found some worth using.
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The potato rolls sound especially good to me – thanks for these suggestions!
That is a great choice. I am glad you found something good to try.
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Honey maple roasted carrots sound delightful!
That does sound like a great choice.
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These recipes sounds so good for the season.
I’m glad that you found this to be a good list.
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The Whipped Bourbon Bacon Sweet Potatoes sound wonderful.
I’m a fan of bourbon and bacon for sure! I’m glad that you found something that you wanted to try out.
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I really want to try that Hawaiian bread! It sounds so yummy!
That sounds like a great choice for sure!
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The VANILLA PUDDING PUMPKIN CAKE BREAD sounds delish!
I’m glad you found something you want to try out.
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These all sound good but I especially want to try the Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing.
I’m glad that you found something that you were interested in trying.
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Thanks for the recipes and ideas.
You’re welcome! I’m glad that you liked these ideas.
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The Caramel Apple Bread caught my eye first and most! However, I’d probably make something like the cheesy broccoli first because I’m trying to make lower carb choices.
I understand that dilemma! Something sweet is always tempting for sure.
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The potato rolls sound so yummt.
I’m glad that you found something worth trying.
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Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome. I hope that you found something you are interested in trying.
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I will ditch the dieting and dig right in. Yum!
These side dishes definitely make you want to do that!
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These dishes look amazing I can’t wait to try some of them!
I’m glad you found something you’d be interested in trying.
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Very nice printable to keep people on track for a special meal.
Thank you. I’m glad that you liked it.
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Homemade Broccoli Cheese Casserole is my recipe of choice!
I’m glad you found something you’d be interested in trying.
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A lot of different dishes that I really like.
I’m glad to hear you found something on this list worth considering trying.
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This looks like a great recipe.
There are many great choices on this list.
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These are great side dishes. I love the printables..
I’m glad that you found some good side choices to consider. Thank you for the compliment on the printables.
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I would love to try the Homemade Broccoli Cheese Casserole recipe!
That does sound delicious for sure!
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I would love to make homemade bread!
Homemade bread is the best. I love making it when I can, but that’s not very often.
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I love all of the recipes. Great idea~
I’m glad that you liked this selection. I hope you found some new ideas to consider making yourself.
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These look delicious to make year round! I like potatoes often!
My husband is a huge fan of potatoes as well. I swear if it was up to him we’d have them daily in some form or another.
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The Broccoli & Cheese Casserole sounds so yummy! Thanks for awesome recipes!! ??❄
You’re welcome. I hope that you found something worth making.
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I’m always looking for great side dishes. This is awesome!
I’m glad that I could help you with adding to your list of resources.
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great dinner ideas and a cute planner. thank you!
Loaded Potato Bombs sound wonderful!
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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What a fantastic list of side dishes!!! But… I can’t seem to get past “Butter Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes” Yummy!!
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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this is awesome, thank you for sharing
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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Would love to make some of these!
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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What a great resource. Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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These all sound delicious! Can’t wait to try them!
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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I’m always looking for unique sides to go with the main dish. Like the various stuffing recipes.
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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The homemade broccoli and cheese casserole sounds really good.
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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This is a very colorful and exciting menu. I love it!
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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what great recipes
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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I like to find healthy recipes for the Holidays. I am struggling to lose weight.
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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I really enjoy the Soft Sandwich Style Hawaiian Bread by Southern Plate. All of these do sound great and the planner is such a great idea!
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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Sounds delicious! I’m definitely trying some of the veggie sides!
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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What an amazing list!! I’m in love with several, including the caramel apple bread! Thank you so much. I’ll be sure to bookmark this page!
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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The Homemade Broccoli Cheese Casserole side dish looks really good!
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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I’d like to try the Scalloped Maple Sage Sweet Potatoes. I love sweet potatoes.
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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I most want to try the Caramel Apple Bread. It sounds delicious!
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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Thank you so much for providing the free offer. Your blog is so nice for providing me and my family this great information.
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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All the side dishes sounds good! It would be hard to decide which one to try first.
I’m glad you found some options worth considering.
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I can’t wait to have some new side dishes this holiday season! Thanks for joining us on #MischiefandMemories!
I’m glad I gave you some ideas you may use.
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What a great resource to dip into. Holiday side dishes can definitely add that extra something to the main event. Thank you for joining us for #mischiefandmemories
Such a useful planner, now I just need to have a dinner party! Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAndMemories (please remember to add our badge or a text link and complete commenting on the required number of posts)
I’m glad you found the planner helpful. I find it’s helpful with creating lists of things I need too.
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There are SO many great holiday side dish ideas here, my friend! I’m saving that caramel apple bread recipe right now!
Wishing you a wonderful week! 🙂
Make Life Marvelous
I’m glad you found several ideas worth considering.
It’s always good to see you.
These dishes sound wonderful. I love that Christmas place setting as well. Visiting from Sweet Tea & Friends linkup.
I’m glad that you found some great ideas.
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These sound so festive and delicious. Wow, caramel apple bread. Yum. That alfredo spaghetti squash sounds really good, too! Thank you so much for sharing this post at the Will Blog for Comments #15 linkup. I hope to see you there next week, too!
I am glad you found some ideas to consider. I hope you get the opportunity to truly make them.
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Crystal, thanks for creating this wonderful list and the menu planner will be a great resource.
Thank you so much for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
I hope you found some ideas to consider.
Hope to see you again soon.
Oh my goodness Crystal ALL of these sound so good you’ve made me hungry. Lol. And I love the Texas Roadhouse butter too. Thanks so much for sharing Holiday Side Dishes Plus FREE Menu Planner Printable with Sweet Tea & Friends this month Sweet friend. I’m so happy to see you.
xo
I have a hard time choosing off this list myself. There are some amazing food bloggers on the web.