23 Irresistible Holiday Sides
Mix and match these succulent sides to complement whatever proteins you're cooking up - many require 20 minutes prep time or less!
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Roasted Cauliflower with Brown Butter Sage Vinaigrette
You can par-roast the cauliflower for this sweet-savory dish up to 3 days in advance and simply reheat before tossing the florets with the vinaigrette, cranberries and pine nuts before serving. It’s an ideal do-ahead side dish for everything from pork to turkey.
Prep time: 45 minutes
Sourdough Dressing with Turkey Sausage, Walnuts & Pomegranate
This rich sausage and walnut dressing freezes well and it can be cooked in a slow cooker, freeing up oven and stovetop space. The slow, even heat of a slow cooker yields moist stuffing with crispy edges.
Prep time: 40 minutes
Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Sunchokes, Pecorino & Olives
Roasting thin slices of Brussels sprouts makes them deliciously caramelized, while Jerusalem artichokes and green olives add buttery flavor to this unique side dish. The sprouts can be cut up to 4 days in advance, but the cooked dish is best right out of the oven.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Souffléed Sweet Potatoes with Garlic & Rosemary
This decadent potato side is at odds with your usual holiday tuber confections, swapping maple syrup and marshmallows for herbs and spices. The result? A surprisingly airy dish with just 170 calories per serving!
Prep time: 20 minutes
Get the recipe here.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts
An earthy side with an apple cider vinegar zip and a nutty infusion (thanks to the roasted chestnuts). Reduce prep time by washing, trimming and halving your sprouts in advance.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Get the recipe here.
Roasted Vegetable Fries with Cashew Herb Dip
If you’re looking for the appeal of a deep-fried appetizer without any frying at all, these just might become your go-to option. Panko makes the exotic vegetable fries deliciously crunchy, while the cool, creamy, cashew-based dip adds a fresh, bright note.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Fig, Apple & Sage Stuffing
Who says you need butter for a succulent stuffing? With thyme, rosemary, sage, dried figs and apple, our version is butter-free and bursting with flavor! The best part? You can make it up to two days in advance.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Get the recipe here.
Cranberry Sauce with Apples & Ginger
Another way to use your apples during the holidays! A reader favorite, our cranberry sauce is simultaneously sweet, tangy and spicy, thanks to hints of honey, lemon and ginger! It keeps up to five days in your refrigerator.
Prep time: 17 minutes
Get the Cranberry Sauce with Apples & Ginger recipe.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Shallots
Mixed with fried capers and topped with golden, crisped-up shallots, you’ll hear, “Pass the Brussels sprouts!” numerous times around the holiday table.
Prep time: 30 minutes
Steamed New Potatoes with Olive Oil, Parsley & Chives
The simplest dish of the bunch, our quick and easy steamed potatoes get ample flavor from earthy parsley and oniony chives. Feel free to mix it up depending on your guests’ tastes – these taters work equally well with rosemary, tarragon, basil, mint or even paprika!
Prep time: 5 minutes
Get the recipe here.
Cauliflower & Broccoli Au Gratin
Since the holiday meal can be a tad on the heavy side, we’ve lightened up your classic gratin by using broccoli and cauliflower in lieu of potato – even with Gouda and Havarti cheeses, ours rings in at just 232 calories per serving!
Prep time: 15 minutes
Get the recipe here.
Vanilla-Glazed Sweet Potato Wedges with Candied Pecans
Sweet potato wedges glazed with maple and vanilla are a healthier take on the traditional sticky-sweet marshmallow-topped casseroles. The sweet potatoes can be roasted up to a day in advance and reheated with the glaze just before serving. Spice-roasted pecans add crunch, but they are optional.
Prep time: 30 minutes
Potato, Celery Root & Pear Gratin
Another light alternative to the classic, this comforting gratin is impressive enough to serve with the most elegant holiday meal.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Get the recipe here.
Purple Sweet Potato Latkes
While potato pancakes are a traditional Jewish dish, these flavor-packed patties are a fun and fulfilling addition to any holiday table – especially when you make them with colorful sweet and purple potatoes!
Get the recipe here.
Sweet Potato Dressing with Gruyere & Thyme
Although it has a slight sweetness, mostly from the sweet potatoes themselves, this dressing has way less sugar than the traditional sweet potato casserole. Now that’s something to celebrate!
Prep time: 40 minutes
Hot & Sour Swiss Chard
‘Tis the season for Swiss chard! We like the rainbow variety for its festive color palate, but the standard green works just as well in this sweet ’n’ spicy side that’s ready in just 15 minutes.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Get the recipe here.
Coconut-Cardamom Sweet Potatoes
Our 100-calorie sweet potato casserole has a fulfilling flavor profile, thanks to coconut milk, cardamom, vanilla, cayenne and pecans! Save some time by prepping the potatoes to the point of baking and then store in the refrigerator for up to two days!
Prep time: 20 minutes
Get the recipe here.
Maple-Glazed Carrots
Sweet, tender carrots make a perfect side for turkey or brisket. Try using colorful heirloom carrots, as shown here, to add an extra punch of color to this vibrant dish.
Get the recipe here.
Roasted Red Pepper & Feta Mashed Potatoes
Buttery Yukon gold potatoes partner with yogurt, bell pepper, feta and more for a sophisticated side that’s a little bit Greek and a whole lot of delicious! It’s just 100 calories per serving, so your guests can enjoy seconds guilt-free!
Prep time: 10 minutes
Get the recipe here.
Mushroom & Leek Stuffing
Keep the stuffing tradition alive while ditching loads of fat with our succulent, whole-wheat version, flavored with thyme, rosemary, chile powder and more! You can also prepare this riboflavin-rich holiday staple up to two days in advance.
Prep time: 40 minutes
Get the recipe here.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Coconut & Pecans
Casseroles can be a challenge during Passover — not only to keep them free of bread crumbs, but also to keep them dairy-free if you’re keeping the table kosher. This savory-meets-sweet casserole uses sweet potatoes and hemp or coconut milk and is brimming with warming flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg and maple.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Italian-Style Sautéed Greens
Use any greens you fancy in this pared-down side, which gets its pops of flavor from garlic and golden raisins. If you prep your greens in advance, you can shave a good 10 minutes off your prep time!
Prep time: 20 minutes
Get the recipe here.
Parmesan Popovers
We use quinoa flour and tofu in our popovers, ensuring a fluffy batter and a higher protein count (3 g per popover!). Serve these babies hot and steamy with your appetizer, or pop a few baskets on the table with the mains.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Get the recipe here.