29 Holiday Side Dishes That Are Too Good to Save for Special Occasions

Holiday side dishes aren’t just meant to sit quietly next to the main course—they’re the backbone of a great meal, especially during this season. These recipes are all about bringing bold flavors and reliable crowd-pleasers to the table without feeling like they’re stuck in a “special occasion” box. Whether you’re hosting or just bringing something to the party, these dishes are the kind that people keep coming back for, no matter the time of year.

Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

A platter of green bean and potato salad. — Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Full of fresh summer flavors, this cold green bean salad recipe adds in tender new potatoes for a refreshing take on a classic summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

Broccoli Salad With Cranberries And A Honey Yogurt Dressing

A bowl of broccoli salad on a serving tray. — Broccoli Salad With Cranberries And A Honey Yogurt Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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You’re going to love this healthy broccoli salad served with a yogurt dressing that’s sweetened with honey. An old fashioned salad you’ll love.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad With Cranberries And A Honey Yogurt Dressing

Butternut Squash Casserole With Wild Rice

A serving spoon in a baking dish of butternut squash casserole. — Butternut Squash Casserole With Wild Rice. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Butternut squash casserole is a comfort food dish that includes flavorful wild rice and a crunchy parmesan topping baked together in a creamy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Casserole With Wild Rice

Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes And Ham

A serving spoon removing some potato and ham casserole. — Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes And Ham. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Scalloped potatoes and ham is a comforting casserole of potatoes and tasty chunks of ham in a creamy white sauce under a layer of gooey gruyere.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes And Ham

Bourbon Glazed Carrots

You’re going to love Bourbon Glazed Carrots, slightly sweet but still savory. A delicious upgrade to everyday carrots. Slowly cooked in a skillet for a roasted flavor with just a hint of sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Glazed Carrots

Quick Broccoli & Cheese Sauce Casserole

A spoon full of cheesy broccoli casserole in a baking dish. — Quick Broccoli & Cheese Sauce Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This baked, bubbling broccoli and cheddar cheese sauce casserole is a quick and simple side dish made with fresh broccoli — and without soup or rice!
Get the Recipe: Quick Broccoli & Cheese Sauce Casserole

Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone Cheese

Butter on top of a bowl of mashed potatoes. — Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

One bite and you’ll agree these are the BEST make ahead mashed potatoes. This creamy side dish can be reheated in the slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone Cheese

Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk

A bowl of creamy coleslaw with shredded purple cabbage, carrots, and herbs sits on a gray cloth napkin next to vintage silver utensils—perfect as one of your favorite dinner side dishes. — Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Looking for a mouthwatering red cabbage coleslaw recipe? Try our quick and easy Southern dish that is perfect for busy cooks. Enjoy the creamy goodness!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Casserole With Gruyere

A spoon full of au gratin potatoes with cheese. — Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Casserole With Gruyere. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This side dish casserole for cheesy scalloped potatoes is made with thinly sliced Yukon gold potatoes and fresh garlic, milk and cream, plus gruyere cheese.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Casserole With Gruyere

Old Fashioned Carrot Salad With Raisins

A bowl of carrot raisin salad with a serving spoon. — Old Fashioned Carrot Salad With Raisins. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Fresh carrot raisin salad is EASY and so flavorful! All you need is a bowl and a grater to make this slightly sweet classic salad.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Carrot Salad With Raisins

Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts

Parsley pesto pasta in a bowl with serving spoons. — Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This easy parsley pesto pasta salad with walnuts is a great summer salad and incredibly simple to make for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts

Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese

A bowl of pea salad with a serving spoon. — Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This green pea salad is a Southern favorite that comes together in one bowl. Easy to make ahead, it’s flavorful with a touch of a spicy kick.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower With Browned Butter

Roasted cauliflower with brown butter in a serving bowl. — Spicy Roasted Cauliflower With Browned Butter. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Roasted Cauliflower is even better with some browned butter. Add a little spicy and some pumpkin seeds for a great side dish.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Roasted Cauliflower With Browned Butter

Creamy Broccoli Rice Casserole Without Canned Soup

A broccoli rice casserole in a skillet. — Creamy Broccoli Rice Casserole Without Canned Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This broccoli rice casserole without canned soup features steamed broccoli florets, fluffy rice, and a creamy, cheesy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli Rice Casserole Without Canned Soup

Savory Butternut Squash Casserole With Bacon

A spoon full of butternut squash casserole. — Savory Butternut Squash Casserole With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This comforting savoury butternut squash bake (or casserole) combines choppedbacon and sliced mushrooms with a buttery crumble topping.
Get the Recipe: Savory Butternut Squash Casserole With Bacon

Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup

A serving spoon in a green bean casserole made from scratch, — Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Follow these steps at home to make this creamy casserole with fresh green beans. No canned mushroom soup here! A homemade cream sauce is used.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup

Crispy Potatoes Au Gratin With Gruyere

Potatoes au gratin in a baking dish with a serving spoon. — Crispy Potatoes Au Gratin With Gruyere. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Crispy Au Gratin Potatoes are thinly sliced potatoes stacked on their side for the creamiest potatoes with crispy edges in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Potatoes Au Gratin With Gruyere

Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Pears

Balsamic vinegar being poured over roasted sweet potatoes. — Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Pears. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Not as sweet as sweet potato casserole, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pears is a healthy addition to your Thanksgiving or Holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Pears

Grilled Corn Salad With Blueberries

A clear glass bowl of corn salad with blueberries. — Grilled Corn Salad With Blueberries. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

You’ll love this Grilled Corn Salad with Blueberries with a little cumin, onions and cilantro to give this a savory twist.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Salad With Blueberries

Roasted Cabbage In The Oven With Dried Cherries

Cabbage roasted in the oven with cherries on a platter. — Roasted Cabbage In The Oven With Dried Cherries. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Slice up a couple of cabbage wedges and season them for a perfect roast cabbage recipe, a light side dish for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage In The Oven With Dried Cherries

Savory Green Beans With Bacon

A close-up of cooked green beans mixed with pieces of bacon and sliced onions, served on a decorative blue and white plate—perfect for adding to your holiday side dishes spread. — Savory Green Beans With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Green Beans with Bacon and Onions will transform a simple side dish into a FABULOUS one. Great for when you want to jazz up your vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Savory Green Beans With Bacon

Roasted Cauliflower With Garlic & Raisins

A black platter of roasted cauliflower with garlic next to serving spoons. — Roasted Cauliflower With Garlic & Raisins. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Roasted cauliflower with garlic, golden raisins and pine nuts adds a bit of sweetness to cooked cauliflower.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower With Garlic & Raisins

Roasted Balsamic Asparagus And Mushrooms

A platter of asparagus with mushrooms next to a container of balsamic vinegar — Roasted Balsamic Asparagus And Mushrooms. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Balsamic roasted asparagus and mushrooms is a great way to enjoy fresh produce. Roasting brings out so much flavor and it’s quick and EASY.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Balsamic Asparagus And Mushrooms

Oven Roasted Potatoes And Onions

A serving spoon in a bowl of crispy potatoes and onions. — Oven Roasted Potatoes And Onions. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Try some easy oven roasted potatoes and onions for a spectacular side dish that is great with any meal.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Potatoes And Onions

New Potatoes, Crushed And Roasted

Crispy smashed red potatoes topped with melted cheese and seasoning, arranged on a parchment-lined baking sheet—perfect for anyone who loves flavorful potato side dishes. — New Potatoes, Crushed And Roasted. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

New Potatoes, Crushed and Roasted are first boiled and then crushed before roasting in the oven. They are like mashed potatoes with crispy edges. Easy to make and everyone can top the way they like. A great versatile side to almost any dish.
Get the Recipe: New Potatoes, Crushed And Roasted

No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon

A glass bowl of roasted potato salad — No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This warm Roasted Potato Salad is not only great for your next potluck or cook out, but it’s perfect for a simple dinner.
Get the Recipe: No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon

Roasted Butternut Squash With Cranberries And Feta

A close-up of roasted butternut squash, apples, and cranberries topped with crumbled goat cheese on a black plate, perfect as one of your Thanksgiving sides. A red plaid napkin is partially visible in the background. — Roasted Butternut Squash With Cranberries And Feta. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Roasted butternut squash with fresh cranberries and feta is a healthy side dish recipe that’s so easy to make. Oven roasted squash and cranberries drizzled with honey combine for the perfect addition to a weeknight dinner or holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash With Cranberries And Feta

Easy Fresh Green Beans And Mushrooms

Learn how to prepare fresh green beans and mushrooms that are crisp, not soggy, with these easy-to-follow steps and tips.
Get the Recipe: Easy Fresh Green Beans And Mushrooms

Colorful Carrot Salad Recipe

A pile of sliced carrots and onions in a bowl. — Colorful Carrot Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

Crunchy, sweet and zippy, this non-mayo Colorful Carrot Salad Recipe will be your new healthy, family-favorite summer side dish!
Get the Recipe: Colorful Carrot Salad Recipe

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