30 Southern Sides That Belong on Every Holiday Table

Sometimes the holidays feel extra magical when a spread is filled with those cozy flavors we grew up with. I’ve been thinking about the classic Southern dishes that always bring warmth to a gathering, little sides that carry family stories and truly belong in the spotlight. Serve them up and watch how they land on the plates of every guest around the Holiday table without fail. It’s the kind of comfort that makes the whole season taste a bit richer.

Southern Creamy Pea Salad

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

This Southern favorite brings a cool, creamy crunch to your holiday table—loaded with cheddar, peas, and nostalgia in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Southern Creamy Pea Salad

Colorful Cabbage Slaw 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. — Colorful Cabbage Slaw with Buttermilk. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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Bright, tangy, and creamy, this red cabbage slaw balances the richness of holiday meats with refreshing crunch and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Colorful Cabbage Slaw with Buttermilk

Bacon Roasted Potato Salad

Southern style Ranch potato salad in a glass bowl next to green onions. — Bacon Roasted Potato Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Crispy bacon and roasted potatoes make this hearty side a Southern must-have—warm, savory, and perfect with ham or turkey.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Roasted Potato Salad

Southern Hash Brown Casserole

A spoon full of hashbrown casserole. — Southern Hash Brown Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy, cheesy, and topped with crispy cornflakes—this comforting casserole deserves a place at every Southern holiday feast.
Get the Recipe: Southern Hash Brown Casserole

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Pears

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

A modern twist on tradition—these caramelized sweet potatoes with pears bring rich Southern flavor to your holiday menu.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Pears

Honey Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

Hasselback sweet potatoes on a black platter with honey on the side. — Honey Hasselback Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These stunning honey-glazed Hasselbacks bring Southern sweetness and golden shine to your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Honey Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

Loaded Potato Casserole

A spoon full of twice baked mashed potatoes. — Loaded Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

All the creamy, cheesy comfort of baked potatoes—this Southern casserole will outshine your main course with ease.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Potato Casserole

Southern Corn Pudding

A baked corn pudding with a serving spoon removing a portion. — Southern Corn Pudding. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This buttery, custard-style corn pudding is pure Southern comfort—golden, creamy, and made for the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Southern Corn Pudding

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

A bowl of crock pot mac n cheese in a bowl next to a spoon. — Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Rich, creamy, and hands-off—this slow-cooker mac makes hosting easy while keeping your Southern spread delicious.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

Easy Microwave Mashed Potatoes

A serving spoon in a bowl of microwaved mashed potatoes. — Easy Microwave Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

No stove? No problem. These creamy loaded mashed potatoes come together fast and taste just like Grandma’s.
Get the Recipe: Easy Microwave Mashed Potatoes

Cheesy Cornbread Pudding

A spoonful of cornbread corn pudding. — Cheesy Cornbread Pudding. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Half cornbread, half pudding, all comfort—this cheesy golden bake is Southern soul food at its best.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cornbread Pudding

Baked Southern Mac and Cheese

A serving of mac and cheese being removed from a casserole dish. — Baked Southern Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Baked until bubbly and golden, this mac and cheese uses cottage cheese for rich texture and unforgettable flavor.
Get the Recipe: Baked Southern Mac and Cheese

Grilled Corn Blueberry Salad

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

Smoky grilled corn meets sweet berries in this colorful Southern salad that brightens up any holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Blueberry Salad

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

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

This creamy cauliflower bake is pure Southern comfort—bubbly, golden, and the ultimate veggie side dish.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Green Bean Potato Salad

A platter of green bean and potato salad. — Green Bean Potato Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Tender potatoes and crisp green beans tossed in honey vinaigrette—simple, soulful, and made for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Potato Salad

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole for the Holidays

Fresh zucchini, creamy sauce, and a crunchy topping make this casserole a Southern favorite worth adding to your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Casserole for the Holidays

Roasted Potatoes with Onions and Herbs

Crispy edges and caramelized onions turn these simple roasted potatoes into a must-serve Southern side for the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Potatoes with Onions and Herbs

Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes for Feasts

Butter on top of a bowl of mashed potatoes. — Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes for Feasts. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Rich and velvety with a touch of mascarpone, these mashed potatoes bring Southern comfort to every holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes for Feasts

Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheddar

Creamy macaroni salad with a wooden spoon. — Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheddar. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy, tangy, and packed with cheddar, this macaroni salad adds a cool, classic touch to your Southern holiday menu.
Get the Recipe: Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheddar

Classic Southern Cornbread Dressing

A serving spoon in a casserole dish of cornbread dressing. — Classic Southern Cornbread Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Buttery, herby, and baked until golden, this traditional cornbread dressing is a Southern holiday essential.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Cornbread Dressing

Balsamic Asparagus for Holiday Suppers

A platter of asparagus with mushrooms next to a container of balsamic vinegar — Balsamic Asparagus for Holiday Suppers. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Roasted asparagus and mushrooms with balsamic glaze bring an elegant, earthy balance to your Southern holiday feast.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Asparagus for Holiday Suppers

Creamed Corn with Southern Butter

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. — Creamed Corn with Southern Butter. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Silky and rich with a buttery finish, this creamed corn adds a sweet Southern note to your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn with Southern Butter

Baked Mac and Cheese Southern Style

A spoon scooping out creamy mac and cheese from a black bowl. — Baked Mac and Cheese Southern Style. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Bubbly and golden with a creamy center, this baked mac and cheese is pure Southern comfort for the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Baked Mac and Cheese Southern Style

Brown Butter Cauliflower Bake

Roasted cauliflower with brown butter in a serving bowl. — Brown Butter Cauliflower Bake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Nutty brown butter takes roasted cauliflower to new heights—this side fits right in on a Southern holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Cauliflower Bake

Spicy Cheddar Cornbread

A stack of Mexican cornbread on a rack. — Spicy Cheddar Cornbread. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With green chilies and melted cheddar, this cornbread adds just the right kick to your Southern holiday feast.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cheddar Cornbread

Pimento Mac and Cheese Bake

Two plates of pimento mac and cheese. — Pimento Mac and Cheese Bake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Loaded with cheese and classic pimentos, this baked mac brings a Southern twist to your holiday lineup.
Get the Recipe: Pimento Mac and Cheese Bake

Southern Carrot Raisin Salad

A bowl of carrot raisin salad with a serving spoon. — Southern Carrot Raisin Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet, crisp, and nostalgic, this carrot raisin salad adds color and charm to every Southern holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Southern Carrot Raisin Salad

Crispy 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. — Crispy Roasted New Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Golden and crispy on the outside, fluffy inside—these potatoes are the crunchy star of any Southern holiday plate.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Roasted New Potatoes

Kentucky Holiday Spoon Bread

A serving spoon full of spoon bread. — Kentucky Holiday Spoon Bread. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Soft, buttery, and lightly sweet, this spoon bread is the old-fashioned Southern comfort every holiday meal deserves.
Get the Recipe: Kentucky Holiday Spoon Bread

Gruyere Holiday Scalloped Potatoes

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

Layered with Gruyere and garlic, these scalloped potatoes bake up creamy, golden, and ready for any Southern holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Gruyere Holiday Scalloped Potatoes

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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