3 Delicious Christmas Side Dishes to Wow Your Guests

 

Looking for the perfect sides to complement your holiday feast? These three Christmas side dish recipes are easy to make, full of flavor, and sure to impress everyone around the table!

1. Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots Sweet, savory, and beautifully caramelized, these roasted carrots are a festive addition to any Christmas spread.

Ingredients:

2 lbs whole carrots (peeled and trimmed)

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons honey

2 cloves garlic (minced)

1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, mix olive oil, honey, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Toss the carrots in the mixture until well-coated and spread them evenly on the baking sheet.

Roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the carrots are tender and caramelized.

Garnish with fresh thyme and serve warm!

2. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes The ultimate comfort food gets a flavor upgrade with creamy garlic and Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients:

3 lbs russet potatoes (peeled and diced)

1/2 cup unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic (minced)

1 cup heavy cream (warmed)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions:

Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain well.

While the potatoes cook, melt the butter in a small saucepan and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.

Mash the potatoes, gradually adding the garlic butter, warm cream, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Season with salt and pepper, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve hot.

3. Cranberry Pecan Brussels Sprouts These Brussels sprouts are crispy, sweet, and tangy, with a festive pop of color and crunch from cranberries and pecans.

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs Brussels sprouts (halved)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup pecans (roughly chopped)

2 tablespoons balsamic glaze

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Toss the Brussels sprouts in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them on the baking sheet in a single layer.

Roast for 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy, stirring halfway through.

Remove from the oven, toss with cranberries and pecans, and drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.

Which of these side dishes will be making an appearance at your Christmas dinner table? I’d love to know! Drop a comment below or share your festive food creations with me over on Instagram. Let’s make this season delicious, one bite at a time!