35 Holiday Sides That Will Earn You Immediate Family Compliments

When it comes to holiday meals, the right dishes can completely steal the show. These festive sides are guaranteed to impress everyone around the table and earn immediate family compliments without much effort. From savory classics to unexpected twists, each recipe adds a little extra magic to the spread. It’s all about bringing flavors that make everyone pause, smile, and ask for seconds.

Green Bean & Potato Salad That Wows

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

This fresh green bean and potato salad brings bright flavors to the holiday table. The honey vinaigrette makes it instantly irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

Holiday Broccoli Salad With Sweet Cranberries

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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Brighten your holiday spread with this broccoli salad topped with sweet cranberries. The honey yogurt dressing adds a creamy, irresistible touch.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad With Cranberries And A Honey Yogurt Dressing

Creamy Butternut Squash & Wild Rice Casserole

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

This creamy butternut squash casserole with wild rice is perfect for holiday dinners. Topped with parmesan, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Casserole With Wild Rice

Scalloped Potatoes & Ham That Impress

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

Rich scalloped potatoes with tender ham make a hearty holiday side. The creamy gruyere topping will earn you instant compliments.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes And Ham

Bourbon Glazed Carrots Your Family Will Love

Bourbon Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Savor these sweet and savory bourbon-glazed carrots at your holiday table. The slow skillet cooking gives them a rich, roasted flavor.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Glazed Carrots

Quick Cheesy Broccoli Casserole Side

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

This broccoli casserole is creamy, cheesy, and ready in no time. Perfect for a fuss-free holiday side that everyone will ask for again.
Get the Recipe: Quick Broccoli & Cheese Sauce Casserole

Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes Everyone Will Love

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

These Yukon Gold mashed potatoes with mascarpone are velvety and decadent. Make ahead for an easy, creamy holiday favorite.
Get the Recipe: Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone Cheese

Festive Red Cabbage Coleslaw Side

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.

This red cabbage coleslaw is creamy, tangy, and full of color. A quick holiday side that will keep everyone coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk

Gruyere Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

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

These cheesy scalloped potatoes with gruyere are rich, creamy, and golden brown. A perfect indulgent holiday side that will impress the family.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Casserole With Gruyere

Classic Carrot & Raisin Salad Side

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

This classic carrot and raisin salad is sweet, crunchy, and easy to make. A simple side that will earn holiday compliments instantly.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Carrot Salad With Raisins

Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Crunch

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

This parsley pesto pasta salad with walnuts is vibrant, fresh, and perfect for holiday tables. Easy to make and full of flavor, it’s a guaranteed hit.
Get the Recipe: Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts

Cheddar Pea Salad That Pops

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

This creamy cheddar pea salad is a Southern classic with a twist. Make it ahead and watch it disappear fast at the holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese

Spicy Browned Butter Cauliflower

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

Roasted cauliflower gets a flavor boost with browned butter and a hint of spice. Add pumpkin seeds for a festive crunch your family will adore.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Roasted Cauliflower With Browned Butter

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

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

This cheesy broccoli rice casserole is creamy, flavorful, and perfect for holidays. Skip the canned soup and enjoy fresh, wholesome ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli Rice Casserole Without Canned Soup

Butternut Squash Casserole With Bacon Crunch

A Butternut Squash Casserole topped with golden breadcrumbs, chopped walnuts, and fresh parsley sits on a gray surface, surrounded by parsley sprigs, whole walnuts, two forks, and a plate. — Savory Butternut Squash Casserole With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This savory butternut squash casserole with bacon and mushrooms is a holiday must-have. The buttery crumble topping seals the deal for family favorites.
Get the Recipe: Savory Butternut Squash Casserole With Bacon

Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

A spoon scooping out creamy mac and cheese from a black bowl. — Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni And Cheese Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese from Poole’s Diner is a classic with a creamy base and crusty cheese on top. Comfort food at its BEST.
Get the Recipe: Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

Layered Apple And Sweet Potato Casserole

A close-up of a freshly baked apple crumble pie in a white dish, with a golden-brown crumb topping—perfect for Thanksgiving Apple Desserts. Whole apples and a towel are in the background. — Layered Apple And Sweet Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Apples and sweet potato casserole is a simple, comforting side dish that’s easy to make, with the perfect blend of savory and sweet flavors.
Get the Recipe: Layered Apple And Sweet Potato Casserole

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole Recipe

A spoon taking out a serving of cauliflower casserole. — Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This cheesy cauliflower casserole is fast and easy to make. With sharp white cheddar and smoked paprika, it’s ooey gooey cheesy goodness!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole Recipe

Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn

A skillet filled with creamy, cooked corn kernels being stirred by a wooden spoon. The creamed corn appears to be seasoned and mixed with a rich, creamy substance, creating a luscious texture. The background is a grayish cooking surface. — Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Rich, buttery Creamed Corn gets a homemade makeover with just four simple ingredients and 10 minutes on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn

Sweet Potato Casserole With Tart Peaches

A Spoon full of sweet potato casserole. — Sweet Potato Casserole With Tart Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Full of flavor and perfect for making ahead, this homemade sweet potato casserole gets a tart summer twist with the addition of ripe peaches.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole With Tart Peaches

Scratch-Made Green Bean Casserole

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

This creamy green bean casserole is made entirely from scratch for a rich, fresh flavor. Skip the canned soup and impress your family with a homemade cream sauce.
Get the Recipe: Scratch-Made Green Bean Casserole

Crispy Gruyere Potatoes Au Gratin

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

Layered thin potatoes with Gruyere cheese make every bite crispy and creamy. This dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for holiday dinners.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Gruyere Potatoes Au Gratin

Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Pears

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

These roasted sweet potatoes with pears offer a lightly sweet, crispy side dish for the holidays. Healthy, flavorful, and sure to earn compliments from family.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Pears

Grilled Corn & Blueberry Salad

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

This grilled corn and blueberry salad blends sweet fruit with savory spices for a unique side. A refreshing, colorful addition to any holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn & Blueberry Salad

Oven-Roasted Cabbage With Cherries

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

Tender cabbage wedges are roasted with dried cherries for a light, flavorful holiday side. Simple to prepare yet impressive for any family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Roasted Cabbage With Cherries

Walnut & Orange Cranberry Sauce

A glass dish full of homemade cranberry sauce. — Homemade Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This homemade cranberry sauce includes crunchy walnuts and a hint of orange liqueur for a festive touch. Perfectly tangy and sweet, it elevates any holiday plate.
Get the Recipe: Walnut & Orange Cranberry Sauce

Stovetop Candied Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes cooking in a skillet. — Stove Top Candied Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet potatoes simmered in butter and brown sugar make a rich, indulgent holiday side. Easy to prepare and loved by kids and adults alike.
Get the Recipe: Stovetop Candied Sweet Potatoes

Bacon Green Beans

A bowl of Green Beans with Bacon and Onions, topped with crispy bacon pieces and caramelized onions, sits on a light cloth napkin with serving utensils. A small dish of extra bacon crumbles is nearby for added flavor. — Savory Green Beans With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Green beans cooked with crispy bacon and caramelized onions take a classic side to the next level. This dish is sure to get immediate family compliments.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Green Beans

Roasted Cauliflower With Raisins

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

This roasted cauliflower with garlic, raisins, and pine nuts adds a sweet and savory punch. It’s a side that even picky eaters will love.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower With Raisins

Balsamic Roasted Asparagus & 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 are simple yet elegant for any holiday meal. Roasting enhances natural flavors for an easy, flavorful side.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Roasted Asparagus & Mushrooms

Oven-Roasted Potatoes & Onions

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

Golden oven-roasted potatoes with onions create a classic, flavorful side. Perfect for complementing any main dish at your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Roasted Potatoes & Onions

Crushed Roasted New Potatoes

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.

Boiled, lightly crushed, and oven-roasted, these new potatoes have crisp edges and creamy centers. A versatile side dish that everyone can enjoy with their favorite toppings.
Get the Recipe: Crushed Roasted New Potatoes

Warm 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 mixes crispy bacon with tender potatoes for a comforting holiday side. Ideal for potlucks or a simple family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Warm Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon

Butternut Squash With Cranberries & 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.

Oven-roasted butternut squash with cranberries and feta creates a colorful, flavorful side. Sweet, tangy, and healthy, it’s perfect for holiday dinners.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash With Cranberries & Feta

Fresh Green Beans With Mushrooms

Easy Fresh Green Beans And Mushrooms. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These fresh green beans paired with mushrooms stay crisp and flavorful when cooked. Easy steps make this an impressive and simple holiday side.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Green Beans With Mushrooms

Before the Turkey, Make These 22 Fall Sides Everyone Will Actually Eat

A collage of four Thanksgiving casseroles that deserve a comeback: mashed potatoes casserole, cranberry sauce, sliced and roasted sweet potatoes, and cheesy macaroni and cheese in bowls and trays.

Fall dinners are all about those cozy, crowd-pleasing dishes that somehow disappear before the turkey even hits the table. From buttery potatoes to roasted veggies with a little seasonal flair, these sides are the kind everyone will actually eat, no sad leftovers here.
Grab it here: Before the Turkey, Make These 22 Fall Sides Everyone Will Actually Eat

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